We’d held Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status for seven straight years. That’s long enough that it starts to feel like part of your travel identity — even if you’re not consciously “chasing” it anymore.
But 2025 turned into our experiment of what happens when you don’t have Marriott Platinum.
And honestly? It’s been…fine. More than fine, actually.
2025 Is the Reality Check Year
On paper, our Marriott account still shows a healthy-looking number: 38 nights in 2025.
But the fine print tells the real story: only 8 nights were actual hotel stays (just 2 paid and 6 redeemed), while 30 nights were credit-card bonus nights from having personal and business co-brand cards.
That’s not “Marriott is our go-to chain” behavior. That’s “we have several free night certificates and occasionally need a hotel” behavior.
Our Last Platinum Stay Was in Puerto Rico (And It Was Our Best Experience With Status)
Our final stay while we still had Platinum status was at the Aloft San Juan in Puerto Rico.
And in the most backwards-timing possible… it was also the first time we ever got an upgraded room.
After seven years at Platinum, finally getting an upgrade right as the status clock ran out felt almost poetic — like Marriott saying, “Oh right, you’ve been here the whole time.”
After That? Mostly Airport Overnights (And Platinum Perks Wouldn’t Have Mattered)
Once Platinum ended, our Marriott stays didn’t exactly scream “elite traveler lifestyle.” Outside of our Aruba trip, the rest of our Marriott nights were mainly one-night airport hotels for Sharon’s JetBlue 25 for 25 runs — the kind of stays where you check in, sleep, and leave early.
Specifically:
- Residence Inn by Marriott New York JFK Airport (JFK)
- The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
- Courtyard by Marriott Buffalo Airport (BUF) (review coming soon)
For stays like these, the Platinum perks we used to value just don’t come into play much.
And when that’s the pattern, most of Platinum’s big perks stop being…big.
What We Thought We’d Miss (But Didn’t)
- 4 PM late checkout — useful sometimes, but realistically, we rarely need it. Airport overnights definitely don’t need it.
- Lounge access/breakfast — great perk, but if you’re leaving early (or staying somewhere without a strong lounge), it becomes less relevant fast.
- The “maybe we’ll get upgraded!” feeling — after years of mostly modest upgrades anyway, it wasn’t emotionally hard to stop expecting magic.
The Unexpected Benefit: Not Being Tied to Marriott Anymore
The biggest change wasn’t losing perks — it was losing the obligation.
Once we stopped thinking in terms of “keeping Platinum,” it got easier to book whatever made the most sense: a better location, a more interesting independent hotel, or a different chain entirely — without the little voice saying, “Yeah, but those nights could’ve helped…”
After almost a year without Platinum, we’ve realized we don’t miss it. And since our Marriott pattern is now mostly certificates, one-night airport stays, and the occasional trip where Marriott is the best option, we’re comfortable sticking with Lifetime Gold.
Final Thought
There are years where Marriott Platinum is worth chasing — especially if you’re staying often, paying cash, and can consistently take advantage of breakfast, lounges, upgrades, and late checkout.
But 2025 made it clear: that’s not our travel life right now.
So we’re not going to re-qualify for Platinum again. We tried a year without it; we weren’t tied to Marriott properties because of status, and… we’re fine with it.
Have you ever let an elite status expire? Did you miss it — or did you feel weirdly free? Tell us in the comments.
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