Marriott Titanium vs. Platinum Elite Status

Marriott Bonvoy and its elite status program have a legion of followers, and for good reason: There are a plethora of benefits to enjoy. The biggest and best perks go to those with Marriott’s higher-status tiers like Platinum and Titanium Elite. But is it worth it to strive for Titanium if you’ve already earned Platinum status, or are the Platinum perks sufficient?

Let’s take a look at how to achieve status with Marriott Bonvoy and what the differences are between Marriott Titanium versus Platinum Elite status.

Marriott Bonvoy is a loyalty program that covers over 8,000 hotels in 139 countries, making it a popular program for many different sorts of travelers. If you stay at Marriott or its partner properties often, it’s worth it to become a Marriott Bonvoy member.

It’s free to sign up as a member, and doing so will grant you free Wi-Fi access as well as member discounts. However, the benefits become greater once you obtain one of five status levels: Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador Elite.

To earn elite status, you’ll need to stay at Marriott properties for a specific number of nights each year. Here’s what it takes to reach each level.

While each status level comes with benefits, the Silver and Gold levels only get you modest bonus points and occasional late checkouts or upgrades, depending on availability.

» Learn more: How much are your airline miles and hotel points worth?

The benefits increase when you get to the Platinum and Titanium Elite levels. Many of the best benefits are similar between these two tiers, although there are a few notable extras that Titanium Elite members receive. These are some of the most meaningful perks.

» Learn more: Your guide to the Marriott Bonvoy award chart

The benefits in the chart above make it worth getting to at least the Platinum level. Receiving a 50% bonus on the points you earn with a qualifying stay is a solid reason to achieve this tier. The more points you earn, the more traveling you can do.

Late checkout until 4 p.m. (based on availability), room upgrades, lounge access and a welcome gift (breakfast, bonus points or an amenity) are all nice perks of this tier. Once members stay more than 50 nights in a calendar year, they are eligible for an annual choice benefit, which can include suite upgrades or five elite night credits to count toward next year’s status.

» Learn more: Questions to ask before joining a hotel loyalty program

If earning a lot of points with Platinum Elite makes you cheer, then Titanium Elite’s 75% bonus will have you celebrating. What may surprise you is that this tier’s perks — late checkout, room upgrades, lounge access and a welcome gift — are mostly the same as those for Platinum Elite.

So aside from higher priority for upgrades, what makes Titanium Elite that much more valuable? For some members, not much. But, for those who stay often enough to take advantage of the few extra perks, it is worth aiming higher.

For example, Titanium status members have a 48-hour reservation guarantee, meaning they can secure a room — even if a hotel is full — as long as they book by 3 p.m. local time at least 48 hours before arrival. This can be especially helpful if you tend to book at the last minute.

Status holders also receive an annual choice benefit for staying 50 nights and then another choice benefit after staying an additional 25 nights, which can include suite upgrades, a free night award or elite night credits to count toward next year’s status.

Titanium Elite members also get automatic Premier Silver status with United, thanks to a partnership that awards reciprocal elite status to their most loyal members. Premier Silver status comes with a free checked bag, space-available first class upgrades, bonus miles, preferred economy class seats and better award inventory when redeeming United miles.

While loyal United flyers may have higher status already, this is a nice add-on for those who typically fly other airlines but occasionally find themselves on a United flight.

» Learn more: The best ways to rack up Marriott Bonvoy points

It all boils down to how frequently you travel and the types of hotels in which you stay. If you travel enough to achieve the minimum night threshold for Titanium status (75 nights), then it is certainly worth the effort to stay more frequently at Marriott properties. It gets even easier when you factor in the ability to earn nights toward elite status simply by holding certain credit cards.

While The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with instant Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status (enrollment required), there are other cards that can help you get even farther in the program. Terms apply.

Personal cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (instant Silver Elite status) and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (instant Platinum Elite status) come with 15 (the former) or 25 (the latter) annual elite status qualifying nights that can propel you toward even higher status tiers. Terms apply.

Marriott's newest personal cards, the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card, also come with elite status benefits. Each offers instant Gold status and 15 annual elite status qualifying nights to help you move up the status ladder.

Marriott co-branded business cards, including the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, also provide 15 annual elite status qualifying nights. Having one of each could catapult you more than halfway to Platinum Elite status. Terms apply.

» Learn more: The best hotel credit cards right now

Many Marriott loyalists will tell you it pays to be (almost) at the top of the heap. When a hotel is full, you’re the most likely to secure that suite upgrade — or even get a room at all.

While both Platinum and Titanium elites enjoy similar benefits like club lounge access and breakfast perks, the extra number of points you can earn with Titanium status gets you to the next award redemption faster. If you find yourself on United flights, Marriott Titanium Elite status can help you there, too.

As always, holding a co-branded Marriott credit card will also supersize that points balance no matter what elite status tier is on your account.

Information related to the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.