The case for burning 80,000 points to earn Marriott Titanium status
Someone talk me out of this.
I qualified for Marriott Platinum status about a month ago by registering for a Marriott status challenge. It's great -- I receive suite upgrades on an absurd percentage of stays, free breakfast at hotels has already saved me $700+ (thanks in large part to a recent stay at the St. Regis Maldives, where food is exorbitant), and guaranteed 4:00 pm late check-out has been a luxury I didn't know I needed.
But I now find myself insatiable for hotel prestige. I've reached 50 nights this year, and I'm eyeing Marriott Titanium status. In addition to the aforementioned Platinum status perks, you'll also receive an annual choice gift after staying 50 nights. Most people choose five "suite night awards," which means you can confirm a suite upgrade before you arrive at the hotel.
To achieve Titanium, however, I'd need 25 more nights before the end of the year. I've got no upcoming Marriott stays planned, and although there isn't a world of difference between Platinum and Titanium status, it does come with a few distinct perks. Here's why I may just book 25 throwaway nights with points to get it.
Upgrades at Ritz-Carlton
As a Marriott Platinum elite member, you're eligible for suite upgrades at check-in just about everywhere. The glaring exception is Ritz-Carlton. You'll need to be Titanium Elite or higher to receive a complimentary suite upgrade. I'm planning to stay at three Ritz-Carlton properties next year. Based on my suite upgrade success thus far as a Platinum member, I reckon the probability of scoring a Ritz-Carlton upgrade as a Titanium member are good.
United Premier Silver elite status
When you earn Marriott Titanium status, you automatically qualify for United Premier Silver status (check this post out for details). I've got no loyalty to airlines. I fly United Airlines as often as I fly American, Delta and Southwest. But holding United Premier Silver has a few benefits I find handy, like complimentary access to Economy Plus/preferred seats and complimentary Premier Upgrades.
Plus, with United Premier Silver, you can status match with Southwest to receive Southwest A-List status. That comes with perks like priority boarding, in which Southwest will check you in 36 hours before departure (that's 12 hours before those without elite status or premium tickets). That's a big deal, because the Southwest boarding process is first-come-first-served.
Another five Suite Night Awards
After staying 75 nights in a calendar year, you'll get another five suite night awards. Super valuable if you use them at a lavish hotel.
So, how can I reach 75 nights??
To earn Titanium Status, you must stay a total of 75 nights in a calendar year. There is absolutely zero chance I'll ever spend 75 nights in a hotel in a year, so I've gotta get creative. Fortunately, Marriott award nights count toward elite status. If I could find some insanely cheap award nights, might it be worth it?
The lowest category Marriott hotels (Category 1) cost:
- 7,500 points per night for a standard rate
- 5,000 points per night for an off-peak rate
- 4,000 points per night for an off-peak PointSavers rate
4,000 Marriott points per night is insane. And remember, when you book five consecutive award nights, you'll receive the fifth night free. That translates to 3,200 Marriott points per night. If I could find a Category 1 hotel with tons of PointSavers availability, I could book 25 nights for 80,000 points (3,200 points per night x 25 nights), check in and head home.
I opened the Marriott hotel directory, filtered my search to Category 1 hotels, and clicked on my region.
Turns out, I've currently got a few of these rates nearby. That's right, off-peak Category 1 PointSavers hotels. Booking in increments of five means I'll get every fifth night free, and I just may be able to pull it off for 80,000 points.
Heck, I could effectively "buy" nights at this hotel for under $30 per night with Marriott's buy-points sale. They're selling points for 0.875 cents each, which equates to $28 per night (3,200 points per night x 0.875 cents per point).
Even if I value the benefits that come with Titanium status more than I value 80,000 points, it still feels a bit of a waste.
Instead of booking 25 empty hotel nights this year, I may wait until I find myself in similar position in 2020 and reach Titanium status by booking those 25 nights at Category 1 hotels that I could at least foresee myself enjoying. There are plenty of perfectly acceptable four-star Category 1 hotels around the world, like the AC Hotel Aravaca, just outside Madrid, or the AC Hotel Brescia, an hour east of Milan.
Bottom line
To reiterate, 80,000 points can get me the 25 nights I need to qualify for Marriott Titanium status. I'd receive:
- Another five suite-night upgrades
- Eligibility to be upgraded at Ritz-Carlton hotels at check in
- United Premier Silver status
- Southwest A-List status (matched from United Premier Silver)
- Nauseating obsequiousness from Marriott front desk employees
Anyone with Marriott Titanium status, holler at me with data points about your upgrade success at Ritz-Carlton, plus any other noticeable customer service differences between Platinum and Titanium.
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| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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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.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended 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.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.