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In this post I wanted to take a closer look at Marriott Bonvoy Titanium status, which is Marriott’s elite tier that requires 75 nights annually. All the time I see people ask whether it’s worth going for Titanium status over Platinum status, so I wanted to share my take on that.
Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador requirementsMarriott Bonvoy has five elite tiers, but I’d argue that status really starts to get valuable at the Platinum tier. There are two tiers above that, though. Specifically, here are the requirements over the course of a calendar year to qualify for Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador status:
Before you assume that these requirements are really high and unachievable, keep in mind that in the United States it’s easy to earn 40 elite nights per year through Marriott’s co-branded credit cards.
For example, I have the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (review) and Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (review), and just for holding onto those two cards I get 40 elite nights per year (25 from the Brilliant Card and 15 from the Business Card). That gives me quite a head start to earning status.
What are the advantages of Marriott Bonvoy Titanium status?Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status requires only 50 elite nights per year, and comes with many great elite perks. I’d consider the most significant to be:
So, what are the incremental perks of Titanium status over Platinum status, given that Titanium status requires 75 nights rather than 50 nights? Let’s go over those, in no particular order.
Take advantage of elite perks at the St. Regis Aspen 75% Bonvoy bonus pointsWhen it comes to earning points, Platinum members receive 50% bonus points on hotel stays, and Titanium members receive 75% bonus points. You ordinarily earn 10 base points per dollar spent, meaning Platinum members earn 15x points per dollar spent, while Titanium members earn 17.5x points per dollar spent.
I value Bonvoy points at 0.7 cents each, so I consider that to be an incremental 1.75% return on Marriott spending.
Earn more bonus points as a Bonvoy Titanium member Ritz-Carlton suite upgrades, subject to availabilityOn paper the upgrade benefits for Bonvoy Platinum and Bonvoy Titanium members are identical, with one exception — Titanium members are eligible for space available suite upgrades at Ritz-Carlton properties, while Platinum members aren’t.
That’s how the rules are published, at least. That’s not to say that Titanium members will always get suite upgrades at Ritz-Carltons, and it’s also not to say that Platinum members will never get suite upgrades at Ritz-Carltons.
But Ritz-Carlton is the one brand where the upgrade benefit is different between Platinum and Titanium members.
Bonvoy Titanium members may get Ritz-Carlton suite upgrades United MileagePlus Silver elite statusBonvoy Titanium members receive free United MileagePlus Silver status. This is valid for as long as they maintain Titanium status, and registration is required. This is United’s entry level status, and offers perks like bonus miles, a complimentary checked bag, and space available upgrades to first class and Economy Plus.
If you’re an occasional United flyer this could come in handy, though don’t expect to regularly get first class upgrades as a Silver member.
Receive United MileagePlus Silver status as a Bonvoy Titanium member Access to additional Choice BenefitsMarriott Bonvoy members can select Choice Benefits when they pass 50 elite nights and 75 elite nights in a calendar year. So if you earn Titanium status with 75 elite nights, you’ll also be able to select an additional set of Choice Benefits.
Personally I’d select the five Suite Night Awards, each of which allows you to confirm a suite upgrade for a one night stay up to five days prior to arrival, subject to availability. Note that later this year, Marriott will be replacing Suite Night Awards with Nightly Upgrade Awards. This change is a mixed bag. The good news is that Nightly Upgrade Awards can be used at more properties and for more room types than before. The catch is that they’ll clear at most three days out, compared to the current upgrades clearing at most five days out.
I find Suite Night Awards to be quite valuable Potentially better “soft” treatmentThe above are the main published differences between Platinum and Titanium status in the Bonvoy program. I do think it’s at least worth mentioning that travelers may find that they get better “soft” treatment as a Titanium member than a Platinum member. After all, it’s a higher elite tier.
So you may find that the average Titanium member has better luck with upgrades than the average Platinum member. This won’t consistently be the case, but it’s logical that many hotels prioritize upgrades based on elite tier, even if the benefits are supposed to be the same.
Bonvoy Titanium members may have better luck with upgrades My experience with Marriott Bonvoy Titanium statusI’ve been a Bonvoy Titanium member for a few years, so I’ll share my experience. For context:
Have I found Titanium status to be worth the incremental perks over Platinum status? I’m not sure, to be honest, because I’m also very strategic about the places where I elect to stay at Marriotts. The way I view it:
So based on my experience is it worth going out of my way to earn Titanium status? No. But I happen to earn it through my hotel stays (combined with the elite nights I earn through credit cards), so the current system works for me.
I was able to use a Suite Night Award at Gritti Palace Venice Bottom lineTitanium status is Marriott Bonvoy’s 75-night elite tier, between Platinum and Ambassador status. It offers limited incremental perks over Platinum status, including 75% bonus points (rather than 50% bonus points), suite upgrades at Ritz-Carltons, United MileagePlus Silver status, and access to more Choice Benefits.
I don’t find there to be much difference in treatment otherwise between Titanium and Platinum status. I think the biggest thing I value is earning an additional five Suite Night Awards per year through the Choice Benefits program.
If you’re a Bonvoy Titanium member, what has your experience been like?
Marriott is a popular hotel chain beloved by many (including me) because of its incredibly large global footprint and wide variety of properties. During the last two weeks of 2023, I found myself checking in to many Marriott hotels, but not for work or vacation like most travelers. So, what was the reason for doing what points and miles enthusiasts like myself call "mattress runs"?
Well, it was to acquire Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status for 2024. And it was so worth it. Keep reading to find out what Marriott Titanium Elite status is, the benefits of obtaining this tier of status and how to earn it.
Titanium Elite status is the second-highest published status you can achieve with the Marriott Bonvoy program; it sits in front of Platinum Elite status and behind Ambassador Elite status. To achieve this status, you need 75 elite qualifying night credits per year. Titanium is the highest Marriott Bonvoy status you can attain without meeting a spending requirement.
TPG values Marriott Titanium status at $4,685.
Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa in the Maldives. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUYThe benefits associated with Titanium Elite status are very enticing and the sole reason I strive to achieve it. All the benefits of Platinum Elite status, which, in my opinion, is the best sweet spot hotel elite status out there, come with Titanium Elite status. Some of the best benefits of Titanium Elite status are:
* Denotes Titanium Elite-only benefits (with the exception of Ambassador status)
Related: 17 ways to earn lots of Marriott Bonvoy points
JW Marriott Hotel Medan in Indonesia. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUYOnce you hit Platinum Elite after completing 50 elite nights in a calendar year, you unlock your first Annual Choice Benefit, and then you unlock another choice benefit at 75 nights, which grants you Titanium Elite status. For my Annual Choice Benefits for 2024, I chose five Nightly Upgrade Awards at the 50-night mark and the free night award worth up to 40,000 points at the 75-night mark.
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I always like to pick Annual Choice Benefits that I can put a tangible value on, and I can do so with the 40,000-point free night award, which is worth $336 per TPG's valuation.
I plan on using the Nightly Upgrade Awards at The St. Regis Bali Resort this year and utilizing Marriott's "Stay for 5, Pay for 4" perk on award bookings. This benefit allows you to stay five nights in a standard Marriott room and receive one night free when booking with points.
Related: Your guide to using Marriott Nightly Upgrade Awards
The St. Regis Osaka in Japan. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUYIf you're interested in obtaining Marriott elite status without meeting the annual stay requirements, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card will give you complimentary Platinum Elite status (enrollment is required). Though you will receive many similar perks to Titanium status, there are seemingly a lot more people at this elite tier due to the card's benefit.
Therefore, I found during my travels that with more Platinum elite members out there, my chances of getting room upgrades were becoming slimmer, so getting to the next level of status would increase my chances.
The biggest motivating factor for obtaining Titanium Elite status was complimentary United MileagePlus Silver status. Having held various United MileagePlus statuses before, I know this is a valuable perk. I knew I would not requalify for status in 2024 with United, so achieving Titanium Elite status was a great way for me to keep United status.
Though Silver is United MileagePlus' lowest tier, it does include beneficial perks like one free checked bag (up to 70 pounds); priority check-in, security and Group 2 boarding; complimentary first-class upgrades as early as the day of departure; and the most important benefit for me, complimentary access to Economy Plus or preferred seating. This is essential as I am a big guy, standing over 6 feet, so even the extra inch of legroom that the Economy Plus seats provide matters.
Related: What is United Airlines elite status worth in 2024?
As I mentioned, you must earn 75 elite qualifying night credits to achieve Titanium Elite status. These elite night credits can be earned in a variety of ways, including (terms apply):
Related: Why you need both a personal and business Marriott Bonvoy credit card
The sweet spot with Marriott Bonvoy is Platinum Elite status, but achieving Titanium Elite status requires just 25 more elite night credits, which can easily be achieved if you hold one (or two) of Marriott's cobranded credit cards. The added benefits you get when you jump from Platinum to Titanium elite status are minimal, but the added perk of United MileagePlus Silver elite status and the increased earnings rate definitely move the needle for me.