As the world’s largest hotel loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy aims to strike the right balance between providing value to their customers while ensuring profitability for their hotel owners.
Marriott operates under an “asset-light” model, meaning they don’t own the hotels themselves, but rather franchise and manage the hotel/hotel brand for the hotel owners. This bit of information is key to understanding one of the flagship benefits for members with Marriott Bonvoy status: Nightly Upgrade Awards (formerly known as Suite Night Awards).
The idea behind Nightly Upgrade Awards is that even though suite upgrades are often provided for status members at check-in, it’s not a certainty – you simply have to take your chances and do your best “suite-talking“. Instead, Nightly Upgrade Awards are a way to provide more assurance around whether you could receive an upgrade for your upcoming stay.
How Do You Earn Nightly Upgrade Awards?
Nightly Upgrade Awards are earned as part of your Marriott Bonvoy elite status. When you reach Platinum Elite status by earning 50 elite qualifying nights per year, you’re invited to select an Annual Choice Benefit.
When it becomes available, you’re able to choose one of the following items:
- 5 Nightly Upgrade Awards
- Gift of Silver Elite status to a friend or family member
- $1,000 (USD) off your favourite mattress
- 5 Elite Night Credits
- $100 (USD) charity donation
Additionally, if you’re able to achieve Titanium Elite status by earning 75 elite qualifying nights per year, you’re given an additional Annual Choice Benefit with slightly different options:
- 5 Nightly Upgrade Awards
- Free Night Award worth up to 40,000 points
- Gift of Gold Elite status to a friend or family member
- $1,000 (USD) off your favourite mattress
- 5 Elite Night Credits
- $100 (USD) charity donation
If reaching 50 or 75 nights per year seems daunting, remember that the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card and Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card provide 15 elite qualifying nights per year, which is an excellent way to jumpstart your way into status with Marriott.
Furthermore, if you happen to have access to US credit cards, then you can earn up to 40 elite qualifying nights by holding a combination of the Amex US Bonvoy Brilliant Card and the Amex US Bonvoy Business Card. The former gives you 25 nights, and the latter gives you 15 nights, and the…
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