Back in 2018, I saw the opportunity to work a little magic. Through some strategic credit card sign-ups, carry-over nights and actual hotel stays, Sharon was able to hit 50 nights between SPG and Marriott and earn Platinum status. We enjoyed that status for all of 2019 and even into the beginning of 2020. I thought our farewell to status was our stay at the Hotel Adagio in San Francisco in February.
The reason was that we’d only earned 25 nights at Marriott in 2019. Between earning 15-night credits from having a co-brand credit card (no more stacking personal and business card credits), we managed another 10 nights. Given, five of those nights were at the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London, where I used our suite night upgrade to stay in a Junior Suite on points.
So imagine my amazement when I saw this email in Sharon’s travel email account.
You’ve earned an Annual Choice Benefit because you’ve stayed at least 50 eligible nights with participating Marriott Bonvoy™ hotels this year. Select your Annual Choice Benefit from five options,* including five Suite Night Awards™ and Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status for a family member, friend or colleague.
Um, no, we haven’t reached anywhere near 50 nights in 2020. I logged into Sharon’s account to check. Here’s the recap.
Between our 8 nights this year, two of which were free nights with points or credit card certificates, the 30 nights earned with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant AMEX and the Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Business card, We were at 38 nights, close to 50 but we have no intention of staying another 12 nights in 2020.
The other 13 promotional nights? Sharon hit Gold Bonvoy in 2019 which required 25 nights. Marriott Bonvoy offered this bonus to members as a coronavirus concession.
Marriott Bonvoy™ Members who earned Elite Status in 2019 will receive a one-time deposit of 50% of their tier’s annual Elite Night Credit requirement, e.g. those Members who achieved Platinum Elite status in 2019 would receive 25 Elite Night Credits in their Account by the end of July
Half of 25 is 12.5, so Marriott rounded up to 13 promo nights. With those nights, Marriott allows you to stack personal and business card nights and our 8 real nights in Marriott beds in 2020, we’re at 51 nights. WE’RE PLATINUM AGAIN BABY!!!!!!!
Even better is that this status will be good until February 2022. While we’re not expecting to travel much in 2020, we’re hoping to make trips again in 2021. At the beginning of 2020, I wrote about how I wanted to get away from Marriott hotels, but now that they’re giving us Platinum status, when we start staying in hotels again, I’ll look for Marriott properties first.
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
2 comments
are you thinking of titanium with the 5 bonus nites? I have no airline status and can use United silver
We just hit 50 nights and have no plans for hotels for the rest of 2020. I think we’ll take the 5-night suite upgrade because we made out great with it last time.