Marriott Platinum Elite benefits and how to achieve this status
Every year, I try to achieve at least Marriott Platinum Elite status. Platinum Elite status is the sweet spot Marriott Bonvoy elite status for me because it offers many valuable perks but is also relatively easy to earn through many avenues.
Here’s what you need to know about it The hotel’s elite status status, including the benefits of Marriott Platinum Elite status and the different ways to achieve that status.
Marriott Platinum Elite Benefits
Marriott Platinum Elite benefits can be helpful. You can count on the following Platinum Elite benefits at participating facilities:
- 50% bonus points for stays at participating brands.
- Excellent welcome gift. (Options vary by location and brand; not available at most City Express locations.)
- Lounge access for the member and one guest staying in the same room at JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Delta Hotels, Le Meridien, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Autograph Collection Hotels and Renaissance Hotels (excluding JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Delta Hotels, Renaissance Hotels Signature Collection and Resort Properties).
- 4pm late check-out upon request. (It is only guaranteed until 2 p.m. at Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy and is subject to availability at resort and convention hotels and Design Hotels. It is not honored at Vacation Clubs Marriott; Marriott Grand Resort Club; Westin Resort Club; Phoenician Residences, Luxury Collection Residence Club, and Ritz-Carlton Reserve; )
Related: Why I continue to pursue Marriott Platinum status year after year
Platinum Elite members are also eligible for complimentary advanced room upgrades. However, these upgrades are subject to availability upon arrival throughout your entire stay and are determined by each participating property. So while Platinum Elite members are technically eligible for suite upgrades at most brands, many find they rarely receive any notable upgrades.
Marriott Bonvoy Premium benefits only apply to qualifying rates — which means you usually need to Book directly with Marriott — and only applies to the room you stay in.
Related: Your guide to Marriott breakfast benefits for Platinum Elite members and above
How to get Marriott Platinum Elite status
Marriott Platinum Elite status is relatively attainable, even if you don’t stay at the hotel often. Here’s how travelers can achieve Marriott Platinum Elite status.
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Elite night
Any calendar year in which you accumulate at least 50 elite night credits, you will receive Marriott Platinum elite status through the end of February of the following year.
Typically, you will receive one elite night credit for each qualifying night of your stay. However, you’ll only earn one elite night credit for every two qualifying nights at Protea Hotels, City Express, and Four Points Flex. And you’ll only earn one elite night credit for every three qualifying nights you stay at Marriott Executive Apartments. Worst of all, Marriott rounds up these stays when calculating elite night credits. Therefore, a five-night stay at a Marriott Executive Apartment will only receive one premium night credit.
You can earn one elite night credit for every 20 nights of stay (maximum 20 elite night credits per contract) when you host a qualifying event at a Marriott Bonvoy property join.
Many Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offer premium night credits each calendar year as a perk to cardholders, including the following:
However, you can only get these elite night credits from a maximum of one personal card and one business card. As such, you can earn 40 elite night credits per calendar year just by having Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card And Marriott Bonvoy American Express Business Card.
You can also get one elite night credit for every $5,000 you spend Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card.
In short, earning the 50 elite night credits you need each calendar year to reach Marriott Platinum Elite status is relatively easy. I receive 30 elite night credits per year from Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card And Marriott Bonvoy American Express Business CardThat means I only need 20 more elite night credits per year to get Platinum Elite status.
Related: The complete guide to achieving Marriott elite status with a credit card
The Marriott Bonvoy credit card offers Platinum Elite status
You can also effectively purchase Marriott Platinum Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card. This card has an annual fee of $650 (see exchange rates and fees) but gives primary cardholders free Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status for as long as their card account is open. That means you can enjoy Platinum Elite status even if you don’t regularly stay at Marriott properties.
Related: Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex worth the $650 annual fee?
Marriott Platinum Elite lifetime status
Marriott elite lifetime status relatively attainable compared to most other hotel lifetime statuses. You can achieve lifetime Silver Elite status after 250 qualifying nights and 5 years of Silver Elite or more, and you can achieve lifetime Gold Elite status after 400 qualifying nights and 7 years of Gold Elite and above. Elite Platinum Elite status occurs after 600 qualifying nights and 10 years of being Platinum Elite or higher.
I already have lifetime Gold Elite status and will achieve lifetime Platinum Elite status in 2029 if Marriott does not change the lifetime status requirements. I look forward to receiving Platinum Elite benefits for life, as this means I will enjoy the valuable benefits of staying at Marriott, even as I start to travel less frequently.
Bottom line
Marriott Platinum Elite status will not be valid for all travelers. And many Platinum Elite members are frustrated by the exclusions and inconsistent application of certain benefits. But I see the benefits — like guaranteed late 4pm check-outs at most properties, lounge access at select brands, and stellar welcome gift options for every stay — helpful.
For Bonvoy Brilliant rates and fees, click This.
