I find that I miss loyalty related news in the age of COVID when I’m focusing on other priorities. That said, my history with Marriott has had its fair share of bumps. Just last year we got huge value out of a 10 day stretch in Hawaii with upgrades and free breakfasts at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. The low point came in December where I was verbally assaulted by one of their employees when I asked for a crib, that was in the reservation notes, for my infant. That incident was part of the reason I switched loyalty programs to Hyatt with my Globalist quest in January of this year. In the meantime, I’ve been keeping my eye on Marriott and their changes. The newest change is the 50% Elite Night Credit Extension.
From Garden View to Oceanview, for the second time, at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel thanks to our Marriott Platinum Status. Photo Credit: Bill Shuman
Program Details
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 into their account. These credits will be deposited automatically in each account. In addition, these Elite Night Credits will count towards achieving the 2020 Annual Choice Benefit, as well as achieving Lifetime Elite Status.
Marriott is going to award credits based upon the earned tier earned in 2019. Therefore:
- Ambassador Elite will receive 50 Elite Night Credits
- Titanium Elite will receive 38 Elite Night Credits and will need 62 Elite Night Credits and US$20,000 in Qualifying Stay Spend in 2020 to achieve Ambassador Elite
- Platinum Elite will receive 25 Elite Night Credits and will need 50 Elite Night Credits in 2020 to achieve Titanium Elite
- Gold Elite will receive 13 Elite Night Credits and will need 37 Elite Night Credits in 2020 to achieve Platinum Elite
- Silver Elite will receive 5 Elite Night Credits and will need 20 Elite Night Credits in 2020 to achieve Gold Elite
- Member tier will not receive Elite Night Credits and will need 10 Elite Night Credits in 2020 to achieve Silver Elite
My own personal credits were added just this week. As I had earned Gold Elite status last year Marriott awarded me a total of 13 nights.
Why Does This Change Things for Me?
As a holder of both the Marriott Bonvey Boundless Visa Signature Credit Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Buisness Card from American Express. I was awarded 15 nights for holding each card, meaning I already have 30 nights for the year before ever putting my head on a Marriott bed. As I was around 40 nights last year, I qualified for Gold Elite in 2020, which means that Marriott is going to credit my account with 13 more Elite Night Credits for this year. That leaves me only 7 nights short of the 50 nights needed for Platinum Elite Status that will be good till 2022.
Given that I’m currently holding 2 Free Night Awards that need to be used this year I’m only looking to accumulate 5 more nights. While we have zero travel plans for 2020 (Thanks Coronavirus!) I can spend $3,000 to earn 1 Elite Night Credit, meaning I will need $15,000 to earn Platinum Elite. Consider me sold.
Upshot
Never in my life have a needed a vacation more than now. No poker trips, teething baby, and then throw in finishing out the school year online as a teacher. Two words: Soul crushing. Therefore, whenever my wife and I feel it’s safe to travel we are burning through the stockpile of points that we’ve been accumulating. Being able to earn Marriott Platinum Elite status easily thanks to the 50% Elite Night Credit Extension would give us more destination options to go with my Hyatt Globalist status.
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