At MilesCop.com, we are obsessed with earning more points, faster elite status and getting discounts. It’s not just because it helps you save some (okay, more than some) money, it’s also so much fun.
The aroma of freshly deposited points, the joy of being welcomed with - ‘Thank you for being a Platinum elite’, keycard with a golden cover, and getting upgraded to a 3 sq. mt bigger room with an exclusive garden view. Who wouldn’t want all that?
And what better motivation to work towards a higher elite status than going through the benefits of various levels.
Various Marriott Bonvoy Levels and Qualification
We will talk about getting the elite status with fewer nights a little further down this post, but this is what it takes to get a guaranteed status upgrade with Marriott Bonvoy.
| Level | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Member (Base Level) | On Joining |
| Silver Elite | 10 nights per year |
| Gold Elite | 25 nights per year |
| Platinum Elite | 50 nights per year |
| Titanium Elite | 75 nights per year |
| Ambassador Elite | 100+ nights/year and $20,000 in annual qualifying spend |
Lifetime levels
Lifetime levels have the same benefits as regular levels, apart from the fact that you don’t have to requalify for them every year.
| Level | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Lifetime Silver Elite | 250 Lifetime Nights + 5 Years Elite Status |
| Lifetime Gold Elite | 400 Lifetime Nights + 7 Years Gold Elite Status or Higher |
| Lifetime Platinum Elite | 600 Lifetime Nights + 10 Years Platinum Elite Status or Higher |
Marriott Bonvoy Membership Benefits
Member Only Rates
All members, irrespective of their elite status, have access to members only rates. These are generally available on the official site and mobile app.
Ultimate Reservation Guarantee
All levels, except base member level, are entitled to Ultimate Reservation Guarantee. Which means if you book a room, you will get a room. Else, the hotel will get you an accomodation in a nearby hotel and throw in some extra compensation.
Internet Access
Hotel with a high speed Internet is an illusion. However, as long as you are able to book musicals and post trip updates on instagram, life is not so bad.
| Level | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Member | Regular |
| Silver Elite | Regular |
| Gold Elite | Premium High Speed |
| Platinum Elite | Premium High Speed |
| Titanium Elite | Premium High Speed |
| Ambassador Elite | Premium High Speed |
Bonus Points
Points are the core of any hotel loyalty program. After all, redeeming points for free nights is what we join the program in first place.
Elite members earn more points than members at lower levels on all bookings. Apart from eligible hotel room rates, you also earn bonus points on other incidentals that can be charged to your room, such as dining and spa.
| Level | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Silver Elite | 10% |
| Gold Elite | 25% |
| Platinum Elite | 50% |
| Titanium Elite | 75% |
| Ambassador Elite | 75% |
Tip: It’s always a good idea to charge everything to your room, instead of paying directly at the restaurant, spa etc. Not just for bonus points, at times there are discounts as well for elite members.
Welcome Gift
These are pretty tokenish in nature generally. But it feels good to get a little extra something for being an elite member.
| Level | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Silver Elite | A smile and ‘Thank you for being a Silver Elite.’ |
| Gold Elite | 250 or 500 bonus points (varies by brand) |
| Platinum Elite | Choose between points, breakfast offering or amenity (varies by brand). |
| Titanium Elite | Choose between points, breakfast offering or amenity (varies by brand). |
| Ambassador Elite | Choose between points, breakfast offering or amenity (varies by brand). |
Tip: You might already have complimentary breakfast included in your club/lounge access. Factor that in before choosing your welcome gift on arrival.
Room Upgrade
For the first couple of years as an elite member, I found it very awkward to ask for an upgrade. But then I realised asking for it works so many times that I ask for it almost every time, very politely of course. It also is very embarrassing when you’re refused an upgrade on your face. That’s why I always ask for it quietly ;)
If you book multiple rooms, only the room where the elite member is staying is generally upgraded.
| Level | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Silver Elite | NA. However, I got upgraded several times as a Marriott Silver Elite. It’s just luck and availability I guess. |
| Gold Elite | Upgrade to a better room, if available. |
| Platinum Elite | Upgrade to a better room, including Select Suites, if available. |
| Titanium Elite | Upgrade to a better room, including Select Suites, if available. |
| Ambassador Elite | Upgrade to a better room, including Select Suites, if available. |
Tip: Travelling off-season or when you expect the occupancy to be low, greatly increases your chances of an upgrade.
Lounge Access
It’s always good to get lounge access. It’s a great place to chill, talk to people, grab a couple of drinks or just read something. I don’t remember staying at any Marriott without a club lounge.
| Level | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Silver Elite | NA |
| Gold Elite | NA |
| Platinum Elite | Full access and complimentary breakfast, at hotels with a lounge. |
| Titanium Elite | Full access and complimentary breakfast, at hotels with a lounge. |
| Ambassador Elite | Full access and complimentary breakfast, at hotels with a lounge. |
Tip: All lounges have a schedule for serving tea/coffee, snacks, breakfast, drinks hour etc. Don’t forget to enquire about it as soon as you are settled. Almost everything is complimentary, provided you don’t miss the timings.
Late Checkout
We all know how late checkout works - you have to either call up the frontdesk and ask very politely or you need to be an elite member. Though it definitely helps to know what you are entitled to.
| Level | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Silver Elite | Subject to availability |
| Gold Elite | Up to 2 p.m., based on availability |
| Platinum Elite | Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout at hotels, subject to availability at resort and convention hotels. |
| Titanium Elite | Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout at hotels, subject to availability at resort and convention hotels. |
| Ambassador Elite | Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout at hotels, subject to availability at resort and convention hotels. |
Tip: Regardless of your elite status, it always helps to inform the frontdesk in advance if you are expecting a late checkout. It makes it simpler for you as well as the hotel manager.
Exclusive Ambassador Elite benefits
Ambassador members get 2 unique benefits when they stay at Marriott hotels.
- Ambassador Service: A personal point of contact, who is always at your service for every stay.
- Your24™: Flexibility to choose the 24 hours of your stay. e.g. check in at 6 p.m. and then check out at 6 p.m.
48-Hour Room Guarantee
Titanium and Ambassador members have a room availability guarantee — provided you book by 3 p.m., 48 hours prior to arrival.
Annual Choice Benefit
Stay 50+ nights in a year: Choose one from the following: five Suite Night Awards™, gift Silver Elite status, 40% off on mattress purchase, five Elite Night Credits or a $100 charity donation.
Stay 75+ nights in a year: You have already made one selection when you crossed 50 nights. At 75 you can choose one more. Choose one from the following: five Suite Night Awards, a Free Night Award, gift Gold Elite status, 40% off on mattress, five Elite Night Credits or a $100 charity donation.
Complimentary United MileagePlus Premier® Silver status
Marriott Titanium and Ambassador Elite members get a complimentary United MileagePlus Premier® Silver status along with a few more benefits. You can apply for the status match here.
Get to a Higher Marriott Bonvoy Level Faster…
Unless you are a business traveller, it’s not easy to qualify for the higher status by fulfilling the number of nights requirement. Thankfully, there are some faster ways to reach a higher Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Taste of Elite or Status Match
All hotel loyalty programs come up with some form of status match or taste of elite programs from time to time. Status match is straight forward. If you are an elite with any other hotel chain, you can get matched to a higher lever with another.
Taste of elite gets you an upgrade for a few months (generally 90 days) and you have an option to stay a reduced number of nights in that period to retain the status for another year.
You can check current status match promotions here. Would also recommend joining our mailing list to get notified whenever there is a status match option available.
Marriott Co-branded Credit Cards
Co-branded credit cards are another great way to get an elite status along with some other benefits like several thousand bonus points, free nights, property credits etc.
You can see all Marriott Credit Card offerings here.
Premium Credit Cards
Marriott Co-branded credit cards are great, if you can get one. They are available in a pretty limited number of countries.
However, Marriott has tied up with several credit card companies worldwide to provide Marriott Elite Status to premium credit card holders. You will need to check the websites of your local banks. Local Amex website would be a good place to start.
