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FAQ : Selecting Annual Choice Benefit

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Old Sep 16, 2018, 10:20 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: Zorak
The link for selecting your benefit:
https://choice-benefit.marriott.com/

Can't remember whether/what you picked for your previous benefits? Click on "SEE YOUR PAST SELECTIONS >" on the above page, or direct link:
https://choice-benefit.marriott.com/en-us/history

Once you stay at least 50 eligible nights, you'll get to choose one of these Annual Choice Benefits:
  • Five Suite Night Awards™
  • The gift of Silver Elite status for a friend or family member
  • Five Elite Night Credits
  • $100 (USD) donation to UNICEF
  • 40% off your favorite hotel bed
Annual Choice Benefit: As described in section 4.3.c.vi, a Platinum Premier Elite Member who has achieved 75 Elite Night Credits annually is eligible to receive one additional benefit from the list of available benefits listed below: Platinum Premier Elite Annual Choice Benefit Options:

· Five (5) Suite Night Awards™
· 40% off bed
· $100 Charity Donation
· The gift of Gold Elite status for a friend or family member
· Five (5) Elite Night Credits
· One (1) Free Night Award

The list of Annual Choice Benefits is subject to change at any time. Once a Platinum Elite Member becomes eligible to receive the Annual Choice Benefit, he/she must choose his/her Annual Choice Benefit by visiting the following sites: For Marriott Rewards®: https://choice-benefit.marriott.com/en-us/marriott-rewards/; for SPG®: https://choice-benefit.marriott.com/en-us/starwood-preferred-guest/; for The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®: https://choice-benefit.marriott.com/en-us/ritz-carlton-rewards/ and selecting one of the Annual Choice Benefits. A selection must be made through one of the above methods and may not be made through Member Support. All Annual Choice Benefit selections are final and may not be changed after they are made. In the event that an eligible Platinum Elite member fails to select an Annual Choice Benefit by January 14 of the year following the applicable Qualifying Period, the Member will receive five (5) Suite Night Awards as his/her Annual Choice Benefit. One Free Night Awardi. The Free Night Award (up to 40,000 points) must be redeemed for a stay that occurs no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the additional benefit is selected (e.g., if the benefit is selected in 2019, the deadline for redemption is December 31, 2020).ii. The Free Night Award will be credited to the Platinum Premier Elite Member's account within two (2) weeks of the Platinum Premier Elite Member selecting this option as his/her Platinum Premier Elite Annual Choice Benefit. The Free Night Award can be redeemed at any available Participating Property for one (1) night, up to 40,000 points, for a standard room.iii. Members can use their Award while booking an eligible Award Redemption Stay on Marriott websites or they may call Member Support and mention they wish to use their Free Night Award. A Free Night Award is not transferable and may not be redeemed for cash or converted into points. Any unused Free Night Award will be forfeited. Free Night Award stay(s) and night(s) will count toward earning Elite membership status. Free Night Awards are combinable and may be added to existing paid or Free Night Award stays.iv. The Free Night Award includes all applicable taxes; however, the Platinum Premier Elite Member may be responsible for payment of additional mandatory resort fees at Participating Properties where resort fees are applicable.v. Free Night Award redemptions may be canceled pursuant to the standard guarantee and cancellation policies as described in Section 3.2.c.vi. An eligible Loyalty Program Member should check his/her Member account to confirm the expiration date of his/her Free Night Award.vii. Any Free Night Award(s) previously awarded to SPG Members as an Annual Choice Benefit which have not yet been redeemed have changed in value and are now valued up to 40,000 points and will have the same expiration date.

T&Cs:

50-Night Annual Choice Benefit Terms and Conditions

Members who qualify for an Annual Choice Benefit in 2019 are required to make their Annual Choice Benefit selection by 11:59 pm ET on January 15, 2020. If a qualified member does not make their selection by the deadline of 11:59 pm ET on January 15, 2020, they will receive Five Suite Night Awards as their 2019 Annual Choice Benefit.

All Annual Choice Benefit selections are final and may not be changed after they are made. Please note, the Annual Choice Benefit selection process requires double confirmation. Qualified members are required to click a second confirmation button before finalizing their choice.

A Marriott Bonvoy™ Platinum Elite member who has achieved fifty (50) eligible Elite Night Credits annually is eligible to receive one (1) benefit from the list of available benefits listed below.

Five Elite Night Credits

  1. Upon an eligible Platinum Elite Member selecting the Five Elite Night Credits as his/her Annual Choice Benefit, the Platinum Member will have his/her Member Account credited with five (5) bonus Elite Nights which count toward earning Elite status and Lifetime Elite status. Elite Nights and Elite membership status are subject to the Program Rules in section 4.2.b.
  2. The five (5) Elite Night Credits will be reflected in the member account within forty-eight (48) hours of the receipt of the confirmation of the Annual Choice Benefit selection.
  3. Elite Nights that are awarded to an eligible Platinum Elite or Titanium Elite member as the member's Annual Choice Benefit will be awarded in the Eligible Status Year for which the Elite Nights were earned, regardless of when the member selects the five Elite Night Credits as his or her Annual Choice Benefit. For the avoidance of doubt, the Eligible Calendar Year in which the Annual Choice Benefit is earned is the Eligible Calendar Year for which the Elite Nights will be credited toward earning Elite membership status.

40% off Bed: Mattress and Box Spring 40% Discount from Marriott Retail Brands

  1. Upon the member’s selection of the Mattress and Box Spring 40% Discount as his or her Annual Choice Benefit, he or she will receive a promotional code that can be redeemed for 40% off the full retail value valid on any of these mattresses and box springs:
    1. The Westin Heavenly® Bed
    2. The Marriott Bed
    3. The Ritz-Carlton Bed
    4. The W Hotels Bed
    5. The Sheraton Bed
    6. The St. Regis Bed
    7. The Courtyard Bed
    8. The JW Marriott Bed
    9. The Renaissance Bed
    10. The Luxury Collection Bed
    11. The Fairfield Bed
    12. The EDITION Hotel Bed
    13. The Gaylord Hotels Bed
  2. The Marriott Retail Brands Mattress and Box Spring 40% Discount promotional code is nonrefundable and nontransferable.
  3. The promotional code cannot be duplicated or sold and there is no cash value. In the event Marriott Bonvoy suspects that the use or redemption of the promotional code was in error, fraudulent, illegal or in violation of these Marriott Retail Brands Mattress and Box Spring 40% Discount terms and conditions or the Program Rules, Marriott Bonvoy reserves the right to withhold or deduct the promotional code or corresponding credit. The promotional code may be terminated or modified at any time and without any liability to Marriott Bonvoy. The promotional code will be used for its intended and lawful purpose and pursuant to these Marriott Brands Mattress and Box Spring 40% Discount terms and conditions and the Program Rules. The promotional code is void where prohibited by law. The promotional code is for a single purchase only.
  4. The Marriott Retail Brands mattress and box spring 40% discount promotional code is not combinable with other offers. The Marriott brands mattress and box spring 40% discount promotional code is for a single use and is nontransferable. Only the member who elected the Marriott brands mattress and box spring 40% discount as his or her Annual Choice Benefit will be able to redeem the Marriott brands mattress and box spring 40% discount promotional code.To redeem the 40% discount off a mattress and box spring from any of the Company's Marriott Retail brands, call one of the numbers below based on your country of residence.
    • In the United States, call 800-311-0708, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET, and Saturday and Sunday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET.
    • In Europe and the Middle East, call 33 1 41 51 51 53 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. CET.
    • In Asia Pacific, call 86 400 627 6876 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. CST
    • Have the promotional code and the member Account Number ready.
  5. Prior to shipping the applicable merchandise, the Company reserves the right to verify that the person who redeems the Marriott Retail Brands Mattress and Box Spring 40% Discount promotional code is the member who earned the Annual Choice Benefit prior to shipping the applicable merchandise.
  6. Shipping is not included and varies by region. Bed frames are not included and are not subject to the Marriott-Branded Mattress and Box Spring 40% Discount promotional code.
  7. The Marriott Retail Brands mattress and Box Spring 40% Discount promotional code is valid through December 31 of the year following the year in which the Annual Choice Benefit was earned.

Gift Elite Status

  1. A Platinum Elite member who has achieved fifty (50) eligible Elite Night Credits annually may gift Silver Elite status, and a Titanium Elite member who has achieved seventy-five (75) eligible Elite Night Credits annually may gift Gold Elite status.
  2. The Gift Elite status benefit may only be provided to a member who has not yet achieved Elite membership status within the current Eligible Status Year.
  3. The Account status of the member to whom an Elite status benefit is gifted will be upgraded within forty-eight (48) hours of the receipt of confirmation of the recipient’s selection. Such member will hold his or her Elite membership for a minimum of a full calendar year. For example, if a member is given the Silver Elite status benefit during the 2019 Eligible Status Year, the member will become a Silver Elite member for the remainder of 2019, all of 2020, and January and February of 2021. The Silver Elite Minimum Requirement must be achieved in the subsequent Eligible Calendar Year to remain a Silver Elite member during the calendar year following such subsequent Eligible Status Year or the member will be downgraded to the Member level on March 1 of the calendar year following such subsequent Eligible Status Year. In the above example, this means that in order for the member to continue having Silver Elite status after February 2021, the member must achieve the Silver Elite Minimum Requirement during the 2020 Eligible Status Year.
  4. Under no circumstances will Marriott Bonvoy provide membership details or personal member information of any members to the member providing the gifted status benefit or the recipient of the gifted status benefit in order to facilitate the gifted status benefit.
If the desired recipient of the gifted status benefit is not currently a member, the desired recipient must register on https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/createAccount/createAccountPage1.mi before the gifted status benefit can be provided.

US$100 Charity Donation: UNICEF US$100 Donation

  1. The US$100 donation from Marriott Bonvoy to U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Doing Business As ‘UNICEF USA,’ is not a tax-deductible contribution for the member who chooses this donation as his or her Annual Choice Benefit.
  2. Marriott Bonvoy cannot direct or otherwise guarantee how UNICEF USA or UNICEF will spend the US$100 donation.
  3. All funds are transferred to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, www.unicefusa.org.

Suite Night Awards

Suite Night Awards may be redeemed for advance confirmable upgrades for select, premium rooms or standard suites on a per-room, per-night basis, subject to availability and the applicable terms and conditions set forth below for Suite Night Awards:
  1. Suite Night Awards may be used only on Loyalty Program eligible paid stays (excluding Advance Purchase Rates) as well as Free Night Award stays and Cash & Points stays.
  2. A member may request to use his or her Suite Night Awards on marriottbonvoy.com or by calling Member Support.
  3. Suite Night Awards may only be used for standard suites or other premium rooms as designated by the Participating Property.
  4. Suite Night Award use is based upon availability of the requested suite or premium room. Checking for availability begins five (5) days before arrival. If availability is not confirmed five (5) days before arrival, availability is checked each day before arrival up to 2 p.m. local time of the Participating Property one (1) day prior to arrival. If at that time Suite Night Awards cannot be confirmed, the Suite Night Awards are credited back to the member’s account.
  5. Suite Night Awards may be used only when there are enough in the member’s account so that one is applied to every night of the reservation.
  6. One Suite Night Award is required per room per night.
  7. Suite Night Awards are required for each night of the stay, including any nights that may be designated “free,” such as the fifth night in a Fifth Night Free Award.
  8. Suite Night Awards may not be transferred or given as a gift or used as part of a multiple room reservation; however, a Member may use Suite Night Awards for additional single-room reservations on his/her own stay as long as the Member is present for the stay and the other reservations are under the Member's name.
  9. Members who book separate reservations for consecutive nights that precede or follow a reservation that has confirmed Suite Night Awards will be required to change rooms to the confirmed room type on any night(s) where a Suite Night Award is not used.
  10. If a Participating Property offers multiple room options for the Suite Night Award, once the suite/premium room option is selected, the selection may be changed until 2 p.m. local time of the Participating Property the day before arrival so long as the Suite Night Award is unconfirmed. Confirmed Suite Night Awards may be canceled up to 2 p.m. local time of the Participating Property one (1) day prior to arrival only if the entire reservation is canceled.
  11. Suite Night Awards have requesting, booking, cancellation and modification policies that are in addition to — but completely separate from — the booking, cancellation and modification policies for the reservations on which they are used.
    1. Requests to use Suite Night Awards on a reservation may be made up to 2 p.m. local time of the Participating Property one (1) day prior to arrival.
    2. Requests to withdraw the use of unconfirmed Suite Night Awards may be made up to 2 p.m. local time of the Participating Property one (1) day prior to arrival.
    3. Confirmed Suite Night Awards may be canceled up to 2 p.m. local time of the Participating Property one (1) day prior to arrival only if the entire reservation is canceled.
    4. Once Suite Night Awards have been confirmed, the member must cancel the entire reservation to receive credit back for all Suite Night Awards. Cancellation of a confirmed Suite Night Award reservation after 2 p.m. local time of the Participating Property one (1) day prior to arrival will result in the forfeiture of all Suite Night Awards applied to the entire reservation.
    5. Suite Night Awards cannot be applied to a reservation once the reservation has been checked in to a Participating Property.
    6. If a member departs his or her reservation early, any unused Suite Night Awards confirmed for the stay will be forfeited.
    7. If a member extends his or her reservation and has enough Suite Night Awards to cover the extension, the member may use his or her Suite Night Awards based upon availability and at the Participating Property’s discretion.
  12. Not all hotels participate in Suite Night Awards. Suite Night Awards are not redeemable at the following brands (subject to change at any time; see Marriott Bonvoy Terms and Conditions for full details): The Ritz-Carlton®, Protea Hotels®, Aloft®, Element®, Design Hotels™, all-suite hotels, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, EDITION®, Ritz-Carlton Reserve®, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Clubs® and Marriott Grand Residence Club properties. In addition, Suite Night Awards are not redeemable at select Participating Properties. Contact Member Support for individual hotel Suite Night Award participation.
  13. Suite Night Awards will be placed in the member's account within 48 hours of selecting 5 Suite Night Awards as his or her Annual Choice Benefit.

75-Night Annual Choice Benefit Terms and Conditions

Members who qualify for an Annual Choice Benefit in 2019 are required to make their Annual Choice Benefit selection by 11:59 pm ET on January 15, 2020. If a qualified member does not make their selection by the deadline of 11:59 pm ET on January 15, 2020, they will receive Five Suite Night Awards as their 2019 Annual Choice Benefit.

All Annual Choice Benefit selections are final and may not be changed after they are made. Please note, the Annual Choice Benefit selection process requires double confirmation. Qualified members are required to click a second confirmation button before finalizing their choice.

A Marriott Bonvoy™ Titanium Elite member who has achieved seventy-five (75) eligible Elite Night Credits annually is eligible to receive one (1) additional benefit from the list of available benefits listed below.

Five Elite Night Credits

  1. Upon an eligible Platinum Elite Member selecting the Five Elite Night Credits as his/her Annual Choice Benefit, the Platinum Member will have his/her Member Account credited with five (5) bonus Elite Nights which count toward earning Elite status and Lifetime Elite status. Elite Nights and Elite membership status are subject to the Program Rules in section 4.2.b.
  2. The five (5) Elite Night Credits will be reflected in the member account within forty-eight (48) hours of the receipt of the confirmation of the Annual Choice Benefit selection.
  3. Elite Nights that are awarded to an eligible Platinum Elite or Titanium Elite member as the member's Annual Choice Benefit will be awarded in the Eligible Status Year for which the Elite Nights were earned, regardless of when the member selects the five Elite Night Credits as his or her Annual Choice Benefit. For the avoidance of doubt, the Eligible Calendar Year in which the Annual Choice Benefit is earned is the Eligible Calendar Year for which the Elite Nights will be credited toward earning Elite membership status.

40% off Bed: Mattress and Box Spring 40% Discount from Marriott Retail Brands

  1. Upon the member’s selection of the Mattress and Box Spring 40% Discount as his or her Annual Choice Benefit, he or she will receive a promotional code that can be redeemed for 40% off the full retail value valid on any of these mattresses and box springs:
    1. The Westin Heavenly® Bed
    2. The Marriott Bed
    3. The Ritz-Carlton Bed
    4. The W Hotels Bed
    5. The Sheraton Bed
    6. The St. Regis Bed
    7. The Courtyard Bed
    8. The JW Marriott Bed
    9. The Renaissance Bed
    10. The Luxury Collection Bed
    11. The Fairfield Bed
    12. The EDITION Hotel Bed
    13. The Gaylord Hotels Bed
  2. The Marriott Retail Brands Mattress and Box Spring 40% Discount promotional code is nonrefundable and nontransferable.
  3. The promotional code cannot be duplicated or sold and there is no cash value. In the event Marriott Bonvoy suspects that the use or redemption of the promotional code was in error, fraudulent, illegal or in violation of these Marriott Retail Brands Mattress and Box Spring 40% Discount terms and conditions or the Program Rules, Marriott Bonvoy reserves the right to withhold or deduct the promotional code or corresponding credit. The promotional code may be terminated or modified at any time and without any liability to Marriott Bonvoy. The promotional code will be used for its intended and lawful purpose and pursuant to these Marriott Brands Mattress and Box Spring 40% Discount terms and conditions and the Program Rules. The promotional code is void where prohibited by law. The promotional code is for a single purchase only.
  4. The Marriott Retail Brands mattress and box spring 40% discount promotional code is not combinable with other offers. The Marriott brands mattress and box spring 40% discount promotional code is for a single use and is nontransferable. Only the member who elected the Marriott brands mattress and box spring 40% discount as his or her Annual Choice Benefit will be able to redeem the Marriott brands mattress and box spring 40% discount promotional code.To redeem the 40% discount off a mattress and box spring from any of the Company's Marriott Retail brands, call one of the numbers below based on your country of residence.
    • In the United States, call 800-311-0708, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET, and Saturday and Sunday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET.
    • In Europe and the Middle East, call 33 1 41 51 51 53 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. CET.
    • In Asia Pacific, call 86 400 627 6876 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. CST
    • Have the promotional code and the member Account Number ready.
  5. Prior to shipping the applicable merchandise, the Company reserves the right to verify that the person who redeems the Marriott Retail Brands Mattress and Box Spring 40% Discount promotional code is the member who earned the Annual Choice Benefit prior to shipping the applicable merchandise.
  6. Shipping is not included and varies by region. Bed frames are not included and are not subject to the Marriott-Branded Mattress and Box Spring 40% Discount promotional code.
  7. The Marriott Retail Brands mattress and Box Spring 40% Discount promotional code is valid through December 31 of the year following the year in which the Annual Choice Benefit was earned.

Gift Elite Status

  1. A Platinum Elite member who has achieved fifty (50) eligible Elite Night Credits annually may gift Gold Elite status, and a Titanium Elite member who has achieved seventy-five (75) eligible Elite Night Credits annually may gift Gold Elite status.
  2. The Gift Elite status benefit may only be provided to a member who has not yet achieved Elite membership status within the current Eligible Status Year.
  3. The Account status of the member to whom an Elite status benefit is gifted will be upgraded within forty-eight (48) hours of the receipt of confirmation of the recipient’s selection. Such member will hold his or her Elite membership for a minimum of a full calendar year. For example, if a member is given the Gold Elite status benefit during the 2019 Eligible Status Year, the member will become a Gold Elite member for the remainder of 2019, all of 2020, and January and February of 2021. The Gold Elite Minimum Requirement must be achieved in the subsequent Eligible Calendar Year to remain a Gold Elite member during the calendar year following such subsequent Eligible Status Year or the member will be downgraded to the Member level on March 1 of the calendar year following such subsequent Eligible Status Year. In the above example, this means that in order for the member to continue having Gold Elite status after February 2021, the member must achieve the Gold Elite Minimum Requirement during the 2020 Eligible Status Year.
  4. Under no circumstances will Marriott Bonvoy provide membership details or personal member information of any members to the member providing the gifted status benefit or the recipient of the gifted status benefit in order to facilitate the gifted status benefit.
  5. If the desired recipient of the gifted status benefit is not currently a member, the desired recipient must register at https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/createAccount/createAccountPage1.mi before the gifted status benefit can be provided.

US$100 Charity Donation: UNICEF US$100 Donation

  1. The US$100 donation from Marriott Bonvoy to U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Doing Business As ‘UNICEF USA,’ is not a tax-deductible contribution for the member who chooses this donation as his or her Annual Choice Benefit.
  2. Marriott Bonvoy cannot direct or otherwise guarantee how UNICEF USA or UNICEF will spend the US$100 donation.
  3. All funds are transferred to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, www.unicefusa.org.

Suite Night Awards

Suite Night Awards may be redeemed for advance confirmable upgrades for select, premium rooms or standard suites on a per-room, per-night basis, subject to availability and the applicable terms and conditions set forth below for Suite Night Awards:
  1. Suite Night Awards may be used only on Loyalty Program eligible paid stays (excluding Advance Purchase Rates) as well as Free Night Award stays and Cash & Points stays.
  2. A member may request to use his or her Suite Night Awards on marriottbonvoy.com or by calling Member Support.
  3. Suite Night Awards may only be used for standard suites or other premium rooms as designated by the Participating Property.
  4. Suite Night Award use is based upon availability of the requested suite or premium room. Checking for availability begins five (5) days before arrival. If availability is not confirmed five (5) days before arrival, availability is checked each day before arrival up to 2 p.m. local time of the Participating Property one (1) day prior to arrival. If at that time Suite Night Awards cannot be confirmed, the Suite Night Awards are credited back to the member’s account.
  5. Suite Night Awards may be used only when there are enough in the member’s account so that one is applied to every night of the reservation.
  6. One Suite Night Award is required per room per night.
  7. Suite Night Awards are required for each night of the stay, including any nights that may be designated “free,” such as the fifth night in a Fifth Night Free Award.
  8. Suite Night Awards may not be transferred or given as a gift or used as part of a multiple room reservation; however, a Member may use Suite Night Awards for additional single-room reservations on his/her own stay as long as the Member is present for the stay and the other reservations are under the Member's name.
  9. Members who book separate reservations for consecutive nights that precede or follow a reservation that has confirmed Suite Night Awards will be required to change rooms to the confirmed room type on any night(s) where a Suite Night Award is not used.
  10. If a Participating Property offers multiple room options for the Suite Night Award, once the suite/premium room option is selected, the selection may be changed until 2 p.m. local time of the Participating Property the day before arrival so long as the Suite Night Award is unconfirmed. Confirmed Suite Night Awards may be canceled up to 2 p.m. local time of the Participating Property one (1) day prior to arrival only if the entire reservation is canceled.
  11. Suite Night Awards have requesting, booking, cancellation and modification policies that are in addition to — but completely separate from — the booking, cancellation and modification policies for the reservations on which they are used.
    1. Requests to use Suite Night Awards on a reservation may be made up to 2 p.m. local time of the Participating Property one (1) day prior to arrival.
    2. Requests to withdraw the use of unconfirmed Suite Night Awards may be made up to 2 p.m. local time of the Participating Property one (1) day prior to arrival.
    3. Confirmed Suite Night Awards may be canceled up to 2 p.m. local time of the Participating Property one (1) day prior to arrival only if the entire reservation is canceled.
    4. Once Suite Night Awards have been confirmed, the member must cancel the entire reservation to receive credit back for all Suite Night Awards. Cancellation of a confirmed Suite Night Award reservation after 2 p.m. local time of the Participating Property one (1) day prior to arrival will result in the forfeiture of all Suite Night Awards applied to the entire reservation.
    5. Suite Night Awards cannot be applied to a reservation once the reservation has been checked in to a Participating Property.
    6. If a member departs his or her reservation early, any unused Suite Night Awards confirmed for the stay will be forfeited.
    7. If a member extends his or her reservation and has enough Suite Night Awards to cover the extension, the member may use his or her Suite Night Awards based upon availability and at the Participating Property’s discretion.
  12. Not all hotels participate in Suite Night Awards. Suite Night Awards are not redeemable at the following brands (subject to change at any time; see Marriott Bonvoy Terms and Conditions for full details): The Ritz-Carlton®, Protea Hotels®, Aloft®, Element®, Design Hotels™, all-suite hotels, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, EDITION®, Ritz-Carlton Reserve®, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Clubs® and Marriott Grand Residence Club properties. In addition, Suite Night Awards are not redeemable at select Participating Properties. Contact Member Support for individual hotel Suite Night Award participation.
  13. Suite Night Awards will be placed in the member's account within 48 hours of selecting 5 Suite Night Awards as his or her Annual Choice Benefit.

One Free Night Award

  1. The Free Night Award (up to 40,000 points) must be redeemed for a stay that occurs no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the additional benefit is selected (e.g., if the benefit is earned in 2019, the deadline for redemption is December 31, 2020).
  2. The Free Night Award will be credited to the Titanium Elite member's account within two (2) weeks of the member selecting this option as his or her Annual Choice Benefit. The Free Night Award can be redeemed at any available Participating Property for one (1) night, up to 40,000 points, for a standard room. Members can use their award while booking an eligible Award Redemption Stay on Marriott websites or they may call Member Support and mention they wish to use their Free Night Award. A Free Night Award is not transferable and may not be redeemed for cash or converted into points. Any unused Free Night Award will be forfeited. Free Night Award stay(s) and night(s) will count toward earning Elite membership status. Free Night Awards are combinable and may be added to existing paid or Free Night Award stays.
  3. The Free Night Award includes all applicable taxes; however, the Titanium Elite member may be responsible for payment of additional mandatory resort fees at Participating Properties where resort fees are applicable.
  4. Free Night Award redemptions may be canceled pursuant to the standard guarantee and cancellation policies as described in Section 3.2.c.
  5. An eligible Marriott Bonvoy member should check his or her member account to confirm the expiration date of his or her Free Night Award.
  6. For legacy SPG® members, any Free Night Award(s) previously awarded as an Annual Choice Benefit that have not yet been redeemed are now valued up to 40,000 points and will have the same expiration date.
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FAQ : Selecting Annual Choice Benefit

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Old Jun 9, 2019, 4:40 pm
  #841  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: MCO
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum / Titanium, AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 959
Thanks for this link!

I hit 50 nights a month ago and never got the email from Marriott asking me to select the award. I called them a few times and still didn’t get it. Then went to trusty flyertalk and saw this thread, clicked the link, and it worked.

I have told them when I called that while the program benefits are a good step to keeping an SPG worthy program, the level of service in times like these is not what it was with SPG.

Well I got my award, here’s to hoping they get these things sorted out. For starters they need an SPG like platinum line that goes straight to a US based human being. For those of us with lifetime status, when we call it usually is an issue that can’t be solved with CTI, online, or an offshore CSR. It has usually been asking them to correct a mistake.
Napstolean and margarita girl like this.
quinella66 is offline  
Old Jun 9, 2019, 4:44 pm
  #842  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,446
Originally Posted by quinella66
I hit 50 nights a month ago and never got the email from Marriott asking me to select the award.
I did not get an email, either.
Kacee is online now  
Old Jun 9, 2019, 7:32 pm
  #843  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,520
Originally Posted by Kacee
I did not get an email, either.
And I got mine within a few days of crossing 50 nights. Still haven’t made my choice but will probably be 5 SNAs.
margarita girl is offline  
Old Jun 9, 2019, 8:24 pm
  #844  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, BAEC Silver, TK Miles & Smiles Elite
Posts: 2,208
Originally Posted by margarita girl


And I got mine within a few days of crossing 50 nights. Still haven’t made my choice but will probably be 5 SNAs.
I wish they'd kept the free night. Even a lower-category free night would have been preferable. I will wait until later in the year so I know my final count and if I need the five qualifying nights otherwise it's SNAs again. SNAs that I don't find a use for in Asia.
ftrichard is offline  
Old Jun 10, 2019, 2:01 am
  #845  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Originally Posted by ftrichard
I wish they'd kept the free night. Even a lower-category free night would have been preferable. I will wait until later in the year so I know my final count and if I need the five qualifying nights otherwise it's SNAs again. SNAs that I don't find a use for in Asia.
May I ask why you don't find a use for SNAs in Asia? It is because you have had good success with upgrades in Asia without them or they are never successful in application?

James
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Old Jun 10, 2019, 2:28 am
  #846  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
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Originally Posted by Flying for Fun
May I ask why you don't find a use for SNAs in Asia? It is because you have had good success with upgrades in Asia without them or they are never successful in application?

James
Yes. Good success without them. If I had a "once-in-a-lifetime" reservation at an aspirational property then I'd give them a go to lock in the value of the upgrade but the nearest to that I've got was three nights at the W Samui and it didn't let me apply SNAs to the reservation. I got upgraded anyway.

The only lesson I've learned is when I paid for five nights at Le Meridien Bangkok over Christmas last year and for the first time ever (40+ stays) I didn't get a suite. They explained they had many people burning off SNAs at the end of the year so they got priority which is fair enough and lesson learned. I'll do the same in the future if I've got them left.

But for my regular stays around the region I'll take my very good chances for a decent upgrade anyway. Thinking about it, the only time it's not worked is at the Sheraton Macau on a Saturday night which is now a nightmare and not worth the points (now Cat 5 like the JW so stay there) or the cash rate on a Saturday when the basic room is really basic and the only reason for a staycation here is for the great suite which you won't get and I've stayed there enough to not want to burn SNAs on it.

I'd really prefer a free night like we used to get that I could apply to a reservation and get tangible guaranteed value from it.
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Old Jun 10, 2019, 1:47 pm
  #847  
 
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Originally Posted by ftrichard
Yes. Good success without them. If I had a "once-in-a-lifetime" reservation at an aspirational property then I'd give them a go to lock in the value of the upgrade but the nearest to that I've got was three nights at the W Samui and it didn't let me apply SNAs to the reservation. I got upgraded anyway.

[...]
Thank you for the detailed explanation. I chose the five SNAs at Platinum and then the free night at Titanium. I didn't have much hope on the SNAs given stories in this thread, but it turned out to have worked much better than expected. All SNAs applied on request; no denials. I needed one night in HKG and rates everywhere were very high. As it turned out, there was a Wedding Convention in town!!

The only property accepting award redemptions was the Renaissance, albeit for a "double" bed garden view. Category 5 as well. At well over 1c redemption rate, I booked it and then applied a SNA. It was accepted and I was upgraded to a full suite with unobstructed Harbour Views that was selling for USD $1,250 that night. Needless to say, I was happy.

I too find that upgrades are excellent at the Asian properties I have stayed at but have also had some excellent upgrades in Chile, Australia and the USA too, usually before check-in. I was upgraded to a suite at the Marriott Santiago for six nights on a 4+ 1 award stay, 6th night paid, full breakfast buffet in the Restaurant and got the welcome points too. I even got upgraded to the Governor's Suite at the Renaissance Santiago for 3 nights and a full suite on a 4 night stay at the new Westin Brisbane. In Dubai (yes, Asia too! ) at the Sheraton Grand, I was escorted up to the lounge for "sit down" check-in with beverage service and upgraded to a full suite for 2 nights on a reservation I booked an hour before arriving. I was kept up to date on my room, when it was vacated, that housekeeping had been prioritized, when they arrived to clean the room and when it was ready. I enjoyed the afternoon tea offerings in the lounge and was also offered access to the gym if I wanted to shower during the wait. Full breakfast buffet in the restaurant as a welcome amenity. St. Regis Bora Bora upgraded me too, from a Reefside Villa to a Deluxe Overwater Villa with Mt. Otemanu view for a two night stay. Amazing Place!

It would be nice if the service standard and effeciency in the US Hotels & Airports matched their international counterparts. I have noticed a significant difference.

James
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Old Jun 10, 2019, 2:21 pm
  #848  
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As a data point I was able to select my 5 SNAs on the Choice page this morning (48 hours after hitting 75 nights). I never received an email.

I love SNAs and have been super successful redeeming them over the last 6 years-2014-2015-2016-2017-2018-2019. We have only had one (3 night) fail in that time. And contrary to popular theory we mostly apply them on 5 night stays.

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Old Jun 10, 2019, 2:26 pm
  #849  
 
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Originally Posted by Ripley62
The 5 EQN really is only useful for reaching the 75 night level Ti elite level.

.
Why don’t you consider it useful to reach Ambassador, as well?
i am delaying my choices until near year end when I can see my total nights count, and if I’m running a little low, I’d be prepared to take the extra 5 in lieu of a frantic mattress run.
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Old Jun 10, 2019, 6:13 pm
  #850  
 
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Originally Posted by rfrost
Why don’t you consider it useful to reach Ambassador, as well?
i am delaying my choices until near year end when I can see my total nights count, and if I’m running a little low, I’d be prepared to take the extra 5 in lieu of a frantic mattress run.
In this scenario I would also take the five qualifying nights awarded at 50 rather than the SNAs. I'm doing the same as you. I'll wait until November or so and see where I've got to and whether I need to take the five nights to make Titanium 75 or now otherwise the only other vaguely useful award at Platinum is the SNAs.

At Platinum 75 I will take the free night and enjoy it at a property charging $2-300 or thereabouts. With a good lounge. Plentiful Happy Hour. And buffet breakfast. So I maximise my award value :-). I'm thinking of the JW Macau this year on a Saturday night then I can go to the Ritz Carlton for Sunday brunch. Happy days.
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Old Jun 10, 2019, 6:14 pm
  #851  
 
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Deleted. Strange duplicate post.
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Old Jun 10, 2019, 7:42 pm
  #852  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
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Originally Posted by rfrost


Why don’t you consider it useful to reach Ambassador, as well?
i am delaying my choices until near year end when I can see my total nights count, and if I’m running a little low, I’d be prepared to take the extra 5 in lieu of a frantic mattress run.
It would depend on your spend. If you had $20K in required spend and still a few nights short of 100 then it would be beneficial. Extra Elite nights towards 100 with a spend defficiency isn't going to get you an Ambassador.

I will requalify easily for Titanium this year with significantly less than $10K spend. For me, the 5 extra Elite nights as a 75 night gift are of no value. With the Double Elite promotion, I will be adding 14 Elite Nights to my total in 7 nights at an average cost of $48.07 per Elite night credit and I have that benefit until the end of August.

I have had great experiences as a Titanium. If you have read the Ambassador Elite experience thread you will see that it isn't all sunshine & roses. There isn't anything consistent and sufficiently compelling that I "have to have" Ambassador Status. I certainly don't believe, for myself, that Ambassador Status is a value proposition worth an extra $10K-$12K in additional spend commitment.

James
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Old Jun 10, 2019, 8:20 pm
  #853  
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Ambassador gets you a non-functioning Your24 benefit, and unless you hit the jackpot w/one of the increasingly rare Ambassadors who go above and beyond...not much else
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Old Jun 11, 2019, 11:34 am
  #854  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
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Originally Posted by UA-NYC
Ambassador gets you a non-functioning Your24 benefit, and unless you hit the jackpot w/one of the increasingly rare Ambassadors who go above and beyond...not much else
I was comped to Ambassador status after the program merger last year for no known reason as my nights had me at Platinum Premier now called Titanium. My assigned ambassador never contacted me. I found out when I called Marriott and was told that since I had an ambassador the regular CSR’s are blocked from helping me and they gave me an ambassador number to call. Since it was evening in the US, the ambassador line transferred me to a call center in China with an useless CSR who could barely communicate in English let alone help me. I could only get reasonable help by calling the ambassador line during the 9-5 US business day.

When I had Your24 with SPG I was unable to use it a single time.

So the only value I can see in Ambassador status is getting priority on upgrades.

Give me back the SPG platinum line that directly calls a human being without a CTI system and I don’t need an ambassador.
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Old Jun 11, 2019, 3:16 pm
  #855  
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
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Originally Posted by Flying for Fun
It would depend on your spend. If you had $20K in required spend and still a few nights short of 100 then it would be beneficial. Extra Elite nights towards 100 with a spend defficiency isn't going to get you an Ambassador.

I will requalify easily for Titanium this year with significantly less than $10K spend. For me, the 5 extra Elite nights as a 75 night gift are of no value. With the Double Elite promotion, I will be adding 14 Elite Nights to my total in 7 nights at an average cost of $48.07 per Elite night credit and I have that benefit until the end of August.

I have had great experiences as a Titanium. If you have read the Ambassador Elite experience thread you will see that it isn't all sunshine & roses. There isn't anything consistent and sufficiently compelling that I "have to have" Ambassador Status. I certainly don't believe, for myself, that Ambassador Status is a value proposition worth an extra $10K-$12K in additional spend commitment.

James
And in your situation, I would not spend the extra $10-12K for Ambassador status either! But most of my stays are at higher end hotels outside the US, and, having assumed when the new program was announced last year, that I would not come close to spending $20K, I had no thoughts of making Ambassador, but then discovered in November that my YTD spend would get me there, so switched a couple of stays to Marriott’s to get me to 100 nights.
I’m happy enough with my Ambassador and the service I’m getting to want to retain it for so long as it works for my stay pattern. (I am regularly getting undercredited on international stays, and the two times I’ve tried to resolve this myself with Marriott I’ve dealt with clueless time-wasters, so am very happy to have an Ambassador deal with it, as I was the time I was double billed by a hotel and all the times I want to link consecutive reservations). I think I’m often getting better upgrades than I had as a Platinum, and the occasional extra amenity is nice. I have not tried to use Your24 yet, but have low expectations for it. So while Ambassadorship is far from heaven on earth for me, I do value it, primarily for saving me time and hassle. Certainly not enough to spend $10K to keep it, but I won’t have to. Certainly enough to give up a few SNAs if I need a few extra nights’ credit at year-end.
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