Marriott Bonvoy® Offers Elite Members Soft Landings

by Anthony Losanno
Marriott-Bonvoy

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Marriott Bonvoy® announced that it will grant members who did not requalify for their current status a one-tier drop for 2023. This means that non-qualifying:

  • Ambassadors will become Titanium Elites
  • Titanium Elites will become Platinum Elites
  • Platinum Elites will become Gold Elites
  • Gold Elites will become Silver Elites

This is in line with what Marriott used to offer with its past loyalty program, Marriott Rewards. Guests never dropped more than one tier regardless of what they earned the prior year.

W Beach

Personally, I made the choice this year to not requalify for Ambassador. I had the 100+ nights, but was $2,280 under the $20,000 spend requirement. I do not find much value in the current status (although I did appreciate the $100 gift card) and will see what Titanium Elite has in store for me in 2023. I qualified for Titanium Elite by earning 116 nights, so this soft landing won’t impact me.

Anthony’s Take: It’s nice that Marriott is going back to an old soft-landing policy. It doesn’t impact me (other than possibly being able to argue that there are too many elite members).

Anthony’s Credit Card Pick: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a must for frequent Marriott guests. Its annual fee is $650, but I have found that the dining credits, free night, and other benefits easily make this up. An excellent welcome bonus makes it even better. It will always have a place in my wallet. Learn more about the cardRates & Fees. Terms apply.

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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.

7 comments

ghostrider5408 January 4, 2023 - 3:15 pm

If one thinks Marriott’s CEO is being beneficent think again, Marriott recognizes they have issues with their FT ( I being one) this “soft landing” offer is their way of keeping travelers hooked rather than look around, as they should be.

Nope don’t buy this one.

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Frankfurt Airport Lufthansa
Anthony Losanno January 4, 2023 - 3:18 pm

You might be right. Marriott has seemed more interested in its hotel owners than guests for some time.

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David St Hubbins January 10, 2023 - 9:28 pm

Agree! Lifetime Titanium

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Bill Nichols January 10, 2023 - 10:52 pm

I read about how members are not treated kindly. I have yet to experience this in my 20+ years as a loyal Marriott member.
Most of my requests have been granted and I always get treated kindly.
Maybe guests expect to have every request granted.

Just my 2cents.
I am a Titanium Lifetime Member.

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Tim January 10, 2023 - 11:20 pm

Given that their whole program has become almost worthless, who cares?

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Chuck C January 11, 2023 - 1:50 am

What does this mean for Lifetime Titanium Elite members? I am also wondering why I am holding on to the Amex Convoy Brilliant Card,

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Frankfurt Airport Lufthansa
Anthony Losanno January 11, 2023 - 2:24 am

It has no impact on Lifetime Titanium. The card is good for earning bonus points and the credits for restaurants, St. Regis/Ritz, etc.

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