You have until the end of the year to earn the number of elite nights required for the elite level you’re aiming for, so it’s time to start thinking strategically!
End of Year Marriott elite plans
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(00:47) – Which status levels are worth targeting?
Read more about which Marriott elite benefits apply and when here.
(03:12) – Shortcuts (You can read more about this here.)
(05:00) – Learn more about Marriott credit card eligibility here.
(08:31) – Nick’s plan
(12:14) – Greg’s plan
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Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
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I’m with Nick – the 35K certs have been well worth the $95 or $125 annual fee from Marriott personal or business cards. 85K has been more of a mixed bag, one great redemption for the Ritz Carlton Nomad NYC (when standard awards dropped to 99K in the summer), but the other I just burned at the JW Marriott Tampa before a cruise to use it up. Really nice hotel, and the only Marriott property I’ve been to so far with an open club lounge, but we could have been just fine with the much lower points price Le Meridien or regular Marriott in town so it seemed a little bit of a waste.
Like other programs, Marriott ought to also have a revenue-only qualification for tier status. If some books 25 nights in $1000 per night suites, they only get Gold Elite? Or, $50k per year. There’s something wrong with that
I don’t remember how the years of platinum for lifetime status works.
i am at 7 years and 560 nights. When do I get to cancel/ downgrade my brilliant card. I think the answer is 1/27, but I just want to confirm.
For lifetime platinum, you need 600 nights and 10 years as platinum.
Currently, I am sitting at 10 years and 576 nights. I have no Marriott stays coming up for the rest of 2025, but because I have the Chase Ritz card and the Chase Marriott business card, those combined 30 nights (15 from each) will push me over 600 and around February of 2026 I should make lifetime platinum, simply coasting to the finish line.
It’s pointless in the USA, as I am sure many will surely remind you. However, if you travel to Asia as much as I do the benefits are very good. Even Europe beats the US for platinum recognition, but Asia can’t be beat. Courtyard, for instance, are in fact luxury hotels in much of Asia. Chinese Marriotts and Hiltons (and Intercontinental hotels too) will ASTOUND you. Excellent value.
Let me try again- and be more explicit with my question. My counter is 7years /560. I have brilliant card. In January, it will be 8/585. The next January, it will be 9/ >600. If I cancel in 1/27, will 2027 count as a year of platinum? Will I be 10/>600 when the counter resets in 2028.
Thanks
My sense is that in order to pick up year 10 in January 2028, you will either need to 1) achieve 50 Elite Night Credits in calendar year 2027 or 2) close your Brilliant card after the January 2028 qualification reset.
Thanks. How strong is your “sense”? Is that everyone’s understanding?
I tried to read a flyertalk thread on this a while ago, but jury seemed out.
Marriott is awful. Forget it. Go to Hyatt or IHG.