When Marriott Bonvoy shuffled its co-brand credit card portfolio between AMEX and Chase in 2019, they also eliminated the ability to double-dip the 15-night credit towards status if you had personal and business co-branded credit cards. Starting with the 2020 qualifying year (for 2021 status), the maximum number of nights you could earn was 15, regardless of how many co-brand cards you held.
Cardholders had 1 year to decide if it was worthwhile to keep both a Marriott business and personal card if their main reason for holding both cards was to get a bump towards status. Needless to say, early 2020 was the worst possible time to devalue a benefit for your most loyal customers. It only took until April of that year for Marriott Bonvoy to reverse the decision and issue 30 night credits to those who still had both cards.
The reinstated benefit has remained for 2021 and 2022. We recently received an email from Marriott Bonvoy reminding us of the 30-night credits deposited into our account.
Because now you have an open business Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card and an open personal Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card, we’ve deposited an additional 15 Elite Night Credits into your account.
Since you’ve already received 15 Elite Night Credits this year, you’re now 30 nights closer to your next Elite status.
Marriott has made it easy to earn status in 2020 and 2021 and has extended earned status levels through 2023. However, it would seem the status merry-go-round is coming to an end. For 2023 status, Marriott currently requires guests to hit the previous levels. The only remaining benefit is being able to double-dip the 15-night credit.
That makes me think that the extra benefit isn’t going to be around much longer. Maybe they’ll keep it another year because Bonvoy will be busy destroying reward charts and repricing award stays. That will bring enough pain for the next year or two.
However, I wouldn’t be surprised if, a year from now, Marriott Bonvoy goes back to the 15 night limit for co-brand cards. A deciding factor could be the speed at which business travel comes back. Those are the people most likely going for Platinum, Titanium or Ambassador levels and looking for the additional 15 nights.
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4 comments
They would be very foolish to do that. They’re already really playing with having folks jump off the Marriott bandwagon… this would potentially be the straw that breaks the camels back. They haven’t indicated in any way that this benefit is temporary. They will also deal a HUGE blow to their business cards if they were to do that.
Marriot must hate its loyal customers. All they keep doing is devaluing their program.
I’m okay with them making it tougher to hit elite status. Otherwise they will become Hilton where everyone seems to be diamond these days. I’m have both Platinum and Diamond status, but the recent Marriott changes have driven me to really choose to pursue one going forward. Marriott it is. As for the double dip, I think they should keep it. It’s not something I personally can take advantage of, but business owners would seem to be a crowd you want to keep if you ask me!
I’ve been to many Marriott locations where they don’t even recognize your brand loyalty. Ditch the program and lower prices. Buy the business traveler a few drinks and quick dinner.