Marriott Bonvoy elite status
Marriott’s elite status program makes it possible for frequent guests to enjoy perks when they stay at its hotels, including late checkout and room upgrades (depending on availability.) However, elite status benefits depend on the tier of status you qualify for, and lower tiers of status may only come with a few basic perks. Elite status members with the Marriott Bonvoy program also earn more points on paid hotel stays with the brand, which paves the way to more free award nights.
Get automatic elite status
Co-branded Marriott hotel credit cards offer automatic elite status, from Silver Elite status with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card to Platinum Elite status with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card*. Automatic elite status can help you get some perks right away, and it’s easier to climb to higher status tiers with paid hotel stays.
*Enrollment required.
Elite night credits
Elite night credits are the credits you earn as a Marriott Bonvoy member when you stay at a Marriott property. These credits are used to help determine whether you qualify for elite status and which tier you’re in.
Marriott credit cards also offer additional elite night credits you can use to earn a higher status as you complete more stays with the brand.
Free night certificate
A free night certificate is an exclusive benefit on select Marriott cards. This benefit is redeemable for one night at a Marriott hotel, although these certificates limit the number of points a free night award can cost.
Free night certificates are awarded on your card anniversary with a 12-month expiration date, and they don’t roll over from one year to the next if you don’t use them.
Stay for 5, Pay for 4 offer
The Marriott Bonvoy program has a “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” promotion that helps members stretch their rewards points. Essentially, this program lets members redeem points for five consecutive award nights for the cost of four award nights. If you want to book five nights at a property that costs 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, for example, the stay would only set you back 200,000 points.
You’ll have to spend the five consecutive nights at the same property, although it can be a traditional Marriott hotel or resort or an all-inclusive property. However, the free night award will be the one that costs the fewest amount of points during your stay. This last part is important, since free nights over the course of five consecutive nights may all require different point values.
Marriott Bonvoy airline transfer partners
While free night awards are always going to be the best redemption for Marriott Bonvoy points, members do have the option to turn their rewards into airline miles. The Marriott Bonvoy program will even add 5,000 miles for every 60,000 points you turn into frequent flyer miles. The exception is with the United MileagePlus program, where you’ll get 10,000 additional miles for each 60,000 points you transfer.
There are currently 39 participating frequent flyer programs, and most come with a transfer ratio of 3:1. This means that 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points turn into 10,000 frequent flyer points with most programs.
Free wi-fi
Marriott card members are automatically enrolled in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, which includes free in-room Wi-Fi for all members.