Marriott Bonvoy is the official rewards program of Marriott International, which owns over 8,900 luxury and premium hotels around the world.
Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elite Status members enjoy VIP treatment at 30+ hotel chains – including complimentary amenities, lounge access, and room upgrades – by collecting Elite Night Credits and using a Marriott Bonvoy credit card.
Key Takeaways
- Marriott Bonvoy is the rewards program of Marriott International.
- Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status membership provides complimentary room upgrades, late check-out, and bonus points on room bookings.
- You can qualify for Elite Status by booking hotel rooms or using a Marriott American Express credit card.
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What is Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status?
The Marriott Bonvoy rewards program – formerly known as Marriott Rewards, the Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and the Starwood Preferred Guest Program – is the official loyalty program of the Marriott Group.
It’s free to join, but the only way to unlock Elite Status membership is to stay at a Marriott property – the longer, the better!
There are 5 levels of Elite Status membership, each packed with premium perks like complimentary amenities, room upgrades, and bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points.
Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status overview
Currency: Elite Night Credits
Elite Status membership tiers: Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium, Ambassador
Pros:
- 8,900+ properties in 140+ countries worldwide
- 6,000+ bars and restaurants
- 30+ Luxury, Premium, and Select hotel brands
- 5 Elite Status membership levels
- $0 membership fee
- Exclusive amenities, events, and pricing
- Dedicated customer support
Cons:
- Elite Status perks restricted to Marriott properties
- Limited ways to earn Elite Night Credits
- Only 2 official Marriott credit cards
Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status tiers
Like the Aeroplan rewards program, you can join Marriott Bonvoy for free and collect points, but only the top 5 membership tiers – collectively known as Elite Status membership – receive special treatment.
All Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status members enjoy:
- 10% off at hotel gift shops
- Free accommodations at a nearby hotel if your reservation can’t be fulfilled
- Preferred room rates and complimentary in-room Wi-Fi
- Priority late check-outs at 2:00–4:00 PM
- Your choice of 1 welcome gift each stay: bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points, a complimentary breakfast, or an amenity of your choice (Gold Status or higher)
The higher you climb the membership ladder, the more luxurious your hotel experience.
| Benefit | Silver | Gold | Platinum | Titanium | Ambassador |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonus Bonvoy Points per stay | 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 75% |
| Priority late check-out time | 2:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| Complimentary room upgrades | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 24/7 customer service | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| In-hotel lounge access | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 48-hour reservation guarantee if requested by 3:00 PM | Yes | Yes | |||
| $150 Ritz-Carlton resort credit | Yes | ||||
| Personal concierge service | Yes | ||||
| Request any check-in time | Yes |
And this is to say nothing of the many partner program perks and benefits.
Platinum Elite Status members and up earn Emirates Skywards Miles with every stay, and priority check-in and boarding services on every Emirates flight. They can also choose between a $100 USD donation, Marriott mattress discount, premium room upgrade, or a package of 5 Elite Night Credits after 50 qualifying stays.
Meanwhile, Titanium and Ambassador members receive Five Star and President’s Circle membership in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program (respectively), which includes 1 complimentary additional driver, class upgrade, and point bonus per rental vehicle.
Their choice of gifts includes a 40,000-point bonus, free night, or Gold Elite Status for someone else after 75 qualifying stays – and they enjoy 7x Miles, 1 free checked bag, exclusive event invitations, and more with Premier Silver Status in the United Mileage Plus program.
If an Elite Status benefit is unavailable or can’t be fulfilled during your stay at a Marriott property, you can request up to $200 USD in compensation.
How to qualify for Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status
There are only 2 ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status membership: collect Elite Night Credits or apply for a Marriott credit card (more on that later).
Regardless of how you earn them, you must collect enough credits to qualify for or maintain Elite Status membership within a calendar year (i.e., January 1st to December 31st):
- Silver Elite: 10–24 Elite Night Credits
- Gold Elite: 25–49 Elite Night Credits
- Platinum Elite: 50–74 Elite Night Credits
- Titanium Elite: 75+ Elite Night Credits
- Ambassador Elite: 100+ Elite Night Credits AND $23,000+ USD spent on Marriott bookings, merchandise, or in-hotel activities
Elite Night Credits can only be earned by staying 1 or more consecutive nights in up to 3 guest rooms with the same check-in and check-out dates.
You’ll earn 1 Elite Night Credit per night at most Marriott properties; 1 credit per 2 nights at City Express, Four Points Express, and Protea hotels; and 1 credit per 3 nights at Marriott Executive Apartments.
Note: The only way to earn Elite Night Credits on a group booking is to organize a Qualifying Event, in which case you’ll receive 1 credit per 20 room nights.
How to qualify for Lifetime Elite Status
Lifetime Elite Status in the Marriott Bonvoy program is the dream of many a veteran traveller. Rack up enough Elite Night Credits and your Bonvoy Points will never expire, nor will you have to worry about qualifying for Elite Status membership ever again.
To upgrade to a lifetime Elite Status, you must qualify for Silver membership (at least) within 1 calendar year after spending:
- Lifetime Silver Elite: 5 years at Silver Elite Status or higher AND 250+ Elite Night Credits
- Lifetime Gold Elite: 7 years at Gold+ Elite Status or higher AND 400+ Elite Night Credits
- Lifetime Platinum Elite: 10 years at Platinum+ Elite Status or higher AND 600+ Elite Night Credits
How to get Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status with a credit card
The Marriott Bonvoy program offers co-branded credit cards in 11 countries. Unfortunately, the only MB credit card issuer available in Canada is American Express.
We love Amex cards and the benefits included in the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card and the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express® Card are superb:
- 15 complimentary Elite Night Credits per year
- 1 complimentary night’s stay per year (worth up to 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points)
- Automatic Silver Elite Status membership
- Automatic Gold Elite Status membership with $30,000 CAD net spending OR 10+ Elite Night Credits earned per year
- No income requirements
But it’s nice to have a little variety, and Amex isn’t as widely accepted as Mastercard and Visa.
Nonetheless, both cards earn solid ratings:
| Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card | Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express® Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy Points | * 5 points per $1 CAD spent at Marriott hotels * 1 point per $1 CAD on all other purchases | * 5 points per $1 CAD spent at Marriott hotels * 3 points per $1 CAD spent on dining, gas, and travel * 1 point per $1 CAD on all other purchases |
| Welcome bonus | 50,000 bonus points (terms) | Up to 60,000 bonus points (terms) |
| Annual fee | $120 | $150 |
Pro Tip: If you’d prefer a rewards credit card with a bit more flexibility (and you don’t mind giving up Silver Elite Status), we recommend the American Express Cobalt Card. You can always convert your Amex Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy points in a pinch.
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How to check Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status
You can check your progress towards Elite Status on the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app or website. All you have to do is login and select "Account" to view your Elite Status, membership number, and how many nights stand between you and the next membership tier.
You can also use the app to check in, make requests, order room service, and use your hotel room Mobile Key.
Is Marriott Bonvoy Elite status worth it?
If you’ve ever dreamed of staying in luxury hotels around the world, Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status offers a simple and elegant solution. The program rules are straightforward, the perks are valuable, and you can’t beat Marriott’s range of global properties and amenities.
That said, with so few means of earning Elite Night Credits, you’d better make sure your spending habits and lifestyle can accommodate so many room bookings. We recommend adding at least 1 Marriott Bonvoy American Express credit card to your wallet if you’re serious about qualifying for Elite Status, lifetime or not.
Would you say Marriott Elite Status is worth it or not? How was your last stay in a Marriott hotel?
Tell us about your membership experience in the comments below.
FAQ
What is Elite Status with Marriott Bonvoy?
Elite Status refers to the 5 premium membership levels (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador) within the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program. Elite Status members get special amenities, room rates, and upgrades with every stay at a Marriott property.
How do you become a Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status member?
The only way to become a Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status member is to collect Elite Night Credits with every stay in a Marriott property or apply for an MB American Express credit card.
How long does Marriott Elite Status membership last?
Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status membership and its perks last a single calendar year (during which you’ll have to meet the requirements to maintain your membership for next year), unless you have Lifetime Elite Status.
What is the highest Marriott Elite Status?
The highest Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status membership is Ambassador, which can only be earned after spending 100+ nights and at least $23,000 USD at Marriott properties in 1 year.
Is there a secret Marriott Elite Status?
Marriott Bonvoy Cobalt Elite Status is reportedly a "secret" tier where members are personally invited and approved by Marriott’s CEO and enjoy personalized amenities, VIP services, and complimentary upgrades to the best rooms or suites with each stay.
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