Have you ever dreamt of stepping into a spacious suite after a long day of travel, spreading out, and truly relaxing? Marriott Bonvoy's Suite Night Awards (SNAs), now officially called Nightly Upgrade Awards (NUAs), are your golden ticket to making that dream a reality! These highly coveted awards can elevate your stay from a standard room to a premium room or even a suite, offering more comfort, space, and a touch of luxury.
But how exactly do you unlock the power of these awards? Fear not, fellow traveler! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of using your Marriott Nightly Upgrade Awards, from understanding what they are to maximizing your chances of a successful upgrade. Let's get started on your journey to a more luxurious Marriott stay!
Understanding Marriott Nightly Upgrade Awards (NUAs)
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's clarify what Nightly Upgrade Awards are and how you earn them.
What are they? NUAs are upgrade certificates that eligible Marriott Bonvoy elite members can use to request an upgrade to a standard suite or a premium room in advance of their check-in.
How do you earn them? NUAs are a benefit of achieving certain Marriott Bonvoy elite statuses:
When you earn 50 Elite Night Credits within a calendar year, you can select five NUAs as one of your Annual Choice Benefits.
When you earn 75 Elite Night Credits within a calendar year, you can select another five NUAs as an additional Annual Choice Benefit.
Some co-branded Marriott credit cards also offer NUAs as an earned choice award after reaching a certain spending threshold.
Expiration: NUAs typically expire on December 31st of the year following the year in which they were earned. So, if you earn them in 2024, they'll expire on December 31, 2025. Make sure to use them before they vanish!
Step 1: Confirm You Have Nightly Upgrade Awards Available!
Before you even think about booking, the very first thing you need to do is confirm you have Nightly Upgrade Awards in your Marriott Bonvoy account and check their expiration dates! It would be a shame to plan your perfect suite stay only to find out you don't have enough awards or they're about to expire.
Sub-heading: Checking Your NUA Balance
Log In to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account: Head over to Marriott.com and log in with your credentials.
Navigate to Your Account Summary: Once logged in, look for a section like "My Account," "My Dashboard," or "Activity." This is where you'll find an overview of your elite status, points balance, and any available awards.
Locate Your Nightly Upgrade Awards: Within your account summary, there should be a dedicated section for "Nightly Upgrade Awards" (or "Suite Night Awards" if the old terminology is still displayed). Here, you'll see the number of awards you have and their expiration dates.
Pro-tip: Make a note of these expiration dates! You'll want to prioritize using awards that are expiring soonest.
Step 2: Make an Eligible Marriott Bonvoy Reservation
Nightly Upgrade Awards can only be applied to eligible Marriott Bonvoy reservations. This is a crucial step!
Sub-heading: Understanding Eligible Reservations
Direct Bookings Only: Your reservation must be booked directly with Marriott through their website (Marriott.com), the Marriott Bonvoy app, or by calling Marriott reservations. Bookings made through third-party online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia or Booking.com are generally not eligible.
Qualifying Rates: The reservation needs to be on a "qualifying rate." This typically includes:
Paid Stays: Standard cash rates are usually eligible.
Award Redemption Stays: Stays booked entirely with Marriott Bonvoy points.
Cash & Points Stays: A combination of cash and points.
Participating Hotels: Not all Marriott brands or individual properties participate in the Nightly Upgrade Awards program. While the list has expanded, some notable exclusions generally include:
Ritz-Carlton Reserve
The Ritz-Carlton Club
The Ritz-Carlton Residences
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Participating Design Hotels
Marriott Executive Apartments
All-Inclusive Resorts
Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Vacation Club
If you're unsure if a specific property participates, it's best to check the hotel's individual page on Marriott.com or contact Marriott Member Support.
Sub-heading: Booking Your Stay
Book Your Stay as Usual: Proceed to book your desired hotel stay on Marriott.com or the Marriott Bonvoy app. Select your dates, hotel, and standard room type.
One NUA Per Night: Remember that one Nightly Upgrade Award is required for each night of your reservation. So, if you're booking a 3-night stay, you'll need 3 NUAs to cover the entire stay. You cannot use NUAs for only a portion of your stay.
Ensure Enough Awards: Ensure you have enough NUAs to cover the entire length of your booking. The system won't let you apply them if you're short.
Step 3: Initiate the Upgrade Request
Once your eligible reservation is confirmed, it's time to put those NUAs to work!
Sub-heading: Finding the Upgrade Request Option
Access Your Reservation:
On Marriott.com: Log in and navigate to "My Trips" or "My Reservations." Find the reservation you wish to upgrade and click on "View/Modify."
On the Marriott Bonvoy App: Open the app, go to your upcoming trips, and select the relevant reservation. You might see a bell icon in the top right corner or an option to "Request Upgrade" directly on the itinerary.
Look for the "Start Upgrade Request" Link: On the reservation details page, scroll down. If your reservation is eligible for NUAs, you will see a prominent link or button labeled "Start Upgrade Request" or "Use Suite Night Awards." If you don't see this option, it means the property or your reservation type is not eligible.
Step 4: Select Your Preferred Upgrade Options
This is where you get to choose your dream upgrade!
Sub-heading: Choosing Room Types
Review Available Options: After clicking "Start Upgrade Request," you'll be presented with a list of available premium rooms and suites that the hotel offers for NUA upgrades. These can range from larger rooms with better views to full-fledged suites.
Select Multiple Preferences: Marriott encourages you to select multiple room types in order of preference. The more options you select, the higher your chances of a successful upgrade. The system will try to confirm your highest preference first, then move down your list.
Consider Your Needs: Think about what kind of upgrade would genuinely enhance your stay. Is it a suite for more space, a room with a specific view, or a club lounge access room (if offered as an upgrade option)?
Submit Your Request: Once you've made your selections, click the "Submit Upgrade Request" button.
Step 5: Wait for Confirmation (The Anticipation!)
The NUA process is not instantaneous. It's a waiting game, but Marriott provides clear communication.
Sub-heading: The Upgrade Confirmation Timeline
Automated Checking Begins: Marriott's system typically begins checking for upgrade availability:
Five days prior to arrival for most Marriott Bonvoy brands.
Three days prior to arrival for EDITION, The Ritz-Carlton, and St. Regis properties.
Daily Checks: The system will continue to check for availability daily up until approximately 2:00 PM local hotel time on the day before your arrival.
Email Notifications: You will receive email notifications from Marriott Bonvoy whether your upgrade is confirmed or denied. Keep an eye on your inbox!
If Confirmed: You'll receive an email confirming your upgraded room type. Congratulations!
If Not Confirmed: If the upgrade cannot be fulfilled by 2:00 PM the day before arrival, your Nightly Upgrade Awards will be automatically returned to your account. This means you won't lose your awards if the upgrade doesn't clear.
Important Note: Contacting the hotel directly to "push" your upgrade request will generally not help. The NUA process is largely automated.
Step 6: Managing Your NUA Request (If Needed)
Life happens, and plans change. You might need to modify or cancel your NUA request.
Sub-heading: Modifying an Unconfirmed Request
Before Confirmation: If your NUA request is pending (not yet confirmed), you can usually modify your room type preferences or cancel the request entirely.
How to Modify/Cancel: Go back to your reservation details on Marriott.com or the app. Look for a "Modify/Cancel Request" button within the Nightly Upgrade Awards section. You can then adjust your selections or withdraw the awards. You can typically do this up to 2:00 PM local hotel time one day prior to arrival.
Sub-heading: Cancelling a Confirmed Request
Full Reservation Cancellation Required: Once a Nightly Upgrade Award is confirmed, it can only be canceled if you cancel the entire reservation.
Beware of Deadlines: If you cancel a confirmed NUA reservation after 2:00 PM local hotel time one day prior to arrival, you may forfeit your Nightly Upgrade Awards. Always double-check the cancellation policy for both your reservation and the NUA.
Maximizing Your Chances of a Successful NUA Upgrade
While NUAs aren't guaranteed, you can increase your odds of success.
Sub-heading: Strategic NUA Usage
Be Flexible with Room Choices: As mentioned, selecting multiple room types significantly boosts your chances. Don't be too restrictive if you genuinely want an upgrade.
Consider Off-Peak Travel: Hotels are generally less occupied during off-peak seasons or weekdays. Applying NUAs during these times can increase availability.
Luxury Properties Often Have More Suites: High-end Marriott brands (like St. Regis, JW Marriott, Luxury Collection) often have a larger inventory of suites, potentially leading to more NUA availability compared to budget-friendly brands.
Book Sooner Rather Than Later: While the system only starts checking closer to arrival, submitting your request as soon as you book might give you a slight edge, especially if there's a queue of requests.
Check for Hotel-Specific Exclusions: While Marriott provides a general list of non-participating brands, individual hotels within participating brands can opt out of the NUA program. If it's a make-or-break, you might consider calling the hotel directly before booking to confirm their NUA participation.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to Earn Marriott Suite Night Awards (NUAs)?
You earn Nightly Upgrade Awards by achieving Platinum Elite status (50 Elite Night Credits in a calendar year) or Titanium Elite status (75 Elite Night Credits in a calendar year) within the Marriott Bonvoy program, and selecting them as your Annual Choice Benefit. Some co-branded credit cards may also offer them as an earned choice award.
How to Check My Marriott Suite Night Award Balance and Expiration?
Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com or the app, navigate to "My Account" or "Activity," and you'll find a section displaying your Nightly Upgrade Awards along with their expiration dates.
How to Apply Marriott Suite Night Awards to an Existing Reservation?
After booking an eligible reservation on Marriott.com or the app, go to "My Trips," select your reservation, and look for the "Start Upgrade Request" or "Use Suite Night Awards" link.
How to Know if a Hotel Participates in Nightly Upgrade Awards?
While certain brands are generally excluded, the easiest way to tell if a specific property participates is to see if the "Start Upgrade Request" option appears on your reservation details page after booking. If it doesn't, the property is likely not participating for your stay.
How to Increase My Chances of Getting a Suite Night Award Upgrade?
Select multiple room type preferences when submitting your request, travel during off-peak times, and consider properties known for having a good suite inventory.
How to Cancel an Unconfirmed Suite Night Award Request?
You can cancel an unconfirmed NUA request by going to your reservation details on Marriott.com or the app and clicking "Modify/Cancel Request" in the NUA section, typically up to 2:00 PM local hotel time the day before arrival.
How to Cancel a Confirmed Suite Night Award Upgrade?
A confirmed NUA upgrade can only be canceled by canceling the entire underlying hotel reservation. Be mindful of the cancellation deadline, as awards may be forfeited if canceled too late.
How to Use Nightly Upgrade Awards for Multiple Rooms?
Nightly Upgrade Awards can generally be used for additional single-room reservations during a stay, as long as the member is present for the stay and the other reservations are under the member's name. One NUA is required per room per night.
How to Know Which Room Types Are Available for Upgrade with NUAs?
When you initiate the "Start Upgrade Request" process for your reservation, the system will display all available premium room and suite types the hotel offers for NUA upgrades for your specific dates.
How to Use Nightly Upgrade Awards for Partial Stays?
You cannot use Nightly Upgrade Awards for partial stays. You must have enough awards to cover every single night of your reservation for the upgrade request to be valid.
