Are you ready to unlock a world of enhanced travel experiences? Imagine complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, late check-outs, and even personalized concierge services. These are just some of the incredible perks that come with being a Marriott Bonvoy Elite member. Whether you're a frequent traveler or just starting your journey, this comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to achieve and maximize your Marriott Bonvoy Elite status. Let's dive in!
Navigating the Tiers: Understanding Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status Levels
Before we embark on our quest for elite status, it's crucial to understand the different tiers within the Marriott Bonvoy program and what each one offers. Marriott Bonvoy has six membership levels:
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Member: This is the entry-level status you get just by signing up (it's free!). You'll enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi and access to exclusive member rates.
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Silver Elite: The first step up, offering a taste of elite benefits.
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Gold Elite: A significant upgrade with more noticeable perks.
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Platinum Elite: Where the real magic begins, with valuable benefits like lounge access and guaranteed late check-out.
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Titanium Elite: For the truly dedicated traveler, offering even more substantial advantages.
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Ambassador Elite: The pinnacle of Marriott Bonvoy status, providing a highly personalized experience.
Here's a quick overview of the requirements and key benefits for each elite tier:
| Status Level | Requirements | Key Benefits ## The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Marriott Bonvoy Elite Member: Your Journey to Superior Stays!
Have you ever wondered if that glossy promotion for hotel "elite" status is truly worth it? Are you tired of standard hotel rooms and dreaming of complimentary upgrades, late check-offs, and personalised service? Well, get ready to turn those dreams into reality! Becoming a Marriott Bonvoy Elite member isn't just about collecting points; it's about unlocking a world of elevated travel experiences that can transform your trips from good to extraordinary.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, from understanding the different tiers to maximizing your earning potential and enjoying the fantastic benefits. So, are you ready to embark on your journey to becoming a Marriott Bonvoy Elite? Let's begin!
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| How To Be A Marriott Elite Member |
Step 1: Your First Move – Joining Marriott Bonvoy (If You Haven't Already!)
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1.1 The Crucial Starting Point: Before you can even think about elite status, you need to be a part of the Marriott Bonvoy program. It's completely free to join and takes just a few minutes. Think of it as your passport to all the amazing perks we're about to discuss.
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How to Join: Simply visit the official Marriott Bonvoy website (
marriott.com/loyalty
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Step 2: Understanding the Elite Tiers and Their Requirements
QuickTip: Scan the start and end of paragraphs.
Now that you're a member, let's get serious about climbing the ladder. Marriott Bonvoy offers several elite tiers, each with increasing benefits and, naturally, higher qualification requirements. The primary way to earn status is through Elite Night Credits (ENCs), which are earned by staying at Marriott Bonvoy participating hotels.
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2.1 Silver Elite: The Stepping Stone
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Requirements: 10 Elite Night Credits per calendar year.
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Key Benefits:
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10% bonus points on eligible stays.
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Priority Late Checkout (subject to availability).
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Exclusive Member Rates and complimentary in-room Wi-Fi.
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2.2 Gold Elite: Enhanced Stays
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Requirements: 25 Elite Night Credits per calendar year.
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Key Benefits (in addition to Silver):
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25% bonus points on eligible stays.
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Enhanced Room Upgrade (subject to availability, excluding suites).
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2 PM Late Checkout (subject to availability).
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A welcome gift of points upon arrival (varies by brand).
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Access to an elite reservation line.
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2.3 Platinum Elite: The Sweet Spot
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Requirements: 50 Elite Night Credits per calendar year.
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Why it's a game-changer: Many frequent travelers aim for Platinum Elite because it offers significant perks that truly enhance your stay.
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Key Benefits (in addition to Gold):
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50% bonus points on eligible stays.
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Guaranteed 4 PM Late Checkout (at most hotels, exceptions apply at resort and convention hotels where it's subject to availability). This is a huge benefit for leisurely travel!
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Enhanced Room Upgrade, including select suites (subject to availability upon arrival). Imagine getting that amazing corner suite!
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Lounge Access and complimentary breakfast at participating hotel brands with lounges (e.g., JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Delta Hotels, Le M�ridien, Autograph Collection, and Renaissance Hotels). This alone can save you a lot on food costs!
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Welcome Gift Choice of points, breakfast offering, or amenity (varies by brand).
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Annual Choice Benefit upon achieving 50 Elite Night Credits. This allows you to choose from options like five Nightly Upgrade Awards, five Elite Night Credits, or a $100 charity donation, among others.
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2.4 Titanium Elite: Serious Perks for Serious Travelers
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Requirements: 75 Elite Night Credits per calendar year.
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Key Benefits (in addition to Platinum):
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75% bonus points on eligible stays.
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A second Annual Choice Benefit upon achieving 75 Elite Night Credits (offering options like a Free Night Award, additional Nightly Upgrade Awards, or gifting Gold Elite status).
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48-Hour Guaranteed Availability (book by 3 PM, 48 hours prior to arrival, for guaranteed room availability, even if sold out, at most properties – specific terms and conditions apply).
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Complimentary United Airlines Premier Silver Status through the RewardsPlus program.
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2.5 Ambassador Elite: The Pinnacle of Personalization
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Requirements: 100+ Elite Night Credits AND $23,000 USD in annual qualified spend per calendar year.
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Key Benefits (in addition to Titanium):
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75% bonus points on eligible stays.
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Ambassador Service: A dedicated personal ambassador to assist with all your travel needs. This is like having your own travel agent, but better!
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Your24™: The ultimate flexibility! Choose your check-in time and keep your room until the exact same time on the day of departure (subject to availability, requested via your Ambassador). No more strict check-in/check-out times!
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Step 3: Strategic Ways to Earn Elite Night Credits
Now that you know what you're aiming for, let's talk about how to get there. While simply staying at Marriott hotels is the primary method, there are several strategic ways to accelerate your progress.
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3.1 The Obvious: Paid Stays
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The Core Method: Every qualifying night you pay for at a Marriott Bonvoy participating hotel earns you one Elite Night Credit.
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Important Note: Always book directly through Marriott's official channels (Marriott.com, the Marriott Bonvoy app, or Marriott central reservations). Bookings made through third-party online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia or Booking.com generally do not count towards Elite Night Credits or provide elite benefits.
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3.2 Credit Cards: Your Fast Pass to Elite Status
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This is often the easiest and fastest way to get a jump start on elite status, especially for those who don't travel extensively for work. Marriott offers co-branded credit cards with Chase (in the US) and American Express (globally).
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Automatic Elite Status: Many Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offer automatic elite status simply by holding the card.
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Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (US): Comes with Silver Elite status.
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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (US): Comes with 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatically qualifying you for Silver Elite status.
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Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card (US) & Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card (US): Both offer 15 Elite Night Credits annually, again, automatically qualifying you for Silver Elite status.
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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (US): This premium card comes with Platinum Elite status, giving you a huge leg up! It also provides 25 Elite Night Credits annually.
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Bonus Elite Night Credits from Spending: Some cards offer additional Elite Night Credits for hitting spending thresholds. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card may offer 1 Elite Night Credit for every $5,000 spent.
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Stacking Credits: If you have both a personal and a business Marriott Bonvoy credit card, you can stack the Elite Night Credits from each! For instance, a Marriott Bonvoy Boundless (15 ENCs) and a Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card (15 ENCs) would give you a total of 30 Elite Night Credits right off the bat – enough for Gold Elite status without even staying a night!
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3.3 Promotions and Challenges: Boosting Your Numbers
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Marriott Bonvoy frequently runs promotions that offer bonus points or, more importantly for status, bonus Elite Night Credits. Keep an eye on your email and the Marriott Bonvoy app for these offers.
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Elite Challenges: Occasionally, Marriott offers "fast track" challenges where you can earn status quicker by completing a certain number of stays within a shorter period. These are less common but worth looking out for.
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3.4 Rollover Nights: A Head Start for Next Year
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If you achieve Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, or Titanium Elite status, any Elite Night Credits earned in excess of your tier requirement will rollover to the following year. This means you could start the new year with a significant number of nights already in your account, making it easier to re-qualify or achieve a higher tier. For example, if you achieve Gold Elite with 30 nights (instead of 25), those 5 extra nights will roll over.
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3.5 Annual Choice Benefits: Choose More Nights
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As a Platinum Elite member (50 ENCs) and Titanium Elite member (75 ENCs), you get to choose an Annual Choice Benefit. One of the popular choices is to receive 5 Elite Night Credits, which can be directly applied to your current year's qualification or count towards lifetime status.
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3.6 Meeting and Event Planners:
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If you're involved in planning meetings or events, you can earn 2 points per dollar spent on qualifying charges, up to 60,000 base points per event. While not directly Elite Night Credits, these points can be valuable for future stays.
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Step 4: Maximizing Your Elite Benefits
Congratulations! You've achieved elite status. Now, let's make sure you're getting the absolute most out of it.
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4.1 Always Include Your Bonvoy Member Number:
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This might seem obvious, but it's critical. Ensure your Marriott Bonvoy member number is linked to every reservation you make. This guarantees you earn points, Elite Night Credits, and receive your elite benefits.
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4.2 Don't Be Shy About Asking:
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While many benefits are automatically applied, it never hurts to politely ask about upgrades or late check-out upon arrival. The front desk staff are often happy to accommodate elite members when possible.
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For Your24™ as an Ambassador Elite, remember to request it at least two days prior to arrival.
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4.3 Utilize Lounge Access:
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If you're Platinum Elite or higher, take full advantage of the executive lounges. They typically offer complimentary breakfast, evening appetizers, and drinks, which can lead to significant savings on food and beverage during your stay. Some even have dedicated concierge services.
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4.4 Leverage Your Choice Benefits:
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Carefully consider your Annual Choice Benefits. If you're close to the next tier or want to secure your status for the following year, those 5 Elite Night Credits can be invaluable. If you value upgrades, the Nightly Upgrade Awards can be fantastic for special occasions.
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4.5 Explore Partner Benefits:
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Marriott Bonvoy has partnerships that extend your elite benefits beyond just hotel stays. For example, Titanium and Ambassador Elite members receive complimentary United Airlines Premier Silver Status, offering perks like complimentary upgrades on award tickets (when available) and priority services. Marriott also partners with Hertz, offering elite members boosted status with their car rental program.
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4.6 Use the Marriott Bonvoy App:
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The app is a powerful tool for elite members. You can use it for mobile check-in and check-out, mobile key, and even chat with hotel staff for requests. It also makes managing your reservations and checking your elite progress incredibly easy.
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Step 5: Aiming for Lifetime Elite Status (The Ultimate Goal!)
Imagine enjoying elite benefits forever, without having to re-qualify each year. That's the beauty of Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Elite status. It's earned based on a combination of total Elite Night Credits and years of elite status.
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5.1 Lifetime Silver Elite:
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250 qualifying nights
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5 years of Silver Elite status or higher
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5.2 Lifetime Gold Elite:
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400 qualifying nights
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7 years of Gold Elite status or higher
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5.3 Lifetime Platinum Elite:
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600 qualifying nights
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10 years of Platinum Elite status or higher
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Important Considerations for Lifetime Status:
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All qualifying elite night credits count towards lifetime nights, including those earned from credit cards and promotions.
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Years of status accumulate as long as you achieve that status level (or higher) in a given year.
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While there was a brief window for Lifetime Titanium after the Starwood merger, currently, Lifetime Platinum Elite is the highest achievable lifetime status. Years spent as Titanium or Ambassador Elite will count as Lifetime Platinum Qualifying Years.
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Step 6: Sustaining Your Elite Status
Once you've achieved elite status, the goal shifts to maintaining it. The strategies remain largely the same: consistent stays, leveraging your credit card benefits, and taking advantage of any promotions.
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6.1 Strategic Stays: If you're close to re-qualifying, consider a "mattress run" – booking a cheap stay purely to earn the necessary Elite Night Credits.
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6.2 Credit Card Retention: If you have a Marriott co-branded credit card that grants Elite Night Credits or status, ensure you keep that card open and in good standing.
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6.3 Annual Review: At the end of each year, review your Elite Night Credits and strategize for the upcoming year.
Being a Marriott Bonvoy Elite member truly elevates your travel experience. From the convenience of late check-outs to the luxury of lounge access and suite upgrades, the perks can make a significant difference in how you enjoy your trips. By understanding the program, strategically earning Elite Night Credits, and maximizing your benefits, you'll be well on your way to enjoying the best of what Marriott Bonvoy has to offer! Happy travels!
Frequently Asked Questions about Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status
Here are 10 common questions about becoming and being a Marriott Bonvoy Elite member, with quick answers:
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy Elite status progress?
You can easily check your Elite Night Credits and status progress by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the Marriott Bonvoy website or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app.
How to earn Elite Night Credits quickly?
QuickTip: Highlight useful points as you read.
The fastest ways to earn Elite Night Credits quickly are by holding Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards (which grant annual ENCs, and sometimes bonus ENCs for spending) and taking advantage of Marriott Bonvoy promotions offering bonus nights.
How to get Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status fastest?
The quickest way to get Platinum Elite status is by acquiring the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, which automatically grants you Platinum Elite status each year you hold the card. Otherwise, you need 50 qualifying nights annually.
How to use my Marriott Bonvoy Nightly Upgrade Awards?
Nightly Upgrade Awards (NUAs) are annual choice benefits available to Platinum and Titanium Elite members. You can request to apply them to eligible reservations through your Marriott Bonvoy account online or by contacting Marriott reservations. They are confirmed based on availability closer to your stay.
How to access Marriott Bonvoy lounges?
Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite members and above (Titanium, Ambassador) receive guaranteed lounge access at participating Marriott brands (e.g., JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Sheraton). Simply present your room key or mention your elite status at the lounge entrance.
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How to get late checkout with Marriott Bonvoy?
Silver Elite gets priority late checkout (subject to availability), Gold Elite gets 2 PM late checkout (subject to availability), and Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elite members receive a guaranteed 4 PM late checkout (subject to availability at resort and convention hotels; Ambassador Elite gets Your24 for flexible check-out).
How to ensure my stays count for Elite Night Credits?
Always book directly through official Marriott channels (Marriott.com, Marriott Bonvoy app, or Marriott central reservations). Stays booked through third-party online travel agencies generally do not count.
How to achieve Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Elite status?
Lifetime Elite status is earned by accumulating a specific number of total Elite Night Credits and years holding elite status. For Lifetime Platinum, it's 600 nights and 10 years of Platinum (or higher) status.
How to benefit from Marriott Bonvoy credit cards?
Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offer various benefits, including automatic elite status, annual free night awards, bonus points on Marriott stays and everyday spending, and Elite Night Credits that count towards status qualification.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy Elite customer service?
As an elite member, you gain access to dedicated elite support lines. You can find the specific phone numbers for your elite tier by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the website or through the mobile app.
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