bjdj94

I’d say Explorist is more comparable to Gold than Platinum.

SPN Lifer

Marriott Bonv∘y Gold Elite status has minimal benefits.

It was created in 2018 so Marriott would not have to give all those United Airlines MileagePlus Premier Gold members the breakfast and lounge benefits of what is now called Marriott Bonv∘y Platinum Elite status.

Nitehawk

I'm titanium and I've had a bunch of suite upgrades. and I never use SNAs, I just let them expire... If I really want a suite I ask via the app chat.

saecotech

Me too, but I am a Gold Elite

GoldenItalianBoy

Are these news/changements confirmed?

SPN Lifer

No. To the contrary, the exclusion of Marriott Bonv∘y Platinum Elites from lounges has been expressly denied by Marriott.

JapanFlyerT

The W in Osaka said I (currently Titanium) can use the pool for free, but it is ¥6,000+ for my partner to use the pool. However, if we get an upgrade to a suite we can both use it for free. Go figure.

On the other hand, our 5 night Sheraton Japan redemption had no resort fees.

randomasian

I have 2 years of Titanium and LT Titanium would definitely make me prioritize Marriott assuming they use 10 years Titanium as the benchmark rather than base points.

Now that I don't have to stay with Marriott at all to requalify for Platinum, I think I'll try to get a status challenge for Hyatt Globalist and stay with them whenever there's a reasonable Hyatt available.
When there isn't a good Hyatt, I'll be agnostic between Marriott and Hilton whereas I would prioritize Marriott in the past.

B744F14C172

Lucky you. Everywhere I stay seems to be sold out, or they just give me a room upgrade but not to a suite. Totally motivates me to retain Ambassador. I never ask ahead in the app, seems entitled and pushy.

Sjondorn

Hold Amex Bonvoy Brilliant and found out about the changes to the CC to the next year. In the previous case, I de facto got 50k pts certificate for $150 (which is worth it's value) since I'd always spend $300 on the CC with Marriott; now it's 85k pts certificate for $350 - which kinda does miss the sweet spot as that's close what you oftenly pay if you use the cash rate (I'm likely to spend $25 / month for dining to get back the $300 there). Makes the math to justify the CC much harder. Only going to keep it for the moment since I'm almost LT Platinum and I was expecting not to make Platinum next year (less travel), so this will bridge the gap and make LT faster

ffI

Amex
The cost of becoming Platinum by Amex is $650 a yr - minus benefits
- the 25$ a month restaurant credits- valued at half that = 150$ a yr
and a free 85k night worth at least 350$ easily
= total 500 benefits = about 150$ overall cost each year
Anyone staying more than 1 or 2 times at a good marriott with lounge benefits - e.g., in Asia will easily benefit from this

Chase
The cost of becoming Platinum by 75k spend on Ritz card on january every other year is
$450 a yr annual fee x2= 900 + lost cash of 75k spend = @2.625c = 1968.75 = total 2700$ at least for 2 yrs
Benefits 2 nights = 700$
+ 300$ airline rebates (value 200$ at least each year)
+ value of 150k marriott = about 1000$ -instead of buying them on sale at 0.7c =
Total 2100 benefits - so cost is at least 600 for 2 yrs = 300 a yr

Unlike the blogs telling us how great the Ritz card has become, I think the Amex route is actually much better

FlyingFromNY

I've complained and I don't stay at Marriotts anymore I have shifted all my stays to Hyatt because their loyalty program (for where I travel and what I need) is miles better than Marriott's iffy upgrade lottery. I've yet to have a stay at a Hyatt where I haven't been upgraded and the breakfast has been a great benefit when I travel with people who like breakfast. The parking benefit has been wonderful for when we rent a car. It's not a perfect program but loyalty program competition from Marriott and Hilton is weak. I pop my head in to the forum to see if anything's changed, but it seems like things only get worse.

I'm on track for 90-100 nights with Hyatt. If Marriott's program was better, may of those nights would have gone to Edition Hotels. Sadly, if Hyatt continues without competition, the program will likely degrade.

happychic

I made Platinum end of last year. I got all excited because, hey, Platinum! It sounded important. For my travel pattern, being Platinum has done absolutely nothing for me. eg I cancelled my award stay at Sheraton Lake Como earlier this month because I knew my SNA would not go through. I ended up making a last minute reservation at a small B&B near Bellagio instead. Location was way better and it was also a lot cheaper. The property was a very intimate mom and pop setup, and the innkeepers made us feel so welcome. Again, did I mention that it was very inexpensive? I just don't think paying more $ to be Marriott Platinum makes sense for me. Unless I get a retention offer, I am not likely to keep my Amex Brilliant. For $650 the sweet spot just isn't there for me. YMMV.

My Chase Ritz card, on the other hand, I will hold on to for dear life. At least for now.

AAdamE

When/how do you ask?

eponymous_coward

I can tell you as a multi-year Explorist (via MGM Gold tick-tock status matching for years) and Marriott Platinum it's nothing like Marriott Platinum. It's basically points and some executive lounge access instruments and chances at nicer rooms if you stay the required nights, but executive lounges are intermittent at best. I've literally gotten suite upgrades, notes from a hotel manager and cake for being Platinum. Nothing like that for Explorist.

If you want to walk away from Bonvoy I'm not telling you not to, but Explorist is IMO the weakest sauce of the midtier statuses between Hilton Gold, Marriott Platinum and Hyatt Explorist. Set your expectations accordingly and you will be satisfied.