Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status: The Ultimate Guide 2024 (2024)

For fans of Marriott hotels and resorts, the hotel brand’s loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy, allows you to earn valuable rewards towards free stays and access other hotel perks, like room upgrades, late checkout and free WiFi. The free loyalty program offers basic benefits to standard members, but you can unlock other perks by reaching one of its five elite status levels.

With over 30 brands and more than 8,000 properties worldwide, Marriott’s portfolio includes luxury hotels, all-inclusive resorts and a diverse range of properties for every type of travel need.

What Is Marriott Bonvoy Elite?

Marriott Bonvoy is the Marriott hotel brand’s loyalty rewards program. Participation in the loyalty program can earn you Bonvoy points, redeemable for award nights at Marriott resorts and hotels. The loyalty program features six status levels, one basic and five elite, each offering varying benefits and amenities.

When you join the program, you receive a basic Bonvoy membership, reserved for individuals who stay nine nights or fewer at Marriott properties. Basic membership includes benefits like free in-room WiFi, mobile check-in privileges and member rates when booking accommodations.

Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status Levels

To reach elite status, you must stay at least ten nights at Marriott properties. Each subsequent level requires a greater commitment, but also unlocks new benefits.

Here’s a breakdown of all five elite status levels, what you need to do to earn status and the benefits of each status achievement.

Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite

Marriott Bonvoy Silver is the entry point to Marriott Elite status. You can achieve Silver Elite by staying 10 nights each year at Marriott properties. Silver Elite status not only includes several useful perks, but you’ll earn 10% more points on eligible hotel purchases. Other benefits include:

• Priority late checkout
• Free in-room WiFi
• Mobile check in
• Mobile key
• Reservation guarantees
• Exclusive member rates
• Cash and points option when booking rooms

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite

You can achieve Bonvoy Gold Elite status after staying 25 nights per year with the hotel brand. In addition to Silver benefits, Gold Elite members earn 25% more points on eligible hotel purchases. Other Gold Elite benefits include:

• 2 p.m. late checkout
• Welcome gift (either 250 or 500 bonus Bonvoy points)
• Enhanced room upgrades

Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite

Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite is for members that stay at least 50 nights per year at Marriott properties. Platinum Elite members earn 50% more points on eligible hotel purchases. Platinum members get to choose between points, complimentary breakfast or other amenities for their welcome gift during their stays. Enhanced room upgrades are included with Platinum status, including upgrades to select suites when available.

One of the better perks included with Platinum Elite status is the annual choice benefit of one of the following options:

• Five Suite Night Awards
• 40% off of a mattress and box spring from your favorite hotel brand
• The gift of Silver Elite status to a family member or friend
• $100 charity donation
• Five elite night credits

Other Platinum Elite benefits include:

• 4 p.m. late checkout
• Hotel lounge access
• Dedicated 24/7 support

Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite

Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status requires staying 75 nights annually to achieve. Titanium status will earn you 75% more points on eligible hotel purchases and a 48-hour room guarantee. Achieving Titanium also gives you 24/7 dedicated support for all hotel booking needs.

Titanium status also earns you not one but two annual choice benefits—one with 50 elite night credits and another at 75 elite nights. In addition to the benefits of lower status levels, Titanium Elite members also receive complimentary United MileagePlus Premier Silver status.

Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite

Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite status is the only tier that requires meeting a spending threshold. To reach Ambassador Elite, you must stay at least 100 nights per year plus spend $23,000 in qualifying purchases annually.

Ambassador Elite members earn 75% more bonus points on eligible hotel purchases. Starting in the middle of 2023, the top Elite status also features a unique benefit — a dedicated personal ambassador to help with all your travel needs. On top of all the benefits of Titanium status, Ambassador Elite status also features a perk called “Your24,” which allows you to choose your own 24-hour check in and checkout times.

Lifetime Elite Status

Earning elite nights also counts towards earning lifetime status within Marriott Bonvoy. The program offers three tiers of lifetime status, each with its own requirements:

• Lifetime Silver status: 250 elite nights plus five years of status
• Lifetime Gold status: 400 elite nights plus seven years of Gold status or higher
• Lifetime Platinum status: 600 elite nights plus 10 years of Platinum status or higher

How To Earn Marriott Bonvoy Elite Nights

Elite nights are nights that earn you credit towards Elite status requirements in the Marriott Bonvoy program. There are two primary ways to earn elite qualifying nights.

First, you can earn qualifying nights by staying at participating Marriott properties. You’ll earn one qualifying night for each night of booked and billed stays. You can also earn elite nights through award stays.

You can also earn qualifying nights through Marriott co-branded credit cards. Among the many benefits included with Marriott credit cards is 15 to 25 elite night credits annually just for holding the card.

If you have a personal and business Marriott card, you can double dip, earning up to 40 elite nights from two cards. If you have more than one personal card, you can only claim the elite night benefit for one of the cards.

Here’s a look at the co-branded cards that earn elite night credits:

If you prefer more versatile rewards credit cards over co-branded hotel cards, you can still earn elite status within Bonvoy. The Platinum Card® from American Express (Terms apply) and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Terms apply) both earn automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.

What Is Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status Worth?

Marriott Elite status could be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. The value of elite status depends on your annual travel habits and what benefits you’re most likely to utilize. If your travel plans don’t allow you to earn enough qualifying nights to earn status, opening a Marriott co-branded credit can help fast-track you toward elite status.

If you tend to sleep in or skip breakfast, then earning free breakfast may not appeal to you. Early check in and late checkout can help maximize your stay, but may not be necessary for everyone. Much of the value of Bonvoy Elite status is tied up in personal preferences with program benefits. Determine what program perks you’re likely to use to determine whether Marriott Bonvoy Elite status is worth pursuing.