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Marriott Bonvoy has announced that it has entered into a “preferred partnership” with Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More rewards program which, it says, will provide more ways for members of both programmes to earn and enjoy rewards through travel.
So, what does this mean in practice and who gets access to what?
Miles & More points on stays
All miles & More members who have linked their Marriott Bonvoy and Miles & More accounts online (here) will earn 40 Miles & More points (credits towards elite status) on each qualifying stay up to a maximum of 120 credits per calendar year (so this is maxed out after three stays).
For reference, these are the Miles & More elite status qualification requirements at the time of writing.
A qualifying stay is defined as two consecutive paid nights (so award nights won’t count) at one of the following participating brands:
AC Hotels, Aloft, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, Autograph Collection Hotels,City Express, Courtyard, Delta Hotels, Design Hotels, Edition, Four Points, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Moxy Hotels, Protea Hotels, Four Points Flex, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Element by Westin, StudioRes, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Marriott Vacation Club, Le Meridien, Renaissance Hotels, Tribute Portfolio, Gaylord Hotels, MGM Collection, Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, JW Marriott, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, Westin.
That covers most brands that fall under Marriott’s umbrella and there don’t appear to be any major brands missing.
Bonvoy elite status for select Miles & More elites
Miles & More Senator and HON Circle members will receive Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status for a minimum period of 12 months (from when their accounts are linked) and will continue to hold Bonvoy Gold status if they retain their Senator or HON Circle Miles & More status.
Bonvoy Gold status comes with the following benefits:
- A 25% points bonus on all eligible stays.
- Access to room upgrades on a space available basis.
- A 2pm late checkout (subject to availability).
- A welcome gift of 250 or 500 Bonvoy points on each eligible stay (varies by brand).
- Access to enhanced (faster) internet on all eligible stays.
As you should be able to see, that’s not exactly an exciting set of benefits, but if you don’t already have Bonvoy elite status and you find yourself at a Bonvoy property, it will probably ensure that you don’t get a room overlooking the dumpsters.
Marriott elites get nothing
Unlike what we see with Marriott’s partnership with United Airlines and, to a lesser degree with Marriott’s partnership with Emirates, this partnership with Miles & More offers Bonvoy elites absolutely nothing (other than the opportunity to earn a few elite status credits which may or may not be useful).
There’s no chance to earn Bonvoy points or elite night credits when booking flights with a Miles & More airline, there’s no complimentary elite status (not even for Ambassadors), and there’s not even an offer of a few perks at the airport or onboard.
Even Emirates (not the most generous of airlines) gives Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador elites access to priority check-in at designated check-in counters and priority boarding on eligible flights when they fly with the Middle Eastern carrier.
Quick thoughts
This isn’t really a “partnership” is it? A partnership implies that all the participating parties get something out of the deal that has been struck, but what’s here for Bonvoy elites? I can’t see anything. What am I missing?
Calling this a “preferred partnership” is just marketing nonsense and a very poor attempt at spinning what isn’t anything more than a very small giveaway to Miles & More members as something more important.
Sure, a few Miles and More members may be pleased to discover that they can earn ~14% of the points needed to lock in “Frequent Traveler” status (oh joy!) by completing three stays of 2-night or more with Marriott, but no one will be getting excited about Bonvoy Gold elite status and no Marriott elite will be getting excited about any of this because there’s nothing in it for them.
What a colossal waste of time.
Bottom line
Marriott Bonvoy has announced a partnership with Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More Program, but you don’t have to examine the details of the “partnership” too closely to see that there’s not much substance to it at all.
Yes, Miles and More members can now pick up a few elite night credits through paid stays made at Marriott properties around the world, but with no new benefits for Bonvoy members or Bonvoy elites traveling with Lufthansa Group airlines, I suspect that most people will have forgotten about this partnership by this time tomorrow.
