Marriott Platinum Elite benefits, and how you can earn this valuable status

Each year, I strive to earn at least Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite status. Platinum Elite status is the sweet spot Marriott Bonvoy elite status for me because it offers plenty of valuable perks but is also relatively easy to earn via multiple pathways.

Here's what you need to know about this hotel elite status tier, including the benefits of Marriott Platinum Elite status and the different ways to earn it.

Marriott Platinum Elite benefits

Marriott Platinum Elite benefits can be useful. You can rely on the following Platinum Elite benefits at participating properties:

• 50% bonus points on stays at participating brands.
• Elite welcome gift. (Choices vary depending on location and brand; not available at most City Express locations.)
• Lounge access for the member and one guest staying in the same room at JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Delta Hotels, Le Meridien, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Autograph Collection Hotels and Renaissance Hotels (excludes JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Delta Hotels, Autograph Collection and Renaissance Hotels resort properties).
• 4 p.m. late checkout upon request. (It's only guaranteed until 2 p.m. at Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy and is based on availability at resort and convention hotels and Design Hotels. It's not honored at Marriott Vacation Club; Marriott Grand Residence Club; Sheraton Vacation Club; Westin Vacation Club; The Phoenician Residences, a Luxury Collection Residence Club, Scottsdale; and Ritz-Carlton Reserve.)

Related: Why I continue to chase Marriott Platinum status year after year

Platinum Elite members are also eligible for complimentary enhanced room upgrades. However, these upgrades are subject to availability upon arrival for the entire length of your stay and as identified by each participating property. So, although Platinum Elite members are technically eligible for suite upgrades at most brands, many find they rarely get any notable upgrades.

Marriott Bonvoy elite benefits only apply on qualifying rates — which means you'll usually need to book directly with Marriott — and only apply to the room you stay in.

Related: Your guide to Marriott breakfast benefits for Platinum Elite and higher members

How to get Marriott Platinum Elite status

Marriott Platinum Elite status is relatively attainable, even if you don't stay in hotels frequently. Here's a look at how travelers can get Marriott Platinum Elite status.

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Elite nights

Any calendar year you accrue at least 50 elite night credits, you'll get Marriott Platinum elite status through the end of the following February.

You'll usually earn one elite night credit per qualifying night stayed. However, you'll only earn one elite night credit for every two qualifying nights at Protea Hotels, City Express and Four Points Flex. And you'll only earn one elite night credit for every three qualifying nights stayed at Marriott Executive Apartments. Worst of all, Marriott rounds down for these stays when calculating elite night credits. So, a stay of five nights at a Marriott Executive Apartment will only earn one elite night credit.

You can earn one elite night credit for every 20 room nights (up to 20 elite night credits per contract) when you hold a qualifying event at a participating Marriott Bonvoy property.

Many Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offer elite night credits each calendar year as a cardmember perk, including the following:

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: 25 elite night credits per calendar year
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: 15 elite night credits per calendar year
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees): 15 elite night credits per calendar year
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: 15 elite night credits per calendar year
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (see rates and fees): 5 elite night credits per calendar year

However, you can only get these elite night credits from at most one personal card and one business card. As such, you could earn 40 elite night credits each calendar year just by having the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card and Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card.

You can also get one elite night credit for every $5,000 you spend on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card.

In short, earning the 50 elite night credits you need each calendar year for Marriott Platinum Elite status is relatively easy. I get 30 elite night credits each calendar year from my Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card, which means I only need 20 more elite night credits each calendar year for Platinum Elite status.

Related: The complete guide to earning Marriott elite status with credit cards

Marriott Bonvoy credit card that gives Platinum Elite status

You can also effectively buy Marriott Platinum Elite status with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card. This card has a $650 annual fee (see rates and fees) but gives the primary cardmember complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status as long as their card account is open. That means you can enjoy Platinum Elite status even if you don't stay at Marriott properties frequently.

Related: Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex worth the $650 annual fee?

Marriott lifetime Platinum Elite status

Marriott lifetime elite status is relatively attainable compared to most other hotel lifetime statuses. You can earn lifetime Silver Elite status after 250 qualifying nights and five years as Silver Elite or higher, and you can earn lifetime Gold Elite status after 400 qualifying nights and seven years as Gold Elite or higher. Lifetime Platinum Elite status comes after 600 qualifying nights and 10 years as Platinum Elite or higher.

I already have lifetime Gold Elite status and should earn lifetime Platinum Elite status in 2029 if Marriott doesn't change its lifetime status requirements. I'm looking forward to having Platinum Elite benefits for life, as this means I'll enjoy valuable benefits when staying with Marriott, even if I begin traveling less frequently.

Related: I just qualified for Lifetime Platinum Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy — here's why that won't change my hotel strategy

Bottom line

Marriott Platinum Elite status won't be worth it for every traveler. And many Platinum Elite members find the exclusions and inconsistent application of some benefits frustrating. But I've found the benefits — such as guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout at most properties, lounge access at select brands and an elite welcome gift choice on each stay — useful.

For rates and fees of the Bonvoy Brilliant, click here.