Marriott Bonvoy News

Jan. 11 - Marriott Rolls Out Several Bonvoy Changes for 2021

Marriott is making life a little bit better for Bonvoy members in 2021 with several updates to the program, making earning and redeeming points easier. These program updates include:

• Members will get a 50% Elite Night Credit (ENC) deposit based on their 2020 elite level to get a head start on re-qualifying in 2021. The ENC deposits will be: 50 for Ambassador, 38 for Titanium, 25 for Platinum, 13 for Gold, and five for Silver.

• The spending threshold for Ambassador status has been reduced to $14,000.

• Off peak redemption rates have been reduced by 10% for reservations through Sept. 30 (book by Feb. 21).

Read our full breakdown of these changes.

Oct. 26 - Marriott Extends Free Night Award Expiration Dates, Again

Good news for Bonvoy members today as Marriott announced that customers who have a Free Night Award (FNA) will get an extension on those expiration dates again.

Earlier this year, Marriott announced that the expiration date on these FNAs would be extended until Jan. 31, 2021. Now, FNAs set to expire before the end of July will automatically have the expiration date extended to Aug. 1, 2021. This would include previously extended awards with one exception: Any FNAs "with an original expiration date prior to 2020 will not be eligible for the additional extension."

No action is needed by customers, and the updates are expected to take place Dec. 11, 2020.

Aug. 27 - Marriott Rolls Out Status Match Challenge

For a limited time, Marriott is rolling out a status match opportunity for those who already hold elite status with Hilton, Hyatt, Accor or IHG. Once enrolled in the challenge, customers will get either Gold or Platinum status with Marriott and will need to log at least five nights (for Gold) or 15 nights (for Platinum) within 90 days to keep the status through February 2022.

The status match is outlined as follows:

• Hilton Gold/Diamond = Marriott Platinum

• Hyatt Explorist = Marriott Gold

• Hyatt Globalist = Marriott Platinum

• Accor Gold = Marriott Gold

• Accor Platinum/Diamond = Marriott Platinum

• IHG Platinum or Spire = Marriott Platinum

Interested customers can learn more and register at Marriott’s website.

Aug. 3 - Get 10X Points on Restaurants, Gas and Hotels

Now, cardholders of the Marriott Bonvoy American Express, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card, and Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card will receive the following bonuses on up to $7,500 in eligible purchases in each category:

• 10x points on U.S. gas stations.

• 10x points on U.S. restaurants.

• 10x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

Terms apply.

» Learn More:  Limited Time Offer: Marriott Cardholders Get 10X Points on Restaurants, Gas and Hotels

June 15 - Marriott Adds 2 New Benefits for Bonvoy Members

Marriott introduced two new benefits in an email to members today. For all members, over 5,500 properties around the world will be offering strictly off-peak award redemption rates between now and June 30 for stays booked through July 31. Marriott award pricing typically works dynamically, with dates varying between off-peak, standard and peak pricing.

Marriott also announced a benefit boost for Elite members in the form of a 50% bonus of Elite Night Credits (ENCs). Based on the status tier earned in 2019, this bonus will accelerate the ability to achieve the next status level for the remainder of 2020 as well as all of 2021. The bonus deposits are as follows and should be in accounts in late July:

Ambassador = 50 ENCs

Titanium = 38 ENCs

Platinum = 25 ENCs

Gold = 13 ENCs

Silver = 5 ENCs

Photo courtesy of Marriott.

How to Maximize Your Rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2021, including those best for: