Originally Posted by Horace

The official benefits of Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite are:

— 25% Bonus Points on Stays
— Enhanced Room Upgrade
— 2 p.m. Late Checkout
— Welcome Gift of Points
— Free In-Room Wi-Fi
— Exclusive Member Rates
— Ultimate Reservation Guarantee
— Mobile Check-In and Mobile Key
— Cash + Points
— Instant Redemption
— PointSavers™

Some of the above are also benefits of Silver Elite. However, overall, being a Gold Elite member is better than being a non-member, non-elite member, or Silver Elite member.

Extra points are always a good thing.

Back when I was Silver in the old Marriott Rewards program, I managed to get some decent upgrades, such as high floors, corner rooms, and (once only) a suite at a Courtyard. Upgrades depend on how the hotel is configured, how full it is, how many elite guests are staying, and how much the hotel cares about recognizing status. Upgrades are much more likely at a classic old hotel with many room types than at a hotel built in the 1990s with almost nothing but identical cookie-cutter rooms.

2 p.m. late checkout is good benefit, but it's subject to availability.

Elite benefits improve substantially at the Platinum Elite tier -- and then not that much more at levels above Platinum Elite.