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 suite night awards) when you achieve 50 nights. |
| Titanium Elite | 75 Nights | All of the above, plus: 75% point bonus; United Silver Premier status via RewardsPlus; 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 |
|---|
30K points ⓘ Friend-Referral 30K points after $1K 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: 50K points after $1K in the first 3 months and 50K points after 6 eligible paid nights at Bonvoy hotels. (expired 8/9/23) 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 travel ✦ 1X everywhere else Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign transaction fees. Noteworthy perks: Automatic Silver status ✦ 15 nights of elite credit each year ✦ $10 monthly GoPuff credit (through 12/31/23) See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
5 x 50K Free Night Certificates ⓘ Non-Affiliate Earn five 50K free night certifcates after $5K spend in 3 months$95 Annual Fee This card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details). Recent better offer: None. This matches the best ever. 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 transaction 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 ✦ $10 monthly GoPuff credit (through 12/31/23) 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 Recent better offer: 150K points after $6K in the first 6 months and 50K points after 6 eligible paid nights at Bonvoy hotels [Expired 8/9/23] 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 transaction 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 |
|---|
3 x 50K Free NIght Certificates ⓘ Affiliate Receive three 50k free night certificates after $6K spend in the first 6 months. Redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy(R) points for each bonus Free Night Award, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy(R). Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)$125 Annual Fee Recent better offer: 100K points after $4K spend in the first 3 months [Expired 11/2/22] 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 transaction 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 ✦ 7% discount off the standard rate for a standard room at participating hotels when you book direct (Terms and Conditions apply) ✦ 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.)
Want to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates or check out our podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
