Marriott Bonvoy did something crazy this week. Marriott has sent an email that seems to confirm that the 55 elite night credits given to some members were intentional. It is exciting news for those with the right card combination to know that Marriott will handle Marriott credit card elite nights in a different way. Marriott has put the confirmation in an email to members so I am more hopeful for those who received the elite night credits.
It used to be possible to earn a maximum of 30 elite night credits from Marriott credit cards. It used to be possible to get up to 15 elite night credits for having 1 or more Marriott consumer credit cards and up to 15 elite night credits for having 1 or more Marriott business credit cards. Business cards and consumer nights did not stack up.
One of the changes made to the Bonvoy Brilliant card was that it now has 25 elite night credits per year. Forty elite nights were earned by Marriott business card holders last year. Tim wrote about his experience getting the additional nights credited to his account.
Things are more interesting this year than they were last year.
Some people have received 55 elite night credits this year, but we don't know the full details of which card combination is the magic set. Greg received 55 elite nights a couple of days ago.
It looks like it's official now. A reader shared the email above and Greg confirmed that he received the same email. Marriott is adding an additional 15 elite night credits on top of the 40 he has already received for the year since he also has a Marriott business card. You can keep getting 55 elite night credits each year if you keep two cards eligible.
It seems like the 55 elite nights come from having two credit cards. There isn't an individual card that offers 40 elite night credits. The Marriott consumer card may be giving stacking nights on consumer cards to people who have the Brilliant card and also a non-Ritz Marriott consumer card.
The details haven't been figured out yet. Tim has a Brilliant card, a business card, and a Ritz card, but he only has 40 elite nights. I have a business card, a Ritz card, and an old Marriott Bonvoy premier card, and I have only received 30 elite nights, which is what I would expect with the Brilliant card.
Greg has received 55 nights, but he has a number of cards. If you want to get 55 elite nights, you need a consumer card other than the Ritz card and the Brilliant card. We don't know what card combination is getting 55 nights or if it is related to the age of accounts.
55 elite night credits are given to some people. This is in print in an email from Marriott. It seems like it will not be limited to this year.
It would be great if you could get 55 elite nights out of holding the right credit cards.
You need to consult a matrix to figure out if you will actually be eligible for free breakfast, but Marriott Platinum status gives you more than enough nights to do that.
It would be enough to get a 50 night benefit. 5 suite night awards or 5 additional elite night credits are possible options. A person who takes 5 additional elite night credits will have a total of 60 elite night credits.
Those who earned 50 elite nights last year have the chance to choose their benefit for a couple more days. The choice benefit selection page will show you last year. If we wait a few more days, we will see that those with 55 elite nights will be able to choose if they want.
Credit card nights count towards elite status.
55 elite nights a year would be pretty good. The time will tell if this sticks.
It will be difficult to be eligible for each card. consulting a matrix is required.
The chart shows that people who have the Ritz card within the past 30 days are not eligible for the Brilliant card's welcome bonus. This is the reason I haven't applied for the brilliant card. If I end up with 55 elite nights each year, I might be willing to upgrade my Ritz card to the Brilliant in order to get another elite night. Even though I am grandfathered in to a $395 annual fee on my Ritz card, I might be willing to pay the higher fee in the long run if it means starting each year with Platinum status. It's possible.
We could do the dance with my wife's Marriott cards and get her easy Platinum status. She will have to pay the higher annual fee.
Marriott Bonvoy gives some members 55 elite night credits based on the combination of credit cards they hold and they can keep it if they keep their associated cards. We are not yet a full week into the new year and many people have already earned enough elite nights for Platinum status and a 50-night choice benefit along with an easy path to Titanium status. I wish you a happy new year.
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