Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status Guide [Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium, & Ambassador]

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Marriott Bonvoy has five elite status levels, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador, plus a basic Member level.

Marriott’s large hotel footprint allows you to utilize your elite status benefits almost everywhere in the world.

In this post, we will go over the elite benefits and how you can earn each elite status tier.

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    Member (Base) Status

    Anyone who signs up for a free Marriott Bonvoy account is a Member, which allows you to earn Marriott points and get free WiFi.

    Free WiFi

    All members of the Marriott Bonvoy program receive free in-room Wi-Fi when they book through a Marriott website or mobile app.

    But you will not get free WiFi if you book through a third-party website such as Priceline, Expedia, or TripAdvisor.

    10 Points Per Dollar

    Members earn 10 points per dollar on all qualifying charges at most hotels.

    The three exceptions are Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, and Element, where Members only earn 5 points per dollar on all qualifying charges.

    Marriott Bonvoy Points Earning
    Photo: Marriott

    Mobile Check-In and Key

    The Marriott mobile app allows you to check-in to your room, get notified when the room is ready, and unlock your room with your iPhone, Android, or Apple Watch.

    The mobile key is not available at all hotels, but most newer hotels should have the option.

    Marriott Marquis Houston Texas
    Photo: Marriott Marquis Houston Texas

    Silver Elite Marriott Bonvoy Status

    The lowest tier in the Marriott Bonvoy elite program is Silver Elite status.

    How to Earn Silver Elite Status

    You can earn Marriott Silver Elite status by staying at least 10 nights per year.

    You can also earn Silver Elite status with two credit cards:

    Silver Elite Status Benefits

    Silver Elite members get all of the benefits below plus the Member benefits of:

    • Free WiFi.
    • Mobile check-in and mobile key.

    10% Points Bonus

    Silver Elite members receive a 10% points bonus, which is equivalent to 11 points per dollar at most Marriott hotels.

    Ultimate Reservation Guarantee

    If Marriott fails to honor a reservation, you are entitled to accommodations at a nearby hotel plus Marriott will compensate you for the inconvenience.

    For example, if a Courtyard hotel doesn’t honor your reservation because they are out of rooms, the hotel has to buy you a room somewhere else plus pay you $100 (or equivalent amount in USD of local currency).

    If you were a Platinum or Titanium Elite member, you would also receive 90,000 Marriott points on top of the $100.

    Marriott Ultimate Reservation Guarantee

    Elite Reservation Line

    All elite members have access to the elite reservation line if you want to quickly make a phone reservation at a Marriott hotel.

    Late Check-Out

    Silver members can request a late checkout with the front desk, but it is not guaranteed unlike higher level tiers.

    JW Marriott Essex House
    Photo: JW Marriott Essex House

    Gold Elite Marriott Bonvoy Status

    The next elite level tier is Gold Elite status. It is fairly easy to obtain with credit cards and comes with several nice benefits including extra points every time you stay, room upgrades, and enhanced internet.

    How to Earn Gold Elite Status

    You can earn Marriott Gold Elite status by staying at least 25 nights per year.

    You can also earn Gold Elite status automatically with several credit cards:

    You can also get closer to earning Gold status with 15 elite night credits each year with the:

    Pro Tip: You can earn 30 elite nights credits each year, enough for Gold and 20 nights away from Platinum, by opening-up a Mariott personal and a Marriott business card:

    Gold Elite Status Benefits

    Gold Elite members enjoy the benefits below plus the Silver benefits of:

    • Late checkout (2:00 when available)
    • Ultimate Reservation Guarantee.
    • Mobile check-in and mobile key.
    • Elite reservation line.

    25% Points Bonus

    Gold Elite members receive a 25% points bonus, which is equivalent to 12.5 points per dollar at most Marriott hotels.

    Welcome Amenity of Points

    Gold elite members receive 250 or 500 points depending on the hotel brand when checking in for your hotel stay.

    The properties that offer only 250 points are Courtyard, Four Points, SpringHill Suites, Protea Hotels, Fairfield, AC Hotels, Aloft, Moxy, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, and Element hotels.

    Enhanced Internet

    Gold elite members and higher enjoy complimentary enhanced high-speed internet, which could allow you to better stream videos.

    Enhanced Room Upgrade

    Gold elite members are eligible for enhanced room upgrades (excluding suites), which typically have special amenities, better views, or are located on higher floors.

    Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers
    Photo: Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers

    Platinum Elite Mariott Bonvoy Status

    Marriott’s middle tier status is Platinum elite, which comes with several nice benefits including upgrades to suites, a 50% points bonus, lounge access, annual choice benefit, and a welcome amenity. 

    How to Earn Platinum Elite Status

    You can earn Marriott Platinum Elite status by staying at least 50 nights per year.

    Platinum Elite Benefits

    Platinum members receive the below benefits plus the Gold benefits of:

    • Enhanced internet.
    • Ultimate Reservation Guarantee.
    • Mobile check-in and mobile key.
    • Elite reservation line.

    50% Points Bonus

    Platinum Elite members receive a 50% points bonus, which is equivalent to 15 points per dollar at most Marriott hotels.

    4 PM Guaranteed Late Checkout

    Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador members are guaranteed a 4:00 p.m. late checkout. 

    This is one of my favorite benefits because it is nice to take a shower and freshen up after meetings or exploring the city.

    This benefit is subject to availability at resort and convention hotels.

    Welcome Amenity

    Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador members receive a welcome gift choice of points, breakfast, or another amenity. 

    The welcome gift varies by brand, but you can toggle the chart below.

    You are also entitled to compensation if a welcome gift is not offered.

    Room Upgrades Including Suites

    Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador members are eligible for upgrades including suites upon check-in if those rooms are available. 

    These upgrades can include “suites, rooms with desirable views, rooms on high floors, corner rooms, rooms with special amenities or rooms on Executive Floors.”

    No Upgrades at Ritz Carlton (Titanium and Ambassadors only), Aloft, Element, Marriott Grand Residence Club, Marriott Vacation Club, and Vistana properties are excluded

    Lounge Access

    Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador elite members receive lounge access for themselves and one guest at the hotel brands listed below.

    Most lounges offer free breakfast and an evening reception with alcoholic beverages and snacks.

    For properties without a lounge, you are guaranteed breakfast or 750 points. If breakfast or points are not offered, members are entitled to $100 USD.

     

    Marriott Guaranteed Lounge Access

    Not Valid at: The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, EDITION, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, Design Hotels, Tribute Portfolio, Gaylord Hotels, Four Points, SpringHill Suites, Protea Hotels, Fairfield, AC Hotels, Aloft, Moxy Hotels, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Element, Marriott Vacation Club, Marriott Grand Residence Club, and participating Vistana properties.

    Guaranteed Room Type

    If Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador members are not given their requested room, they are entitled to compensation.

    For example, if you booked a room with a king bed, but the hotel gave you a room with two twins, you could request compensation.

    Marriott Guaranteed Room Type

    Annual Choice Benefit

    Platinum members receive an annual choice benefit when they reach 50 nights.

    The options are:

    • Five suite night upgrade certificates (each night requires a certificate).
    • Gift of Silver Elite status to a friend or family member.
    • Five elite night credits.
    • $100 charity donation.
    • 40% off a hotel mattress.
    The Westin Siray Bay Resort in Thailand
    Photo: The Westin Siray Bay Resort in Thailand

    Titanium Elite Marriot Bonvoy Status

    Marriott has two top-tier elite status levels, Titanium and Ambassador. Both are very similar

    How to Earn Titanium Elite Status

    You can earn Marriott Titanium Elite status by staying at least 75 nights per year.

    Titanium Elite Benefits

    Titanium members receive the below benefits plus the Platinum benefits of:

    • Guaranteed room type.
    • Lounge access.
    • Room upgrades.
    • Welcome amenity.
    • 4 pm late checkout.
    • 48-hour room guarantee. 
    • Enhanced internet.
    • Ultimate Reservation Guarantee.
    • Mobile check-in and mobile key.
    • Elite reservation line.

    75% Points Bonus

    Titanium and Ambassador Elite members receive a 75% points bonus, which is equivalent to 17.5 points per dollar at most Marriott hotels.

    48 Hour Room Guarantee

    Marriott gurantees that Titanium and Ambassador members will have access to a room on paid stays when booking within 48 hours.

    But it is not valid during special events and at Resorts, Marriott Vacation Club, participating Vistana properties, and Design Hotels.

    Suite Upgrades at Ritz Carlton

    Titanium and Ambassador members are eligible for Suite upgrades at Ritz Carlton hotels, which is not a benefit of Platinum Elite status.

    United Airlines Silver Premier Status

    Titanium and Ambassador members enjoy a status match to United Airlines Premier Silver elite status, which gets you:

    • Complimentary access to Economy Plus at check-in.
    • Premier Upgrades (if available) on the day of departure.
    • A free checked bag up to 70 pounds.
    • Premier Priority airport services.
    • 7 miles per dollar spent on United flights.

    Annual Choice Benefit

    Titanium members receive an annual choice benefit when reaching 75 nights, plus the Annual Choice benefit (above) for reaching 50 nights.

    The options are:

    • Five Suite Night Award.
    • 40% off a hotel mattress.
    • Gift of Gold Elite status to a friend or family member.
    • $100 Charity donation.
    • Five elite night credits.
    • One free night award worth up to 40,000 points.

    Personally, I would go with the free night award or the gift of Gold Elite status.

    Ritz Carlton Half Moon Way (California)
    Photo: Ritz Carlton Half Moon Way (California)

    Ambassador Elite Marriott Bonvoy Status

    The ultimate top-tier status in Marriott is Ambassador Elite. It offers many of the same perks of Titanium but adds Ambassador Service and the Your24 benefit.

    How to Earn Ambassador Elite Status

    You can earn Marriott Ambassador Elite status by staying at least 100 nights per year and spending at least $20,000 with Marriott.

    Ambassador Elite Benefits

    Ambassadors receive the below benefits plus the Titanium benefits of:

    • 75% points bonus.
    • Guaranteed room type.
    • Lounge access.
    • Room upgrades including at Ritz Carlton properties.
    • United Airlines Premier status.
    • Welcome amenity.
    • 4 pm late checkout.
    • Enhanced internet.
    • Ultimate Reservation Guarantee.
    • Mobile check-in and mobile key.
    • Elite reservation line.

    Ambassador Service

    Upon reaching Ambassador status, you are assigned an Ambassador, who is the single point person for your every travel need from special requests to reservations.

    The quality of your Ambassador may vary. If you are unhappy with yours, you can request to be reassigned.

    Ambassadors will likely help you secure better upgrades than lower elite members, and try to correct any issues with your stay.

    Your24

    This unique benefit allows Ambassador members to choose their own 24-hour check-in and check-out time.

    For example, if you arrived at 8:00 p.m., you could check-out the following day at 8:00 p.m.

    You can request the Your24 benefit via your Ambassador, but it is up to the hotel to honor your request.

    The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
    Photo: The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

    Lifetime Marriott Elite Status

    You can also obtain lifetime elite status with Marriott by staying a large number of nights and maintaining elite status for several years. 

    Lifetime Silver Elite = 250 Lifetime Nights + 5 years of Marriott Elite Status.

    Lifetime Gold Elite = 400 Lifetime Nights + 7 years of Marriott Gold Elite Status or higher.

    Lifetime Platinum Elite = 600 Lifetime Nights + 10 years of Marriott Platinum Elite Status or higher.

    Marriott Status Match and Challenge

    Marriott prefers status challenges to status matches, but for a limited time, you match your other elite status to Marriott.

    Status matches gives you instant elite status and you can keep it if you reach a certain number of nights within 90 days. But you need elite status in another program to qualify.

    Whereas, a status challenge requires you to meet a certain number of nights within 90 days before elite status is given to you.

    Marriott Status Match

    Marriott accepts requests from Accor, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG elites. Below are the following status match opportunities.

    Hilton Honors

    World of Hyatt

    Accor Live Limitless

    • Gold = Marriott Bonvoy Gold
    • Platinum or Diamond = Marriott Bonvoy Platinum

    IHG Rewards Club

    To keep your Marriott elite status, you will need to complete the following number of nights within 90 days:
    • Marriott Gold = 5 nights.
    • Marriott Platinum = 15 nights.

    Marriott Status Challenge

    You can request a challenge by calling Marriott Bonvoy at 1-800-627-7468 and requesting one of the challenges below.

    Gold Challenge = Stay 8 paid nights.

    Platinum Challenge = Stay 16 paid nights.

    You will then have three months plus the remainder of the current month to complete the Challenge.

    The Verdict

    Marriott Bonvoy’s elite status program is one of the best. 

    I wish Platinum status was more accessible via credit cards like Hilton’s top-tier Diamond Elite status with the American Express Hilton Aspire.

    But I think Titanium Elite status is one of the best options for people who stay at hotels at least 75 nights per year (or 45 nights with credit card elite night credits) because of the United Airlines Premier Silver status, upgrades, lounge access, and guaranteed benefits at hotels.

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