Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status

Having hotel status is one of the best and easiest ways to bring your vacation to the next level. Marriott is the world’s largest hotel chain. And there are many people who frequent their hotels, despite their merger, devaluations, re-branding, and data breach. Therefore, having Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status could be very lucrative for some travelers.

The Points Guy has similar posts that assume values for hotel statuses from different chains. But because everyone’s mileage may vary, it’s inherently unfair to peg values for each level. Therefore, this post simply explains what you can get at each level.

Marriott is unlike its competitors because it has six levels of status instead of four. They are also unique because status is determined by how many nights you stay at Marriott properties. There are two exceptions: if you have a Marriott credit card and you spend enough to achieve the next level of status and paying for Ambassador Status.

Member

This is where everyone starts out when creating their Marriott account. There are no stay requirements and anyone over the age of 18 can join. Unfortunately, members don’t get much for joining. Three perks exist for members and most of them are standard among competing chains: complimentary wi-fi, mobile check in, and member rates.

Silver

Silver is the first earned level of Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status. Members must stay at least 10 nights per calendar year to achieve this level organically. However, Silver Status can be earned by being approved for either the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card or the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business Card. Both cards offer Silver Status as a perk.

Silver Status is like being a member with a few extra perks. Silver members will receive the three perks from basic membership plus the following:

Points Bonus

This is the most noteworthy perk derived from having Silver Status. Silver members will receive a 10% points bonus for every point earned at Marriott properties.

Late Checkout

There is no set time for late checkout for those with Silver Elite Status. But there should be a set time for the purposes of planning and possibly adding value.

Dedicated Elite Reservation Line

This is simply a special phone line for members only. The theory is that Silver members will have shorter wait times (or none at all) to reserve a room. Your mileage may vary here.

Ultimate Reservation Guarantee

This perk guarantees that Marriott will pay for Silver members to stay elsewhere nearby if there are no rooms available at the property at which made the reservation.

Gold

Gold Elite Status is where the perks start to become valuable. Members must stay at least 25 nights in a calendar year to obtain this status level. Another way to earn Gold Status is to spend $35,000 in a calendar year on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card or its business counterpart.

Alternatively, Gold status can be obtained with an approval for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card or any version of the American Express Platinum Card. These cards offer Gold Status as a perk.

Gold members will receive all the perks of Silver status plus the following:

Points Bonus

Gold members will receive a 25% points bonus for every point earned at Marriott properties.

Late Checkout

This perk improves on that from Silver Status in that there’s a set time of 2:00 pm. Having a set time helps with planning and leaving the hotel in a timely manner.

Room Upgrades

Gold Status gives members the opportunity to upgrade to the best room available at check in. Suites are not included. This is by far the most noteworthy perk of having Gold Status. It can provide hundreds of dollars in value at the right hotel.

Welcome Gift

Upon checking in, Gold members will receive a small bonus worth either 250 or 500 points, depending on the property.

Platinum

Platinum Status is the lowest tier that Marriott loyalists should strive for. It offers a plethora of perks and upgrades for members. Members must stay at least 50 nights in a calendar year to obtain this level. Alternatively, they can spend $60,000 in a calendar year on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card. There is no way to earn Platinum Status directly by applying for a credit card.

With Platinum Status, members will receive all the perks of Gold status plus the following:

Points Bonus

Platinum members will receive a 50% points bonus for every point earned at Marriott properties.

Late Checkout

The set time is pushed back to 4:00 pm, but this perk is otherwise the same as what Gold members get.

Room Upgrades

Platinum members can upgrade to the best room available at check in, including suites. This is a significant upgrade over what Gold members receive because suite upgrades can save you hundreds of dollars per night. That can add up to thousands in value over a long trip or multiple short trips.

Welcome Gift

Marriott gives Platinum members a choice of their gift. The three options are up to 1,000 points, free breakfast, or a free amenity. Breakfast for the average family can cost more than $50 for one morning. That number can multiply if you stay for multiple days, making breakfast the most valuable of the three options.

Annual Choice Benefit

This additional gift comes as a reward for staying 50 nights in a calendar year. Marriott gives you five options:

• 5 Suite Night Awards
• 40% off your favorite mattress
• 5 Elite Night Credits
• $100 donation to a charity of your choice
• The opportunity to gift Silver status to a friend or family member

The suite night awards is the best option because a suite can go for several hundred dollars for one night. That can save Platinum members thousands on a very nice trip.

Two of these options are silly: the mattress and gifting Silver Status. The former is perk that I have never seen or heard of until writing this post. And the latter can be obtained with a credit card.

Guaranteed Lounge Access

Platinum members plus one guest have access to hotel lounges where available. These are mostly found within Marriott’s more luxurious properties. The lounges serve breakfast in the morning, as well as alcohol and appetizers in the evening.

Titanium

Titanium Status is Platinum Status on steroids. There is truth to this notion because it used to be known as “75-Night Platinum Status”. As its former name indicates, you must stay at least 75 nights in a calendar year to obtain Titanium Status.

Titanium members will receive all the perks of Platinum status plus the following:

Points Bonus

Titanium members will receive a 75% points bonus for every point earned at Marriott properties.

48-Hour Room Guarantee

This feature guarantees your room 48 hours before you check in. Unlike Hilton, Marriott does not limit how you can book your room to access this perk.

Annual Choice Benefit

This additional gift comes as a reward for staying 75 nights in a calendar year. Marriott gives Titanium members six options:

• 5 Suite Night Awards
• 40% off your favorite mattress
• 5 Elite Night Credits
• $100 donation to a charity of your choice
• The opportunity to gift Gold status to a friend or family member
• One Free Night

The options given with Titanium Status are more enticing than those from Platinum Status. This also makes the decision harder for some people.

United Silver Status

Titanium members will receive United Mileage Plus Silver Status just for being a member. World of Hyatt does something similar with M Life Rewards, but on a more widespread scale.

Ambassador

Ambassador is the sixth and top earned level of Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status. There are two requirements to earning this level: spending $20,000 and staying at least 100 nights in a calendar year. Ambassador level gifts you with all the perks from Titanium Status plus the following:

Your 24

Imagine the late checkout perk from the lower levels and turn it on its head. That’s what ambassadors get with Your 24. You can check in and check out 24 hours a day with this service. There are

Ambassador Service

This is a personal concierge service that can help ambassadors with anything you need during your stay. Your mileage may vary with your ambassador according to a plethora of online reports and stories.

Final Draw

Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status is great to have for Marriott loyalists as it can potentially save thousands of dollars. A lot of the perks are common among competitors, but Marriott always finds a way to put their own twist on them.

However, having six levels is too much for a lot of people. Achieving the upper echelons requires a lot of nights and a lot of spending. Most of Marriott’s competitors have only four tiers, making their upper statuses more reachable to most travelers. I might do future whole post suggesting how Marriott could streamline their status tiers to make them more reachable.

Lifetime Status will also require a separate post as each level has different requirements. Also, Platinum Status is the highest level in which you could become a lifetime member.

Consider how often you’re traveling and how loyal you are to any hotel chain before deciding to go for a higher status. Your mileage may vary.