When you look at the Marriott Bonvoy elite status requirements and benefits, it’s clear Platinum Elite status is the sweet spot. Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status offers many valuable perks that can enhance your stays, including:
Room upgrades: Upgrades, including suites, based on availability on the day of arrival and as determined by participating hotels
Lounge access: Lounge access for you and a guest staying in your room at select Marriott Bonvoy brands
Late checkout at 4 p.m.: Guaranteed late checkout at most Marriott Bonvoy properties (primarily excluding resort and convention hotels, where it is based on availability)
Primarily due to these three perks, my husband and I focus on getting each of us to at least Platinum Elite status each year. However, once we both have qualified for Platinum Elite status and satisfied our other hotel elite status goals for the year, we focus on getting one of us to Titanium Elite status. Then, if we still have more hotel nights left in the year, we also try to get the other person to Titanium Elite status.
We’ve each reached Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status during the last few years. Here’s a look at why I think it’s worth going for Titanium Elite status instead of stopping at Platinum Elite status — if you can accrue the necessary elite nights.
You can shortcut the 75-night requirement Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa in the Maldives. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
The posted requirement for Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status is 75 nights, 25 more than for Platinum Elite status. But there’s a shortcut: Select Marriott Bonvoy credit cards give you elite night credits each year as a perk of holding the card.
Most Marriott Bonvoy cards provide 15 elite night credits each year that you can use toward earning Marriott Bonvoy elite status. However, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card provides 25 elite night credits each year.
You can earn elite night credits from, at most, one business card and one personal card. Suppose you have the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card. In that case, you’ll get 40 elite night credits each year from your cards — more than halfway toward the 75 nights required for Titanium Elite status.
You can also earn one elite night credit for every $5,000 you spend on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. That’s a lot of spending per elite night credit, but it can be a good way to top off your elite night balance.
Related: The complete guide to earning Marriott elite status with credit cards
Marriott’s 75-night annual Choice Benefit
You can earn Marriott Choice Benefits by reaching 50 and 75 eligible elite night credits in a calendar year. Marriott hasn’t announced the Choice Benefits for this year yet, but members could choose from the following options at the 75-night milestone in 2023:
Five Suite Night Awards (now Nightly Upgrade Awards)
Save $1,000 when you purchase a bed from any Marriott Bonvoy retail brand
A $100 charity donation
Gift Gold Elite status to a friend or family member
Five elite night credits
One free night award with a redemption value of up to 40,000 points
I’ve chosen the free night award worth up to 40,000 points each time I’ve reached the 75-night milestone. TPG’s valuations peg the value of 40,000 Marriott points at $336, and I’ve always found a good use for this free night award.
Related: Comparing the best hotel elite status tiers and how to earn them
Get United Premier Silver status ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members can register for complimentary United MileagePlus Premier Silver status. Although Premier Silver is the lowest tier of United elite status, it is still valuable because it offers:
Preferred seating at booking (for you and up to eight travel companions) and Economy Plus seating at check-in (for you and up to one travel companion; not available on United basic economy tickets) when flying on United
Priority Group 2 boarding when flying on United
Space available upgrades on the day of departure (not available on basic economy fares and economy fares that have a first bag charge and don’t allow changes)
One complimentary checked bag of up to 70 pounds when flying in economy on United (three when flying in a premium cabin on United)
Priority check-in when flying on United
Additional economy award availability through United MileagePlus
Star Alliance Silver status
I don’t get value from most of these benefits, as I have Star Alliance Gold status through another airline. However, access to expanded United economy-class saver awards is a valuable perk.
Related: Last-minute strategies for earning United Premier elite status
Increased earnings on stays
Since Marriott Bonvoy uses dynamic award pricing, I often find myself booking paid rates for stays that would provide a low redemption rate if I used Marriott points. As such, the higher points-earning rate Marriott gives to Titanium Elite members provides true value to me.
You’ll earn Marriott points at different rates depending on the brand you stay with. Here’s a comparison of earning rates based on qualified spending at Marriott Bonvoy brands:
Brand
Members
Silver Elite members
Gold Elite members
Platinum Elite members
Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members
All Marriott Brands, unless otherwise noted
10 points per dollar
11 points per dollar
12.5 points per dollar
15 points per dollar
17.5 points per dollar
Element, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Protea Hotels, City Express, Four Points Express, Homes & Villas by Marriott International and Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy
5 points per dollar
5.5 points per dollar
6.25 points per dollar
7.5 points per dollar
8.75 points per dollar
Marriott Executive Apartments
2.5 points per dollar
2.75 points per dollar
3.125 points per dollar
3.75 points per dollar
4.375 points per dollar
Let’s assume I typically pay $80 in qualified spending when I book a paid night at a Marriott hotel. Let’s also assume I book 20 paid nights each year, all at Marriott brands that don’t earn at lower rates. As a Platinum Elite member, I’d earn 24,000 points (worth $202 based on TPG’s valuations), but as a Titanium Elite member, I’d earn 28,000 points (worth $235).
This boost in earnings is slight, but it still makes a difference — even when considering the low rates I tend to snag in destinations where the U.S. dollar can go far. If you stay mostly in expensive markets, you may see a much more significant boost from increased earning rates.
Of course, these earning rates are before any additional points I’ll accrue when using my Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card or Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card to pay for my stay. Plus, I can leverage a shopping portal aggregator to select an online shopping portal to earn extra points, miles or cash-back rewards on my Marriott stays.
Related: How much value does Marriott Bonvoy status provide when you book directly?
Better upgrade chances JW Marriott Hotel Bogota. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Based on the Marriott Bonvoy terms and conditions, Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members all have access to enhanced room upgrades based upon availability at most brands. In particular, the terms note:
Platinum Elite Members and above receive a complimentary upgrade to the best available room, subject to availability upon arrival, for the entire length of stay. Complimentary upgrade includes suites, rooms with desirable views, rooms on high floors, corner rooms, rooms with special amenities or rooms on Executive Floors. At The Ritz-Carlton, suites are only included for Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite Members and rooms with direct Club access are excluded. Enhanced Room Upgrades are subject to availability and are identified by each Participating Property.
Going off of this text, Titanium Elite members receive the same upgrade benefits as Platinum Elite members, except at Ritz-Carlton properties. However, upgrades are “identified by each participating property,” and I believe Titanium Elite members often get upgrade priority over Platinum Elite members in practice.
Related: How to redeem Marriott points for upgraded rooms
Bottom line
Earning Marriott Titanium Elite status requires 75 elite night credits each year — 25 more nights than the 50 you’d need for Platinum Elite status. The incremental perks of Titanium Elite status compared to Platinum Elite status are minimal. But, especially as more Marriott members gain Platinum Elite status just by having the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, snagging Titanium Elite status may help unlock better upgrades and soft perks.