The time has come—Marriott Bonvoy has officially updated member accounts. If you didn’t requalify for status in 2024, your account now reflects your new loyalty level. My wife, Sharon, didn’t meet the requirements to maintain her Platinum Elite status, and Marriott sent her an email notifying her of the downgrade.
In her case, she was moved down to Gold Elite, which aligns with Marriott’s current policy of lowering members by one tier if they fail to requalify.
As of early March 2025, members who did not re-achieve their existing Elite Status were offered one tier below their previous status, which will remain valid through February 2026.
But even if Marriott hadn’t automatically dropped her to Gold Elite, Sharon would have had several other ways to retain that status.
1. Lifetime Gold Elite
Sharon already holds Lifetime Gold Elite, which requires 400 nights and seven years at Gold or higher. Since lifetime status provides the same perks as earning Gold Elite through stays, this ensures she’ll not fall below that level.
2. Night Credits from Co-Branded Credit Cards
She also earns 30 elite night credits annually from her Marriott credit cards:
- Ritz-Carlton Credit Card – 15 elite night credits
- Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus Business Credit Card – 15 elite night credits
Since Gold Elite only requires 25 nights, these two cards alone guarantee her status before she even steps into a hotel. Plus, with just 20 more nights, she’d requalify for Platinum Elite.
3. Automatic Gold Elite from the Ritz-Carlton Card
Beyond the elite night credits, Sharon’s Ritz-Carlton Credit Card also grants automatic Gold Elite status, meaning she retains it regardless of her stays.
4. Marriott Gold Elite via American Express Platinum
While Sharon doesn’t have an Amex Platinum Card, I added her as an authorized user on my account for $195. One of the benefits for authorized users is access to the same hotel and rental car status perks as the primary cardholder—including Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite.
What Does Gold Elite Provide?
While it doesn’t compare to Platinum or Titanium, Gold Elite still offers some useful perks:
✅ 25% bonus points on all stays
✅ Upgrades to enhanced rooms, subject to availability
✅ 2 PM late checkout, subject to availability
✅ Premium in-room internet
✅ A welcome gift of bonus points
In the end, while Sharon technically “lost” Platinum Elite status, she never really had to worry about dropping below Gold Elite—thanks to multiple built-in safety nets.
Final Thoughts
While losing Platinum Elite status isn’t ideal, Sharon’s situation highlights how Marriott members can maintain Gold Elite without much effort. Whether through lifetime status, credit card perks, or partner benefits, there are multiple ways to hold onto valuable elite benefits—even without a high volume of hotel stays.
How Do You Maintain Your Marriott Status?
Have you been downgraded this year? Or did you find a creative way to retain your status? Drop a comment below and share your experience! 🚀
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
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