Marriott Bonvoy made a program change for 2020 back in June (read more here) that allows members to reach a higher status this year despite the Covid-19 related travel slump. Marriott Bonvoy has already extended statuses through 2021.

Elite members will receive a 50% elite night credit boost based on the status earned in 2019, and Ambassador members can gift a Platinum status. These bonus Elite Night Credits have now started to post.

You can access Marriott Bonvoy here.

READ MORE: Marriott Bonvoy Rate & Bonus Points Offers

Here's the Extra Elite Night Credits-table:

Note that these elite night credits count towards achieving the lifetime status. They are posted to the member accounts by July (some have received them in the past few hours).

Here's what posted to my account:

The nights have posted under the "Bonus Nights" and also counted towards the Lifetime Status (already a lifetime Titanium).

Ambassador Platinum-gift

Ambassador members can gift a Platinum status to their designated friend. This offer activates once an Ambassador member has reached 100 nights this year, including the 50 nights bonus.

Annual Choice Benefit (at 50 & 75 Nights) - access here

Many members can now, after these bonus nights have posted, to choose their Annual Choice Benefit. You don't have to wait for the email to arrive, but can click to the Marriott's website and make your choice.

50 Nights

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  • Add five Elite Night Credits to your 2020 total.
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  • Save 40% on a bed from your favorite hotel brand.
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  • Gift Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status to a family member, friend or colleague.
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  • US$100 Charity Donation to WE.
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  • Get five Suite Night Awards™ to redeem for upgrades to suites and premium rooms.
75 Nights

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  • Add five Elite Night Credits to your 2020 total.
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  • Save 40% on a bed from your favorite hotel brand.
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  • Gift Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status to a family member, friend or colleague.
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  • US$100 Charity Donation to WE.
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  • Get five Suite Night Awards™ to redeem for upgrades to suites and premium rooms.
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  • One Free Night Award worth up to 40,000 points.
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  • Gift Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status to a family member, friend or colleague.

Here's Marriott Bonvoy's previous Covid-19 response:

Marriott Bonvoy extends elite tiers by a year through February 2022.

Marriott Bonvoy Extends Elite Status Levels Through February 2022

Marriott Bonvoy is extending points expiration, suite and free night awards

Marriott Bonvoy Points Expiration, Suite & Free Night Awards Expiration Change Conclusion

I would say that this is most useful for Platinum-members who receive 25 nights towards Titanium-level. Also, Titanium members with high spend, but not enough nights usually to reach the Ambassador-status may find it helpful. Many will now have an opportunity to choose a Choice Benefit-option at 50 and 75 nights that would otherwise be improbably this year.

This probably pushes me over to 75 nights, and I can then choose a free night award that would have otherwise been out of reach. It won't push me to an Ambassador because you need $20,000 spent in 2020.

Here are the frequently asked questions by Marriott:

What is the 50% Elite Night Credits benefit being offered this year?

Marriott Bonvoy™ Members who earned Elite Status in 2019 will receive a one-time deposit of 50% of their tier's annual Elite Night Credit requirement, e.g. those Members who achieved Platinum Elite status in 2019 would receive 25 Elite Night Credits in their Account by the end of July. Since Members already received an extension of their earned Elite Status through February 2022, the Elite Night Credit deposit helps Members get to the next tier faster. In addition, these Elite Night Credits will count towards achieving the 2020 Annual Choice Benefit, as well as achieving Lifetime Elite Status.

50% Elite Night Credits deposit and remaining 2020 Requirements needed to achieve the next tier's Status are based on the 2019 earned Status tier as follows:

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  • Ambassador Elite will receive 50 Elite Night Credits
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  • Titanium Elite will receive 38 Elite Night Credits and will need 62 Elite Night Credits and US$20,000 in Qualifying Stay Spend in 2020 to achieve Ambassador Elite
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  • Platinum Elite will receive 25 Elite Night Credits and will need 50 Elite Night Credits in 2020 to achieve Titanium Elite
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  • Gold Elite will receive 13 Elite Night Credits and will need 37 Elite Night Credits in 2020 to achieve Platinum Elite
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  • Silver Elite will receive 5 Elite Night Credits and will need 20 Elite Night Credits in 2020 to achieve Gold Elite
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  • Member tier will not receive Elite Night Credits and will need 10 Elite Night Credits in 2020 to achieve Silver Elite
Example:

A Member who earned Gold Elite Status in 2019 already received an extension of the Gold Elite Status to February 2022. To achieve the next tier up of Platinum Elite in 2020 to enjoy through February 2022, the Member will need 50 Elite Night Credits by December 31, 2020. This Gold Elite Member will receive 13 Elite Night Credits (50% of the 25 normally needed to requalify for Gold), which means the Member will only need 37 Elite Night Credits to achieve Platinum Elite this year.

You already extended the Elite Status that I earned in 2019 until February 2022, how will the 50% Elite Night Credits benefit me?

Recognizing the challenges to travel this year due to COVID-19, the 50% Elite Night Credits helps you achieve the next Elite tier faster. The deposit of the 50% Elite Nights Credits is in addition to any Elite Night Credit you may have already earned this year. Overall, the extra Elite Night Credits gives you more opportunity to achieve the next Elite tier before the end of the year, which can then be enjoyed through February 2022. Learn more about the benefits at each tier at https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/member-benefits.mi

When will I see the 50% Elite Night Credits deposited in my Account?

The system will automatically deposit the 50% Elite Night Credits into your Account by the end of July 2020 based on your earned status in 2019. A notification confirming the deposit will be sent to the valid email listed in your Account. You do not need to take any action.

Who is eligible to receive the 50% Elite Night Credits?

Marriott Bonvoy™ Members who earned Elite Status in 2019 will receive a one-time deposit of 50% of their tier's annual Elite Night Credit requirement. Members who did not earn Elite Status in 2019 will not receive the 50% Elite Night Credits deposit.

I achieved Platinum status in April this year but only received 13 Elite Night Credits in my Account. Why did I not receive 25 Elite Night Credits?

The 50% Elite Night Credits is based on the status tier that you earned in 2019. It is not based on the tier you achieved in 2020. The Elite status that you earned in 2019 was Gold Elite, which is why you received the 13 Elite Night Credits in your Account.

Do I need to take any action to receive the 50% Elite Night Credits?

No, you do not need to take any action. The system will automatically deposit the 50% Elite Night Credits into your Account by the end of July 2020 based on your earned status in 2019. If your status in 2020 already exceeds what you earned in 2019, you will still receive the Elite Night Credits for your 2019 status tier.

Who is eligible to gift Platinum Elite Status?

Members who earned Ambassador Elite Status in 2019 and achieve 100 Elite Night Credits in 2020 are eligible to gift Platinum Elite Status to one individual, e.g. friend or family member. This Platinum status will continue through February 2022. These current Ambassador Members will not be required to achieve the US$20,000 qualifying stay spend to be eligible, just the 100 Elite Night Credits. This includes the one-time deposit of 50% of their tier's annual Elite Night Credit requirement (50 Elite Night Credits), which means current Ambassador Elite Members only need 50 more Elite Night Credits this year to receive this benefit.

This is an exclusive opportunity offered for this year only to Members who earned Ambassador Elite Status in 2019. Email invitations to those who are eligible will begin to be sent towards the end of July and will continue through December 31, 2020 as current Ambassador Elite Members become eligible for this benefit.

I have Ambassador Elite status but why am I not able to gift Platinum Elite status to a friend or family member?

Members who earned Ambassador Elite Status in 2019 must first achieve 100 Elite Night Credits this year in order to be eligible for this benefit. This includes the one-time deposit of 50% of their tier's annual Elite Night Credit requirement (50 Elite Night Credits), which means current Ambassador Elite Members only need 50 more Elite Night Credits this year to receive this benefit. If you earned Ambassador Elite Status in 2020, you are not eligible for this benefit. Email invitations to those who are eligible will begin to be sent towards the end of July based on when current Ambassador Elite Members become eligible for this benefit.

Are you extending Elite Status for members outside of mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan?

Yes, the Elite Status extensions are applicable to qualifying Members globally who earned Elite Status in 2019.

What benefits are being extended for Members outside of mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan?

For all Marriott Bonvoy™ Members except for those who reside in mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan:

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  • Elite Status: Members who earned Elite Status in 2019 will receive an extension of their Elite Status to February 2022.
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  • Points Expiration: Members who have been inactive for at least 24 months and have Points expiring prior to February 1, 2021 will have their Points expiration date automatically extended to February 1, 2021.
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  • Suite Night Awards: Elite Members who have Suite Night Awards (earned in 2019 as part of the 50- and 75-Night Annual Choice Benefit) with an expiration date of December 31, 2020 will be extended to December 31, 2021.
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  • Free Night Awards: Members with active Free Night Awards (as part of a credit card benefit, Annual Choice Benefit, Promotion or Travel Package) with an expiration starting March 1, 2020 will be extended through January 31, 2021.

Members do not need to take any action. Members will see updates in their Account on marriott.com by the end of April 2020.

What are the benefits being extended for members in mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan?

For Marriott Bonvoy™ Members who reside in mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan:

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  • Elite Status: Members who earned Elite Status in 2019 will receive an extension of their Elite Status to February 2022.
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  • Points Expiration: Members who have been inactive for at least 24 months and have Points expiring prior to February 1, 2021 will have their Points expiration date automatically extended to February 1, 2021.
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  • Suite Night Awards: Elite Members who have Suite Night Awards (earned in 2019 as part of the 50- and 75-Night Annual Choice Benefit) with an expiration date of December 31, 2020 will be extended to December 31, 2021.
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  • Free Night Awards: Members residing in one of the specified regions listed above with an active Free Night Award (as part of a credit card benefit, Annual Choice Benefit, Promotion or Travel Package) expiring in 2020 will be extended 12 months into 2021.

Members do not need to take any action. Members will see updates in their Account on marriott.com or marriott.com.cn by the end of April 2020.

Will Members need to take action for the extensions?

No. Marriott Bonvoy™ Members do not need to take any action. The system will automatically complete the updates.

When will the benefit extensions be processed?

Members do not need to take any action. Members will see updates in their Account on marriott.com by the end of April 2020.

How can I donate my Points to support the COVID-19 recovery work?

You can donate your Marriott Bonvoy™ Points to relief organizations that are active in COVID-19 responses around the world, including the American Red Cross, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, World Central Kitchen and the World Health Organizations COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, through Marriott Bonvoy's Giving Platform.

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