What Is Marriott Bonvoy [Your Complete Guide]

marriott bonvoy

One of the many perks of owning with Marriott Vacation Club is the unique rewards program, Marriott Bonvoy. This innovative loyalty program offers enrolled members tons of extra benefits, like free nights, complimentary Wi-Fi, discounts, and more. It’s free to sign up, and Marriott timeshare owners can also collect points during their stays. Want to know more? Here’s everything you need to know about Marriott Bonvoy!

Marriott Bonvoy Benefits

Each tier of Marriott Bonvoy comes with its own unique additional perks and benefits. It’s free to sign up, and all Members receive free in-room Wi-Fi, special member rates, and the ability to check in on your mobile phone, as well as use your mobile device as a room key. As you stay more nights at qualifying resorts or hotels, your Member status can also reach benefits like enhanced room upgrades, 75% bonus points on stays, and exclusive lounge access.

Ultimate Reservation Guarantee

Available to all Elite levels of membership, Bonvoy will guarantee compensation for any reservations that cannot be honored. This means that they will pay for your stay at a nearby hotel, and you will be compensated with Marriott Bonvoy points, depending on the brand.

BrandGuest Compensation
EDITION, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Delta Hotels, Le Meridien, Westin, Autograph Collection, Renaissance Hotels, Tribute Portfolio, Gaylord Hotels*$200 USD
*90,000 Points
Courtyard, Four Points, Springhill Suites, Protea Hotels, Fairfield by Marriott, AC Hotels, Aloft, Moxy Hotels, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Element*$100 USD
*Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elite members will also receive 90,000 points
City Express by Marriott, Four Points Flex by Sheraton, Series by Marriott, StudioRes*$50 USD 
Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador Elite members will also receive $50 USD + 45,000 points
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis*Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members receive $200 USD and 140,000 points

In-Hotel Welcome Gifts

Once you reach Elite status levels, you’ll receive special welcome gifts upon arrival to your participating hotel. Gold Elite members will receive Marriott Bonvoy points only. However, Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elite members can choose between earning points, free breakfast, or a food & breakfast amenity. When these guarantees are not met, guest compensation will apply.

Guaranteed Room Type

At participating locations, Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elite members can note room and bed preferences. Be sure to note your Member number when making a reservation and Marriott Bonvoy will always honor bed type requests throughout the U.S. and Canada. Smoking/non-smoking preferences are honored based on availability, but bed sizes are not guaranteed. Only Titanium and Ambassador Elite members have priority guarantee for their bed and room type. If guarantees are not met, members receive guest compensation depending on hotel/resort brand.

Lounge Access

At Platinum Elite levels and higher, Marriott Bonvoy members are granted lounge access plus one guest. Members-only lounges are available at select hotels and resorts, which provide a quiet atmosphere, private bar, and comfortable seating arrangements.

48-Hour Room Guarantee

For those last-minute trips, Titanium and Ambassador Elite members can make a new reservation 48 hours before arrival at any participating hotels. This excludes Marriott Vacation Club resorts, Vistana, and Design Hotels.

Marriott Bonvoy Levels

To access higher tiers of membership, members must stay more nights at qualifying resorts or hotels. As you stay, you’ll also earn points that can be redeemed for special extras. Marriott Bonvoy levels of membership are as follows:

  • Member—0-9 nights per year
  • Silver Elite—10-24 nights per year
  • Gold Elite—25-49 nights per year
  • Platinum Elite—50-74 nights per year
  • Titanium Elite—75-99 nights per year
  • Ambassador Elite—100+ nights per year and $23,000 in annual qualifying spend

Take a look at the Marriott Bonvoy benefits at a glance as you climb to each tier of membership:

BenefitsMemberSilver EliteGold ElitePlatinum EliteTitanium EliteAmbassador Elite
Complimentary In-Room Wifitimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pin
Marriott Bonvoy Member Ratestimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pin
Mobile Check-In/Servicestimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pin
Ultimate Reservation Guaranteetimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pin
Points Bonustimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pin
Late CheckoutPriority Late Checkout2 p.m.4 p.m.4 p.m.4 p.m.
Dedicated Elite SupportStay 50 Qualifying NightsStay 75 Qualifying Nights
In-Hotel Welcome GiftPointsPoints, Breakfast, or AmenityPoints, Breakfast, or AmenityPoints, Breakfast, or Amenity
Enhanced Room Upgradetimeshares only map pinIncluding Select SuitesIncluding Select SuitesIncluding Select Suites
Lounge Accesstimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pin
Guaranteed Room Typetimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pin
Annual Choice Benefittimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pin
48-Hour Guaranteetimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pin
Ambassador Servicetimeshares only map pin
Ambassador Plus One timeshares only map pin
Your24™timeshares only map pin
Emirates Skywardtimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pintimeshares only map pin
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®Fast Track to Five Star®Five Star®President’s Circle®
SIXT Status MatchSIXT Gold CardSIXT Platinum CardSIXT Platinum Card
United Mileage Plus®timeshares only map pintimeshares only map pin

Lifetime Elite Status

There are three additional tiers for Marriott Bonvoy members that reach Lifetime level. This means you’ll always receive your Elite benefits and points will never expire. To achieve Lifetime status, you will need 250 Lifetime Nights and five years of Elite status under your belt. Lifetime Silver Elite members are granted priority late check-out, 10% bonus points on stays, and exclusive member rates.

With 400 Lifetime Nights and seven years of Elite status, members reach Lifetime Gold Elite, which also includes benefits like 25% bonus points on stays, enhanced room upgrades, and 2 PM late checkout.

Finally, Lifetime Platinum Elite status can be achieved by accumulating 750 Lifetime Nights and ten years of Platinum Elite status or higher. Lifetime Platinum Elite members have the benefit of 50% bonus points on stays, annual gift choice, 4 PM late checkout, and more.

How Marriott Bonvoy Works

RCI Cruises

Members of Marriott Bonvoy can earn points simply by signing up (for free!), and staying at participating resorts and hotels. But, there are more ways to earn points than that. Sign up for a Chase Marriott Bonvoy credit card to earn unlimited points from spending at participating hotels, travel purchases, and more. Members can also earn points with Hertz rental cars, or booking a cruise with top cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival, Disney, and Princess.

Eat Around Town by Marriott Bonvoy is an additional way to earn more points. Choose from over 11,000+ U.S. restaurants to dine with and earn points for every dollar you spend. Members can combine accounts to redeem even more. Bonvoy points can be used to book stays at hotels or resorts, pay for cars or flights, and redeem gift cards.

Frequently Asked Questions About Marriott Bonvoy

Can You Gift Marriott Bonvoy Points?

Yes, you can gift your Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Points. You must contact Marriott directly and have the recipient’s member number on hand. The minimum amount you can transfer is 1,000 points, and the maximum transfer amount allowed is 100,000 points per calendar year.

Can I Buy More Points?

Members can also buy additional Loyalty Points if they would like to. It’s as simple as going online here and selecting the number of points you would like to buy. Normally, 1,000 points cost approximately $12.50, meaning each point is valued at around $0.0125. You can redeem points for free night stays, gift cards, discounted airfare and car rentals, and more.

New members are not able to purchase points until 30 days after enrollment, so long as the account shows qualifying activity. After a year of membership, members can purchase additional loyalty points regardless of account activity.

Does It Cost Money to Join?

It is completely free to sign up for Marriott Bonvoy. You will never need to spend additional money on your membership if you do not want to purchase additional points. Earning points comes from qualifying hotel/resort stays, dining, airfare, etc.

Do Points Expire?

Marriott Bonvoy points will expire if your account does not reflect any qualifying activity for 24 consecutive months. If there is no qualifying activity for five years, your account may be deactivated. Expired points can unfortunately not be reinstated. However, if you are a member with a Lifetime Elite status, your points will never expire.

Otherwise, to keep your points from expiring, you can stay at any qualifying hotel/resort, make a purchase using any co-branded Bonvoy credit card at least once every two years, use Hertz for car rentals, and more.

Convert Marriott Vacation Club Points to Bonvoy Points

One of the many benefits of Marriott Vacation Club ownership is the ability to convert your Club points to Bonvoy points. Convert your ownership points to spend them on free nights at participating resorts and hotels, book airfare, redeem gift cards, etc. Or, stay at a plethora of even more amazing hotels and resorts within the Marriott brand. Owners who enroll can also earn Bonvoy points for staying at their Home resort.

Want to Learn More?

Check out our complete guide to Marriott Vacation Club benefits!

Maximize Membership With a Marriott Timeshare

Take advantage of all the extras Marriott Bonvoy gives members when you are also an owner with Marriott Vacation Club. Browse our Marriott timeshares for sale, available at lower prices than when you buy directly from Marriott. Our resort marketplace has an inventory of top Marriott resorts that owners love. Take a look at Marriott Aruba resorts, or go international with Marriott resorts in Europe. Have questions? Call one of our expert specialists at 1-800-610-2734 or email us at [email protected].

Try Marriott Vacation Club Before You Buy

Still on the fence about vacation ownership? Try before you buy with a Marriott Vacation Club timeshare rental! Get all the timeshare perks with none of the commitment. Then, if you decide vacation ownership is right for you, come back and browse our resale marketplace!

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