Dreaming of that spacious suite or a room with a breathtaking view? Marriott Bonvoy Nightly Upgrade Awards (NUAs), formerly known as Suite Night Awards (SNAs), are your golden ticket! These valuable benefits can transform a good stay into an unforgettable one. But how do you actually use them? Don't worry, we're here to guide you through every step of the process.
Let's dive in and unlock those amazing upgrades!
Unlocking Elevated Stays: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Applying Marriott Nightly Upgrade Awards
Marriott Bonvoy Nightly Upgrade Awards are a fantastic perk for elite members (Platinum Elite and Titanium Elite) who choose them as their Annual Choice Benefit. Each NUA covers one night and can be used to request an upgrade to a premium room or standard suite. While they aren't guaranteed, they significantly increase your chances of a more luxurious experience.
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility and Check Your Awards
First things first, let's make sure you're ready to roll!
Sub-heading 1.1: Are You Eligible for Nightly Upgrade Awards?
Platinum Elite & Titanium Elite Status: Nightly Upgrade Awards are primarily earned by Marriott Bonvoy members who achieve Platinum Elite (50 Elite Night Credits per year) or Titanium Elite status (75 Elite Night Credits per year). As an Annual Choice Benefit, you get to select them from a list of options. If you don't make a selection by the deadline (February 1st of the following year), Marriott will default to giving you Nightly Upgrade Awards.
Active Awards: Ensure your NUAs haven't expired! They typically expire on December 31st of the year following the year they were earned. For example, awards earned in 2024 will expire on December 31, 2025.
Sub-heading 1.2: Locating Your Nightly Upgrade Awards
Before you can apply them, you need to know how many you have!
Online:
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com.
Click on your name in the upper right-hand corner.
Select "Overview" from the dropdown menu.
Scroll down to the "Earned rewards" section. You should see "Nightly Upgrade Awards" listed here if you have any.
Click "View Awards" to see their expiration dates.
Marriott Bonvoy App:
Open the Marriott Bonvoy app and log in.
Navigate to your account details, usually found by tapping on your profile icon.
Look for a section related to your earned benefits or awards.
Pro Tip: Keep a mental note (or even a physical one!) of your NUA expiration dates. You don't want to lose out on these valuable upgrades!
Step 2: Book Your Eligible Marriott Bonvoy Reservation
Nightly Upgrade Awards cannot be applied without an existing reservation.
Sub-heading 2.1: Types of Eligible Reservations
You can use Nightly Upgrade Awards on a variety of reservation types:
Paid Stays: Booked with cash at an eligible Marriott Bonvoy rate.
Free Night Award Stays: Reservations booked entirely with Marriott Bonvoy points.
Cash & Points Stays: A combination of cash and points.
Important Note: Reservations made through third-party online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia or Booking.com are generally not eligible for Nightly Upgrade Awards. Always book directly with Marriott!
Sub-heading 2.2: The "Entire Stay" Rule
This is a crucial point: you must have enough Nightly Upgrade Awards to cover every night of your stay. You cannot apply them for just a few nights of a longer reservation. For example, if you have a 3-night reservation, you'll need 3 NUAs to apply. If you only have 2, you won't be able to apply them to that specific 3-night stay.
Step 3: Initiating Your Upgrade Request
Once your reservation is confirmed and you have enough NUAs, it's time to request that upgrade!
Sub-heading 3.1: For New Reservations (Immediately After Booking)
After completing your booking on Marriott.com, you'll land on the Reservation Confirmation page.
Scroll down, and you should see a section titled "Upgrade Your Stay" or something similar.
Click on the "Start Upgrade Request" button.
Please Note: If this option doesn't appear, it means the hotel does not participate in Nightly Upgrade Awards for your selected room type or the reservation is otherwise ineligible.
Sub-heading 3.2: For Existing Reservations (Later)
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com or via the Marriott Bonvoy App.
Go to "My Trips" (on the website) or "Trips" (in the app).
Locate the reservation you wish to upgrade.
On the website, click the down arrow next to the reservation to expand its details.
Look for the "Start Upgrade Request" link or button. In the app, you might tap on a bell icon in the top right corner of your trip card to find the "Request Nightly Upgrade Award(s)" option.
Tip: It's often recommended to submit your request promptly after making your reservation, especially for popular destinations or peak seasons.
Step 4: Selecting Your Desired Upgrade Options
This is where you tell Marriott what kind of upgrade you're hoping for!
After clicking "Start Upgrade Request," you will see a list of premium rooms and suites that the hotel has designated as eligible for Nightly Upgrade Awards.
Carefully review the available options. Marriott has transitioned from "Suite Night Awards" to "Nightly Upgrade Awards," meaning the eligible options might now include premium rooms that are not necessarily suites.
Select the checkbox(es) next to all the premium rooms and suites you would be happy with. The more options you select, the higher your chances of a successful upgrade.
Once you've made your selections, click "Submit Upgrade Request."
You should receive a confirmation message on screen and an email titled "We Received Your Nightly Upgrade Awards Request."
Important Consideration: While more options increase your chances, make sure you'd truly be happy with any of the selected rooms. Don't select a room just to increase your odds if it doesn't meet your needs (e.g., if you need a pull-out couch and the upgrade doesn't offer one).
Step 5: The Waiting Game (and What Happens Next)
This is the part that requires a little patience.
Sub-heading 5.1: When Does Marriott Check for Availability?
Marriott's system automatically starts checking for availability:
Five days prior to arrival for most Marriott brands.
Three days prior to arrival for EDITION, The Ritz-Carlton, and St. Regis properties.
The system will continue checking daily up until approximately 2:00 PM local hotel time, one day prior to arrival.
Sub-heading 5.2: Confirmation or Denial
Confirmation: If an upgrade is available, you will receive an email confirming your Nightly Upgrade Award has been applied and your reservation has been updated to the upgraded room type. This is when your NUA is considered "confirmed."
Denial: If no availability is found by 2:00 PM local hotel time the day before arrival, your Nightly Upgrade Awards will be returned to your account. You will also receive an email notifying you that your request could not be confirmed. Don't despair! Even if your NUA isn't confirmed in advance, you might still receive a complimentary upgrade at check-in based on your elite status and hotel availability.
Step 6: Managing Your Request (Before Confirmation)
Sometimes plans change, or you might want to adjust your preferences.
Sub-heading 6.1: Editing Your Upgrade Selection
If your NUA request is still in "Pending" status (meaning it hasn't been confirmed yet), you can go back into your reservation on Marriott.com or the app.
Look for an option like "Edit Request" or "Modify Request."
You can then change your selected upgrade room types up until 2:00 PM hotel time, one day prior to arrival.
Sub-heading 6.2: Cancelling an Unconfirmed Request
If you decide you no longer want to use your NUAs for a specific reservation, you can withdraw your request.
Again, go into your reservation details and look for "Cancel Request."
This can be done up to 2:00 PM hotel time, one day prior to arrival. Your NUAs will be immediately returned to your account.
Step 7: Managing Your Request (After Confirmation)
Once an NUA is confirmed, the rules are a bit stricter.
Sub-heading 7.1: Cancelling a Confirmed NUA
A confirmed Nightly Upgrade Award can only be cancelled if the entire reservation is cancelled.
If you cancel the reservation, the NUAs used for that stay will be credited back to your account, assuming the cancellation is within the hotel's cancellation policy.
Crucial Warning: Always ensure you remove your Nightly Upgrade Award request before cancelling a reservation, even if it's flexible with free cancellation. Some members have reported issues with awards not being automatically returned if this step is skipped. It's a good practice to proactively cancel the NUA request first, then cancel the reservation.
Sub-heading 7.2: Early Departure
If you depart early from a stay for which NUAs were confirmed, any unused Nightly Upgrade Awards for the remaining nights will be forfeited. You will not get them back.
Step 8: Maximizing Your Chances (Bonus Tips!)
While NUAs aren't guaranteed, you can definitely improve your odds!
Be Flexible with Room Types: As mentioned in Step 4, select all eligible premium room and suite options you'd be happy with. Don't limit yourself to just one "dream" suite.
Travel During Off-Peak Seasons: Hotels have fewer upgrades available during busy periods. If your travel dates are flexible, aim for times when the hotel is less occupied.
Check Suite Availability Independently: Before even applying your NUAs, you can do a dummy booking on Marriott.com for the same dates and see if the desired suites or premium rooms are available for cash booking. If they're not even available for sale, your NUA request is unlikely to clear.
Consider Shorter Stays: While not always practical, shorter stays might have slightly better odds of clearing an upgrade simply because it's easier for hotels to find availability for one or two nights compared to a week-long stay.
Luxury Brands: Note that Edition, The Ritz-Carlton, and St. Regis properties start checking for NUA availability just three days before arrival, compared to five days for other brands. This shorter window might feel more nerve-wracking, but it's important to remember for these brands.
Applying Marriott Nightly Upgrade Awards can significantly enhance your travel experience. By understanding the process, checking your eligibility, and being strategic with your requests, you'll be well on your way to enjoying those coveted premium rooms and suites! Happy travels!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about Marriott Nightly Upgrade Awards:
How to Check My Nightly Upgrade Award Balance? You can check your NUA balance by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com, navigating to "My Account" or "Overview," and then looking under the "Earned rewards" section.
How to Earn Nightly Upgrade Awards? Nightly Upgrade Awards are earned as an Annual Choice Benefit when you achieve Platinum Elite status (50 Elite Night Credits) or Titanium Elite status (75 Elite Night Credits) within a calendar year.
How to Use Nightly Upgrade Awards on a Points Stay? Yes, Nightly Upgrade Awards can be applied to reservations booked entirely with Marriott Bonvoy points, just like paid stays.
How to Cancel an Unconfirmed Nightly Upgrade Award Request? You can cancel an unconfirmed NUA request through your reservation details on Marriott.com or the app up until 2:00 PM local hotel time, one day prior to arrival. The awards will be returned to your account.
How to Know If My Nightly Upgrade Award Request Was Successful? You will receive an email confirmation from Marriott Bonvoy if your Nightly Upgrade Award request is successful and your reservation has been upgraded. If not confirmed, you'll also receive an email stating the request could not be fulfilled, and the awards will be returned.
How to Improve My Chances of a Nightly Upgrade Award Clearing? Select multiple eligible room types, travel during off-peak seasons, book shorter stays if possible, and check for upgrade availability independently before applying.
How to Handle Early Departure with Confirmed Nightly Upgrade Awards? If you depart early from a stay where NUAs were confirmed, the awards for any unused nights will be forfeited.
How to Apply Nightly Upgrade Awards for Multiple Rooms? Nightly Upgrade Awards are designed for single-room reservations. However, a member may use NUAs for additional single-room reservations on his/her own stay as long as the member is present for the stay and the other rooms are under the member's name.
How to Find Out Which Room Types Are Eligible for Nightly Upgrade Awards at a Specific Hotel? When you initiate the upgrade request for your reservation, the system will display the specific premium rooms and suites that the hotel has designated as eligible for NUA application.
How to Deal with Expiring Nightly Upgrade Awards? Nightly Upgrade Awards expire on December 31st of the year following the year they were earned. There is generally no way to extend their validity, so it's best to plan a stay to use them before they expire.
