Marriott Bonvoy elite status offers perks ranging from free breakfast and room upgrade for late check out. The exact benefits depend on you Marriott elite status grade and may also vary from brand to brand.
However, you don’t have to be a street fighter to earn the higher ranks of Marriott Bonvoy status. After all, you can earn up to 40 elite night credits per year by being the primary cardholder on select Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card. These elite night credits can bring even the casual traveler to Marriott’s elite platinum or even Elite Titan status.
But wouldn’t it be great if you could get Marriott status for life so you wouldn’t have to qualify year after year? It can. Here’s what you need to know about Marriott’s lifetime status program.
Requirements for lifetime elite status
Marriott Bonvoy there are three life stages.
- Lifetime Elite Silver: 250 nights for a lifetime and 5 years as a Silver Elite member or more.
- Lifetime Gold Elite: 400 nights for a lifetime and seven years with a Gold Elite membership or more.
- Lifetime Elite Platinum: 600 nights for a lifetime and 10 years with a Platinum Elite membership or more.
Currently, there is no way to qualify for Marriott’s top two status tiers — Titanium Elite and elite ambassador – for life. However, when Starwood merged with Marriottsome elites have been granted lifetime Titanium Elite status.
While it may feel like these Marriott Bonvoy lifetime elite status tiers are out of reach, Marriott still counts credit card elite night credits and promotional night towards lifelong status. So you may find it relatively easy to achieve lifetime status, especially if you have one or more. Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card offers annual elite night credits.
Related: Your complete guide to the warranties and indemnities published by Marriott
Lifetime elite benefits
Once you reach lifetime status, you will enjoy the benefits of that level for the rest of your life. Here are some highlights.
Sign up for our daily newsletter
- Elite Silver: 10% bonus points and priority for late check-out.
- Elite Gold: 25% bonus points and non-set advanced room upgrades (at some brands).
- Elite Platinum: 50% points bonus, room upgrades (including suites at most brands) and welcome gift selection (at most brands; breakfast is an option at some brands).
Additionally, Marriott has introduced the ability for lifetime Platinum Elite members to view lifelong journey online and claim the free baggage tag by the end of 2022.
Platinum Elite members can usually choose a year Choice benefits. However, lifetime Platinum Elite members may not choose the Choice Benefit every year unless they meet the standard elite nightlife requirements for Platinum Elite status for that year.
Related: 17 Ways to Earn More Marriott Bonvoy Points
How to check your progress towards lifetime status
The Marriott app is the easiest way to see your progress toward lifetime status.
Select “account” in the bottom right corner and tap “nights this year”. Then select “see lifetime status progress.”
If you scroll down, you’ll see your lifespan stats.
Related: Best Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
bottom line
Achieving lifetime Marriott status is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s also important to remember that Marriott tweaked its lifetime program in 2018 when it merged with SPG. As a result, future program updates that may change the requirements for lifetime Marriott status are entirely possible.
Aside from the lifetime Platinum Elite console, the lifetime status benefits are not enhanced. You’ll also miss the Choice Benefit, which is only available when you accumulate at least 50 elite night credits in a calendar year.
Therefore, we recommend that you do not attempt to achieve Marriott Bonvoy lifetime status. Instead, consider lifetime status with Marriott Bonvoy as a reward for years of being with Marriott brand.
Additional reporting by Ethan Steinberg.
