Several hotel chain loyalty programs offer lifetime status to those members who have been loyal over the years. Marriott Bonvoy offers what is probably the easiest lifetime status to earn.
With Marriott Bonvoy, you can earn lifetime Silver, Gold and Platinum status. A few lucky members were grandfathered into a Lifetime Titanium status when Marriott merged with Starwood Preferred Guest – this is no longer available. (for now, perhaps…)
Because Silver and Gold offer few relevant benefits, most readers will be aiming for Lifetime Platinum status. Lifetime Platinum status with Marriott Bonvoy requires:
- 600 elite nights since you joined Marriott Bonvoy/Rewards and/or Starwood Preferred Guest
- 10 years of Platinum status or higher (Marriott Rewards’ Gold status earned pre-merger also qualifies as a Platinum year)
What Counts as a Platinum year?
To earn Platinum status with Marriott Bonvoy, you must earn 50 elite nights or more within the calendar year. (including credit card elite night credits)
As a result, every year where you earn 50+ elite nights will count as a “Platinum year”.
However, if you are a Platinum member on January 1st of the year and maintain it during the entire year, you will also pick up a Platinum year, irrespective of whether you actually earn 50 elite nights during the year.
I can confirm this personally because I earned a mere 8 elite nights in 2022, but in early 2023 I picked up my 10th and final Platinum year nonetheless because I held Platinum status throughout 2022.
Does Having Lifetime Platinum Status Give me a Head Start on Titanium or Ambassador Status?
Unfortunately not. Lifetime status gives you the benefits of that tier, but you do not get any complimentary elite nights.
So, if you are interested in earning Choice Benefits and/or Titanium / Ambassador status, you will be starting from zero every year. (unless you have credit card elite nights)
What Happens When I Reach Lifetime Status?
Not much… Although you will be able to access your lifetime stats via this special Marriott website. Click here.
Amusingly, I have redeemed substantially more points than I have earned – a glitch resulting from the SPG merger. My four most-visited cities are also cities where I have lived – demonstrating that my Marriott and SPG experience has involved a lot of travel hacking, mattress running and staycationing to earn points and elite night credits…
Besides a graphic of your lifetime statistics, you can also order a special set of luggage tags.
Bottom Line
Now that I have earned lifetime Platinum status with Marriott Bonvoy, I find myself staying less and less at Marriott hotels. I stay at a Marriott when it is the best option, not because I am chasing elite night credits.
What about you? Are you chasing lifetime status with Marriott Bonvoy? Or have you already reached it? What do your lifetime stats look like? Let us know in the comments section…
