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If you had Marriott Bonvoy elite status in 2023 but didn’t earn enough elite night credits to retain elite status 2024, you may be expecting to lose that status after your benefits run out at the end of February. That is, after all, what usually happens (when pandemics aren’t ravaging the planet).
This year, however, that won’t be the case for Bonvoy members with Gold, Platinum or Titanium elite status as Marriott is handing out ‘soft landings’.
What is a soft landing?
A ‘soft landing’ is the term used when, at the end of an elite benefits period, a loyalty program only drops a member’s elite status by one tier even though that member didn’t collect enough elite credits in the preceding year to enjoy that level of status.
In practical terms this means that someone who currently holds Marriott Platinum Elite status through February 2024 but who only earned 15 elite night credits in 2023 (for example) will not see their elite status drop to Bonvoy Silver. Marriott will only drop that member down to Bonvoy Gold status and they will enjoy that status though February 2025 (unless they boost that status by any stays made in 2024).
Where is this confirmed?
This page on Marriott’s website confirms the Bonvoy program’s plans for 2024 and it’s where you’ll find this wording:
In January 2024, all Members will have their 2023 loyalty activity evaluated as follows:
- Members who achieved their existing Elite status again in 2023 will have their current status renewed through February 2025.
- Members who did not re-achieve their existing Elite status in 2023 will be offered one tier below their current status through February 2025. Members will see their new status in March 2024 and can enjoy their existing status through February 2024.
- Members who achieved a higher Elite status during 2023 already have a status expiration date of February 2025.
Be aware that members who are due to get soft landings may not be informed of this as Marriott’s website only mentions “[m]embers who qualify to renew their current elite status” when discussing who will be receiving emails in February confirming their elite status through February 2025.
Those getting soft landings may have to check their online accounts when 1 March 2024 comes around.
What elite status can you expect?
Assuming you didn’t collect enough elite night credits in 2023 to earn any kind of meaningful elite status through February 2025, this is what you can expect:
- Ambassador elites will drop to Titanium elite (probably*)
- Titanium elites will drop to Platinum elite (not a significant drop at all)
- Platinum elites will drop to Gold elite (a mostly useless status level)
- Gold elites will drop to Silver elite (a completely useless status level)
*I’m waiting to get confirmation that Ambassador elites will get a soft landing to Titanium elite as I don’t know for sure what Marriott’s plans are for its Ambassadors.
Have access to US credit cards? Don’t rely on Marriott!
Most Bonvoy members who reside outside of the US usually have to earn Bonvoy status the hard way (i.e. by actually meeting the elite status criteria set out in the Bonvoy terms and conditions).
Those of in the US, however, have no such restriction as we can enjoy Marriott Bonvoy elite status just by holding a credit card. Specifically, these are the key cards that offer Marriott Bonvoy elite status (terms apply).
Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card – $650 annual fee
Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card – $250 annual fee (See Rates and Fees; terms apply)
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ credit card – $250 annual fee
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card – $125 annual fee
- The Platinum Card® from American Express – $695 annual fee
Bonvoy Silver Elite status
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® credit card credit card – $0 annual fee
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card – $95 annual fee
Note: Some of the credit cards listed above will also allow a cardholder to spend their way to a higher elite status.
Bottom line
Marriott has confirmed that it will be handing out soft landings this year for most elite members who, for whatever reason, didn’t earn enough elite night credits in 2023 to maintain their status through 2024.
No doubt this will result in howls of anguish from all those who believe that they earned their elite status ‘the hard way’ and who also believe that they’ll be unable to use make the most of their hard-earned benefits thanks to the new ‘fake elites’, but, frankly, who cares!
Good luck to all who get to keep Bonvoy elite status for another year thanks to the soft landings. May your hotel stays be more comfortable than you were expecting.
