Each year, I strive to achieve at least Marriott Platinum Elite status. Platinum Elite status is the Marriott Bonvoy elite sweet spot for me because it offers a lot of essentials but is also easy to get in many ways.
Here’s what you need to know about this elite hotel status, including the benefits of Marriott Platinum Elite status and the different ways to earn it.
Marriott Platinum Elite benefits
Marriott Platinum Elite benefits can come in handy. You can count on the following Platinum Elite benefits at participating locations:
- 50% bonus points for stays at participating brands.
- Elite welcome gift. (Options vary by location and brand; not available at most City Express locations.)
- Lounge access for one 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 (except JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Delta Hotels, I -Autograph Collection and Renaissance Hotels resort buildings).
- 4pm late check out on request. (Guaranteed only until 2 p.m. Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy and based on availability at resort and convention hotels and Design Hotels. Not honored at Marriott Vacation Club; Marriott Grand Residence Club; Sheraton Vacation Club; Westin Vacation Club; The Residences of Phoenician, The Luxury Collection Residence Club, Scottsdale and The Ritz-Carlton Reserve.)
Related: Why I keep chasing Marriott Platinum status year after year
Platinum Elite members are also eligible for enhanced room upgrades. However, this upgrade is subject to availability upon arrival throughout the length of your stay and as identified by each participating property. So, while Platinum Elite members are technically eligible for suite upgrades at most companies, many find that they rarely get significant upgrades.
Marriott Bonvoy’s premium benefits only apply to qualifying rates – meaning you’ll usually need to book directly with Marriott – and only apply to the room you’re staying in.
Related: Your guide to Marriott’s breakfast benefits for Platinum Elite and senior members
How to get Marriott Platinum Elite status
Marriott Platinum Elite status is relatively affordable, even if you don’t stay at hotels often. Here’s a look at how travelers can earn Marriott Platinum Elite status.
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Elite night
Any calendar year you earn at least 50 special night credits, you will receive special Marriott Platinum status at the end of next February.
You will usually earn one special night credit for each eligible night you stay. However, you will only earn one special night credit for two qualifying nights at Protea Hotels, City Express and Four Points Flex. You’ll also earn one night credit for every three qualifying nights you stay at Marriott Executive Apartments. Worst of all, Marriott discounts these stays when calculating special night credits. Therefore, a five-night stay at a Marriott Executive Apartment will only earn one special night credit.
You can earn one special night credit per 20 room nights (up to 20 special night credits per contract) when you host a qualifying event at a participating Marriott Bonvoy property.
Many Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offer special nightly credits each calendar year as a cardmember perk, including the following:
However, you can only get these top night credits on one personal card and one business card. So, you can get 40 credits for special nights each calendar year just by being there Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card.
You can also earn one elite night credit for every $5,000 you spend on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card.
In short, earning the 50 elite night credits you need each calendar year to earn Marriott Platinum Elite status is easy. I earn 30 special night credits per calendar year on my Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card and Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card, which means I only need 20 special night credits each calendar year to earn Platinum Elite status.
Related: The complete guide to earning Marriott elite status with credit cards
Marriott Bonvoy credit card that offers Platinum Elite status
You can also successfully purchase Marriott Platinum Elite status through Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card. This card has an annual fee of $650 (see rates and fees) but gives the primary card member complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status as long as their card account is open. That means you can enjoy Platinum Elite status even if you don’t stay at Marriott properties regularly.
Related: Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex worth the $650 annual fee?
Marriott’s Platinum Elite lifestyle status
Marriott elite lifetime status is affordable compared to many other hotel lifestyles. You can earn Silver Elite lifetime status after 250 qualifying nights and five years as a Silver Elite or more, and you can earn Gold Elite lifetime status after 400 qualifying nights and seven years as a Gold Elite or more. Lifetime Platinum Elite status comes after 600 qualifying nights and 10 years as a Platinum Elite or higher.
I already have lifetime Gold Elite status and should earn Platinum Elite lifetime status by 2029 if Marriott does not change its lifetime requirements. I’m looking forward to receiving Platinum Elite benefits for the rest of my life, as this means I’ll enjoy valuable benefits when I stay with Marriott, even if I start traveling less.
Related: I just earned Lifetime Platinum Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy — here’s why that won’t change my hotel strategy
Bottom line
Marriott Platinum Elite status will not suit every traveler. And many Platinum Elite members find the exclusion and inconsistent use of other benefits frustrating. But I found the perks – such as late check-out at 4pm at most locations, lounge access to select brands and the choice of a special gift for each stay – worth it.
For prices and costs of Bonvoy Brilliant, click here.
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