You're about to unlock a powerful perk for your Marriott Bonvoy travels: Suite Night Awards (SNAs), recently rebranded as Nightly Upgrade Awards (NUAs)! These aren't just mythical unicorn upgrades; with the right strategy, they can transform your standard room into a spacious suite or a premium room with stunning views. Ready to dive in and learn how to make the most of them? Let's get started!
The Ultimate Guide to Marriott Suite Night Awards (Nightly Upgrade Awards)
Marriott Suite Night Awards, now formally known as Nightly Upgrade Awards (NUAs), are one of the most sought-after benefits for Marriott Bonvoy elite members. These valuable certificates offer the chance to confirm an upgrade to a premium room or a standard suite in advance of your arrival, rather than relying solely on a complimentary upgrade at check-in (which is still a possibility for elite members, but not guaranteed).
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| How Do Marriott Suite Nights Work |
What Exactly Are Marriott Suite Night Awards (Nightly Upgrade Awards)?
Think of NUAs as golden tickets to a more luxurious stay. When you achieve certain elite status tiers with Marriott Bonvoy, you get to choose an "Annual Choice Benefit." For many, the five Nightly Upgrade Awards are the most appealing option. Each NUA is valid for one night of an upgrade. This means if you have a five-night stay, you'll need to apply five NUAs to cover the entire duration if you want the upgrade for the full stay.
Key Characteristics:
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Confirmable Upgrades: Unlike complimentary upgrades that are subject to availability upon arrival, NUAs can be confirmed in advance.
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Premium Rooms or Suites: The upgrade isn't always a full suite. It can be a premium room with better views, a balcony, or more space, as designated by the property.
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Elite Benefit: You earn these as an Annual Choice Benefit for reaching Platinum Elite (50 elite night credits) and Titanium Elite (75 elite night credits) status in a calendar year. You can get up to 10 NUAs per year this way (5 at 50 nights, and another 5 at 75 nights).
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Expiration: NUAs typically expire on December 31st of the year following the year they were earned. So, if you earn them in 2024, they're valid until December 31, 2025.
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Non-Transferable: You cannot gift or transfer your NUAs to another person. They are for your personal use or for other rooms booked under your name where you are present.
Step 1: Earning Your Marriott Nightly Upgrade Awards - The Foundation of Luxury!
Before you can even dream of sprawling suites, you need to earn these precious awards! This involves achieving a specific level of Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Sub-heading 1.1: Achieving Platinum Elite Status (50 Elite Night Credits)
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The Path: To reach Platinum Elite, you need to accumulate 50 eligible elite night credits within a calendar year. These can come from paid stays, award stays, co-branded Marriott credit card spending, or promotions.
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The Choice: Once you hit 50 nights, Marriott will prompt you to select your Annual Choice Benefit. Among the options, you'll find "Five Nightly Upgrade Awards." For most travelers, this is the most valuable choice.
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Automatic Selection: If you don't make a choice by the specified deadline (usually January 7th of the following year), Marriott will automatically default to awarding you five Nightly Upgrade Awards.
Sub-heading 1.2: Achieving Titanium Elite Status (75 Elite Night Credits)
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The Path: For an even better chance at upgrades and more benefits, aim for Titanium Elite, which requires 75 eligible elite night credits in a calendar year.
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Another Choice: At 75 nights, you'll get to select another Annual Choice Benefit. Again, "Five Nightly Upgrade Awards" will be an option, allowing you to potentially earn a total of 10 NUAs per year.
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Consider Your Options: While NUAs are often the best choice, Titanium Elites also have other compelling options like a Free Night Award. Weigh your travel goals before making your final selection.
Sub-heading 1.3: American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Card
QuickTip: Go back if you lost the thread.
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Additional Earning Opportunity: If you hold the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and spend $60,000 USD in eligible purchases within a calendar year, you can earn an additional five Nightly Upgrade Awards as an Earned Choice Award. This is a significant perk for high spenders!
Step 2: Booking Your Eligible Stay - Setting the Stage for an Upgrade
Not all reservations are created equal when it comes to applying NUAs. You need to ensure your booking is eligible.
Sub-heading 2.1: Eligible Reservation Types
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Paid Stays: This is the most common use. Book any eligible paid rate at a participating Marriott property.
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Redemption Stays: Yes, you can use your NUAs on stays booked with Marriott Bonvoy points or Free Night Awards! This is a fantastic way to maximize the value of your points.
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Cash & Points Stays: These hybrid bookings are also typically eligible.
Sub-heading 2.2: Ineligible Reservations and Brands
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Brand Exclusions: Be aware that not all Marriott brands participate in the NUA program. Historically, brands like Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Design Hotels, Marriott Executive Apartments, and Marriott Vacation Club have been excluded. However, recent changes have expanded eligibility to include EDITION, The Ritz-Carlton, Aloft, Element, and Protea hotels, which is a positive development! Always double-check the latest terms and conditions on the Marriott Bonvoy website.
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Non-Participating Properties: Even within eligible brands, individual properties can opt out of participating in the NUA program. Marriott doesn't publish a list of these, so if you don't see the option to apply an NUA for a specific booking, it might be due to the property's non-participation.
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Rate Eligibility: Ensure your booked rate is a "qualifying rate." Most standard published rates are, but some deeply discounted or corporate rates might not be.
Sub-heading 2.3: Booking Strategy for Maximizing SNA Success
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Book a Standard Room: You typically don't need to book a higher room category to apply an NUA. Book the standard room you intend to stay in.
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Entire Stay Coverage: This is crucial. You must have enough NUAs to cover every single night of your reservation. You cannot apply an NUA for just a portion of your stay. If you have a 3-night stay, you need 3 NUAs.
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Consider Shorter Stays: While you can use NUAs on longer stays, remember each NUA is for one night. Sometimes, shorter, high-value stays at luxury properties can yield the most impactful NUA redemptions.
Step 3: Applying Your Nightly Upgrade Awards - The Moment of Truth!
Once you have your eligible reservation, it's time to request that upgrade!
Sub-heading 3.1: Online via Marriott Website or App
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Log In: Access your Marriott Bonvoy account on the Marriott website or through the Marriott Bonvoy app.
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Navigate to "My Trips": Find your upcoming reservation.
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Locate the Upgrade Option:
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On the website: Look for a section related to "Suite Night Awards" or "Nightly Upgrade Awards" under your reservation details. There should be a prominent button like "Start Upgrade Request."
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On the app: After opening your reservation, often a small "bell icon" in the top right corner will lead you to the upgrade request option. Tap on "Request Nightly Upgrade Award(s)."
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Select Room Types: This is an important step. You will be presented with a list of premium rooms and suites that are potentially available for upgrade at that specific property. Select all the room types you would be happy with, in order of your preference if possible. The more options you select, the higher your chances of a successful upgrade. Don't be too restrictive if you truly want the upgrade.
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Submit Your Request: Once you've made your selections, click or tap "Submit Request." You should receive an email confirmation that your request has been received and is pending.
Sub-heading 3.2: When the Option Isn't There
QuickTip: Focus on what feels most relevant.
If you don't see the option to apply NUAs on your reservation, it could be due to:
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Not having enough NUAs for the entire stay.
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The reservation type being ineligible.
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The specific hotel or brand not participating.
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It being too late to request (after 2:00 PM local hotel time the day before arrival).
Step 4: The Waiting Game - Confirmation and Communication
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This is where the magic (or sometimes, the disappointment) happens. Marriott's system automatically processes NUA requests.
Sub-heading 4.1: The Automated Review Process
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Five Days Out: For most Marriott brands, the system will begin checking for upgrade availability five days prior to your arrival date.
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Three Days Out (Select Brands): For EDITION, The Ritz-Carlton, and St. Regis properties, the fulfillment process begins three days prior to arrival.
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Daily Checks: If your upgrade isn't confirmed on the first check, the system will continue to look for availability daily until approximately 2:00 PM local hotel time the day before your arrival.
Sub-heading 4.2: Receiving Your Confirmation (or Denial)
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Email Notification: You will receive an email regardless of the outcome.
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Confirmation: If your upgrade is successful, you'll receive an email confirming your new room type. Congratulations! Your NUAs will then be deducted from your account.
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Denial: If no upgrade is available by the 2:00 PM deadline the day before arrival, you will receive an email stating that your request was denied. Crucially, your Nightly Upgrade Awards will then be credited back to your account. This means they are not lost if the upgrade doesn't clear.
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Sub-heading 4.3: What to Do if Denied
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Don't Despair! A denied NUA request doesn't mean you won't get an upgrade at all. As an elite member, you are still eligible for a complimentary upgrade at check-in based on availability.
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Check Availability Manually: You can keep an eye on the Marriott app or website on the day of arrival to see if upgraded rooms or suites become available.
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Politely Inquire at Check-in: If you see availability and weren't upgraded, you can politely ask at the front desk. Sometimes, direct interaction can help, especially if a last-minute cancellation frees up a desired room.
Step 5: Managing and Maximizing Your Nightly Upgrade Awards - Pro Tips!
Now that you know the mechanics, let's talk strategy.
Sub-heading 5.1: Cancelling or Modifying Requests
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Unconfirmed Requests: You can cancel or modify your NUA request up until 2:00 PM local hotel time one day prior to arrival, as long as the upgrade hasn't been confirmed. This is useful if your plans change or you want to try for a different room type.
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Confirmed Requests: If your NUA request has been confirmed, you must cancel the entire reservation to get your NUAs back. If you cancel the confirmed NUA reservation after 2:00 PM local time the day before arrival, you will forfeit all applied NUAs.
QuickTip: Stop scrolling if you find value.
Sub-heading 5.2: Strategic Use of NUAs
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Luxury Properties: You often get the most value from NUAs at higher-end Marriott brands (e.g., St. Regis, JW Marriott, Autograph Collection, The Ritz-Carlton) where suite upgrades can be significantly more expensive if paid for.
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Off-Peak Travel: Your chances of confirmation are generally higher during off-peak seasons or weekdays when hotels are less busy.
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Selecting More Options: As mentioned, be flexible with your room type selections. Don't just pick the top-tier presidential suite if a junior suite or a premium room would also significantly enhance your stay.
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Check Inventory: Some savvy travelers check the hotel's website or app for suite availability before applying their NUAs. If you see many suites available for booking, your chances are likely higher.
Sub-heading 5.3: Understanding the Limitations
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Not a Guarantee: While they improve your chances, NUAs are never 100% guaranteed. Availability is still key.
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Hotel Discretion: The hotel ultimately controls the inventory available for NUA upgrades.
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Early Check-out: If you depart early from a confirmed NUA stay, any unused NUAs for the remaining nights will be forfeited.
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Extending Stays: If you extend your stay, you'll need to book a separate reservation for the additional nights and apply NUAs to that new booking, subject to availability.
10 Related FAQ Questions about Marriott Nightly Upgrade Awards
How to Earn Marriott Suite Night Awards (Nightly Upgrade Awards)?
You earn Nightly Upgrade Awards (NUAs) as an Annual Choice Benefit when you achieve Platinum Elite status (50 elite nights) and Titanium Elite status (75 elite nights) in a calendar year, allowing for up to 10 NUAs annually.
How to Apply Marriott Suite Night Awards to a Reservation?
After booking an eligible reservation, log into your Marriott Bonvoy account online or via the app, navigate to "My Trips," find your reservation, and select the option to "Start Upgrade Request" or "Request Nightly Upgrade Award(s)," then choose your preferred upgrade room types.
How to Check the Status of a Marriott Suite Night Award Request?
You can check the status of your NUA request on your reservation details page in your Marriott Bonvoy account online or via the app. Marriott will also send you an email notification confirming or denying your upgrade request.
How to Increase Chances of Marriott Suite Night Award Confirmation?
Tip: Read in a quiet space for focus.
Increase your chances by applying NUAs at luxury properties, during off-peak seasons, and by selecting multiple available premium room and suite types when submitting your request.
How to Know if a Hotel Participates in Marriott Suite Night Awards?
If a hotel participates, you will see the option to apply Nightly Upgrade Awards on your reservation details page after booking. If the option is not present, the hotel likely does not participate or your reservation is ineligible.
How to Cancel a Pending Marriott Suite Night Award Request?
You can cancel an unconfirmed NUA request from your reservation details page on the Marriott website or app, typically up until 2:00 PM local hotel time the day before arrival.
How to Use Marriott Suite Night Awards for Multiple Rooms?
You can use NUAs for more than one room, provided each room is reserved under your name, you are present for the stay in your primary room, and you have enough NUAs to cover each night for all rooms you wish to upgrade.
How to Combine Marriott Suite Night Awards with Free Night Awards?
Yes, you can apply Nightly Upgrade Awards to reservations booked using Marriott Bonvoy Free Night Awards, just as you would with a paid stay.
How to Understand the Expiration of Marriott Suite Night Awards?
Nightly Upgrade Awards expire on December 31st of the year following the year in which they were earned. For example, awards earned in 2024 expire on December 31, 2025.
How to Contact Marriott Bonvoy for Suite Night Award Issues?
For any issues or questions regarding your Nightly Upgrade Awards, you can contact Marriott Bonvoy Member Support directly through their website or by phone.
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