6 reasons to strive for Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status
Editor's Note
When you look at the Marriott Bonvoy elite status requirements and benefits, you might think Platinum Elite status is the sweet spot. After all, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status offers many of the perks you might be looking for, including:
- Room upgrades: Upgrades, including suites, based on availability on the day of arrival and as determined by participating hotels.
- Lounge access: Lounge access for you and a guest staying in your room at select Marriott Bonvoy brands.
- Late checkout at 4 p.m.: Guaranteed late checkout at most Marriott Bonvoy properties.
However, now that you can get complimentary Platinum Elite status as a perk of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, it's more appealing than ever to strive for one tier higher: Titanium Elite status. Here are the reasons why I'm going for Titanium Elite status this year.
You can shortcut the 75-night requirement
It typically takes 75 nights per year to earn Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status. There's a shortcut, though: Select Marriott Bonvoy credit cards give you elite night credits each year as a perk of holding the card.
Most Marriott Bonvoy cards provide 15 elite night credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy Elite status each year. However, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card provides 25 elite night credits each year.
You can earn elite night credits from, at most, one business card and one personal card. If you have the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, you'll get 40 elite night credits each year from your cards. Then, you'd only need to stay with Marriott 35 nights each calendar year to earn Titanium Elite status.
You can also earn one elite night credit for every $5,000 you spend on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. That's a lot of spending per elite night credit, but it can be a good way to top off your elite night balance to reach a particular status.
Related: The complete guide to earning Marriott elite status with credit cards
75-night annual Choice Benefit
Marriott provides its members annual Choice Benefits when they reach 50 and 75 eligible elite night credits in a calendar year. I earned a 50-night annual Choice Benefit when I qualified for Platinum Elite status earlier this year.
I'll be able to select a 75-night annual Choice Benefit when I qualify for Titanium Elite status. These are my choices at the 75-night milestone:
- Five Suite Night Awards.
- 40% off a Marriott bed.
- $100 charity donation.
- Gift Gold Elite status to a friend or family member.
- Five elite night credits.
- One free night award with a redemption value of up to 40,000 points.
For me, the decision comes down to Suite Night Awards or a free night award. If I think I’ll be able to use five more Suite Night Awards (I plan to choose five as my 50-night annual Choice Benefit), that option may provide more value than the free night award worth up to 40,000 points. TPG’s valuations peg the value of 40,000 Marriott points at $336, but suite upgrades can be worth much more depending on the property.
Related: How I used 15 Marriott Suite Night Awards in 10 months with 100% approval
United Silver status
Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members can register for complimentary United MileagePlus Premier Silver elite status. This partnership is one of the main reasons I’m pushing for Titanium Elite status. United Premier Silver status gives me the following perks when I fly United:
- Preferred seating at booking for me and up to eight companions on United.
- Economy Plus at check-in for me and up to one companion on United (except when flying basic economy).
- Space available upgrades to first class on domestic flights.
- One complimentary checked bag of up to 70 pounds on United.
- Priority check-in on United.
- Additional award availability with United.
Of course, United Silver status doesn’t provide tons of perks since it's the airline's lowest status tier, and I don’t expect to get any value from the minimal Star Alliance Silver perks. Still, the extra availability on United awards, preferred seating and priority check-in should provide significant value as I travel the world.
Related: Last-minute strategies for earning United Premier elite status
Increased earnings on stays
Recently, I’ve found myself booking more cash rates with Marriott than award nights. So, the higher points-earning rate Marriott gives to Titanium Elite members is valuable to me.
Here’s a comparison of earning rates based on qualified spending at Marriott Bonvoy brands:
| Brand | Members | Silver Elite members | Gold Elite members | Platinum Elite members | Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Marriott Brands, unless otherwise noted | 10 points per dollar. | 11 points per dollar. | 12.5 points per dollar. | 15 points per dollar. | 17.5 points per dollar. |
| Element, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites and Homes & Villas by Marriott International | 5 points per dollar. | 5.5 points per dollar. | 6.25 points per dollar. | 7.5 points per dollar. | 8.75 points per dollar. |
| Marriott Executive Apartments | 2.5 points per dollar. | 2.75 points per dollar. | 3.125 points per dollar. | 3.75 points per dollar. | 4.375 points per dollar. |
Let’s assume I typically pay $80 in qualified spending when I book a paid night at a Marriott hotel. Let’s also assume I book 20 paid nights each year, all at Marriott brands that don’t earn at lower rates. As a Platinum Elite member, I’d earn 24,000 points (worth $202 based on TPG’s valuations). But, as a Titanium Elite member, I’d earn 28,000 points (worth $235).
This boost in earnings is slight, but — even considering the low rates I tend to snag in destinations where the U.S. dollar can go far — it still makes a difference. If you stay mostly in expensive markets, you may see a much more significant boost from increased earning rates.
Of course, these earning rates are before any additional points I’ll accrue when using my Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card or Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card to pay for my stay. Plus, I can leverage a shopping portal aggregator to select an online shopping portal to earn extra points, miles or cash-back rewards on my Marriott stays.
Related: Why I’m keeping my Marriott Bonvoy Boundless for the long term
Better upgrade chances
Based on the Marriott Bonvoy terms and conditions, Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members all have access to enhanced room upgrades based upon availability at most brands. In particular, the terms note:
Platinum Elite Members and above receive a complimentary upgrade to the best available room, subject to availability on the day of arrival, for the entire length of stay. Complimentary upgrade includes suites, rooms with desirable views, rooms on high floors, corner rooms, rooms with special amenities or rooms on Executive Floors. At The Ritz-Carlton, suites are only included for Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite Members and rooms with direct Club access are excluded.
Going off this text, Titanium Elite members receive the same upgrade benefits as Platinum Elite members, except at Ritz-Carlton properties. However, the hotel determines your upgrade. In practice, I believe Titanium Elite members usually get upgrade priority over Platinum Elite members.
Related: How to redeem Marriott points for upgraded rooms
Extra on-site perks at some hotels
Discretionary on-site perks are the final reason I’m excited to requalify for Titanium Elite status.
From a general manager’s cocktail hour reception at the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay to a complimentary happy hour drink menu for select elite members at The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa, my husband and I have gotten a variety of soft perks thanks to Marriott elite status.
Many hotels offer the same access and perks to Platinum Elite and Titanium Elite members. However, as with upgrades, I suspect some on-site perks may be slightly better for Titanium Elite members.
Related: Breakfast, upgrades and more: 3 TPG staffers reveal their favorite elite status perks
Bottom line
Earning Marriott Bonvy Titanium Elite status requires 75 elite night credits each year — 25 more than the 50 you’d need for Platinum Elite status.
The incremental perks of Titanium Elite status compared to Platinum Elite status are minimal. But, especially as more Marriott members gain Platinum Elite status just by having the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, snagging Titanium Elite status may help unlock more upgrades and soft perks.
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How we chose these cards
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Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
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Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual 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
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees