Hi Folks.

I switched to using Marriott from Hilton earlier this year due to proximity to work. I only really stay in one hotel, and probably average around 12-15 nights a month (sounds a bit sad when I type it out!).

A friend recently made me aware that Marriott do a status challenge with I obviously missed out on, which made me wonder what else might be out there that I've missed. Would anyone be able to shed some light as to a shortened version of any tips/tricks/etc for frequent guests? This naturally seemed like an appropriate place to ask...

Many thanks for your time.

As you're already Platinum you've reached the tier that makes a difference at Marriott's full service hotels (breakfast, lounge access, late check-out, possible suite upgrades). Looks like you will keep ploughing on until Titanium at 75 nights and - gasp - maybe Ambassador at 100 nights (plus USD20k spend). To manage your expectations, you will probably not notice much difference with Titanium and Ambassador over Platinum apart from the higher points earning rate.

When you passed 50 nights you got to make an Annual Choice Benefit and you'll get another at 75 nights. Access this through your online account. Most people, anecdotally, choose 5 Suite Night Awards at 50 nights and a Free Night Award at 75 nights. Again, to manage your expectations, if you're in the US then don't expect much from the SNAs but keep them for a luxury points redemption on your holiday in Asia. What holiday in Asia, you ask?

You will be accruing a lot of points that you should keep for leisure travel in Asia where you will really notice the benefits of being Platinum with Bonvoy. Lounges, breakfast in the hotel buffet, evening drinks and canap�s up to a full buffet meal, proper suite upgrades are all commonplace in many destinations in Asia for Bonvoy Platinums or higher. And the points redemption rates are pretty good because the cash price can be pretty good (unless you focus on Hong Kong, Singapore, or Tokyo of course). So don't miss out on using your Platinum status and the many points you will accrue with business travel to expand your horizons and experience some of the world's best hospitality on holiday for free across Asia for the price of your flight.

Thank you for this. I'm UK based, which from what I've seen does have the same issue with suite night awards, for example the Sheraton I stay at only has 2x suites in the whole hotel. I won't get to Ambassador this year, I'm fully booked until New Year now and will reach 88 nights, the credit card would take me to over 100 but it doesn't sound like there's much advantage so I probably won't bother, or am I being stupid passing it up?

QQ regarding Asia, would you include Dubai in the list of places that are good to redeem suite nights? Always fancied a golf holiday there....

For Ambassador, in addition to the 100 nights, you must have a spend of USD20k showing on your account. This means you'd have to spend around �200 a night for each of your 88 nights *and* take out the Amex to get the additional 15 nights. I've never been Ambassador. If you will have the spend then the Amex is quite easy to get but personally I wouldn't bother as Amex is terribly difficult to use because many places don't take it and they charge a terrible 3% for foreign purchases whereas I am charged 0% using my Curve card abroad.

On the other hand, Dubai certainly will get you excellent points redemptions and lounge experiences. Also, you should check out the once-in-a-lifetime aspirational desert resort Al Maha Dubai if you've really got points to burn on hotels you'd never pay for.

Lots to read in the individual hotel threads for the Bonvoy Dubai properties. You'll have a proper elite experience there.

Less about status, but if you are staying 12-15 nights a month consistently at the same hotel, be sure to chat up front desk staff / management so they get to know you. As a frequent guest at the same hotel, you should be in place for some (informal) favors. If you fancy a certain room / type, make sure they are aware. If you need an early check in one trip, give them some notice and they will likely accommodate. Things like that.

Also make sure you sign up for bonus promotions as available. Under "My promotions" in your on-line account.

The spend probably wouldn't be a problem as during the summer months the hotel was charging crazy amount ITRO �350-400 a night, I'll be glad to never see those prices again! I'll head over and have a look at the Dubai properties, that Al Maha looks stunning, probably a bit outside my points range for a 5 night stay though! (Currently on just over 100k).

They are very friendly and quite often give me free parking if I require which is nice. I've had a look at the promos and signed up for a 2k points per stay one, I know you should never complain about anything that's 'free' but it left a bit to be desired when i saw it....

Something else you should know when redeeming points. You get five nights for the price of four when you redeem points. The cheapest night (on points) is automatically the free one. If you've only got 100k points now then you must have been redeeming them along the way in the UK and unless you've been doing so in London over the summer it's unlikely you've been getting good value from these redemptions. It's always best value to use points for five-night stays because of the free night. Either that or you redeem points for shorter stays where the cash rates are astronomical. I have a sweet-spot points stay in Singapore at the Westin later this month for five nights which has cost me 155,000 points for the five nights (the points representing four nights redemption) but the cash rate was going to be ~SGD900 a night (�550) which is absurd and I'd never pay.