Marriott Bonvoy Announces Policy for Smooth Transition of Member Status in 2025

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Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève Leclerc

Marie-Ève Leclerc

Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève, Web Director at Milesopedia, is an expert in budget travel and a slow travel enthusiast. Specializing in Aeroplan, Scene+, and Marriott Bonvoy programs, she spends nearly six months a year abroad, making travel her way of life. Constantly seeking the best waves to surf, excellent coffee, and strategies to extend her travels, she is often found in coworking spaces with fellow digital nomads or by the sea, watching the sunset.
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To the point Marriott Bonvoy has clarified its policy for the smooth transition of its members' status, or "soft landing", for the year 2025.

This transition is called “soft landing,” which means moving its program members down one Marriott Bonvoy status level at a time.

Marriott Bonvoy soft landing policy

As was the case for 2023 and 2024, this news is intended for those who were unable to maintain their Elite membership status in 2024, for the year 2025.

Marriott Bonvoy has updated its policy for the status of its Elite members:

In January 2025, all Members will have their 2024 loyalty activity evaluated as follows:
Members who have regained their existing Elite status in 2024 will have their current status renewed until February 2026.
Members who have not regained their existing Elite status in 2024 will be offered the lower level of their current status until February 2026. These members will see their new status from March 2025, and will be able to enjoy their current status until February 2026.
Members who reached a higher Elite level in 2024 already have a status expiry date of February 2026.

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In other words, members who were unable to renew their status in 2024 will see this transition from March 2025 until February 2026:

  • Ambassador Elite members will get Titanium Elite status
  • Titanium Elite members will get Platinum Elite status
  • Platinum Elite members will get Gold Elite status
  • Gold Elite members will get Silver Elite status

What does that mean?

When a traveller has a special membership status with a hotel or airline, they must maintain (or exceed) it each year. If they do not meet the program requirements, they may no longer have the same status.

For example, this transition prevents an Ambassador Elite member (requiring 100 Elite nights) who has only done 10 nights in 2024, from ending up with Silver status for 2025. They will then slowly descend to the Titanium level for 2025, which is a lower level. This is despite the fact that Titanium status requires at least 75 Elite nights.

As a reminder, here are the 6 status levels in the Marriott Bonvoy program:

STATUS NIGHTS / YEAR
Member 0-9
Silver Elite 10-24
Gold Elite 25-49
Platinum Elite 50-74
Titanium Elite 75-99
Ambassador Elite 100+
& US 20,000 spent

For more information on Marriott Bonvoy program status, qualification and duration of status, please read our ultimate guide to Marriott Bonvoy.

Bottom Line

This is good news for all Marriott Bonvoy members who have status this year but were unable to maintain it for next year. The impact of a less drastic reduction in status “hurts less” for the Marriott Bonvoy member.

Initially, this soft landing offer applied only to Ambassador Elite members; members with other statuses will be pleased to know that they too can benefit from this transition policy.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Caroline Tremblay

Caroline Tremblay

Caroline Tremblay
Caroline, a loyalty program specialist, helps families maximize their points to travel more frequently and affordably. With expertise in Disney, AIR MILES, and Costco, she travels the world with her partner and two children through rewards. Passionate about the latest in loyalty programs, Caroline shares tips to help you earn more points and turn your travel dreams into reality.
All posts by Caroline Tremblay

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