Are you ready to transform your Marriott Bonvoy stays from good to great? Marriott Nightly Upgrade Awards (NUAs), formerly known as Suite Night Awards (SNAs), are one of the most sought-after benefits for elite members. They offer you the chance to confirm an upgrade to a standard suite or a select premium room before you even check in. Imagine more space, a better view, or simply a touch of luxury that elevates your entire trip.
Using these awards effectively can feel a little mysterious at first, but fear not! This comprehensive, step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from earning them to securing that coveted upgrade.
The Power of the Nightly Upgrade Award
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's quickly understand why these awards are so valuable. Unlike a complimentary upgrade at check-in (which is always subject to availability on the day and often goes to the highest-tier elite members), NUAs allow you to request and confirm an upgrade in advance. This means less uncertainty and a higher chance of enjoying that spacious suite or stunning view you've been dreaming of.
How You Earn Marriott Nightly Upgrade Awards
Nightly Upgrade Awards are a perk for Marriott Bonvoy elite members. You typically earn them as part of your Annual Choice Benefit when you reach certain elite night credit thresholds within a calendar year:
50 Elite Night Credits: You can choose five (5) Nightly Upgrade Awards as one of your Annual Choice Benefit options.
75 Elite Night Credits: You can choose an additional five (5) Nightly Upgrade Awards as another Annual Choice Benefit option.
You may also earn NUAs as an Earned Choice Award if you have the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and spend $60,000 USD in eligible purchases within a calendar year.
Once earned, your NUAs typically expire on December 31st of the year following the year in which they were earned. So, if you earn them in 2025, they will be valid until December 31, 2026.
Ready to unlock a more luxurious stay? Let's get started!
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use Marriott Nightly Upgrade Awards
The process of applying Nightly Upgrade Awards is straightforward once you know where to look. Follow these steps for the best chance of success.
Step 1: Secure Your Eligible Reservation (and Get Excited!)
The very first step to using your Nightly Upgrade Awards is to have an existing and eligible Marriott Bonvoy reservation.
Sub-heading 1.1: Booking Your Stay
Book an eligible rate: NUAs can be used on Marriott Bonvoy eligible paid stays, Award Redemption Stays (using points), and Cash & Points stays. Make sure your booking is not a non-qualifying rate.
Consider your length of stay: You need one NUA per night for your entire stay. So, if you're staying for five nights, you'll need five Nightly Upgrade Awards in your account. You cannot use NUAs for a partial stay (e.g., upgrading only two nights of a five-night reservation).
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account: Always book while logged into your account to ensure your elite benefits and awards are recognized.
Are you already picturing yourself relaxing in a spacious suite? Excellent! That's the first step to a successful upgrade.
Step 2: Locate the Upgrade Request Option
Once your reservation is confirmed, it's time to find the option to apply your NUAs.
Sub-heading 2.1: On the Marriott Website
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com.
Navigate to "My Trips" or "My Reservations."
Find the reservation you wish to upgrade. You may need to click the down arrow or "View/Modify" to expand the reservation details.
Look for a button or link that says "Start Upgrade Request" or "Request Upgrade." This is your gateway to an enhanced stay!
Sub-heading 2.2: In the Marriott Bonvoy App
Open the Marriott Bonvoy App on your mobile device.
Go to your "Trips" or "Reservations" section.
Select the relevant reservation.
Look for a bell icon in the top-right corner of your chosen itinerary or a similar "Request Upgrade" option within the reservation details.
If you don't see the "Start Upgrade Request" option, it could be due to a few reasons:
You don't have enough NUAs to cover the entire stay.
The rate you booked is not eligible.
The property does not participate in the NUA program (though most do).
It's too late to request (after 2:00 PM local hotel time one day before arrival).
Step 3: Select Your Desired Upgrade Options
This is where you tell Marriott what kind of upgrade you're hoping for!
Sub-heading 3.1: Review Available Room Types
After clicking "Start Upgrade Request," you'll be presented with a list of available premium rooms and suites that the specific hotel offers for NUA upgrades.
Important Note: The available options vary significantly by property. Some might offer several suite types, while others may only show a few premium rooms (e.g., a larger room or one with a better view).
Don't be surprised if the top-tier suites aren't always listed. Hotels manage their inventory, and not all suites are made available for NUA redemptions.
Sub-heading 3.2: Make Your Selection Wisely
Choose multiple options: Marriott explicitly states, "The more rooms you select, the more likely you are to be upgraded." This is a crucial tip! If you only select the most expensive, luxurious suite, and it's not available, your request will be denied. If you select several options, the system will try to confirm the best available room from your chosen preferences.
Prioritize your preferences: While selecting multiple options increases your chances, think about what you really want. If a slightly larger room isn't worth an NUA to you, don't select it.
Once you've made your selections, click "Submit Request."
Step 4: The Waiting Game (Automated System at Work)
After submitting your request, the system takes over. This is not a manual process handled by the hotel front desk, so contacting them directly won't speed things up or change the outcome.
Sub-heading 4.1: When Does Marriott Check for Availability?
For most Marriott brands, the system begins checking for upgrade availability five (5) days before your arrival.
For EDITION, The Ritz-Carlton, and St. Regis properties, the checking process starts three (3) days before arrival.
The system continues to check daily, up until approximately 2:00 PM local hotel time one day prior to your arrival.
Sub-heading 4.2: Confirmation or Denial
Confirmation: If your upgrade is successful, you will receive an email notification confirming your upgraded room type. This is the moment to celebrate!
Denial: If the upgrade cannot be confirmed by the 2:00 PM deadline the day before arrival, your Nightly Upgrade Awards will be automatically credited back to your account. This means you haven't lost them and can use them for a future stay.
Remember, even if your NUA request isn't confirmed, you may still receive a complimentary elite upgrade at check-in, though this is never guaranteed.
Step 5: Modifying or Cancelling Your Request
Flexibility is key, and Marriott allows you to adjust your NUA request under certain conditions.
Sub-heading 5.1: Before Confirmation
If your Nightly Upgrade Award request is still pending (not yet confirmed), you can modify your room selections or cancel the request entirely up until 2:00 PM local hotel time one day prior to arrival.
To do this, go back to your reservation details on the Marriott website or app, and you should see an option like "Modify Request" or "Cancel Upgrade Request."
Sub-heading 5.2: After Confirmation
Once a Nightly Upgrade Award is confirmed, you can only cancel it by cancelling your entire reservation. Be mindful of the hotel's cancellation policy for your booking, as cancelling may result in fees or forfeiture of points.
If you cancel a confirmed NUA booking after 2:00 PM local hotel time one day prior to arrival, you will forfeit your Nightly Upgrade Awards for that stay.
Tips for Maximizing Your Nightly Upgrade Awards
While NUAs are based on availability, there are strategies you can employ to increase your chances of success.
Be Flexible with Your Dates: Stays during off-peak seasons, weekdays, or less busy times are generally more likely to have upgrade availability than peak weekends or holidays.
Book Sooner Rather Than Later: While the NUA system checks closer to arrival, submitting your request as soon as you book your reservation may give you a slight edge in the queue.
Choose Properties with More Suites: Research the hotel you're booking. Properties with a larger inventory of suites or premium rooms are more likely to have availability for NUA upgrades. Business hotels often have a higher chance than resort destinations, for example.
Select Multiple Room Types: As emphasized in Step 3, selecting all the upgrade options you'd be happy with significantly boosts your chances. Don't be too restrictive!
Understand Brand Exclusions: While most brands participate, certain brands historically have had limited or no NUA participation (e.g., Design Hotels, Marriott Vacation Club properties). Always confirm if you're unsure.
Don't Rely on the Front Desk: The NUA process is automated. The front desk generally cannot manually override the system or confirm an NUA in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marriott Nightly Upgrade Awards
Here are 10 common questions about Nightly Upgrade Awards, with quick answers to help you navigate this valuable Marriott Bonvoy benefit.
How to Earn Nightly Upgrade Awards?
You earn NUAs as an Annual Choice Benefit at 50 and 75 Elite Night Credits within a calendar year, or as an Earned Choice Award with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card after $60,000 in eligible annual purchases.
How to Apply Nightly Upgrade Awards to a Reservation?
After booking an eligible stay, log into your Marriott Bonvoy account, go to "My Trips," find your reservation, and click "Start Upgrade Request" (or similar) to select your desired room types.
How to Know if a Hotel Participates in Nightly Upgrade Awards?
While most Marriott brands participate, some may be excluded. If the "Start Upgrade Request" option appears on your reservation, the hotel participates for your selected dates.
How to Increase My Chances of Getting an NUA Confirmed?
Select multiple upgrade room types when submitting your request, book during off-peak times, and consider properties known for having more suite inventory.
How to Know When My Nightly Upgrade Awards Expire?
NUAs expire on December 31st of the year following the year in which they were earned. You can check their expiration dates in your Marriott Bonvoy account under "My Awards."
How to Cancel an Unconfirmed Nightly Upgrade Award Request?
You can cancel an unconfirmed request on the Marriott website or app via the "Modify Request" option in your reservation details, up until 2:00 PM local hotel time one day before arrival.
How to Cancel a Confirmed Nightly Upgrade Award?
Once confirmed, a Nightly Upgrade Award can only be cancelled if you cancel the entire reservation. Be aware of the hotel's cancellation policy.
How to Use Nightly Upgrade Awards for Multiple Rooms?
You can use NUAs for multiple single-room reservations during your stay, provided each room is in your name, one room is for your stay, and you are present for the duration. Each room requires its own NUA for each night.
How to Know Which Room Types Are Available for NUA Upgrades?
The available premium rooms and suites for NUA redemption will be shown to you when you initiate the "Start Upgrade Request" process for your specific reservation.
How to Deal with a Denied NUA Request?
If your NUA request is denied, the awards are automatically redeposited into your account. You can then save them for a future stay or try applying them to a different, more flexible reservation. While not guaranteed, you might still receive a complimentary elite upgrade at check-in if available.
