Marriott Bonvoy elite status 'soft landing' policy: How to requalify for status
It's official: Marriott is extending its "soft landing" policy into 2026.
Specifically, the brand will offer Marriott Bonvoy members who don't requalify for their current elite status in 2025 the opportunity to hold the status one tier below from March 2026 until February 2027. Here's what you need to know.
Related: Last-minute tips for locking in hotel elite status before the end of the year
Marriott's elite status soft landing policy
The Marriott status you earned in 2024 will expire at the end of February unless you requalify for your current level or achieve a higher status level in 2025. But what if you don't requalify for the same or higher status?
That's where Marriott's generous soft landing policy comes in. Whether you qualify for a level far below your current status or don't qualify for status at all in 2025, you'll only drop down one status level in 2026.
According to Marriott's website, "Members can see their new status in March 2026 and enjoy that new status through February 2027."
With this announcement, members who don't requalify for their existing status tier will hold the tier just below their expiring status for the next status year:
- Ambassador Elite members who don't requalify in 2025 will hold Titanium Elite status through February 2027.
- Titanium Elite members who don't requalify in 2025 will hold Platinum Elite status through February 2027.
- Platinum Elite members who don't requalify in 2025 will hold Gold Elite status through February 2027.
- Gold Elite members who don't requalify in 2025 will hold Silver Elite status through February 2027.
It's worth mentioning that Marriott offered similar policies before the COVID-19 pandemic. This was put on hold as Marriott extended elite status earned in 2019 and 2020 through February 2023, and it was reinstated the following year. This soft landing policy is a win-win: It benefits members who weren't able to requalify for status while giving them an incentive to stay loyal to Marriott and perhaps retry for status next year.
Related: Is Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status worth it?
Bottom line
Mid- and upper-tier Marriott Bonvoy elite members who don't requalify in 2025 won't be left empty-handed in 2026.
With Titanium Elite status, expiring Ambassador Elite members will enjoy many of the same perks of their current status, including complimentary breakfast at most brands, suite upgrades at check-in (including at Ritz-Carlton properties), a 75% point bonus accrual, Choice Benefits and status match to United MileagePlus' Premier Silver status. Platinum Elite also has many of the same benefits that Titanium Elite status offers.
You should see your new Marriott status and updated expiration in early March.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express 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.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees