Marriott Rewards is offering bonus points and helping members reach elite status even faster with two new credit card benefits. All of Marriott’s co-branded credit cards currently offer a 10- to 15-night elite credit to members each year and now members can earn even more elite qualifying nights to help them reach Gold (50 nights) or Platinum (75 nights). For every $3,000 spent on the card, credit cardholders will receive one extra elite night credit and there is no limit to the number of additional elite night credits members can earn.

Marriott Rewards is also giving 15,000 bonus points to members who redeem seven-night redemption stays at category 7 and 8 hotels. These awards require 35,000 to 40,000 points per night so members essentially receive around a 40 percent discount off one night of their seven-night stay. And as usual, when you redeem four nights you’ll get the fifth night free. Marriott Rewards offers three different co-branded Chase credit cards and the new benefits will be available with all three cards.

Bottom line: Even with the extra nights, Marriott Rewards members who carry the co-branded credit card will still need to stay quite a few nights at Marriott hotels to earn the higher status levels. Marriott Rewards credit card members who automatically receive a 10-night elite credit would need to spend $120,000 per year to buy their way to Gold and $195,000 to reach Platinum. Marriott Rewards Premier credit cardholders who receive a 15-night credit every year would need to spend $105,000 to reach Gold and $180,000 for Platinum. But the added boost will help those members who spend a modest amount on the card earn a few extra nights and may eliminate the need for a mattress run to re-qualify for elite levels.