Confirmed: Marriott Bonus Nights Credit Trigger Annual Choice Benefit
I held my breath hoping to get lucky on this, and I can confirm that the 2020 Marriott bonus nights DO trigger the annual choice benefit. For Platinum and Titanium Elite members, the 50% bonus nights credits trigger the status benefit. Here’s the proof.
Marriott Bonus Nights 2020
As previously covered, Marriott is giving everyone 50% bonus nights. These credits are based on the status that you earned in 2020. I mentioned that I’m not lifting a finger with Marriott this year, since the Platinum Elite status I earned for this year will be honored through next year, also. Remember that Marriott announced back in March that you will get 15 nights’ credit for personal AND business Marriott co-branded credit cards.
If you’re not following, here’s what I hoped would happen:
- Automatic 30 nights from having personal + business credit cards
- 25 nights from the 50% Marriott bonus nights credit in 2020
That adds up to 55. It seems too good to be true.
Marriott Bonus Nights Trigger Annual Choice Benefit
I held my breath and didn’t say anything to anyone. My dream came true. A day after the 50% bonus nights posted to my Bonvoy account, I got an email saying I could pick my annual choice benefit. For those unaware, Platinum and Titanium Elites with Marriott can choose an annual gift.
I’ve stayed 0 nights at a Marriott property this year, to be clear. The benefit was triggered simply from my automatic credits from having personal & business credit cards plus the 50% Marriott bonus nights they are giving to all members this year.
I always choose the Suite Night Awards, which you can use to request a suite upgrade on any stay, even when booking a basic room. There’s something to be said about choosing the 5 Elite Night Credits, if you’re shooting for Titanium, but I’m not. I got an immediate email confirming my selection. My new suite nights show in my account, combined with the ones I already earned. I’ve already tacked 2 onto a reservation, so you see that I have 8 Suite Night Awards available for the coming year.
Final Thoughts
Marriott hasn’t gotten much right in the past 2 years. This…this is a gold mine. I didn’t want to jinx it, so I crossed my fingers and waited. I’m really excited to see that the Marriott bonus nights credit for 2020 has triggered my annual choice benefit. It triggered the status perks, even though I hit the required threshold just from bonuses without setting foot in a hotel.
Check your account. If your nights have posted and bumped you past the required number, you should be able to pick your Platinum or Titanium gifts.
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Has anyone not received choice benefit email? I ended up with 60+ nights after the bonus credit, but no email notification.
If you log into your account and go here, does it let you choose?
https://choice-benefit.marriott.com/en-us/marriott-bonvoy
Thanks for the link. The email finally arrived this afternoon confirming the benefit. I guess it takes some time to process it.
Glad to hear it!
I received an email from Marriott. With the bonus I now have 73 nights. So 2 nights shy of Titanium.
Maybe you have set your profile to not send you emails. Log in, go to Profile and edit Communication Preferences. If you turn everything off, you won’t hear from Marriott.
Nice. Even if everything goes haywire, an inexpensive 2 night mattress run is worth it.
I never really work toward making status. I travel so much for work that I tend to be Titanium every year at my company’s expense. Just today I was informed that I’ll be working from home until at least 2021. So no hotel stays in my future for this year.
MAYBE I’ll book a weekend for my other job but it is doubtful.
So I have the ritz chase personal, Marriott brilliant personal and a Marriott business, but I only got 15 nights and then 13 from lifetime gold. Has anyone had this issue?
Do you have the Chase or the Amex biz card? I haven’t personally had the Chase version, and my question that no one seems to know is whether they updated their terms anywhere (the old public info isn’t updated, and the card is closed to new applicants) saying they will allow the stacking of 15 + 15. The Amex Marriott personal & biz cards updated their terms. The Chase personal card updated its terms. Check if your terms for the Chase Marriott biz (assuming that’s your card) got updated. If you have the Amex version, ask them why it’s missing, because it’s already in writing.
I have the chase ritz and the other two Amex personal and Amex biz. I’m not sure which card the 15 nights came from So I will have to ask
Regardless of the Chase Ritz, the Amex personal Marriott and Amex business Marriott should each give you 15, so you should have 30. Something is wrong here, and they need to fix it for you.
Hal – did you ever talk to Marriott and/or Amex to get this sorted out?
I’ll go even better for my account. I’m lifetime Titanium so got 38 nights credited for that even though I didn’t “earn” but maybe 10 in 2019. That w the 15 nights for having the credit card got me the annual bonus – gotta love it
You said something nice and positive today. Proud of you 🙂
Thanks for sharing.
I got the same thing – exactly 50 nights credit for me for the first time. So I think you answered my question without me even asking. It seems like if you pick the suite award right now, you still have until Dec of 2021 to use them. I was wondering whether there was a 1 year time limit on when you pick your gift, but I guess not.
Since you earn status this year for next year, the suite nights are valid through all of next year.
You have until January 8th, 2021 to make your choice. And if you don’t make a selection by that date, you’ll receive the Suite Night Awards by default. I got my email this morning. 67 Nights with zero stays this year. Enjoy!
Steve – you thinking about making a move for Titanium or no?