The Marriott Annual Choice Benefit is a perk that rewards loyal Marriott Bonvoy members who achieve a certain number of stays in a calendar year.
Upon reaching 50 Elite Night Credits, members can select an exclusive benefit, enhancing their experience with the various Marriott brands.
In addition to the 50-Night Benefit, those who reach 75 Elite Night Credits are eligible for an additional Annual Choice Benefit.
This post will cover everything you need to know about Choice Benefits, including the available choices, what options you should choose, and how to easily earn elite night credits.
50-Night Annual Choice Benefit Options
As a Marriott Bonvoy member reaching 50 Elite Night Credits in a calendar year, you are eligible for the 50-Night Annual Choice Benefit, which allows you to chose one of the following:
5 Nightly Upgrade Awards
Five Nightly Upgrade awards (formerly called Suite Night Awards) allow you to upgrade your room to a suite or other premium space for a more luxurious stay.
Each award is valid for one night, and you can use them individually or combine them for an extended stay in upgraded accommodations. Availability and upgrades may vary by property.
Remember that these Night Upgrades Awards expire on December 31st of the following year.
Gift Marriott Silver Elite Status
You have the opportunity to share some of the Marriott Bonvoy benefits with your friends or family by gifting Silver Elite status.
The benefits of Marriott Bonvoy Silver status include:
- 10% bonus points on stays;
- Priority late checkout; and
- Free Wi-Fi.
$100 Charity Donation
You can choose to make a $100 donation to either United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) or Arne M. Sorenson Hospitality Fund.
$1,000 off a Mattress Purchase
If you’re interested in taking some Marriott luxury home with you, this option allows you to save $1,000 on a mattress purchase from the Marriott shop.
However, the $1,000 off is not combinable with any other promotions. A queen bed at Marriott is about $2,000 + $300 + taxes. Even with the $1,000 discount, the mattress will cost you about $1,500.
Receive 5 Elite Night Credits
You can opt for an additional 5 Elite Night Credits which can help you progress towards the next Elite status tier or secure your status for the following year.
These credits count towards your yearly total and are particularly useful for those who are close to reaching a higher tier with additional benefits.
75-Night Annual Choice Benefit Options
Once you reach 75 elite nights with Marriott, you become a Titanium Elite member and receive a second Annual Choice Benefit.
You can choose any of the benefits above, plus these two additional options:
Gift Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status
One option for your 75-Night Annual Choice Benefit is to gift Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status to a family member or friend.
The benefits of Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status includes:
- 25% bonus points on stays;
- Room upgrades to enhanced rooms (when available);
- 2 p.m. late checkout (when available);
- A welcome gift of 250 or 500 points; and
- Free in-room Wi-Fi.
Free Night Award Worth Up to 40,000 Points
Another option for your 75-Night Annual Choice Benefit is to receive a Free Night Award worth up to 40,000 points.
This award can be redeemed for a one-night stay at a Marriott property, and you can use up to 15,000 Marriott points to “top up” your certificate to redeem at a higher point property.
How to Choose Choice Benefits
To select your Annual Choice Benefit, all you need to do is visit this Marriott link, sign in, and make your selection.
Remember that once you have made your selection, you cannot change your choice.
Deadline to Choose Choice Benefits
If you have accumulated 50 or 75 elite nights in 2023, the deadline to select your Annual Choice Benefit(s) is 11:59 p.m. EST on January 7, 2024.
If you fail to choose a Choice Benefit, you will automatically be awarded 5 Nightly Upgrade Awards for each Choice Benefit.
How to Easily Earn Elite Nights
Reaching 50 elite nights is easier than you think. Many Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offer elite night credits that count towards your Annual Choice Benefit.
For example, you could get 40 elite nights each year by holding both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (25 elite night credits) and Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (15 elite night credits).
Plus, the Bonvoy Brilliant card offers automatic Platinum Elite status each year by holding the card.
Which Annual Choice Benefit Should You Chose?
For your 50-night Annual Choice benefit, I recommend choosing the 5 Nightly Upgrade Awards because they can improve your stay if your upgrade clears.
I wouldn’t recommend the other 50-night options because (1) Silver Elite status has very few benefits and you can easily get better elite status with a credit card, (2) $1,000 of a Mattress purchase still requires you to pay $1,500 for a mattress, and (3) 5 elite night credits aren’t super valuable unless you don’t hold a Marriott credit card or are very close to top-tier Ambassador status.
For your 75-night option, I would recommend choosing either an additional 5 Nightly Upgrade Awards if you believe your upgrades will clear before they expire, or the 40,000 point free night certificate.
Marriott Gold elite status can be valuable, but someone could easily get it via a credit card with:
