Update Feb 2: Registration is now open for the double points and double elite nights promo. Register here. While the terms indicate that award stays do not earn double elite nights, we have once again confirmed with Marriott that a stay including at least one paid night mixed with award nights will count for double elite credit. See this post for more: Official word: Marriott mixed paid / award stays will earn double credit.
Update Feb 1: Elite nights from the 50% Rollover are starting to post! And we have good news from Nick: In 2020, he didn’t didn’t earn enough nights to requalify for Titanium status (but his Titanium status rolled over due to Covid) and yet he still earned the 50% Rollover based on his Titanium status.
Marriott has announced a huge boost for members interested in qualifying/re-qualifying for elite status this year. They have also reduced redemption rates at many properties for reservations
Faster & Easier Elite Status
Marriott has made it much easier this year to keep your elite status or reach next level status. Here are the details:
- 50% Elite Night Credit Rollover: Marriott will deposit 50% of the Elite Night Credits (ENCs) into members’ accounts based on their 2020 Elite status tier. The ENC’s will be deposited in February. As a reminder, Marriott did the same last year.
- Ambassador Elite Status 30% Easier: Marriott is reducing the $20,000 spend threshold for attaining Ambassador Elite status by 30% for 2021. This year you’ll “only” have to spend $14,000 at Marriott properties and earn 100 nights to achieve Ambassador Elite status.
- Double points and elite nights: From February 16 through April 27, 2021, members will earn double the number of points and elite night credits for stays of two nights or more. Registration is now open: Register here. Good news too: Official word — Marriott mixed paid / award stays will earn double credit.
If you earned status in 2020 (or got status for free from a credit card, lifetime status, or other means), then Marriott should add elite nights to your account according to this table:
| 2020 Elite Status |
Regular requirement | 50% elite night credits to be deposited in February |
|---|---|---|
| Ambassador | 100 nights + $20K spend | 50 nights |
| Titanium | 75 nights | 38 nights |
| Platinum | 50 nights | 25 nights |
| Gold | 25 nights | 13 nights |
| Silver | 10 nights | 5 nights |
| General Member | None | None |
And, here is a summary of Marriott elite requirements and benefits:
| Elite Status Level | Requirements Per Year | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Elite | 10 Nights | Late checkout, 10% point bonus |
| Gold Elite | 25 Nights | 2PM late checkout; 25% point bonus; welcome gift (points only); room upgrade; enhanced internet |
| Platinum Elite | 50 Nights | 4PM late checkout; 50% point bonus; welcome gift w/ breakfast option; room upgrade includes suites; lounge access; Choice benefit (such as 5 nightly upgrade awards) when you achieve 50 nights. |
| Titanium Elite | 75 Nights | All of the above, plus: 75% point bonus; United Silver Premier status; Air Canada Aeroplan 25K Status; Ritz-Carlton suite upgrades; Additional Choice Benefit (such as 40K free night certificate) when you achieve 75 nights. |
| Ambassador Elite | 100 Nights + $23K Spend | All of the above, plus: Ambassador Service (dedicated Marriott agent); Your24 (Choose the 24 hours of your stay. For example, choose to check in at 9am after an overnight flight). |
With the combination of elite night rollover and the double points & double elite night promo, it should be very easy for Marriott Bonvoy members to earn elite status this year.
Discounted Awards (Marriott’s “Super Off-Peak Promotion”)
Marriott has also promised to reduce off-peak redemption rates globally by 10% for all reservations through September 30, 2021 booked between January 11, 2021 and February 21, 2021. More about this promo can be found here.
Here is the standard award chart:
With a 10% award reduction, we can expect to see the following award rates for off-peak properties. Note that for PointSaver awards, only hotels in categories 5, 7, and 8 are discounted. Cash + Points rates are not discounted.
| Category | Off-Peak Price After 10% Off | Off-Peak PointSavers Price After 10% Off |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4,500 | N/A |
| 2 | 9,000 | N/A |
| 3 | 13,500 | N/A |
| 4 | 18,000 | N/A |
| 5 | 27,000 | 24,750 |
| 6 | 36,000 | N/A |
| 7 | 45,000 | 40,500 |
| 8 | 63,000 | 58,500 |
Unfortunately for those of us with free night certificates, I don’t see any situations where the 10% discount will make hotels eligible for certificates if they weren’t eligible before. For example, category 6 off-peak hotels can’t be booked with 35K free night certificates because they still cost 36,000 points after the 10% discount.
43 elite nights with no stays
Those who will be gifted 13 elite nights due to having Gold status in 2020 maybe able to get 43 elite nights before staying in a Marriott hotel. Anyone with both a consumer and business Marriott card should be in that position: 15 elite nights from consumer card + 15 elite nights from business card + 13 promo elite nights = 43 elite nights.
If you don’t already have 30 elite nights from credit cards, you can get there by signing up for a credit card or two (Please note: I’m not suggesting that this is a good idea, I’m just listing what is possible)…
Consumer cards available for new signups
If you don’t already have a Marriott consumer card, you can sign up for any one of these to get 15 elite nights added to your account (note that signing up for more than one consumer card will not result in more than 15 elite nights):
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
60K points + 50K free night cert ⓘ Friend-Referral 60K points + 50K free night certificate after spending $2K in the first 3 months. Terms apply. No Annual Fee This card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details). Recent better offer: 60K points + Free Night Certificate after $2k spend (ended 11/25/24) FM Mini Review: The best use for this card is probably to downgrade from the Ritz or Boundless card to avoid the annual fee. That way, you can always upgrade again when you need the annual free night or other perks Earning rate: ✦ 3X Marriott Bonvoy ✦ 2X grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable and phone services ✦ 1X everywhere else Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: Automatic Silver status ✦ 5 nights of elite credit each year See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
100,000 points + $150 statement credit ⓘ Friend-Referral Earn 100K points after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months and a $150 statement credit after making one purchase$95 Annual Fee This card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details). Recent better offer: 5 x 50K free night certificates after $5K in spend (expired 1/9/24) Earning rate: ✦ 6X Marriott Bonvoy ✦ 3X gas stations, grocery stores, and dining on up to $6K in combined purchases each year ✦ 2X everywhere else Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn Gold status when you spend $35K each year ✦ 1 Elite Night Credit towards elite status for every $5K spent Noteworthy perks: ✦ Annual free night certificate for 1 night at a hotel redemption level up to 35K ✦ Automatic Silver status ✦ 15 nights of elite credit each year ✦ 1 Elite Night Credit for every $5K spent See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
95K Points ⓘ Affiliate 95k points after $6K spend within the first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)$650 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: (Expired 10/2/24) 185k points after $6K spend within the first 6 months. FM Mini Review: Decent ultra-premium option for Marriott fans, especially those aiming for lifetime status tiers Earning rate: 3X airfare -on flights booked directly with airlines; 3X restaurants worldwide, 6X Marriott; 2X on all other eligible purchases Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Annual Choice Award with $60K calendar year spend Noteworthy perks: ✦ 85K Free Night Award each year upon renewal ✦ $300 dining credit per membership year ($25/mo) ✦ Platinum Elite status ✦ 25 elite nights credit ✦ Priority Pass membership (Lounges only) with 2 guests ✦ Global Entry fee credit ✦ Free premium internet at Marriott properties Note: Enrollment required for some benefits. See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
Business card available for new signups
If you don’t already have a Marriott business card, you can sign up for this card to get 15 elite nights added to your account:
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
Limited Time Offer - 125K Points ⓘ Affiliate 125k points after $8K spend within the first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees) (Offer Expires 3/12/2025)$125 Annual Fee Recent better offer: 5x50K free night certificates after $8K in spend (expired 10/16/24) Earning rate: 6x at Marriott Bonvoy properties ✦ 4x at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased from U.S. suppliers and on U.S. purchases for shipping ✦ 2x on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply. (Rates & Fees) Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn an additional 35k free night certificate (can be topped-up with up to 15k additional points, subject to resort fees) after you spend $60K on purchases in a calendar year Noteworthy perks: Complimentary Marriott Gold elite status ✦ 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year ✦ 35k Free Night Award every year after card renewal (subject to resort fees) ✦ Complimentary premium Internet access at Marriott properties ✦ Terms Apply (Rates & Fees) See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
Conclusion
This year it will be very easy for many of us to earn meaningful elite status levels with Marriott. With Marriott, this mostly means earning either 50 night Platinum status or 75 night Titanium status. Gold status is mostly worthless (in my opinion) and Ambassador status is unreasonably difficult to obtain due to it’s spend requirement (even after the 30% reduction).
See also:
- Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide
- Marriott’s FAQ regarding COVID-19 changes for Bonvoy members (e.g. elite status, mileage expiration, certificate expiration, etc.)
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What do we do in the case where we didn’t get our bonus nights?
I have a stay I need to book 4/24-4/29. Since the promotion ends on 4/29, should I book this as 1 stay or would that not credit correctly? Would it be better to book 4/24-4/27 and then 4/28-4/29?
Let’s say I need to stay 4 nights to get 8 nights for Platinum status on this offer.
Can I book the 4 nights as a paid stay at a cheap hotel for $80 per night and pay with a friend’s Amex Brilliant card so she gets the $300 credit on the card while I get my 4 nights for the $20 I will refund her? She is unable to use the $300 credit herself.
I would even earn Marriott points!
How does the $300 credit work? When does it post? My friend’s card is soon up for renewal and does not want to keep it for the $450 annual fee.
Yes that would work. The $300 credit works on any Marriott room rate or room charge. You may have to jump through some hoops with the hotel using her card. Usually checking in via the app allows everything to be processed with that card on file, but they will ask for a new card for incidentals. When checking out, it should go to the card used when booking online. But again, you have to use the app to check in. I’ve had hotels tell me they can’t charge the card on file unless I use the app. Some hotels may know how to get around that but YMMV.
Thanks for that answer. I will try to plan it out and use the app.
Another option is for her to buy a gift card at a local Marriott and send it to you. Last I knew, gift card purchases did work. Can’t recall if online ones work or not. The ones at physical hotels work as it looks like incidentals or a room rate. But we know how Amex can get with gift cards so if you plan on staying in her annual $300 credit period, I would just charge it directly. Be aware that if she upgraded from an older Marriott/SPG card, then her $300 credit will be on a different annual reset period. I was going to downgrade by Brilliant back down to the older card, but they offered me an okay retention offer. Then the monthly restaurant credit came out, so I will keep it as is for the next year.
Thanks, Matthew, I am going for it. How soon will the $300 credit appear as I am running against the clock for the card anniversary date?
Many offers only take a few days. I did mine beginning of the year and it took about 3. Amex credits have been running more slowly than usual last month. But it seems to be back to normal. I just completed the $50 off $200 with Marriott. Hotel charge dated March 1 and credit dated March 2. Although I checked yesterday and it wasn’t there although the credit showed as completed in Amex Offers.
I would suggest she chat with Amex. Ask them when she needs to use her credit by. I hope it hasn’t already reset as Amex could get funny if she failed to use it last year, but uses it for this year, just to cancel. We know how they can clawback. She could also ask about any retention offers or downgrade options.
Matthew, success. This is what I did:
I called hotel, but got a regional office who was quite helpful. They said there was a form we could complete where the room will be charged to a specific car in anyone’s name as long as they signed that form. A link was sent to me where I accessed the form and we completed it with her “signing” it electronically through a site called sertifi.com. The form had a Marriott logo and called Payment Authorization Request.
Once uploaded I called the same person at Marriott who confirmed she had the form and the room rate would be charged to that card, no matter what card was on my account. At the Hotel I had to present a card for “incidentals” so I gave any card and that was it. This seems the best way to go, but I don’t know if it’s available everywhere.
This allows me to book a stay and with my account and get the nights and points (if any) to come to me, while using someone’s else’s card (in this case to get her the AMEX $300 credit).
I haven’t seen the nights post yet and I suspect I may have to call to get my doubled nights. But thanks for your suggestions which put me on the right path.
I will update once we (hopefully) get what we should. If this were Hyatt I would have a lot more confidence. AMEX + Marriott = not the best combination to expect everything to go smoothly.
All good. The normal nights posted in about 3 days and a couple of days later the extra night posted, so all-in-all 3 paid nights plus 1 on points got me 8 nights.
Thanks for all the info. This seemed like a great way to get Platinum status.
However, I just got denied for the AMEX Bonvoy Business card.
“because you have or have had a Marriott Consumer and/or Business Co-Branded Credit Card issued by Chase (that may have included an earned welcome or upgrade offer), you are not eligible to receive the welcome offer.”
I have the Chase Marriott personal visa card. A long time ago I had the AMEX Starwood business card. Could that be the reason for not being eligible for the welcome offer. Are there similar data points that you are aware? Thank you.
Yes, the SPG Business card is the same product so having had that might preclude you from getting the bonus on the Bonvoy Business card. That said, the message you’re getting is about the Chase card it seems. When did you get the bonus on that card?
Nick, thanks for the reply and for all the things I have learned from you and this site. That’s the part that confuses me – not getting the bonus because of a bonus on a Chase card. I received the bonus for the Chase Marriott personal card October of 2020.
I finally figured it out thanks to extensive reading on frequentmiler. I found this:
https://frequentmiler.com/marriott-card-eligible/
and looked at the handy matrix for the business card.
I know this isn’t the best use, but if I only need 15 nights to get Platinum status, can I still get this AMEX Marriott business card just for the elite nights even if I don’t get the bonus?
IMBS (I must be stupid) because I just cannot understand what constitutes a “stay” or a “night” for elite status/
Like other I have not stayed in a Marriott for a year, but I have 43 nights right now.
I have a 1-week certificate (Partial Package – 7 nights category 1-4) and a few other single night certificates (MAR BV AX FNA up to 35k points.). Can I use the week to get the 7 elite nights for Platinum status? or don’t these count? Or, can I add a paid night to the 7-night award and get 18 nights credit?
Apart from the fact I can’t seem to register so I will have to call. I could ask Marriott what will get me 7 Elite nights but I don’t trust them, so I am asking here. .
Can anyone help me understand this?
You need nights for elite status. You have 43. A 7-night certificate will give you the 7 nights you need when stay. Each of the other single night certificates also give you an elite night when you use them. If you add a paid night with any of that, the number of nights gets doubled (so 1 paid night plus 7-night cert during the promo window = 16 nights).
Thanks, Nick. So, if I used 3 single night certs (or 2 certs + 1 stays on points for example) PLUS 1 paid night I should get 8 Elite nights credit (4 nights x 2). Is that so? Assuming I am signed up for the double deal.
And if that’s correct then I would have to call them to link them as 1 “stay”, right?
You don’t need to call. You can just look up a 4-night stay using points, then hit “customize payment” and choose points for some nights and cash for others. On the checkout page, it’ll give you the choice to use any qualifying certificates for the award nights. In other words, you can do it yourself and make a single 4-night reservation with two free night certs, one paid night, and one night using points. Yes, you’d get 8 nights of elite credit for that thanks to the promo.
Here’s a post about how to do that:
https://frequentmiler.com/bet-didnt-know-maximizing-marriotts-5th-night-free-longer-stays/
Nick, thank you so much. You have made this clear to me now. It looks better than I expected. One last question, just asking for your guess:
Most of my Marriott certificates are expiring on 8/1/21, presumably like many others as they were extended by Marriott. What do you think the chances are for them to extend these again, say until 12/31/21 like Hyatt? I think most of us are not traveling now and may well not be by the end of July. Would you like to give an estimate of the odds?
Close to 0%. The trend on covid is down. And even then Marriott isn’t the most proactive with customer friendly policies.
You are probably right, but I hope not. Thanks for your guess.
I also get the message it’s not for me. “We’re sorry, but there was an error in directing you to this promotion.
The reason for this error could be:
Darn. I am already at 59 nights though as I had a long stay in December and then did some double credit nights in January. I am more interested in the points than anything, but I guess they did target this offer. FYI
I got the same message. I ended up messaged Marriott Bonvoy on Twitter and they were able to add the promo to my account once they asked couple of verification questions.
I was one of those who received the message that I wasn’t eligible. I reached out via Twitter and they added the promo to my Bonvoy account. It took a few hours for it appear on my promotions page. I also received an email a couple days later confirming that I was registered. The Twitter rep stated that the promo is not targeted.
Just to let you know, apparently not everyone is able to use this offer. I previously received a targeted offer that paid me a bonus 7,500 points for the 1st stay and then 15,000 bonus points on a 2nd stay, which I will receive later this month.
This offer does not come up in my promotion feed, so I used your provided link and it advised I’m not eligible.
FYI, I am currently Titanium and Lifetime Platinum.
I’m pretty sure that Marriott didn’t intend for it to be targeted. I’d recommend trying again. Try both via phone app and via web browser in case you get a different result with one or the other. Ultimately if that doesn’t work, you may have to call to get enrolled.
In the past I’ve topped up my Marriott elite nights using cheap one week stays at some of their timeshare resorts. While I wouldn’t earn points, these Interval International bookings would earn seven elite nights. But I assume these 3rd party bookings won’t count for double elite nights under this promotion?
That’s my understanding: that you won’t earn double elite nights that way.
Registration for the double points and double Elite night promo is open!!
I jumped from 30 to 68 nights having made Titanium in 2020. However, I don’t think the 38 added nights changed my number of nights in lifetime statistics.
One question: since I just jumped into Platinum, shouldn’t I get the annual gift choice?
So, do these free nights count for lifetime nights, and does the boost into elite status via these nights also bring the annual gift choice (for hitting, in my case, platinum)?
Yes, you will be able to pick a Choice Benefit for 2021. Marriott hasn’t opened up that option yet for selection. You have until mid Jan 2022 to pick.
Lifetime stats should update eventually.
I’m still confused. What if I have no nights from last year? Any way to expedite getting to platinum? I have an upcoming trip and will be starting 21 nights at a hotel. I already have Globalist with Hyatt.
If you register for the double nights promo, then your upcoming stay should give you 21 x 2 = 42 elite nights (if it is within the offer period). The other thing you can do is get both a consumer and business Marriott card. Each will give you 15 elite nights each year.
For the Double points and elite nights promo ending on April 27, does that date correspond to the latest check-out date or latest check-in date?
Probably check-out date
Does anyone know if this is confirmed for this promotion? I may book a weekend stay ending Feb 16 or 17 and would hope to earn double nights for the nights before Feb 16.
[…] Fast Marriott Elite Status: Other hotels are doing it, so why not Marriott? It’s no secret that hotels are hurting for business so they’re pulling out all the stops to lure customers. These could be great opportunities for us to earn elite status. […]
Do you think a reservation booked before promo registration opens will count for double elite nights? BTW, the only Cat 1 in the Western US never has more than two days in a row at off-peak award rates, and no 10% discount. Still, PointSavers apply and the fifth night is free, so some 5-night stays are available for 20K points.
My bet is that it would be safe to book before registering, but we won’t know for sure until registration opens.
Do I need to register for the double-night promotion before I book a stay? I found a cheap local one for the end of February and wanted to lock in the rate. I know registering for the promotion doesn’t begin for a few more weeks. Or is it, as long as I am registered for the promotion before my stay begins is all I need?
My bet is that it would be safe to book before registering, but we won’t know for sure until registration opens.