Jan 11, 2021, 12:26 pm
Last edit by: DELee
On 1/11/2021, Marriott announced its elite qualification for 2021.
Marriott Bonvoy™ Members who earned Elite Status in 2020 will receive a onetime deposit of 50% of their tier's annual Elite Night Credit requirement, e.g. those Members who achieved Platinum Elite status in 2020 would receive 25 Elite Night Credits in their Account in February 2021.
Since Members already received an extension of their earned 2019 Elite Status through February 1, 2022, the Elite Night Credit deposit helps Members reach the next tier faster.
In addition, these Elite Night Credits will count towards achieving the 2021 Annual Choice Benefit, as well as achieving Lifetime Elite Status. 50% Elite Night Credits deposit and remaining 2021 Requirements needed to achieve the next tier's Status are based on the 2020 earned Status tier as follows:
Ambassador Elite will receive 50 Elite Night Credits and will need an additional 50 Elite Night Credits and US$14,000 in Qualifying spend in 2021 to re-achieve Ambassador Status
Titanium Elite will receive 38 Elite Night Credits and will need an additional 62 Elite Night Credits and US$14,000 in Qualifying Stay Spend in 2021 to achieve Ambassador Elite
Platinum Elite will receive 25 Elite Night Credits and will need an additional 50 Elite Night Credits in 2021 to achieve Titanium Elite
Gold Elite will receive 13 Elite Night Credits and will need an additional 37 Elite Night Credits in 2021 to achieve Platinum Elite
Silver Elite will receive 5 Elite Night Credits and will need an additional 20 Elite Night Credits in 2021 to achieve Gold Elite
Member tier will not receive Elite Night Credits and will need a total of 10 Elite Night Credits in 2021 to achieve Silver Elite
Example:
A Member who earned Gold Elite Status in 2019 already received an extension of the Gold Elite Status to February 1, 2022. To achieve the next tier up of Platinum Elite in 2021 to enjoy through February 2023, the Member will need to achieve a total of 50 Elite Night Credits by December 31, 2021. This Gold Elite Member will receive 13 Elite Night Credits (50% of the 25 normally needed to requalify for Gold), which means the Member will only need 37 Elite Night Credits to achieve Platinum Elite this year.
Complete FAQs:
Bonvoy Members & COVID-19? (marriott.com)
Annual Choice Benefit Selection:
https://choice-benefit.marriott.com/...arriott-bonvoy
For 2020 Elite status earners: To help you get to the next Elite level faster, we will deposit 50% of the required Elite Night Credits for your 2020 Elite status into your account by February 5, 2021. We have also reduced the required spend for Ambassador Elite to $14K annual qualifying spend in 2021 only. In 2022, the spend requirement will return to $20K annually.
Marriott Bonvoy™ Members who earned Elite Status in 2020 will receive a onetime deposit of 50% of their tier's annual Elite Night Credit requirement, e.g. those Members who achieved Platinum Elite status in 2020 would receive 25 Elite Night Credits in their Account in February 2021.
Since Members already received an extension of their earned 2019 Elite Status through February 1, 2022, the Elite Night Credit deposit helps Members reach the next tier faster.
In addition, these Elite Night Credits will count towards achieving the 2021 Annual Choice Benefit, as well as achieving Lifetime Elite Status. 50% Elite Night Credits deposit and remaining 2021 Requirements needed to achieve the next tier's Status are based on the 2020 earned Status tier as follows:
Ambassador Elite will receive 50 Elite Night Credits and will need an additional 50 Elite Night Credits and US$14,000 in Qualifying spend in 2021 to re-achieve Ambassador Status
Titanium Elite will receive 38 Elite Night Credits and will need an additional 62 Elite Night Credits and US$14,000 in Qualifying Stay Spend in 2021 to achieve Ambassador Elite
Platinum Elite will receive 25 Elite Night Credits and will need an additional 50 Elite Night Credits in 2021 to achieve Titanium Elite
Gold Elite will receive 13 Elite Night Credits and will need an additional 37 Elite Night Credits in 2021 to achieve Platinum Elite
Silver Elite will receive 5 Elite Night Credits and will need an additional 20 Elite Night Credits in 2021 to achieve Gold Elite
Member tier will not receive Elite Night Credits and will need a total of 10 Elite Night Credits in 2021 to achieve Silver Elite
Example:
A Member who earned Gold Elite Status in 2019 already received an extension of the Gold Elite Status to February 1, 2022. To achieve the next tier up of Platinum Elite in 2021 to enjoy through February 2023, the Member will need to achieve a total of 50 Elite Night Credits by December 31, 2021. This Gold Elite Member will receive 13 Elite Night Credits (50% of the 25 normally needed to requalify for Gold), which means the Member will only need 37 Elite Night Credits to achieve Platinum Elite this year.
Complete FAQs:
Bonvoy Members & COVID-19? (marriott.com)
Annual Choice Benefit Selection:
https://choice-benefit.marriott.com/...arriott-bonvoy
Marriott Announces Goodwill Elite Qualification for 2021
Jan 12, 2021, 12:20 pm
#121
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
And yet $14k could still be fine if they could convince members that benefits at AMB level will be strong in 2022. However this is what I am seeing recently:
My experience from 2019 and prior = personal dedicated ambassador, proactively contacting me about upcoming reservations, organizing special occasions in collaboration with hotels, etc.
2020-2021 = no more dedicated ambassador (so now similar to Hyatt), ambassador simply forwarding my e-mail to hotel (so why does the ambassador exist?), only answering half of my requests (are they sloppy in reading skills?), no response after my e-mail and subsequently they claim IT issue caused email not to reach the hotel, special occasion not recognized and unclear if hotel goofed or if ambassador never sent message despite me asking twice in advance to make sure, etc. etc. etc.
It's just night and day from the past, now it's mistake after mistake. So unless they fix ambassador service, why pay for this? It leaves room upgrades which might be better than Titanium in 2022. But they are asking members to make a leap of faith that they will be, by spending now.
So yes, it makes the $14k the weak point of this announcement, no doubt about it. If people think I am complaining because I do not appreciate that with this announcement I only need 10 nights to renew AMB, then so be it. The night credit is irrelevant for many AMB, so they could have credited 1000 nights instead of 50 nights and it would not change anything. So I am not complaining about the night credit, I am simply ignoring it, many people will face the same hurdle to qualify for AMB with or without the credit so it does not matter. It only matters for people who intend a single stay in a very expensive hotel and will not be able to stay more than a handful of nights during 2021. For those folks, the announcement is great and the value of 50 night credit is significant.
My experience from 2019 and prior = personal dedicated ambassador, proactively contacting me about upcoming reservations, organizing special occasions in collaboration with hotels, etc.
2020-2021 = no more dedicated ambassador (so now similar to Hyatt), ambassador simply forwarding my e-mail to hotel (so why does the ambassador exist?), only answering half of my requests (are they sloppy in reading skills?), no response after my e-mail and subsequently they claim IT issue caused email not to reach the hotel, special occasion not recognized and unclear if hotel goofed or if ambassador never sent message despite me asking twice in advance to make sure, etc. etc. etc.
It's just night and day from the past, now it's mistake after mistake. So unless they fix ambassador service, why pay for this? It leaves room upgrades which might be better than Titanium in 2022. But they are asking members to make a leap of faith that they will be, by spending now.
So yes, it makes the $14k the weak point of this announcement, no doubt about it. If people think I am complaining because I do not appreciate that with this announcement I only need 10 nights to renew AMB, then so be it. The night credit is irrelevant for many AMB, so they could have credited 1000 nights instead of 50 nights and it would not change anything. So I am not complaining about the night credit, I am simply ignoring it, many people will face the same hurdle to qualify for AMB with or without the credit so it does not matter. It only matters for people who intend a single stay in a very expensive hotel and will not be able to stay more than a handful of nights during 2021. For those folks, the announcement is great and the value of 50 night credit is significant.
Jan 12, 2021, 12:38 pm
#122
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
So this means don't bother to stay with Marriott till the 16th February. Interesting...I'm going to be Platinum with Accor fast in 2021...and than catch up slowly with Bonvoy. If you are LTP, 25 nights in by February....you just need 13 nights (with 2 nights minimum per stay) from 16th Feb till 27th April to re-qualify...not bad on this one! Let see if Titanium is in reach....I'm one more here to find it doesn't really worth it compare to Platinum.
I'm LTT/AMB and in my case, I get the 50 "rollover" promo nights to start, but I still would need to earn 50 more nights (or possibly half of that during the spring promo period, so 25) and do $14,000 spend to requalify for AMB for 2022. Unless I reach those 50 (or 25) additional nights this year and also reach the $14,000 spend requirement, I get absolutely no benefit in terms of status since I already have LTT.
Jan 12, 2021, 12:45 pm
#123
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,917
If some of the current distress rates that have been reported continue, it would be theoretically possible that to stay for 365 nights this year and yet still not achieve even the reduced $14,000 spend required for AMB: $14,000/365 = $38.36 (and $20,000/365 = $54.79).
Jan 12, 2021, 1:03 pm
#124
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Are we reading the same forum?
I see many here running for the exits. Those who are sticking with Marriott mostly feel that there's no point going for Ambassador, which makes Titanium by default the top status level that's worth anything. And many (particularly US based travelers) think that's not worth much, if any, extra effort to achieve.
I see many here running for the exits. Those who are sticking with Marriott mostly feel that there's no point going for Ambassador, which makes Titanium by default the top status level that's worth anything. And many (particularly US based travelers) think that's not worth much, if any, extra effort to achieve.
Jan 12, 2021, 2:03 pm
#125
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
The best perk I've experienced as an Ambassador under SPG was an Ambassador manager calling me after seeing my post on FlyterTalk. 
Second best: Someone on the Ambassador team inviting me to the SPG Moments concert at the property where I was staying. 2 tickets to a private One Republic concert at the hotel ballroom with open buffet and open bar throughout the concert was worth the 15,000 SPG points.
I just don't see the same level of personalized service under the new shared team. Based on what someone else was describing, it feels similar to what the SPG Platinum Concierge used to do - passing along the request to the hotel in a general email/web request form, and YMMV on whether the hotel fulfills the request.
Second best: Someone on the Ambassador team inviting me to the SPG Moments concert at the property where I was staying. 2 tickets to a private One Republic concert at the hotel ballroom with open buffet and open bar throughout the concert was worth the 15,000 SPG points.
I just don't see the same level of personalized service under the new shared team. Based on what someone else was describing, it feels similar to what the SPG Platinum Concierge used to do - passing along the request to the hotel in a general email/web request form, and YMMV on whether the hotel fulfills the request.
Jan 12, 2021, 2:16 pm
#126
Join Date: May 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 3,951
The FN and all the certificates are another issue Marriott has to handle. With all the pandemic in US and Europe, it is very unlikely that travel can reach 50% of its previous levels by this summer. We may reach 70% by end of year when most of us receive vaccines. Marriott would probably at least extend those FNs again to end of year. It is only another 4 months. Marriott likes to drag its feet and speculate, always late to the dragging game.
Jan 12, 2021, 7:46 pm
#127
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: BAGold; AA3MMPlat; UA1MMGold; FBGold; MarriottAmb; AccorPlat; HHGold; ICPlatAmb; HyattDiscoverist
Posts: 4,378
I am not planning to head for the exits, but I'm also not planning to requalify for Ambassador. Most of my travel for the last 10-15 years has been international, and either to watch live theater and dance performances or to explore bucket list locations, many of them farflung (and, by the way, with no Marriott in sight).
As I have several Covid-19 risk factors, I have chosen not to travel until I am fully vaccinated, which, IF supplies don't run out, I now hope will be accomplished by late March. But, even if live performances resume by then, I am far from certain that the many borders closed to most US citizens will reopen, or that the untenable quarantine requirements currently in place in countries with ostensibly open borders will be eased, within that time frame. So I think at most I'll have a half year of travel in 2021, and while 30-35 nights (I'll have 50 +15 + a least a few more from "classic" Chase Marriott Visa spend) would easily be doable in 6 months, $14K Marriott spend (especially since I have several free nights in my account) seems a stretch. Given my rather unsatisfying Ambassador experience, I don't think it's worth it. I'll probably settle for Titanium in 2022.
As I have several Covid-19 risk factors, I have chosen not to travel until I am fully vaccinated, which, IF supplies don't run out, I now hope will be accomplished by late March. But, even if live performances resume by then, I am far from certain that the many borders closed to most US citizens will reopen, or that the untenable quarantine requirements currently in place in countries with ostensibly open borders will be eased, within that time frame. So I think at most I'll have a half year of travel in 2021, and while 30-35 nights (I'll have 50 +15 + a least a few more from "classic" Chase Marriott Visa spend) would easily be doable in 6 months, $14K Marriott spend (especially since I have several free nights in my account) seems a stretch. Given my rather unsatisfying Ambassador experience, I don't think it's worth it. I'll probably settle for Titanium in 2022.
Jan 12, 2021, 8:18 pm
#128
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,844
And I'm also not happy they lowered the AMB spend to $14K. Not that AMB is worth anything (as I'm finding out since becoming AMB in 2020), but why do they want to inflate the ranks of AMB? There are no ambassadors any longer so we're all having to talk to the same generic pool of people.
If some of the current distress rates that have been reported continue, it would be theoretically possible that to stay for 365 nights this year and yet still not achieve even the reduced $14,000 spend required for AMB: $14,000/365 = $38.36 (and $20,000/365 = $54.79).
myperks I have not investigated all corners of the world but I know that you can stay at a full service Marriott for less than $38.36 per night in Bangkok on a rate that's been available on marriott.com for a few months now, and that's before even attempting to negotiate a long-term rate directly with the hotel. I would guess there are higher cost of living cities elsewhere in the world where you could also stay for less than $38 per day if picking a lower brand hotel than a Marriott, for example TPS or RI.
Jan 12, 2021, 9:21 pm
#129
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,917
I would be willing to bet a very large amount of money that if the $14k threshold remains (not lowered later this year, no double spend credit promo, etc.) that there will be fewer AMB members in 2022 than in 2021. They are certainly not inflating the ranks of AMBs, they are rather managing by how much the ranks will decrease.
Good point from MSPeconomist . It illustrates quite well that the spend threshold is the effective hurdle now, not the night count.
myperks I have not investigated all corners of the world but I know that you can stay at a full service Marriott for less than $38.36 per night in Bangkok on a rate that's been available on marriott.com for a few months now, and that's before even attempting to negotiate a long-term rate directly with the hotel. I would guess there are higher cost of living cities elsewhere in the world where you could also stay for less than $38 per day if picking a lower brand hotel than a Marriott, for example TPS or RI.
Good point from MSPeconomist . It illustrates quite well that the spend threshold is the effective hurdle now, not the night count.
myperks I have not investigated all corners of the world but I know that you can stay at a full service Marriott for less than $38.36 per night in Bangkok on a rate that's been available on marriott.com for a few months now, and that's before even attempting to negotiate a long-term rate directly with the hotel. I would guess there are higher cost of living cities elsewhere in the world where you could also stay for less than $38 per day if picking a lower brand hotel than a Marriott, for example TPS or RI.
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Jan 12, 2021, 9:56 pm
#130
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,844
I guess it depends where. One could argue that AMB status is less useful in U.S. where hotel rates are higher (so $38 is Motel 6!) and suite upgrades harder to get, but that many temporarily "cheap" destinations are places where AMB status gives you some decent suite upgrades with good success rate. I would not stay all year in hotels at $38 per night but I occasionally do, and also care about hotel status to make those stays more comfortable.
Jan 13, 2021, 1:34 am
#131
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,682
If some of the current distress rates that have been reported continue, it would be theoretically possible that to stay for 365 nights this year and yet still not achieve even the reduced $14,000 spend required for AMB: $14,000/365 = $38.36 (and $20,000/365 = $54.79).
this year he may get close but will still be under the $14k spend....
Jan 13, 2021, 1:50 am
#132
Join Date: Dec 2020
Programs: Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 147
Hello,
This looks like a very nice birthday gift for me on the 5th
Sorry for my n00b questions... So i'm currently gold through my dutch amex platinum card. When i login to my marriott account it shows "35 nights needed to achieve platinum elite".
Am i going to get 13 nights on the 5th of feb. That would mean only 22 nights for platinum right?
With the other promo a stay of 11 nights would be enough for platinum?
So my question is
is my calculation correct: 11 nights for platinum
thanks!
This looks like a very nice birthday gift for me on the 5th
Sorry for my n00b questions... So i'm currently gold through my dutch amex platinum card. When i login to my marriott account it shows "35 nights needed to achieve platinum elite".
Am i going to get 13 nights on the 5th of feb. That would mean only 22 nights for platinum right?
With the other promo a stay of 11 nights would be enough for platinum?
So my question is
is my calculation correct: 11 nights for platinum
thanks!
Last edited by hdejongh; Jan 13, 2021 at 2:01 am
Jan 13, 2021, 1:51 am
#133
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,682
One more exciting benefit: We're reducing redemption rates at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Save up to 40% when you redeem points for Free Night Awards by February 21, 2021. Rates start at just 4,500 points per night. It can take a little time for our new rates to distribute through all our systems, so the new redemption rates are now bookable, but may not show up in the online booking experience for the next few hours.
when a similar promo was in effect last year, all properties were showing off-peak redemption rates during the booking period....this time i can see reduced rates at most properties from now till the end of march, however only a limited number of properties seem to have off-peak rates after that....given that the stay period for this promo is till september, can we expect all properties to have reduced rates for months after march like the previous promo????
Jan 13, 2021, 2:26 am
#134
Company Representative, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy
Posts: 1,090
lurker, is this still being rolled out????
when a similar promo was in effect last year, all properties were showing off-peak redemption rates during the booking period....this time i can see reduced rates at most properties from now till the end of march, however only a limited number of properties seem to have off-peak rates after that....given that the stay period for this promo is till september, can we expect all properties to have reduced rates for months after march like the previous promo????
when a similar promo was in effect last year, all properties were showing off-peak redemption rates during the booking period....this time i can see reduced rates at most properties from now till the end of march, however only a limited number of properties seem to have off-peak rates after that....given that the stay period for this promo is till september, can we expect all properties to have reduced rates for months after march like the previous promo????
Please let us know if you need further assistance.
Best Regards,
Abbey L
Specialist, Social Media
Marriott International
Jan 13, 2021, 3:21 am
#135
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Thai, Cathay, Lufthansa, Delta, SPG, Hilton, IH, LHW
Posts: 292
I'm meant to "re-qualify" for the SNA....which are useless to me. Finished 2020 at 47 nights....basically today I stay with Marriott if the property is the right choice....but I have zero incentive to push my business to them. Not that I don't want to, but I'm simply not incentivize to.