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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 Sep 5, 2018, 7:52 pm
  #256  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: MCO
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum / Titanium, AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 959
I have exceeded the 50 nights this year (post merger as I had less than 50 on each of SPG and Marriott), and even though I get the link to pick the gift, when I click the link it says I am ineligible. I have an ambassador looking into it. When it is working, I will pick the SNA's at the 50 night level and have not decided what to do about the 75 night level (since you also can get a free night).

As to the value of SNA's, I agree with the above posters that it is very subjective. I just received the best upgrade ever at a St Regis - a base room on points was booked and it was selling for about $750 per night and I got a Royal Suite selling for about $2,400, and that does not even count taxes. So for the two nights, that was quite a score (and generous upgrade). You can improve your chances for an upgrade by having a shorter stay or by going at a time when the hotel will not be slammed. I like SNA's, but getting 10 of them with SPG, I have typically used them on a couple of stays per year, but never was able to use all 10 before expiration.
quinella66 is offline  
Old Sep 5, 2018, 7:54 pm
  #257  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC SE 1MM, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 918
Is there a way to know what your spend is at a given point in time? The 5 Elite nights will probably bump me over 100 at the end of the year, but if I don't have the spend, it doesn't get me to PPE w/ Ambassador any ways.

Also - assume we can make these Choice Benefit selections up until the end of the year, so I would have a better sense closer to the time if I'll need the 5 credits?
AskTravis is offline  
Old Sep 5, 2018, 11:37 pm
  #258  
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 78
Are you folks actually able to select your SNAs right now or recently since the merger?
an1030 is offline  
Old Sep 6, 2018, 1:46 am
  #259  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,017
My current situation:

Less than 50 nights SPG
Less than 50 nights Marriott
Accounts unmerged.

Upon merging accts, I will have >75 nights. I assume this makes me eligible for the 75 night choice, correct? If not, I can merge before I achieve 75 nights collectively. If it doesn't matter (and I get the 75 level choice either way), then I'd prefer not to merge as I have upcoming stays and don't want to mess them up.

Second, separate question. Will I also be eligible for the 50 night choice level?
TravelinSperry is offline  
Old Sep 6, 2018, 2:37 am
  #260  
xar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: Starriott Plat Premier
Posts: 258
Originally Posted by lockman21
Sorry if this has been answered - I'm at 50+ nights currently, and will soon hit 75. If I select my 50 night Choice Benefit now, and then my 75 in a couple weeks when I hit that, are those choices good for a calendar year from the date I select them? Or, since these just hit mid-year due to the merger, are these choices just for the remainder of 2018 and then I'll get to make another in 2019?
Not sure I understand how these work and when they expire.
For my 50 night benefit i selected SNA recently and these were credited into my account with a 31st Dec 2019 expiry.
Likewise, i would think that this same expiry date would apply for your 75 night SNA choice benefit.

Originally Posted by TravelinSperry
My current situation:
Less than 50 nights SPG
Less than 50 nights Marriott
Accounts unmerged.
Upon merging accts, I will have >75 nights. I assume this makes me eligible for the 75 night choice, correct? If not, I can merge before I achieve 75 nights collectively. If it doesn't matter (and I get the 75 level choice either way), then I'd prefer not to merge as I have upcoming stays and don't want to mess them up.
Second, separate question. Will I also be eligible for the 50 night choice level?
1. Yes once a successful combination and if everything goes well, it would allow the selection of both 50/75 Choice Benefits
2. As above.
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xar is offline  
Old Sep 6, 2018, 6:39 am
  #261  
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TPA/DFW/K15
Programs: AA EXP, Mar AMB, HH LT DIA
Posts: 1,652
Originally Posted by quinella66
I have exceeded the 50 nights this year (post merger as I had less than 50 on each of SPG and Marriott), and even though I get the link to pick the gift, when I click the link it says I am ineligible. I have an ambassador looking into it. When it is working, I will pick the SNA's at the 50 night level and have not decided what to do about the 75 night level (since you also can get a free night).

As to the value of SNA's, I agree with the above posters that it is very subjective. I just received the best upgrade ever at a St Regis - a base room on points was booked and it was selling for about $750 per night and I got a Royal Suite selling for about $2,400, and that does not even count taxes. So for the two nights, that was quite a score (and generous upgrade). You can improve your chances for an upgrade by having a shorter stay or by going at a time when the hotel will not be slammed. I like SNA's, but getting 10 of them with SPG, I have typically used them on a couple of stays per year, but never was able to use all 10 before expiration.
My wife's account finally had the "view gifts" link appear. I got the same error as you - "not eligible". I was able to bypass that link and select both the 50 & 75 night gifts by doing the following:

1. click overview from the main menu.
2. select "see your benefits" directly under "you've made it to platinum premier elite".
3. toward the bottom of the page click the link that reads "SIGN IN TO CHOOSE YOUR BENEFIT" (even though you are already signed in).
4. surprisingly, I got the message that the 50 night award needed to be selected before choosing platinum premier award.
5. clicked the link to select the 50 night award and it worked.
6. click the 75 night awards link, and it worked.

This worked for the SO's account. YRMV...
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txpenny is offline  
Old Sep 6, 2018, 6:45 am
  #262  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: AA PLT PRO, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plt. Premier
Posts: 587
Originally Posted by txpenny
My wife's account finally had the "view gifts" link appear. I got the same error as you - "not eligible". I was able to bypass that link and select both the 50 & 75 night gifts by doing the following:

1. click overview from the main menu.
2. select "see your benefits" directly under "you've made it to platinum premier elite".
3. toward the bottom of the page click the link that reads "SIGN IN TO CHOOSE YOUR BENEFIT" (even though you are already signed in).
4. surprisingly, I got the message that the 50 night award needed to be selected before choosing platinum premier award.
5. clicked the link to select the 50 night award and it worked.
6. click the 75 night awards link, and it worked.

This worked for the SO's account. YRMV...
That did not work for me, I have already selected my 50 night gift [ I have 77 nights] and when I do what you do I get the message "Your all set" so I can't get to the 75 night choice
dgparent is offline  
Old Sep 6, 2018, 8:10 am
  #263  
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: SPG Platinum, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 236
Combined my account today, 34 from spg and 17 from marriott, after combine, I get 51nights.
When clicking the link to choose my benefit, it show me
"You're not yet eligible to choose an Annual Choice Benefit. Once you stay at least 50 eligible nights in a qualifying period, you'll get to choose one of these Annual Choice"

Maybe I will give it a few days and see how it goes. Will give them a call next week if it still don't work.
shevboyz is offline  
Old Sep 6, 2018, 8:12 am
  #264  
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite, United Premier Silver, National Executive Elite
Posts: 151
Originally Posted by shevboyz
Combined my account today, 34 from spg and 17 from marriott, after combine, I get 51nights.
When clicking the link to choose my benefit, it show me
"You're not yet eligible to choose an Annual Choice Benefit. Once you stay at least 50 eligible nights in a qualifying period, you'll get to choose one of these Annual Choice"

Maybe I will give it a few days and see how it goes. Will give them a call next week if it still don't work.
For me, it took three days after merging for it to work.
mciampa is offline  
Old Sep 6, 2018, 8:27 am
  #265  
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Originally Posted by lockman21
Sorry if this has been answered - I'm at 50+ nights currently, and will soon hit 75. If I select my 50 night Choice Benefit now, and then my 75 in a couple weeks when I hit that, are those choices good for a calendar year from the date I select them? Or, since these just hit mid-year due to the merger, are these choices just for the remainder of 2018 and then I'll get to make another in 2019?

Not sure I understand how these work and when they expire.
There are two questions here:
1) When does my choice expire: It depends upon what you choose. The SNAs should be good through the following year. If you choose the elite night credit it is only good for the current year.
2) When do I get to choose again: Each calendar year when you hit 50 & 75 nights in your account.
RogerD408 is offline  
Old Sep 6, 2018, 8:53 am
  #266  
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: SPG Platinum, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 236
Originally Posted by mciampa


For me, it took three days after merging for it to work.
Nice to hear that. Finger crossed everything goes nicely.
shevboyz is offline  
Old Sep 6, 2018, 9:38 am
  #267  
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
60 nights. Merge 2 weeks ago. Still "we're sorry"
VickiSoCal is offline  
Old Sep 6, 2018, 9:54 am
  #268  
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Finally, this morning, I at long last had the working functionality on my Marriott.com account overview page to “View Gifts” and select the 5 SNAs as my 75 nights Choice Benefit.

I dont know if my email last week to Marriott Customer Care or my plea through my Ambassador had any impact or not, as I received my response yesterday to try again (to no avail). I replied yesterday and copied my Ambassador on the continued failure. Lo and behold, a day later it worked for me.

A pretty nice bonus for those of us on the legacy SPG side who already had reached 50 nights and selected the 10 SNAs for our 50 night Choice Benefit...to be able to earn the additional 5 SNAs for the new 75 night Choice Benefit.

I applaud Marriott for again rewarding those of us who showed so much advance loyalty with SPG. This is yet another example of how the merger has been particularly generous to SPG elites IMO—despite the complaints of too many who don’t seem to recognize how generous Marriott has been to us.
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Last edited by bhrubin; Sep 6, 2018 at 10:59 am
bhrubin is offline  
Old Sep 6, 2018, 9:56 am
  #269  
Suspended
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Originally Posted by VickiSoCal
60 nights. Merge 2 weeks ago. Still "we're sorry"
I might encourage you to email Marriott Customer Care with a screenshot of the failure page. They did respond to me within a week (yesterday), and then today my functionality finally worked. Hopefully, your contact may allow them to directly address your account issue, too. Just be patient once you do send that email! Good luck!
bhrubin is offline  
Old Sep 6, 2018, 10:23 am
  #270  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SNA
Programs: M/R AMBASSADOR/LT/TIT/UASILVER/AAGOLD
Posts: 469
On the Marriott website click on account overview and scroll down to check on your current Ambassador spend.
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