The Beginner’s Guide to the Marriott Bonvoy Program

When Marriott International purchased the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide back in 2016 to become the world’s largest hotel program, speculation was rampant as to how it would integrate the various loyalty programs now under one owner.

Marriott was already running two separate (but similar) hotel loyalty programs — the Marriott Rewards program as well as the Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and adding a third program seemed like it could get complicated.

In 2018, Marriott and Starwood officially integrated their loyalty programs, allowing Marriott members to earn and redeem at Starwood hotels while allowing Starwood elites the ability to earn and redeem points at Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels. Members with Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) points could transfer their points to Marriott Rewards points at a rate of 1:3.

In January 2019, the new Marriott Bonvoy program was announced, and with it came the introduction of one single loyalty program and points currency.

What is the Marriott Bonvoy program?

Marriott Bonvoy is the new name of Marriott’s combined rewards program, which allows you to earn and redeem points at more than 7,000 hotels under Marriott’s brand.

You can earn 10 points per dollar spent at 25 of its brands, including Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, Westin, and Aloft properties. You’ll earn just five points per dollar at Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, and Element hotels, and 2.5 points per dollar at Marriott Executive Apartments and Execustay.

You can also earn points through other Marriott partners, such as Hertz. Of course, one of the fastest and easiest ways to earn additional Marriott Bonvoy points is by using one of its co-branded Chase credit cards.

The main way to redeem Marriott points is for free or discounted hotel stays, though you can also trade in points for airline miles, vacation packages, or even a TSA PreCheck application fee.

Each hotel in the Marriott Bonvoy program is categorized from 1 through 8, and the tier of hotel you book dictates how many points a room will cost. A standard room in a category 1 hotel costs 7,500 points a night, while a category 8 room costs 85,000 points per night.

Note that you do get the fifth night free on award stays with Marriott.

Marriott Bonvoy tiers, explained

The new Marriott Bonvoy program has six membership tiers, each with its own requirements for earning that status as well as different perks and rewards. For a full list of amenities, check out Marriott Bonvoy’s membership site. Here’s what to expect at each membership tier.

• Member
• Silver Elite
• Gold Elite
• Platinum Elite
• Titanium Elite
• Ambassador Elite

Member (0 to 9 nights stayed per year)

This is the status that you’re automatically granted when you sign up for the Marriott Bonvoy program, which you can do for free. You don’t get much by just being a Marriott Bonvoy member, but you’ll enjoy complimentary internet as well as access to members-only rates when booking hotels.

Silver Elite (10 to 24 nights stayed per year)

When you stay 10 or more nights at a Marriott property, you’ll earn Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. This tier offers a 10% bonus on the points you earn, late checkout (subject to availability), and a dedicated reservation line.

Silver is also the first status that provides access to Marriott’s Ultimate Reservation Guarantee, which provides compensation (cash, points, or both) and a free night at a nearby hotel if a Marriott property isn’t able to honor your reservation.

Gold Elite (25 to 49 nights stayed per year)

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status is where you start to get some truly significant benefits. You’ll get a 25% bonus on the points you earn, a 2 p.m. late checkout, 250 to 500 bonus points as a welcome amenity, and room upgrades.

Unfortunately, though, unlike many other chains (most notably Hilton), Gold Elite status won’t get you complimentary breakfast at most hotels. For that, you’ll need Platinum status or higher.

Platinum Elite (50 to 74 nights stayed per year)

As mentioned, Platinum Elite status will get you complimentary breakfast at most Marriott hotels, along with a 50% bonus on the points you earn.

You’ll also get access to the hotel’s executive lounge or club (which gives a quiet place to relax or work, as well as complimentary snacks), a 4 p.m. late checkout, and room upgrades, including Select Suites.

With 50 nights stayed, you also earn an annual choice benefit, which allows you to select from five Nightly Upgrade Awards, giving the gift of Silver Elite status, 40% off your favorite mattress, five Elite Night Credits, or a $100 charity donation.

Titanium Elite (75 to 99 nights stayed per year)

Titanium Elite members earn a 75% bonus on points earned along with all the benefits of the lower tiers. Customers in this tier get a 4 p.m. late checkout, as well as a 48-hour room guarantee and higher priority for room and suite upgrades. At 75 nights, Marriott guests will receive another annual choice benefit, similar to the one earned at 50 nights stayed.

Ambassador Elite (100 nights stayed and $20,000 spent per year)

For significant road warriors, Marriott Bonvoy offers the Ambassador Elite tier. Ambassador Elite members have very similar benefits to Titanium Elites, but they also have a dedicated Marriott Ambassador; you’ll always have a Marriott representative you can call when there are problems on the road.

Like many hotel chains, the Marriott Bonvoy program also offers “lifetime” status, where you can earn permanent elite status based on how many nights you book over several years. There are three different lifetime statuses you can earn:

• Lifetime Silver Elite: 250 Lifetime Nights (total nights stayed at Marriott hotels ever) and five years of Elite status
• Lifetime Gold Elite: 400 Lifetime Nights and seven years of Gold Elite status or higher
• Lifetime Platinum Elite: 600 Lifetime Nights and 10 years of Platinum Elite status or higher

The best credit cards for the Marriott Bonvoy program

If you’re looking for Marriott Bonvoy elite benefits without having to stay 50-plus nights in a hotel, there are a few fast tracks to Marriott Bonvoy elite status. Certain Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offer automatic elite status or free qualifying nights that can help you reach elite status faster. Plus, these are some of the best hotel credit cards, offering you the chance to earn Marriott Bonvoy points with every purchase you make.

For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card from Chase gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each year, automatically qualifying you for Silver Elite status. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card from Chase provides complimentary Silver Elite status, and the Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card provides complimentary Gold Elite status, and both also offer 15 Elite Night Credits annually.

The Bonvoy Boundless and Bonvoy Business cards also offer Gold Elite status if you spend at least $35,000 annually on the card.

For complimentary Gold Elite status, consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card or Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card. These cards also provide 15 Elite Night Credits annually. And you can earn a Free Night Award (worth up to 50,000 points) after spending $15,000 on either card.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card offers Platinum Elite status for having the card, as well as 25 Elite Night Credits. You need a total of 75 qualifying nights to be eligible for Titanium Elite status.

Marriot Bonvoy hotel brands

There are over two dozen brands in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Whether you're looking to relax in a luxury with premium amenities or you're seeking a budget-friendly option, you'll likely find a property that meets your needs. Here is a complete list of Marriott Bonvoy hotel brands:

Luxury brands

• Bvlgari
• Edition
• JW Marriott
• Ritz-Carlton
• St. Regis
• The Luxury Collection
• W Hotels

Premium brands

• Autograph Collection Hotels
• Delta Hotels
• Design Hotels
• Gaylord Hotels
• Le Meridien
• Marriott
• Marriott Vacation Club
• Renaissance Hotels
• Sheraton
• Tribute Portfolio
• Westin

Select brands

• AC Hotels
• Aloft Hotels
• Courtyard
• Fairfield
• Four Points
• Moxy Hotels
• Protea Hotels
• Springhill Suites

Extended stay brands 

• Element by Westin
• Marriott Executive Apartments
• Residence Inn
• Towneplace Suites

Common questions about Marriott Bonvoy

With me so far? If you still have questions, here are a few common queries as well as their answers.

The bottom line on the Marriott Bonvoy program

If you're a loyal Marriott guest, joining the Marriott Bonvoy program could be a good move for you. As you work your way up to the elite program tiers, you'll earn valuable perks like room upgrades, access to hotel executive lounges, and free nights. And when you choose the best travel credit card co-branded with Marriott, you can automatically qualify for elite status and earn Marriott Bonvoy points that you can use for future hotel stays.  

A Great Card for Travel Rewards Beginners

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card

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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card

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Current Offer

Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening

Annual Fee

$95

Rewards Rate

up to 17X points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy; 3X points at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year; and 2X points on all other purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• up to 17X points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
• 3X points at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year
• One free night each year at account anniversary
• No foreign transaction fee

Drawbacks

• Has annual fee
• No introductory APR

Card Details

• Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• up to 17X points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy; 3X points at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year; and 2X points on all other purchases