Marriott Elite Member Benefit Guarantees Explained
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Elite members in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program enjoy VIP benefits when they stay at hotels in 30 Marriott family brands. But did you know that if you don’t get to use your elite perks, Marriott will give you on-the-spot compensation?
Here’s everything you need to know to fully enjoy the benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Elite Guarantee.
» Learn more: Marriott Bonvoy Program: The complete guide
How it works
The hotel's Elite Member Benefits Guarantee means that, as a Bonvoy elite, you shouldn't arrive at your hotel to find that your room has been given away. And if you do, you're entitled to various forms of compensation depending on the location — potentially Marriott Bonvoy® points, meals or even cash.
The perks of the Elite Member Benefits Guarantee vary depending on your elite status level and the hotel brand where you’re staying. All levels are eligible for reservation guarantees. Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador elite members are additionally entitled to a guaranteed welcome gift, room type and access to a lounge if the hotel has one.
Eligibility
The Elite Member Benefits Guarantee applies no matter how you attained Bonvoy elite status — be it through frequent Bonvoy stays or through frequent spending on a co-branded credit card like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, which comes with Silver Elite status, or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, which comes with Platinum Elite status.
Types of Elite Member Benefit Guarantees
Some member benefit guarantees are available to all elites, while others are only offered to the highest elite tiers.
All elite members
Ultimate Reservation Guarantee
When you arrive at a qualifying hotel, Marriott guarantees that your reservation will be waiting for you. If, for some reason, the hotel is oversold or the property can't honor a reservation, elite members need not worry: The hotel will pay for a comparable hotel nearby.
For your trouble, you'll also get compensation in the form of cash — usually $100 or $200 — or Marriott Bonvoy points. Often, you can choose which type of compensation you would like, although your options may vary by brand and elite tier as shown in the chart on Marriott’s website.
If this situation happens to you and compensation is not proactively offered, be sure to ask about it.
Platinum elite, Titanium elite and Ambassador elite
Welcome gifts
Marriott’s Titanium elites and above receive a welcome gift when checking in to a Marriott family hotel. The welcome amenity adds a nice perk to your stay, whether in points or in a food-and-beverage amenity. And if a welcome gift is not delivered, your compensation can add a nice boost to your wallet courtesy of Marriott.
Gifts vary. You could get Bonvoy points, breakfast or a food or beverage item, depending on the property. Here’s what the compensation looks like at Marriott’s high-end properties:
Unfortunately, at Ritz-Carlton, EDITION, Marriott Vacation Club, Marriott Grand Residence Club, Home & Villas by Marriott International and Design Hotels properties, the elite welcome gift is not part of the guarantee. That is, there’s no assurance you’ll be compensated if your elite welcome gift is not offered, although you can follow up with Marriott Bonvoy to request compensation.
Vistana locations will only provide the welcome gift to elites not using their ownership interest.
Non-luxury Marriott properties have slightly lower compensation amounts:
Luxury brands usually offer greater compensation than more affordable brands. For example, the compensation at a St. Regis for a skipped welcome amenity is $100, whereas at a Courtyard it is $50.
If the hotel staff hasn't proactively offered you your welcome gift after check-in, ask about compensation. In most cases, you’re entitled to cash ranging from $25 to $100, depending on the hotel. If your hotel is outside the U.S., expect the equivalent in local currency.
The U.S. $10 food-and-beverage credit per night is for the Marriott member. If a guest is staying with the member, an additional $10 credit is provided. These credits are use-it-or-lose-it; they do not accumulate from day to day.
Getting compensated for missing benefits only applies if you bring up the matter with hotel staff before you check out. So arrive knowing what you’re entitled to.
Guaranteed room type
When you make a reservation, you can choose the type of room you want (king bed, two queen beds, accessible room, etc.). If you do not receive that room type, Marriott Bonvoy will compensate you with anywhere from $25 to $100 in cash, depending on the property.
At international hotels, expect the equivalent in local currency.
There are a few caveats, however: The bed type guarantee applies only to hotels in the U.S. and Canada. Internationally, the nonsmoking rooms are based on availability (meaning they are outside the guarantee). Also, bed type is only guaranteed for Titanium and Ambassador elite members in international locations, although the bed type and size may vary by region.
If you're upgraded, the room type may change, but you can request to forgo the upgrade in exchange for your guaranteed room type.
Unfortunately, there is no room guarantee at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, EDITION, Marriott Vacation Club, Marriott Grand Residence Club, Design HotelsTM and Vistana properties.
Guaranteed lounge access
In hotels that offer an executive lounge, Marriott’s Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador elite members can enjoy access. If the lounge is closed or the hotel doesn't have a lounge, the elite member (plus a companion) is offered breakfast in the restaurant or points instead.
If this is not proactively offered at JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Autograph Collection hotels and a few other brands, you’ll be compensated in cash.
There is no compensation if breakfast is not offered when staying at a Sheraton, Westin or another exempted Bonvoy brand. This compensation benefit is only for the guest room in which the elite member is staying.
Titanium elite and Ambassador elite
48-Hour guaranteed availability
Marriott’s highest level elite members have another benefit that guarantees there will be a room available for a paid stay reserved more than 48 hours before arrival. The guarantee is available at most brands with a few exclusions, such as Marriott Vacation Club, Vistana, Design Hotels and resort properties.
This guarantee is useful for elites who travel on fairly short notice and want to stay at a Marriott property. Marriott will make room for you.
Final thoughts on the Marriott elite benefit guarantees
By knowing your guaranteed elite member benefits, you can take full advantage when staying in a Marriott family hotel. All elite members can rest assured that their reservation is guaranteed. Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador Elite members enjoy room type guarantees, a welcome amenity and guaranteed reservations at the Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis.
Titanium and Ambassador members also get a guarantee for last-minute bookings. In a nutshell, you can be compensated if you don’t get certain perks that are due to you. But be prepared: If you're not offered your amenity, you must request compensation before checking out of the hotel, or else you forfeit your right to the perk.
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