In a previous post, I shared my experience for the year with Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador status, which is Marriott’s top tier status. In this post, I’d like to talk about my experience with Marriott Bonvoy Nightly Upgrade Awards, which are the upgrade “instruments” that can be used to confirm better rooms ahead of check-in.
People tend to be divided on these, with some finding them to be super worthwhile, and others finding them to be worthless. To be honest, I didn’t have an amazing year with getting these to clear, especially compared to previous years… but I still did get some value!
In this post:
The basics of Marriott Bonvoy Nightly Upgrade Awards
Marriott Bonvoy has the Choice Benefits program, whereby you can select certain perks when passing 50 elite nights and 75 elite nights in a calendar year. For many people, the default selection is Nightly Upgrade Awards (known as “NUAs”), as you can select five at each of the thresholds (for a total of up to 10).
The intent is that this is a way for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador members, to confirm a room upgrade before arrival. Each NUA is valid for one night of a stay, and depending on the brand you’re staying at, these can start to clear either three or five days before arrival.
While Platinum members and above receive unlimited upgrades subject to availability at check-in, this perk essentially allows members to prioritize upgrades on the stays that matter most to them.
The catch with NUAs is that even at the three and five day mark, they’re capacity controlled, so they don’t offer last room availability. Instead, there’s an algorithm that decides whether or not to clear them, which makes it a bit of a mystery.
The other thing to keep in mind with NUAs is that you can specifically choose which upgraded rooms you’d like to use an NUA for. Some properties may have one or two choices, while others have 10 choices.
This could include everything from rooms with slightly better views, to massive suites. So it’s always a bit of a decision making process when requesting them — you want the best suites possible, of course, but the more upgrade options you select, the better the odds of them clearing.
My Nightly Upgrade Award luck this year wasn’t great
With the year wrapping up, how did I do with Marriott Nightly Upgrade Awards in 2025? Well, I successfully used five of them, I had one disappear (long story), and I’ll end the year with four expiring. Bleh — I absolutely hate to see these expire, so I really need to be less conservative when it comes to deciding on which stays to request them.
To be more specific, I cleared NUAs on the following stays:
- For one night at the Tokyo EDITION Toranomon, where I got a Tower Suite, probably the most exciting upgrade of the year
- For one night at the Tokyo EDITION Ginza, where I got a Premier Suite, which was comfortable and cozy
- For three nights at the St. Regis Kanai Riviera Maya, where I got a St. Regis Suite, which was appreciated, since we were traveling with our older son
Meanwhile I had Nightly Upgrade Award requests fail five times, including at properties like the St. Regis Hong Kong, Ritz-Carlton New York NoMad, Koenigshof Munich (Marriott Luxury Collection), The Vinoy St. Petersburg (Marriott Autograph Collection), and more.
That’s honestly worse luck than I’ve had in the past. I do tend to be specific about the types of room upgrades I request — in other words, I don’t try to use an NUA for a room with a slightly upgraded view, since I’d hope to get that upgrade anyway. In all cases, the rooms I requested were still for sale at the upgrade window, but the upgrades didn’t clear.
Obviously I’m still too conservative with using these, given that I have four expiring this year. I’ve had worse luck this year than in past years, though that ultimately comes down to a few specific stays not clearing, so I can’t necessarily draw bigger conclusions from that.
I am curious to hear what kind of experiences others have had — did you notice a difference in these clearing this past year compared to previous years, or no?
Bottom line
2025 hasn’t been a great year for me when it comes to Marriott Bonvoy Nightly Upgrade Awards. I did manage to confirm three upgrades, though I also had five failures. Ultimately I try to be strategic with using these, and also try to be realistic in terms of them clearing. However, I definitely had worse luck this year than in previous years.
Even so, I continue to select NUAs with the Choice Benefits program, because when the upgrades do clear, I find them to be super valuable.
What has your experience been with Marriott NUAs this year? Did you have more successes or failures?
I lost all 5 despite applying for numerous upgrades. Not particularly happy to watch them disappear, shows that loyalty is often not rewarded.
Many people may not realize that even a confirmed upgrade using Nightly Upgrade Awards (NUAs) is still subject to availability at check-in.
In my case, I had a NUA-confirmed suite upgrade at a Four Points hotel. However, at check-in I was informed that the previous guest had extended their stay, and therefore the suite was no longer available. The hotel cancelled my confirmed NUA upgrade and returned the two NUAs to my account.
I subsequently...
Many people may not realize that even a confirmed upgrade using Nightly Upgrade Awards (NUAs) is still subject to availability at check-in.
In my case, I had a NUA-confirmed suite upgrade at a Four Points hotel. However, at check-in I was informed that the previous guest had extended their stay, and therefore the suite was no longer available. The hotel cancelled my confirmed NUA upgrade and returned the two NUAs to my account.
I subsequently requested room guarantee compensation from Marriott, but the request was denied. Marriott customer service later confirmed to me that even a NUA-confirmed upgrade is subject to availability at the time of check-in.
I repeatedly asked Marriott customer service what the practical difference is between a NUA “confirmed” upgrade subject to availability and a Titanium Elite complimentary upgrade, which is also subject to availability, but they declined to provide a clear answer.
100% failure rate for 2025; 10 upgrades expired unused.
Last time we tried to use on of these (titanium) we were not only unsuccessful but when we got to our room we worked out we’d actually been downgraded from the room we’d booked. Charming! Not bothered any more though as we don’t focus on loyalty so much.
Upgrades should be a chapter in Cory Doctorow's book "Enshitification."
It used to be that they were Suite Upgrades, now I get an option of a higher floor or similar. I notice that upgrades are now "locked" when a request is made and only released (at least in the case below), the day before arrival. As this reservation was a special trip, I requested early and with a mid-December reservation those upgrades were not...
Upgrades should be a chapter in Cory Doctorow's book "Enshitification."
It used to be that they were Suite Upgrades, now I get an option of a higher floor or similar. I notice that upgrades are now "locked" when a request is made and only released (at least in the case below), the day before arrival. As this reservation was a special trip, I requested early and with a mid-December reservation those upgrades were not able to be used on an alternative used on a "first available" upgrade as used to be the case. I had five "upgrades" vanish at midnight because of this.
We are trying IHG, despite Lifetime Titanium, as especially in the US Bonvoy status is almost useless - and that's with over 120 nights in Marriott hotels in 2025. So far, IHG is impressive, but it's early days as I only switched after the last Upgrade debacle.
Chase Sapphire offers a good status match with IHG and we went in at next to the top level and made the top level very soon thereafter. Bye Marriott, it was an Ok 35 years........
I had worse luck as well - I had successfully strategically used my NUAs in previous years, but this year my five NUAs will be expiring after a few unsuccessful attempts earlier this year. Especially now that I’ll be hitting Lifetime Platinum this year, there’s not much incentive to pursue more nights at Marriott vs. other hotel chains.
We are at combined Chairman's Club for Marriott Vacation Club and I have historically been Titanium while I was working. We purchased points to attain Chairman's because permanent Titanium, regardless of the number of night stays was guaranteed because the programs supposedly work together for dedicated clients. However, I found out this fall, from a very nasty Bonvoy agent on the Platinum desk, that it doesn't work that way now. Don't know what changed and...
We are at combined Chairman's Club for Marriott Vacation Club and I have historically been Titanium while I was working. We purchased points to attain Chairman's because permanent Titanium, regardless of the number of night stays was guaranteed because the programs supposedly work together for dedicated clients. However, I found out this fall, from a very nasty Bonvoy agent on the Platinum desk, that it doesn't work that way now. Don't know what changed and never got a notice from Marriott. Still trying to figure out what to do for them to get back in our good graces.
Titanium Status w/ Lifetime Platinum, I was able to use NUA at a Westin in Vancouver while on points stay for a 1 bedroom suite with Mountain/Harbor view. The one surprise was breakfast was continental or $9 credit towards buffet.
Titanium Status:
Night Ugrades - 0 of 5
UA Silver Status - complimentary upgrade to 1st Class 12 of 18 flights, premium upgraded seats, 18 of 18, priceless.
International Marriott Stay - 7 of 10 days, complimentary upgrades, priceless.
2026 - I will choose the Free Night award.
My nighty upgrades fail 90% of the time. I have called Marriott about the issue multiple times and they have done nothing. It is the most pointless perk, and sadly most of the other ones are too. Have stopped staying at Marriott properties and moved to Hilton after finding minimal value in their status.
Titanium member here - requested upgrade nights on 11 instances in 2025 and received 0. All upgrade nights will expire un-used this year.
In the past, I probably get a 10% success rate.
I'm an Ambassador (lifetime titanium) as well. I have so far no issues with all my upgrades. I have all bookings upgraded to suite room at least 90% of it and 10% executive room which i have no complaints at all. The only time is the property doesn't except upgrades. Bare in mind these upgrades that I used to redeem are brands such as St. Regis & JW Marriott. Ritz doesn't recognise the upgrades.
Its funny even the wording for the Marriott upgrades has changed to "room and suite upgrades" and you are more likely to get a bump to a higher floor room using certs than actually getting a suite. That's all I got this year so next is my last year trying to chase 50 nights with Marriott. Contrast this with IHG or Wyndham where you are guaranteed every time to get a very nice suite from...
Its funny even the wording for the Marriott upgrades has changed to "room and suite upgrades" and you are more likely to get a bump to a higher floor room using certs than actually getting a suite. That's all I got this year so next is my last year trying to chase 50 nights with Marriott. Contrast this with IHG or Wyndham where you are guaranteed every time to get a very nice suite from both programs. I am Lifetime Plat with Marriott and Diamond with both IHG and Wyndham and I have to say being Diamond is much better with either program than Marriotts as regards suite upgrades breakfast last check out etc etc. IHG it's only 20 nights for a suite and Wyndham they upgrade you every time in every hotel. Wyndham really is turning out to be a great dark horse program.
similar situation. tried 3 times and failed in all of them. in the last one though, it was the hotel that made the decision not some algorithm (I was informed by the manager upon check-in)
my status is Titanium.
I am a titanium elite. The offers I got for upgrade are ridiculously overvalued. Basically just a better room in terms of location or slightly bigger size. Sometimes it is just offering a club lounge access room or something of that sort which I am entitled any way. The worst are the international locations in Bangalore and Mumbai. In the US, I tried in Houston and Dallas. Not much use.
Thought you could choose room categories during upgrades unless it is all sold out during your arrival date. Priority given to revenue generating room sales.
Lifetime Platinum, but earned Platinum in 2024, thus the choice, I had all four of mine clear. Never tried the fifth. Three were kinda throwaway upgrades at courtyards and marriotts, but in each case we did get a large two room suite which was nice, US southeastern locations. The final one blew me away, JW Auckland, Presidential Suite. To me, that made the choice well worth it. A really really nice house sized suite of...
Lifetime Platinum, but earned Platinum in 2024, thus the choice, I had all four of mine clear. Never tried the fifth. Three were kinda throwaway upgrades at courtyards and marriotts, but in each case we did get a large two room suite which was nice, US southeastern locations. The final one blew me away, JW Auckland, Presidential Suite. To me, that made the choice well worth it. A really really nice house sized suite of rooms, etc. Made Titanium so debating on what to do with the second choice.
I was staying at the Hong Kong Renaissance and requested the suite upgrade as a Titanium member. That didn't clear. Long story short, they accidentally cancelled my reservation in the process of clearing upgrades. As a token of apology, they upgraded me to the suite that I wanted to start with (which they originally denied being available). Go figure...
I still have all of my certificates at the end of the year. NONE of them cleared this year. No point in even having them.
Bonvoy only a backup option for me now due to LTT status. Still some good legacy Starwood Lux Collections out there. Would never pay annual status-level money to Marriott in a million years now.
I wanted to comment that these used to be suite night upgrade awards but were renamed when it was clear that it was based on upgrades that are not necessarily suites. I also want to comment that I think at some smaller properties or properties that are more expensive and prestegious it is less likely to get the upgrade approved. Further, in some way this is just another elite benefit that so many people have so the change that you will chear decreases.
I am Lifetime Titanium with Bonvoy, Diamond Select with BW, Platinum with IHG and silver with Wyndham.
I avoid Bonvoy now. Windham is nothing to crow about but at they're upfront and honest.
Pardon me, at least they're honest
Status match with Wyndham using your IHG Diamond...Diamond with Wyndham is VERY good. Suite upgrade everytime.
I've found that since they have become NUAs most of the hotels I stay at have really limited the inventory that they make available for NUAs. I burned one last week for the heck of it in NY where the option was the river view room ($3) more than the standard room, but unavailable with points. Water makes my SO happy and I had six left. Cleared into a Jr Suite in Lisbon and (like...
I've found that since they have become NUAs most of the hotels I stay at have really limited the inventory that they make available for NUAs. I burned one last week for the heck of it in NY where the option was the river view room ($3) more than the standard room, but unavailable with points. Water makes my SO happy and I had six left. Cleared into a Jr Suite in Lisbon and (like others here) they crowed about how they had upgraded me. Worst was the hotel where I got a room far worse than what they have often put me into in the past because "that's what I requested with my nightly upgrade award." Reminds me the time a few years ago where the upgraded room was so bad (1st floor, looking at parking lot) that I requested a downgrade.
So, when I'm willing to burn an NUA on a lame upgrade it clears, but otherwise, the only thing that cleared for me was 2 nights at the St Regis Osaka, which was lovely!
My experience has been almost identical to yours. 5 used, 5 expiring. Although, even though my nua request for 5 nights was denied in advance at the Ritz Amelia Island, they gave me the highest (non club) upgrade available at check in. So I feel a little less bitter about those. For next year, I'm strongly considering just taking 5 nua and the free night benefit for renewing my titanium status.
Only in Marriottland do the sycophantic loyals consider a "higher floor" to be an upgrade...that should be table stakes for any loyalty program and not need a special certificate.
I am at a Sheraton as I am writing this - not because I want to. I was greeted with Congratulations! You have been upgraded to a Suite! My eyes rolled....I mumbled, yes with my NUA, not that Bonvoy often upgrade me by choice to a suite.
I agree this year has been more NUA denials than being cleared even when the properties have empty Suites up to the day I checked in.
I...
I am at a Sheraton as I am writing this - not because I want to. I was greeted with Congratulations! You have been upgraded to a Suite! My eyes rolled....I mumbled, yes with my NUA, not that Bonvoy often upgrade me by choice to a suite.
I agree this year has been more NUA denials than being cleared even when the properties have empty Suites up to the day I checked in.
I even had one being cancelled on me due to a system error that the customer service put words in my mouth saying that I cancelled after 2pm on day before which I had a tonne of emails showing the error was weeks before my arrival. She had the cheek to offer me 5000 points to compensate my loss of NUA. I replied, thanks for kicking me hard in the gut and giving me a bottle of Perrier to compensate me for your mistake.
Talking about suite upgrades without NUAs, I received 3 nights out of my 102 nights as a lowly Titanium. I had 70 plus nights of Suite upgrades on Hilton as their Platinum on my 141 nights with them. Surprising but they are making an effort! Even their online customer service actually resolves any matter that I have.
I had better upgrades, early check-in and late check out on Hyatt just as a Member! Hyatt I am coming over!
Yup, I am legacy SPG and they are incomparable. I am also a low maintenance guest as I travel for my own business.
I had pretty good luck. I had to cancel one stay where they had cleared (Dalmar Ft Lauderdale) and will have 1 expire. I feel that you will generally get the lowest level room approved if you select multiple options, also seems that they were a bit harder to get this year, but that's just my impression.
I ended the year with four unused NUA's. My wife (also an Ambassador Elite) ends with eight unused . We had minimal luck this year, and I don't have her approved and denied at the moment but as for me, successful NUA's include the Hotel Grand Bretagne in Athens. the JW Marriott in Frankfurt, Ritz Carlton St. Louis, and La Caserne Chanzy Autograph Collection in Reims, France. Unsuccessful NUA's include The Shelbourne in Dublin, the...
I ended the year with four unused NUA's. My wife (also an Ambassador Elite) ends with eight unused . We had minimal luck this year, and I don't have her approved and denied at the moment but as for me, successful NUA's include the Hotel Grand Bretagne in Athens. the JW Marriott in Frankfurt, Ritz Carlton St. Louis, and La Caserne Chanzy Autograph Collection in Reims, France. Unsuccessful NUA's include The Shelbourne in Dublin, the W Fort Lauderdale Beach, the JW Marriott Clearwater Beach, the Vinoy in St Petersburg Beach, the Orlando Marriott World Center, Springhill Suites NY Midtown (throwaway since they were expiring).
Meanwhile, I got upgraded to a Presidential Suite in Paris as a Discoverist.
I've noticed many of the more luxurious properties only offer flexible rates that can be canceled/changed up to 2 days before stay. Looks like clever way to trap people into bookings when nua a day ahead of stay fails to clear.
Marriott as a program is COOKED. And Bonvoy points ain’t to far behind. At upper half of properties they mirror Hilton values. Having said all that…I’m out! F Marriott.
I also have 4 NUAs expiring tomorrow. I had a total of 10, with success at the following:
- JW Marriott Istanbul (1)
- Marriott Philadelphia West (1)
- Liberty Hotel, Boston (2)
- Le Dokhan's, Paris (1) - this was a very nice junior suite with Eiffel Tower view
- Press Hotel, Portland ME (1)
However, there were also multiple times when I was denied an NUA and...
I also have 4 NUAs expiring tomorrow. I had a total of 10, with success at the following:
- JW Marriott Istanbul (1)
- Marriott Philadelphia West (1)
- Liberty Hotel, Boston (2)
- Le Dokhan's, Paris (1) - this was a very nice junior suite with Eiffel Tower view
- Press Hotel, Portland ME (1)
However, there were also multiple times when I was denied an NUA and was subsequently upgraded anyway. Case in point: we just checked out of the Disney Dolphin, where NUA was denied and then we ended up in what I consider to be one of the best rooms on the property: Room 915, a corner king with not one but two fireworks view balconies! So overall, we've done OK :) That said, I'll only select 5 NUAs this year for Platinum and then get the 40K free night for Titanium.
I too am Ambassador and was fortunate enough to be able to use all of them. This past summer I had requested 4 to use at the Hotel de Berri in Paris, I started checking a couple of weeks ahead and saw no suites were available for booking only standard rooms. Which means the NUA request would not clear. I was going to be traveling to Dublin after Paris and I checked my Dublin reservation...
I too am Ambassador and was fortunate enough to be able to use all of them. This past summer I had requested 4 to use at the Hotel de Berri in Paris, I started checking a couple of weeks ahead and saw no suites were available for booking only standard rooms. Which means the NUA request would not clear. I was going to be traveling to Dublin after Paris and I checked my Dublin reservation at the Shelbourne Hotel. They had a number of different suites available for booking so I figured good chance of NUA clearing. Changed my request to Dublin hotel and they all cleared several days ahead. Upgraded to a beautiful big suite. Generally been able to use all of my NUA requests the last few years. I just try and be smart about which hotels I am most likely to get them to clear. Never waste a request on a room with a better view. It seems that the higher my room rate is better chance of them clearing.
Marriott is the new Delta. Points are worthless. People flock to the program all excited to be “elite” and are nothing but frustrated. I’ve moved on to Hyatt and could care less about Marriott. I’m LT PLT for when I’m forced to stay at a Marriott property (often for work).
I tried my luck at the Excelsior Hotel Gallia (Luxury Collection), Milan but wasn’t cleared the day before. Fortunately my booking allowed cancellation until midnight so I quickly cancelled my stay and found an excellent short-term rental closer to the center with twice the space for a third the cost.
Problem with NUAs is that while they are mostly useless, the other choice benefits are ever more useless, so I continue to select them.
When Marriott first bought SPG, I tried to use SNA at the St Regis Bal Harbour. Mind you, I had stayed at this hotel 4 times in the past few years (under SPG) and always received amazing upgrades.
So I applied for the SNA, it didn't clear, and then the checkin agent tried to "upsell me" to a suite for $3k more, which was the exact suite I requested the SNA into! (and had been...
When Marriott first bought SPG, I tried to use SNA at the St Regis Bal Harbour. Mind you, I had stayed at this hotel 4 times in the past few years (under SPG) and always received amazing upgrades.
So I applied for the SNA, it didn't clear, and then the checkin agent tried to "upsell me" to a suite for $3k more, which was the exact suite I requested the SNA into! (and had been upgraded for free under SPG)
That was the point I knew I was done with Marriott. Haven't looked back (Hello Hyatt)
I have had the worse time with this. AS a platinum member, all hotels I go to never seem to have an update...there was one exception in Denver.
Almost like they forget how much we spend on this chain...our company is considering going to Hilton instead, just for how we are treated.
I used three this year at the Ritz Carlton Baku. I had selected the 1,2 and 3 bedroom apartments as possibilities. For some reason it cleared for the 3 bedroom apartment. A bit overkill as I was traveling solo, but it was still nice to have an entire laundry room.
All 5 of my NUA are expiring unused this year, but much of that is due to how I have successfully managed to vote with my feet and move almost entirely away from Marriott. I'd say it's impressive how well they've talked the program since the Bonvoy launch. I went from 79 paid nights a year five years ago to 11 paid nights this year.
My platinum status is finally expiring and to that I can only say Bon Voyage Bonvoy!
I had 5 earned for 2025, used 4, with no rejections. I was very selective when applying them. I had a number of stays at lower end hotels (Moxy, Fairfield, Courtyard) where I assumed my Plat status would get me as good an upgrade as the properties offered, which I think was true.
I used 2 for a stay at Le Metropolitan, Paris Tour Eiffel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel — that got us the...
I had 5 earned for 2025, used 4, with no rejections. I was very selective when applying them. I had a number of stays at lower end hotels (Moxy, Fairfield, Courtyard) where I assumed my Plat status would get me as good an upgrade as the properties offered, which I think was true.
I used 2 for a stay at Le Metropolitan, Paris Tour Eiffel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel — that got us the second-best suite in the house with a full-on view of the Eiffel Tower. I used 1 for stay at the Gritti Palace in Venice, which also delivered a terrific suite. Both of these were points stays, so all in all excellent value. And the fourth was used at the Westin Long Beach, earning a suite which went mostly unused. No complaints.
I have definitely had a similar experience, where harder to get NUA this year than last. But did have a Christmas miracle! I had 6 NUAs that were due to expire at the end of the year and took a last minute trip to NYC and the W Union Square (a Marriott owned property) over Christmas on points. Put in for an NUA for laughs not thinking I would remotely get it, but to my...
I have definitely had a similar experience, where harder to get NUA this year than last. But did have a Christmas miracle! I had 6 NUAs that were due to expire at the end of the year and took a last minute trip to NYC and the W Union Square (a Marriott owned property) over Christmas on points. Put in for an NUA for laughs not thinking I would remotely get it, but to my surprise I was upgraded to a fabulous 1BR suite overlooking the park. Staff couldn't have been nicer.
In my experience the upgrades chances vary (in descending order), how busy the hotel is, if its Marriott owned (franchises tend to be very stingy), International locations seem to be easier.
Given how many hotels are franchised there needs to be stricter enforcement of Brand Standards. As you have pointed out the value of loyalty has eroded to the point that I am going to diversify more this year for sure.
That is the key I have found is how booked the hotel is. If they have enough vacancies more likely that NUA request will clear.
I thought this would improve when they switched from "suites" to "upgraded rooms." It seems to have diminished. More properties are saying that they "don't participate in the plan." My thought is that if you hang the Bonvoy sign, you should be required to participate. If the room is available, the guest has the upgrade... why sour the experience?
Some properties are pushing paid upgrades, and I'm not entirely opposed. They often have shockingly good...
I thought this would improve when they switched from "suites" to "upgraded rooms." It seems to have diminished. More properties are saying that they "don't participate in the plan." My thought is that if you hang the Bonvoy sign, you should be required to participate. If the room is available, the guest has the upgrade... why sour the experience?
Some properties are pushing paid upgrades, and I'm not entirely opposed. They often have shockingly good deals on their best rooms. But the idea is that I am given these upgrades as a platinum, so I shouldn't have to spend extra cash to do that.
As for Marriott total? I stay there because their footprint is gigantic. And some of the hotels are lovely even without an upgrade. I'm at Marriott family properties because there's little choice.
Marriott needs to reign in on some of these perks because they don't work and higher-status guests get annoyed. But I don't think that annoyance is enough for Marriott to want to change anything. This would need to hurt them in a much more substantive financial way, and that's unlikely to happen.
I just remind myself that Marriott exists for its shareholders, not for me. If I get lucky and a enjoy a nicer room, great. If not, I can't depend on it. It's a loyalty scheme, not a binding legal agreement. Marriott doesn't owe me a nicer room.
I was denied my upgrade certificates at two Hawaii hotels in November and one denied a month later in Chicago. One was approved but that hotel didn’t have suites so it only a slightly better view. But since they were expiring within in a month it was better than wasting them. So two certificates left and I needed one more night to hit Platinum again so we did a staycation here in Dallas and that...
I was denied my upgrade certificates at two Hawaii hotels in November and one denied a month later in Chicago. One was approved but that hotel didn’t have suites so it only a slightly better view. But since they were expiring within in a month it was better than wasting them. So two certificates left and I needed one more night to hit Platinum again so we did a staycation here in Dallas and that one was not even allowed because as I found out certificates are not allowed if the reservation is within 48 hours of check in. I did not know this rule and neither did the first Marriott rep I spoke to. So two wasted. I will probably take the Stay Credits next time.
This topic has been written about extensively. By many authors. My conclusion, DON’T STAY AT MARRIOTT HOTELS! We’re tired of hearing the same old story!
It's hard to understand the point of having non positive space, non confirmed at booking upgrade instruments that largely just upgrade you to rooms you were already eligible to get a complimentary upgrade to. Sounds like they just found a way to gamify upgrades while making them worse
Some people complain that Ben recycles articles. Yet, from the comments, we see people making the same mistakes over and over and over again. The comments prove that the story needs to be retold. Keep this in mind the next time someone complains about a recycled article. Thanks to Ben for the reminder.
Everytime I had a nua denial including just few days ago at jw marriott charlotte, the requested room was still for sale at time of check in, followed by a lie by the front desk agent at check in that their all "sold out" upon requesting for upgrade there.
Have 3 unused expiring nuas this year!
Not sure why Ben and others still stick with Marriott. IHG has suite upgrade award certificates for up to five nights (not nightly certificates). As Diamond Ambassador with IHG luckily, thus far, all of my upgrade certificates had been confirmed and ahead of check in time. I think they can be cleared fourteen days before the check in date. Had used these certificates at some fantastic hotels such as the Regent Taipei or the Intercontinental HK.
IHG upgrade certs are fantastic I agree and you have a dedicated Diamond line agent who actually calls hotels to arrange a suite and then calls you back with options. After only 20 stays too! Never failed to not get a great suite. My advice, stick with IHG or the real sleeper Wyndham for great upgrades. Marriott status now is just late check out and breakfast or lounge access.
Most annoying is to have upgrade requests unfulfilled while the property continues to incessantly peddle paid upgrades for the same class of suite prior to arrival. This happened repeatedly this year at properties ranging from resorts and JW Marriott to freaking Four Points. You'll have to convince me that this is something other than a marketing sham by corporate.
For the past five years I got the 5 NUAs, each year I tried to use them at high end Marriott properties in London,New York and Mexico City. Never got a single one approved. Next year I will select another option. Has noticed that Bonvoy has really jacked up the required points to stay at Marriott properties outside the USA? At JWs in Europe next year I will need 50% more points than I used the last three years. Thinking I too will start building points in Hyatt.
If it didn't sink in after the second year, shame on you.
For me they turned out to be pretty useless as an Ambassador. Over 120 nights, I requested upgrades multiple times at various hotels around the world and wasn’t able to use a single one. Luckily, I only selected five based on the previous year’s results and they are all going to waste. The Marriott upgrade program really pales in comparison to Hyatt, and I ended up staying at a lot more Hyatt properties this year....
For me they turned out to be pretty useless as an Ambassador. Over 120 nights, I requested upgrades multiple times at various hotels around the world and wasn’t able to use a single one. Luckily, I only selected five based on the previous year’s results and they are all going to waste. The Marriott upgrade program really pales in comparison to Hyatt, and I ended up staying at a lot more Hyatt properties this year. I made Ambassador again, but I’m really struggling to see the benefits of the program.
You need to have your personal ambassador work upgrades on your behalf.
I agree I have done that, had my Ambassador contact the hotel for me. Doesn’t hurt and that’s why they are there
I myself have had more success than failure overall with NUAs. This year I started with 5 and ended with 0, with 2 nights used at the Westin in Warsaw and 3 nights used at the Marriott in Copenhagen. Next year though may be a different story, since I'll probably struggle to use any of the 5 I have...
I started the year with 5 and end the year with 5. Tried to use them at the Westin Bora Bora for a 5 night stay. They did not clear. However, they were happy to sell me an upgrade.
I tried using 2 at Tambo del Inka in Peru and these also did not clear.
They are a scam.
I reached platinum via my business travels. Have the 5 and they will expire this year. On the one personal trip that I took and stayed at the Prince Gallery in Tokyo for 5 nights, they couldn't be used. All of my business trips, I had to book the cheapest rooms which tended to be Courtyard Hotels. There was no point using them at those properties.
I too tried to use them at the same hotel in Tokyo with no success. Got a slight upgrade to larger room with fantastic view as an Ambassador but felt they were tight with clearing upgrades requests. I cannot remember how booked the hotel was since it was a couple of years ago. However, I did use them for the St. Regis in Singapore, a 5 night stay and they all cleared upgraded to a larger suite.
More broadly, could’ve just said… ‘Bonvoy…more failure than success.’
got two NUA back which will expiry. It depends on the hotel I guess. however it's a shame the process is not more clear. If I apply an NUA and it's 4 days for the stay why is is it not confirmed. that would be great. In practice it can be the day of arrivasl though or you hear nothing. Got one cleared (!) tommorow on december 31st though. Nice. hoepfully it will not change when we check in ;-)
This is actually nothing new. And, in a way, it is no different than a property denying an elite-based upgrade at check-in even though there are upgrade-eligible rooms for your entire stay. In spite of the upgrade algorithm, it is an elusive benefit.
@ Fred -- I don't think I suggested anything was new? I was just sharing my experience with the benefit over the past year.
Certainly. Just sharing with newbies this has been ongoing for some time.
Reading all the negative comments about Marriott staff, management and Bonvoy progam, I have a simple question: why do you keep staying at Marriotts ?
There are some truly good properties. Some will use those and be free agents for other stays. For many, it's a matter of wanting a single program and taking the bad with the good. In other cases, a specific hotel network has the geographic footprint or convenient locations. In the case of business travelers, some are mandated to use a specific hotel network due to their company having a corporate/contract rate.
Corporate travel. Same reason as flying United (or any US based airline for that matter).
@Taz.
I stay at Marriott because I have to for my business travel per company policy. For personal trips, I stay at a Marriott if I have points accumulated from business travel to cover my stay. If I have to pay cash, Marriott is usually the last resort.
It's a good question. Marriott is best now as an airport hotel for an early check in and a late check out. when taking a flight the next day. The US lounges are rubbish also. JFK Marriott lounge you basically pay for everything so what's the point at a $400 a night hotel? Marriotts in SE Asia are much better but still upgrade certs rarely clear and if they do you get a room on a higher floor...sad.
I was just denied NUA over this Christmas (got my 5 awards back that will expire in a few days...). Still, it is better than Hilton as a Diamond, as there isn't even a certificate. However, this is the reason why Hyatt tops the rest with their SUA... and that's why my next year's winter vacation is with Hyatt now.
In late June, my husband and I were unable to use three NUAs at the Marriott in Vienna but succeeded in upgrading to a great suite for three nights at the Marriott in Prague. It was really terrific, with a comfortable living room, half-bath off the entry hall, good-sized bedroom, dressing room and huge full bathroom. Late June is busy time of year in Prague, so I was pleasantly surprised! I still have two NUAs...
In late June, my husband and I were unable to use three NUAs at the Marriott in Vienna but succeeded in upgrading to a great suite for three nights at the Marriott in Prague. It was really terrific, with a comfortable living room, half-bath off the entry hall, good-sized bedroom, dressing room and huge full bathroom. Late June is busy time of year in Prague, so I was pleasantly surprised! I still have two NUAs left to use before the end of 2026 and will hope to find a good use for them.