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Have top-tier Marriott status? You may be able to gift Platinum status

Oct. 29, 2021
•
3 min read
St. Regis Langkawi
Have top-tier Marriott status? You may be able to gift Platinum status
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Marriott Bonvoy made a slew of announcements this week. In addition to removing award charts in favor of dynamic pricing, it shared that it would extend all current elite status levels by another year. However, it still wants to reward those who requalified for top-tier elite status the "hard way" this year.

One way it's doing this is by giving some top-tier Ambassador Elites elites the opportunity to gift free elite status to a loved one.

Gifting Marriott elite status

Qualifying for Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite status is no easy feat.

It normally requires a whopping 100 elite-qualifying nights and $20,000 in qualifying spending, though that's been reduced to $14,000 for 2021. If you're able to accomplish this before the end of the year, you'll be invited to gift Platinum status to a family member in January 2022.

Marriott Platinum isn't something to shake a stick at, it's one of the more valuable status levels in Marriott's program. It normally requires 50 nights and unlocks perks like free breakfast at many brands, lounge access and potential suite upgrades. Altogether, TPG values Platinum status at over $2,600, assuming you travel enough to actually make use of it.

Related: Don’t be surprised if emails to your Ambassador go unanswered

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SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Marriott Platinum breakfast at the St. Regis New York (Summer Hull / The Points Guy)

This offer is separate from Marriott's annual choice benefits, which allows eligible elites to gift Silver or Gold elite status to someone else. Marriott's latest email to Ambassador elites specifically teased at gifting status to a family member. But if past years' status gifting offers are any indication, you'll likely be able to choose a friend or colleague instead with no specific family relationship required. Any gifted status will be valid through February 2023.

This isn't the first time we've seen Marriott let Ambassador Elites gift Platinum Elite status to another member. Marriott ran the same promotion in 2020, so it's great to see them bring it back.

Additionally, Marriott confirmed that Ambassador Elite status will again require $20,000 in qualified spending next year.

Related: Airline and hotel loyalty programs that let you give the gift of elite status

Bottom line

While Ambassador status might not be as valuable as it once was, having the opportunity to gift Platinum status to someone is a nice gesture for sure — assuming you have requalified the hard way and are eligible. Platinum status can make your relative's hotel stays far more comfortable when you're not traveling with them.

Around this time last year, Hilton offered a similar status gifting opportunity for all of its top-tier elites — regardless of whether they requalified the "hard way." We'll have to wait and see if it brings back a similar offer this holiday season.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. 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, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.