The Offer
Marriott has launched a new status match challenge for Base, Silver, or Gold members. Per Marriott Bonvoy website, “All you have to do is show proof of your Elite membership in another loyalty program and a stay within the last 12 months to get upgraded. Then, stay a reduced number of nights within 90 days to keep your new status until February 2022.”
You will have immediate Gold or Platinum status for the next 90 days. In order to maintain Gold status, you need just 5 eligible paid nights. For Platinum status, you must have 15 eligible paid nights. If you can complete either of those challenges, you will keep your status until February 2022.
In order to sign up, visit the registration landing page.
Analysis
As with any status match or promotion, it is important to read the terms and conditions. Additionally, if you do not think you can accomplish the nights, I would not sign up. It is important that with these challenges you have a plan for most of the stays. You can always pick up a remaining paid night locally if needed at the last minute. Gold is the easiest, while Platinum requires an average of 5 paid nights per month for the next three months. Overall, unless your employer is paying for your stays, paying cash for 15 nights to receive Platinum status makes sense for almost no one.
The level of match will depend on your status. For example, to go for Marriott Platinum, you would need Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold or Diamond, IHG Platinum, or Accor Platinum and Diamond.
Gold earns you benefits like 2pm checkout, welcome gift of points, upgrade potential, bonus points paid stays. Platinum earns you 4pm checkout, welcome gift of points, breakfast or amenity, 50% bonus points on stays, and lounge access where available.
If you're planning to take advantage of this challenge, make sure you to use a Marriott Bonvoy card to earn up to 10x points per dollar on Marriott stays. The current offer on the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card is elevated at 100,000 points, after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening. The card has a $95 annual fee and includes a free annual night certificate (up to 35,000 points) Therefore, this challenge can assist in meeting your minimum spend.
Final Thoughts
Status Match challenges can be a great way to utilize your status in another program to add on a second program. Having status with multiple programs can add flexibility for your planning when going on a trip. Marriott has been having some great sales so it may be a chance to add on to some planned stays. I am not sure on the timing as summer is ending, but perhaps Marriott is hoping to boost stays heading into the fall.
Will you jump on this Status Match challenge? Come over to our Facebook group and let us know your thoughts.
