This Marriott loyalist already has 357 elite night credits — here’s how she (probably) did it
We’re just over 260 days into 2022, and a member of the Marriott Bonvoy Insiders Facebook group has already accrued 357 elite night credits.
Impossible? Far from it. Improbable for most of us? Definitely.
Marriott offers loads of easy ways to pick up bonus elite night credits each year. With a shrewd Marriott credit card strategy paired with some aggressive use of Marriott promotions, even an infrequent traveler could be sitting on 60-plus elite night credits this year.
Admittedly, having 357 elite night credits is bonkers — and would require borderline living in hotels along with the above tricks. However, such a staggering number is a good reminder that there are some cost-effective ways to level up your Marriott elite status before the end of the year.
Automatic elite night credits from credit cards
All Marriott credit cards — including the no-annual-fee Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card — grant you 15 automatic elite night credits each calendar year.
Even better, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card now includes 25 elite nights every year and automatic Platinum Elite status. That’s an enormous help when trying to reach top-tier elite status quickly, and you'll get benefits right out of the gate.
One caveat: The elite night credits you earn from Marriott personal cards don’t stack. So if you’ve got two personal cards that include 15 nights, you’ll still only receive 15 elite night credits (instead of 30).
However, you can stack the credits you earn from a personal card with the 15 credits you’ll earn from the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card. Pair this card with the Bonvoy Brilliant, and you'll have a whopping 40 elite nights in your account without stepping foot in a Marriott property.
Related: What is Marriott elite status worth in 2022?
Credit card spending
If you’re a big spender, you could hypothetically spend your way to prestigious elite status without ever stepping foot in a hotel.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card from Chase has a special superpower that no other Marriott credit card has: For every $5,000 you spend, you’ll earn 1 elite night credit.
Here’s what that means for you: If the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is your only Marriott card, you could earn:
- Platinum status after spending $175,000 in a calendar year.
- Titanium status after spending $300,000 in a calendar year.
If you have the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and the Marriott Bonvoy Business cards (30 automatic elite nights per year), you could earn:
- Platinum status after spending $100,000 in a calendar year.
- Titanium status after spending $225,000 in a calendar year.
This is not the path of least resistance for most of us — but even two or three extra elite night credits might be all the difference between making and missing status. Many cardholders could potentially benefit from funneling expenses through the card.
Related: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless review
Book award stays
When you book an award stay with Marriott points, you’ll earn elite night credits. If you’re close to elite status but you need just a few extra nights, it could be worth:
- Using your points to book a fun award stay that you wouldn’t otherwise have booked (the ideal option).
- Using your points to book a super-cheap award stay near your house for a staycation (the less-than-ideal option).
That second point might sound crazy. Who would sacrifice perfectly good points for a boring low-rent hotel that you don’t necessarily want to stay at? If it’ll elevate your status from Gold to Platinum, it’s almost certainly worthwhile. After all, you can book a night at many hotels, like the Fairfield Inn & Suites Abilene, for as little as 6,000 points per night.
Another note: Marriott offers the fifth night free when you book at least five consecutive award nights. Even if your travel plans include an award stay of four nights, you may as well take the fifth free night and effectively gift yourself a free elite night credit.
Related: What are mattress runs, and how do they work?
Double elite night promotions
For a couple of years now, Marriott has published a promotion allowing you to earn double elite night credits.
The previous promotion ended May 4, so we’re not expecting to see another one until 2023. Still, you can prepare your upcoming travels to take advantage when this promo likely pops up again.
Here’s how quickly you can earn elite status with this deal:
- Gold status: 13 nights.
- Platinum status: 25 nights.
- Titanium status: 38 nights.
- Ambassador status: 50 nights (but the $20,000 in qualifying spending is still required).
Of course, the requirements drop significantly if you also hold Marriott Bonvoy credit cards.
Related: These promotions will make your next hotel stay more rewarding
Book meetings and events
This is a long shot for most of us. However, if you’re an event planner, you can make out like a bandit.
Marriott allows you to earn elite night credits for booking events at a Marriott hotel.
You’ll earn 1 elite night credit for every 20 room nights you book. Your earnings will be capped at 20 elite nights per booking — meaning you’ll have to book at least 400 rooms to max out your earning potential.
Related: 17 ways to earn lots of Marriott Bonvoy points
Bottom line
If you’re not in the points and miles hobby, you might assume the only way to earn elite status is by paying thousands and thousands of dollars for hotel stays each year.
The truth is, you have to spend hardly anything. Between award nights, automatic elite nights from Marriott credit cards, elite night credits earned from credit card spending, etc., you can economically upgrade your Marriott status level before the end of the year.
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How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.60,000 bonus pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees