Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card Platinum Elite: Unlocking Hotel and Loyalty Benefits

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Modern architecture of JW Marriott Hotel in downtown Lima, Peru, surrounded by palm trees.
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The Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card Platinum Elite offers a range of benefits that can enhance your hotel stays and loyalty experience. With this card, you'll earn 6X points per dollar spent at participating Marriott hotels, making it a great choice for frequent travelers.

You'll also receive a free night award every year, redeemable for a free night at any Marriott hotel or resort. This can be a significant perk, especially if you have a favorite hotel or destination in mind.

In addition to these benefits, the Platinum Elite card comes with a $300 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees, which can save you time and hassle when traveling internationally.

Benefits

The Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite benefits are a game-changer for frequent travelers. You'll get a free night award each year for properties that cost up to 85,000 points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card.

The card also comes with complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Status, which can help you earn lifetime elite status. You'll also get 25 annual Elite Night Credits to boost your status even faster.

Take a look at this: Marriott Rewards Credit Cards

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One of the most valuable benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card is the up to $300 in statement credits each year to use at restaurants worldwide. This can add up to significant savings, especially if you dine out frequently.

You'll also get access to the highest level of perks and benefits available to loyalty program members, including suite upgrades and free breakfast, with top-tier elite status.

Here are some of the key benefits of top-tier elite status:

  • The highest level of perks and benefits available to loyalty program members, including suite upgrades and free breakfast.
  • The ability to earn more points than other loyalty members, like receiving 30%–100% bonus points during paid stays.
  • Opportunity to status match to the highest elite tier of other loyalty programs.
  • There also can be a “cool factor.” The special treatment from hotel staff, welcome gifts, ability to skip long check-in lines, and complimentary lounge access all combine to give you the sense that you are genuinely appreciated.

Earning and Nights

Earning Marriott Bonvoy elite status is a great way to unlock exclusive benefits and perks, and credit cards can play a significant role in achieving it. You can earn up to 40 elite nights per year from credit cards alone, which is just 35 nights away from Titanium Elite status.

To earn elite nights, you can double dip with consumer and business cards, but you must be the primary cardholder on both cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, for example, earns 25 elite nights annually, while the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card earns 15 elite nights.

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Here's a breakdown of the elite nights you can earn with each Marriott cobranded card:

You can also earn elite nights by staying at Marriott Bonvoy-participating properties with qualifying rates, which requires a minimum of 50 qualifying nights.

American Express

The American Express card options for Marriott Bonvoy enthusiasts are quite impressive. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card offers a 25% earnings bonus on eligible hotel purchases, plus 15 Elite Night Credits toward Platinum Elite, all for a $250 annual fee.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card takes it up a notch with a $650 annual fee, but includes benefits like up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide. It also offers a welcome bonus of 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening.

For business owners, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card offers 15 Elite Night Credits and complimentary Marriott Gold Elite status, with a $125 annual fee. This card also offers a welcome bonus of 175,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Here are the key benefits of each American Express card option:

Dedicated Support

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As an American Express cardholder, you'll appreciate the dedicated support available to you.

You can access dedicated elite support by calling 877-739-2737.

American Express

The American Express card offers a range of benefits for travelers, including Marriott loyalty perks. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card has a hefty $650 annual fee, but it makes up for it with benefits like up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide.

Card members also receive 25 Elite Night Credits and guaranteed Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status. The card offers a welcome bonus of 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening.

The Amex Platinum Card is another option for travelers, with a $695 annual fee. It offers complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold status to cardholders, along with complimentary Hilton Honors elite status. This status gets you benefits like room upgrades, late checkout, a 25% points bonus on paid stays, and a welcome gift.

Elegant billiard table in a stylish hotel lobby in Indianapolis, offering a cozy setting for leisure.
Credit: pexels.com, Elegant billiard table in a stylish hotel lobby in Indianapolis, offering a cozy setting for leisure.

The Amex Platinum Card also offers a sky-high welcome bonus of 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership.

Here are the annual fees for some of the American Express cards mentioned:

  • Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card: $250
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card: $650
  • Amex Platinum Card: $695
  • Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card: $125

Hotel and Loyalty Programs

Hotel elite status is a game-changer for frequent travelers, offering perks like suite upgrades and free breakfast. Originally, it was reserved for a select group of loyal guests, but now it's more accessible to those who consistently choose a hotel brand.

Top-tier elite status can be earned through loyalty programs, which reward members with benefits like bonus points and special access. These programs have become more competitive, with hotels focusing on stays rather than nights to determine status.

To maximize the benefits of hotel elite status, track your rewards and utilize them before they expire. This can be done using a reward tracking app, which can help you stay organized and make the most of your loyalty program.

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Some benefits of top-tier elite status include the ability to earn more points, status match to other loyalty programs, and a "cool factor" that comes with special treatment from hotel staff. This can include welcome gifts, skipping check-in lines, and complimentary lounge access.

Here are some benefits of top-tier elite status:

  • The highest level of perks and benefits available to loyalty program members, including suite upgrades and free breakfast.
  • The ability to earn more points than other loyalty members, like receiving 30%–100% bonus points during paid stays.
  • Opportunity to status match to the highest elite tier of other loyalty programs.
  • There also can be a “cool factor.” The special treatment from hotel staff, welcome gifts, ability to skip long check-in lines, and complimentary lounge access all combine to give you the sense that you are genuinely appreciated.

Hotel Benefits

Hotel benefits are a major perk of hotel loyalty programs. You can earn top-tier elite status, which offers the highest level of perks and benefits available to loyalty program members, including suite upgrades and free breakfast.

One of the most valuable benefits of top-tier elite status is the ability to earn more points than other loyalty members, like receiving 30%–100% bonus points during paid stays. This can add up quickly and help you reach your loyalty goals faster.

Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elites get complimentary lounge access, breakfast, and other amenities served there. This benefit is available at participating hotel brands that have lounges, such as Autograph Collection, Courtyard, and JW Marriott.

For your interest: Amex Platinum Card Points

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As a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite, you'll also get complimentary Wi-Fi in your guest room, not just in the hotel's public areas. This is a great perk for staying connected while on the road.

Room upgrades are available to Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status holders, and in some cases, they include select suites. However, upgrades depend on the hotel and availability.

Marriott Bonvoy offers a variety of credit cards that can help you earn elite night credits and bonus points. Some cards, like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, offer up to 25 elite night credits per year.

Late Checkout

Late checkout is a great perk to look out for when staying at a Marriott property. Platinum Elites can enjoy a guaranteed late checkout at 4 p.m. at most Marriott properties.

This benefit is subject to availability at resort and convention hotels, so it's always a good idea to check ahead of time to confirm.

Compare the Top

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We've examined all cards on the market to give Marriott fans the best possible options.

Business Insider's credit card writers and editors have done the research to provide concrete Marriott-specific perks, as well as other benefits that will upgrade the rest of your travels.

This means you can trust our recommendations, as we've included more than just co-branded Marriott credit cards in our roundup.

The offers mentioned are accurate at the time of publication, but are subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

Our methodology involves rating and reviewing credit cards to give you the best possible options, and you can read more about it in our guide.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

If this caught your attention, see: Amex Platinum Card Options

Application and Details

With the Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card Platinum Elite, you can earn 5x points on eligible purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.

The card offers a generous sign-up bonus of 80,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.

You'll also get a free night award every year on your account anniversary, redeemable for a night at a participating Marriott property with a redemption value up to 35,000 points.

Explore further: Platinum Card Points

8. Guarantee

Elegant hotel lobby featuring a modern reception desk and designer lighting.
Credit: pexels.com, Elegant hotel lobby featuring a modern reception desk and designer lighting.

Marriott offers an Ultimate Reservation Guarantee, which is a game-changer for travelers.

If you make a hotel reservation with Marriott, they guarantee to honor it. This means you can book with confidence, knowing they'll be there to back you up.

If Marriott can't honor your reservation for any reason, they'll pay for you to stay at a nearby hotel and compensate you for the inconvenience. This guarantee gives you peace of mind and ensures you'll be taken care of, no matter what.

How to Get

To get the necessary documents for your application, start by gathering your identification documents, such as a valid passport and proof of address.

Make sure to have a clear and recent photo, as it will be required for the application process.

The required documents may vary depending on the specific application, so be sure to check the application details carefully.

You can usually find the required documents listed in the application form or on the application website.

Spacious hotel lobby featuring modern decor, blue chairs, and natural light.
Credit: pexels.com, Spacious hotel lobby featuring modern decor, blue chairs, and natural light.

For most applications, you will need to provide proof of income, such as a recent pay stub or tax return.

Some applications may also require additional documents, such as a police certificate or medical report.

Ensure that all your documents are in order and easily accessible, as you will need to submit them as part of the application process.

Double-check the application details to confirm the specific documents required for your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

You'll typically need at least good credit to excellent credit to qualify for any of the Marriott credit cards, which means a FICO score of at least 670.

Marriott points transfer to 40 airline and hotel partners, giving you flexibility in how you use your rewards.

Some Marriott credit cards come with annual fees, ranging from the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card with no annual fee to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card with a $650 annual fee.

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Marriott points expire if your account doesn't have any qualifying activity in 24 months, but it's relatively easy to keep them from expiring by earning points from co-branded credit cards, stays, points transfers, or converting points to miles.

125,000 Bonvoy points are worth $875 toward Marriott Bonvoy hotel stays, according to Business Insider's points valuations, although the value can vary depending on where you redeem your points.

Table of Contents

Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status is the second-highest tier in the program, making it a great option for those who want to enjoy the benefits of Elite status without having to travel frequently for work.

You can earn Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status by holding the right credit card, which is a more accessible option than earning Titanium Elite status.

Here are the key details you need to know about Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status:

  • Marriott Bonvoy has almost 200 million members, making it the largest hotel loyalty program.
  • The program offers 14 benefits to Platinum Elite members, which we'll cover in a later section.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite members can enjoy perks such as a dedicated customer service line and a complimentary room upgrade.
  • The program has more than 30 hotel brands and thousands of hotels across 139 countries.

To make the most of your Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, it's essential to understand the benefits and how to use them effectively.

Maximizing and Alternatives

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To maximize the benefits of your Marriott credit card, track your rewards and use them before they expire. You can use a reward tracking app to keep everything in one convenient place.

Award nights and free night awards count toward your elite qualification, so be sure to use them strategically. This can help you move closer to your desired elite status tier.

Using free night certificates from Marriott cobranded credit cards can count as three nights toward your elite status tier, making them a valuable asset in your Marriott elite status qualification strategy.

Alternatives

If you don't frequent Marriott Bonvoy properties often, it might not be worth it to aim for Platinum Elite status. You may not be able to earn status through staying enough nights.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card has an annual fee that might not be worth it if you don't stay at Marriott properties frequently. This card is required to earn automatic Platinum Elite status.

A stunning hotel lobby showcasing elegant and symmetrical architecture with stylish furniture.
Credit: pexels.com, A stunning hotel lobby showcasing elegant and symmetrical architecture with stylish furniture.

Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite status require more nights than Platinum Elite status, but offer fewer perks. These higher tiers might not be as appealing when considering the requirements compared to the perks.

If you're loyal to other hotel brands, it might be worth exploring their loyalty programs instead of focusing on Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status.

Alternative Income Streams

Earning elite status with Marriott Bonvoy can bring numerous benefits, including complimentary lounge access, late checkout, and bonus points on stays. One way to maximize these benefits is by holding the right credit card, such as the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, which automatically grants Platinum Elite status.

If you're not a frequent Marriott guest, you may not be able to earn status through stays alone, making the annual fee on premium cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card not worth it for you.

However, if you do frequent Marriott properties, you can earn elite qualifying nights and stays through credit card sign-ups, such as the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, which offers 25 annual Elite Night Credits and a free night award each year.

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To give you a better idea of the benefits of top-tier elite status, here are some perks you can expect:

  • The highest level of perks and benefits available to loyalty program members, including suite upgrades and free breakfast.
  • The ability to earn more points than other loyalty members, like receiving 30%–100% bonus points during paid stays.
  • Opportunity to status match to the highest elite tier of other loyalty programs.
  • There also can be a “cool factor.” The special treatment from hotel staff, welcome gifts, ability to skip long check-in lines, and complimentary lounge access all combine to give you the sense that you are genuinely appreciated.

Additionally, if you earn 50 Elite Night Credits, you'll get to choose one of the Annual Choice Benefits, which can include 5 Nightly Upgrade Awards, a $1,000 discount on a bed, or gift Silver Elite status to a family member or friend.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status?

To become a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member, you must stay 50 nights in a year at a Marriott property. This can be achieved by accumulating nights throughout the year, not necessarily consecutively.

Is platinum status at Marriott worth it?

Marriott Platinum status offers valuable perks like late checkout, free breakfast, and room upgrades, making it a worthwhile investment for frequent travelers. If you stay with Marriott often, Platinum status can provide significant benefits and enhance your hotel experience.

How long does Marriott Platinum status last?

Marriott Platinum status lasts for the remainder of the current calendar year and an additional 14 months. This means you'll enjoy benefits through the next year and into the first two months of the following year.

How to become Marriott Platinum for Life?

To become Marriott Platinum for Life, you'll need to accumulate 600 lifetime nights and maintain Platinum Elite status for 10 consecutive years. Reaching this milestone requires a significant amount of loyalty and travel, but the rewards are well worth the effort.

What card gives you Marriott Platinum status?

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card offers complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status. This benefit is exclusive to the Basic Card Member.

Richard Harvey-Nolan

Junior Writer

Richard Harvey-Nolan is a rising star in the world of journalism, with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in economics and a love for finance, he brings a unique perspective to his writing. As a young journalist, Richard has already made a name for himself in the industry, covering a range of topics including precious metals news.

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