Marriott Bonvoy Guide: How to Save on Hotel Stays with Elite Status
Loading article…
Foreword
I’ve been an elite member of the Marriott hotel program for almost 15 years now.
There are 6 status levels in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Between January 1 and December 31 of each year, you must stay at Marriott Bonvoy hotels to earn elite nights. Each night spent in a hotel is equivalent to one elite night. This will determine your status according to the following scale:
- Member: 0 to 9 elite nights
- Silver: 10 to 24 elite nights
- Gold: 25 to 49 elite nights
- Platinum: 50 to 74 elite nights
- Titanium: 75 to 99 elite nights
- Ambassador: 100 + and USD 23,000 in expenses
At first, I was a Gold member (25 nights a year) thanks to my American Express Platinum Card® which offers this status automatically, then Platinum (50 nights a year).
I’ve now been a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite member (75 nights per year) for several years by focusing my stays at Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
It will be difficult to achieve the supreme status of Ambassador (which requires 100 nights per year and USD 23,000 spent in the Group’s hotels during the year)! Only business travellers can really aim for this status.
That being said, I’m very satisfied with my current Titanium status, and I’ll tell you why it helps us save money when we travel.
The Benefits of Elite Status at Marriott International Hotels
Free Breakfasts
Available from Platinum status upwards, free breakfasts are surely the best benefit, especially when travelling as a family! At check-in, you can choose between receiving 500 or 1,000 bonus points or getting complimentary breakfast. In my opinion, breakfast offers a better value.
This complimentary daily meal for the member and one guest is available at Marriott, JW Marriott, Delta Hotels, Autograph Collection, Renaissance, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, Sheraton, Le Méridien, Westin, Four Points, Aloft, Protea Hotels, and Tribute Portfolio properties.
Every day, I estimate I save between CAD 20 and CAD 40 per person on food. For a family of 4, this can represent more than CAD 150 per day of travel!
On past trips, in certain hotels such as The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort hotel in Puerto Rico, it added up to around CAD 50 per person.
These are often large buffets that allow us to “hold on” until the end of the day! So, in addition to breakfast, we often save on a restaurant meal at lunchtime.
Access to Marriott Bonvoy Hotel Lounges
Some Marriott Bonvoy hotels offer lounges, called Lounge or M Club. These lounges are often where you’ll have breakfast (if the hotel doesn’t have a restaurant).
This is also where you’ll find drinks and snacks throughout the day, as well as evening buffets.
This is another great way to save on meals during your stay!
Travelling as a family, we’re rarely out of the hotel after 7 p.m., so it’s convenient for us to stop by the lounge before heading back to our room.
Annual Benefits
Platinum or Titanium status gives you access to a range of annual benefits.
As soon as you reach Platinum status, Marriott Bonvoy offers you a gift to choose from:
- 5 free upgrades to redeem (Nightly Upgrade Awards) ;
- Silver Elite status to gift to someone else;
- $1,000 off your favourite Marriott Bonvoy mattress;
- $100 in donations to selected charitable organizations;
- Addition of 5 elite nights for the qualifying year.
Generally speaking, the obvious choice is the five free suite upgrades. This way, you are guaranteed – subject to availability – an upgrade to a suite for 5 nights in the year. However, as you’ll see later, there are some limitations to this… but it’s definitely possible to receive even more upgrades throughout the year!
If you have obtained Marriott Bonvoy’s Titanium Elite status (75 elite nights), Marriott Bonvoy asks you to make a choice of additional benefits:
- 5 free upgrades to redeem (Nightly Upgrade Awards) ;
- Silver Elite status to gift to someone else;
- $1,000 off your favourite Marriott Bonvoy mattress;
- $100 in donations to selected charitable organizations;
- 5 elite nights for the qualifying year;
- Free night certificate worth up to 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
- Gold Elite status to gift to someone else.
Once, I had chosen 10 upgrades (choice of 5 + 5 upgrades) to use during the year.
But by December, I still had upgrades available. Then I exchanged them during our stay in Cape Town.
However, I’ve almost always received an upgrade just by negotiating through the chat feature on the Marriott Bonvoy app.
That’s why, the following year, I chose the free night, which is much more valuable to me.
High-speed Wi-Fi
Having a status also means benefiting from free internet in all hotels. This is usually something that is accessible to most members of the Marriott Bonvoy program.
However, here we’re talking about high-speed Internet, which is much more convenient for us.
For example, at the Courtyard Siem Reap Resort, I had a better internet connection than in Montreal (400 Mbps in both directions).
The standard internet was also good (100 Mbps), but this gives you an idea of the difference.
The Partnership with Aeroplan
As a Titanium or Ambassador Elite member, you can enjoy status matching with Aeroplan and automatically receive Aeroplan 25K status. This benefit is available simply by linking your Marriott Bonvoy and Aeroplan accounts here.
You’ll enjoy:
- Priority check-in, boarding, and standby at the airport
- 2 free checked bags
- eUpgrades Credits
- Choice of seats free of charge
- Priority Rewards
- Maple Leaf lounge passes, additional eUpgrades credits (to choose), etc.
This status match will be valid for at least 12 months, covering the current year and the entire following year. After this period, you’ll need to qualify for Aeroplan 25K status on your own, according to Aeroplan’s requirements. So, make sure to plan carefully when you request this status match.
The Partnership With United
As a Titanium member, it is possible to apply to United for a status match in order to become a Silver member of the MileagePlus program. It’s not extraordinary, but still good to have:
- Free access to the Economy Plus cabin at check-in for you and a travelling companion (if available);
- Free Premier upgrade on day of departure (if available);
- One free checked bag (up to 32 kg);
- Premier Access service (if available);
- 7 miles for every dollar spent on United flights.
To do this, go to this page and click on “Join RewardsPlus”.
After registering with your Marriott Bonvoy account and your United MileagePlus account, you will be able to link your two accounts.
It will tell you it may take 7 to 10 days to be activated. In reality, you’ll get your status in less than 48 hours!
Accelerated Accumulation of Points
As a Titanium member, I earn 75% more Marriott Bonvoy points. This means that for every US dollar I spend at a Marriott Bonvoy hotel, I earn:
- 10 base points
- 7.5 bonus points for Titanium status
- 5 points donated by Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card
This represents a total of 22.5 Marriott Bonvoy points per US dollar spent.
Knowing that I value the Marriott Bonvoy point at 0.9 cent CAD or about 0.7 cent US, this represents a return of about 15% on my Marriott Bonvoy expenses (0.7 X 22.5)!
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600Plus $100 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Here is an example with a paid stay at the Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel.
It cost CAD 233.86 (taxes included). I paid with my Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card which earned me 5 points per dollar, for a total of 1,169 points.
As for Marriott, being a Titanium member, I got:
- 10 points per US dollar (excl. tax) as any other member, i.e. 1,505 points
- 75% more points for being a Titanium member, i.e. 1,129 points.
So a total of 2,634 points earned with Marriott Bonvoy.
Added together with the 1,169 points earned on my Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Cardthat’s 3,803 Marriott Bonvoy points worth $34.23, a return of almost 15%.
Recognition in Hotels
Welcome gifts
We often find a welcome gift in our room, with a signed note from the hotel. Whether it’s chocolates, fruit, a locally-made snack or or even a full meal basket with wine.
Those extras are always appreciated!
The Intangible, Depending on the Moment
And then, there’s all the intangibles. These services are provided by concierges who have recognized your status and who will do everything to please or surprise you.
The little touches for children of elite members (free ice cream every day or teddy bears on arrival) or a little welcome sign.
Upgrades on Request
Being a Platinum or Titanium member gives you some leverage when you try to negotiate with a hotel. Negotiate? Let me explain.
The Art of Negotiation
For frequent travellers, the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app is a gem. This feature is really well designed, as it connects you directly with the hotel through a chat.
So, 48 hours before your arrival, you can start talking to the hotel.
But beware! Since mid-July 2025, upgrades have been given automatically by a new technology and process, based on certain factors. We’ll know more when we have more data and feedback. So the following steps may no longer be totally relevant.
Chatting with the hotel reception is fast and effective. Here’s how I do it, and I usually have a high success rate.
Before negotiation
Negotiation
After negotiation
And other before-and-after examples:
Before negotiation
After negotiation
Before negotiation
After negotiation
Or these two examples in 2 luxury hotels in Kuala Lumpur:
After negotiation
After negotiation
Check Hotel Availability
48 hours before your arrival, check the availability of rooms in the hotel by searching for available rooms for your dates.
Establish the Relationship
Start your conversation with the hotel by letting them know you’re excited to experience this new property. Say, for example, that you’re used to staying at the city’s JW Marriott, but this time you’ve decided to try out the Renaissance.
When to Start Negotiating?
24 hours before arrival, come back. I generally advise you to do this in the evening (hotel time): in the morning, the employees are particularly busy with check-ins and check-outs.
In the evening, they have more free time. You’re less likely to run into someone who’s reluctant or overwhelmed.
Negotiate
Go right ahead:
I noticed that you have several suites available for booking. Would it be possible to offer an upgrade to one of them for a Platinum / Titanium member? I’m really looking forward to having the best possible experience at this new hotel.
Generally, you will get 3 types of answers:
- Positive: you are upgraded with a nice message from the hotel (rare)
- Negative: we’ll check with you upon check-in, subject to availability (frequent)
- Neutral: I’ll see what I can do for you. And finally you discover in the application that your reservation has been upgraded (occasional).
Usually, in this second round of bargaining, it works. The hotel has finalized its room allocation and would prefer to take back your “classic” room, which is easier to sell at the last minute than a higher-priced suite.
If there’s no positive response, you can try again 12 hours later: you’ll be dealing with a different employee.
If you still get a negative response, don’t be discouraged and try again when you check in at the hotel.
We always book the cheapest room and regularly obtain a superior room or suite.
But of course, all this will depend on:
- Hotel popularity;
- The number of members present that day with a similar Marriott Bonvoy status (or higher than yours);
- If you’re at a busy time of year.
Get Status With Marriott Bonvoy
In short, being an Elite member of a loyalty program like Marriott Bonvoy is something we chase every year. Often around November and December, many members are looking for ways to achieve or renew Platinum status.
The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card represents a good “boost” with its 15 elite nights. But there are still 35 nights to accumulate in the year, which is practically unattainable for the “average traveller” and because you don’t ONLY stay in Marriott hotels!
However, there are several ways to obtain Marriott Bonvoy status.
Get Silver Status With a Credit Card
Silver status can be obtained very easily simply by holding the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card or Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card.
These are cards I keep in my wallet, year after year, because they also offer an Annual Free Night Award worth 35,000 points when the membership is renewed.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 | |||
| $150 |
Get Gold Status With a Credit Card
The easiest way to obtain Marriott Bonvoy Gold status automatically: by subscribing to American Express Platinum Card®. Once activated, simply ask American Express to register your Gold status with Marriott Bonvoy.
This is one of the many advantages offered to American Express Platinum Card® holders.
- Annual fee
- $799
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,190Total$1,190Plus $510 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,190
- Welcome offerAfter $10,000 in 3 months
- Up to 100,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
The other method is to subscribe to the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card or the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card which offers 15 elite nights per year, and then stay 10 nights at Marriott Bonvoy hotels during the year.
Earn up to 40 Elite Nights with U.S. Credit Cards
If you’ve already started getting U.S. credit cards, there’s an interesting option. With both a U.S. PERSONAL credit card and a U.S. CORPORATE credit card from Marriott Bonvoy, you can get up to 40 Elite nights (15 Elite nights with the U.S. version of Marriott Bonvoy Corporate and 25 Elite nights with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card).
Unfortunately, this doesn’t work in Canada.
Earn Platinum Status through Stays
Generally, a Marriott Bonvoy member already has the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card or Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card, which ensures that they start the year with 15 elite night credits and Silver status.
That leaves 35 nights to go before Platinum status is achieved. If you’re traveling, this is your chance to choose Marriott hotels over other hotels.
For a number of years now, Marriott Bonvoy has been offering a promotion from February to April that doubles the number of elite nights for each overnight stay. This is particularly effective in boosting your status.
Target entry-level hotels for your stays to renew your status at a lower price. Some even go so far as to plan holidays in Egypt, South Africa or in different regions of Asia to combine leisure… and renewing their elite status!
To help you with this, see our card geographically listing Marriott Bonvoy hotels by category.
Or take part in the Marriott Bonvoy Status Challenge.
Achieve Platinum Status With a Challenge
You can ask Marriott Bonvoy to enter you in a qualifying challenge for Platinum status. You will need to call Marriott Bonvoy customer service at 1-801-468-4000.
Once you’ve registered, you’ll need to complete this Marriott Bonvoy challenge by staying at Marriott Bonvoy hotels for 16 nights within a 90-day period. Please note: only paid nights count (and not those obtained with points).
Bon Voyage
Obtaining Marriott Bonvoy status is an undeniable advantage when you plan to travel to Marriott Bonvoy hotels during the validity period.
For us, as part of our 5-month round-the-world family trip, having Titanium status was definitely our most valuable asset for saving money and travelling in greater comfort.
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600Plus $100 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Is Marriott Bonvoy free?
Yes, it’s totally free! Here’s the page to sign up for the Marriott Bonvoy program.
Which hotels are part of the Marriott International group?
There are about thirty of them! Check out our complete guide to these 30 Marriott brands, including the features of each:
- Residence Inn by Marriott
- Springhill Suites by Marriott
- Four Points
- Delta Hotels
- Marriott
- Sheraton
- Westin
- JW Marriott
- The Ritz-Carlton
- St.Regis
Who owns Marriot Bonvoy?
The founders were John Willard Marriott and his wife Alice Marriott, who opened their first hotel in January 1957 in Arlington, Virginia.
Today, the president of Marriott International is Anthony Capuano.
What are the Marriott Bonvoy status levels?
Marriott Bonvoy offers five levels of Elite status to reward member loyalty. The longer you stay at different Marriott hotels and brands, the higher your status and the more exclusive benefits you enjoy, such as free upgrades, late checkouts and lounge access.
The program starts with Silver Elite (10 nights stay in a year), Gold Elite (25 nights stay in a year), Platinum Elite (50 nights stay in a year), Titanium Elite (75 nights stay in a year) and finally Ambassador Elite (100 nights stay + 23,000 USD eligible expenses).
Go further with Marriott Bonvoy
To maximize your stays and points earning, check our complete Marriott Bonvoy program guide and our best Marriott Bonvoy credit cards ranking. For personal use, see the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. For business expenses, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card earns points on every business purchase. And if a points purchase promotion is running, take advantage via our Marriott Bonvoy points purchase guide.