I write an article like this every year. I’ll claim to not be loyal to any hotel chain but then I’ll write about how we’ve requalified for Marriott Platinum Elite status. Earning Platinum Elite status is the sweet spot of the Marriott Bonvoy program and provides the following benefits over having Gold Elite status:
- Guaranteed 4 PM late checkout – except at resort and convention hotels and Design Hotels, where it is based upon availability. (vs. 2 PM non-guaranteed late checkout at all properties for Gold)
- Welcome gift of points, breakfast or amenity (vs. points for Gold)
- Enhanced Room Upgrade (including select suites for Platinum)
- Lounge access
- Guaranteed room type (cash compensation if not available)
- Annual Choice Benefit (5 Suite Night Awards or gift options)
Don’t forget about this preferred parking benefit at a Courtyard by Marriott. When it’s 105 degrees outside, it’s nice to have a parking spot close to the front door.
We’ve been a Platinum Elite since 2018 and every one of those six years was the last one when I felt we’d requalify. Here’s the breakdown of how we kept status each year:
- In 2018, Marriott Rewards merged with the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) loyalty program, and we reached Platinum Elite status when they combined points from the two programs. We enjoyed the benefits of that status for the rest of 2018 and all of 2019, including a stay at the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London.
- We received additional night credits during the pandemic, which allowed us to keep our status in 2020.
- In 2021, Marriott made it easier to keep Platinum Elite status through automatic night bumps based on current status and credit card benefits.
- In 2022, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant AMEX now provides a yearly benefit of 25-night credits. We combined this with the 15 nights from our Marriott Bonvoy Business card to start the year with 40 nights. This helped us squeak by to reach 50 nights.
- We’ve already stayed 12 nights in 2023, earning Platinum Elite status thru the start of 2025.
While we have Platinum Elite status from the Bonvoy Brilliant AMEX, there are some perks for meeting the 50-night threshold, including picking an Annual Choice Benefit.
Although I’ve said it before, I don’t think we’re going to qualify for Platinum Elite in 2024. I’ve already canceled the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card as it’s not worth the increased annual fee. This means we’re starting 2024 with 30 nights and we’ll have to stay 20 nights to requalify. We’ll automatically be Gold Elite with those credits and we also get that status automatically with the Ritz Carlton Card.
Considering I’ve put little effort since 2018 into keeping Marriott Platinum Elite status, it’s not hard to let it go.
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