It was recently announced that Marriott Bonvoy will be extending elite status by a further year. Marriott has just made a couple of further announcements for top tier Ambassador members.
In this post:
Ambassador members can gift Platinum status
Marriott’s top tier Ambassador elite status ordinarily requires 100 elite nights plus $20,000 in qualifying spending per year. For 2021 that spending requirement has been reduced to $14,000. Marriott is now giving Ambassador members an incentive to actually requalify for status, rather than just using the extension.
Those who achieve Ambassador status by the end of 2021 with the published criteria will be invited to gift Platinum status to a family member in January 2022.
That’s a nice gesture, as Platinum status comes with the most important perks you can receive with elite status, like room upgrades, free breakfast or lounge access (at most brands), and guaranteed late check-out (at non-resorts).
Ambassador status will require $20,000 in spending in 2022
Interestingly Marriott Bonvoy is already announcing that Ambassador status will require 100 elite nights plus $20,000 in spending for 2022. In other words, the full standard elite requirements will be reinstated as of next year.
Personally I wouldn’t read too much into this:
- No one knows what the world will look like in 2022, including a continued recovery from coronavirus
- I think the intent is more to state that $14,000 isn’t the standard spending requirement going forward; personally I wouldn’t count out some sort of a promotion that makes it easier to earn status
Marriott’s “renewed commitment” to Ambassador members
In an email to Ambassador members, Marriott talks about a renewed commitment to the Ambassador program:
As travel evolves, we continue to listen to your feedback about your experience as an Ambassador Elite member. Heading into 2022, we are taking this opportunity to renew our commitment to the Ambassador program to improve and elevate the experience for our most loyal members. We hope you feel the impact of our pledge and look forward to hosting you as an Ambassador Elite member in the year ahead.
The problem is that there’s no substance to this as of now. Around the start of the pandemic Marriott eliminated personalized Ambassador service, where members basically had one point of contact at the company. There are no plans to restore that in the near future. That makes me wonder in what way Marriott will be renewing its commitment to the Ambassador program?
Bottom line
Marriott Ambassador members who qualify for status in 2021 (by earning 100 elite nights and spending $14,000) will be able to gift Platinum status to a family member. That’s a nice benefit.
Beyond that, Marriott has confirmed that in 2022, Ambassador status will once again require $20,000 in spending. It’s stated that Marriott has a “renewed commitment” to Ambassador members, but there’s no concrete information as to what will be changing.
What do you make of this Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador announcement?
I am 350 nights and over 40k$ spend this year I have been an ambassador for many years and I think this will be my last year with them, the ambassador service is bad, they do not reply to emails and you can spend over an hour on international phone bills trying to get hold of a useless person that does not help you on the other end. it is a shame they have killed the service it was what made me join SPG back in the days
I'm at 95 nights now (including the 50 elite night credits for members this year) and ~23k$ spent. I'll probably qualify this year with 4 more nights already booked. Not really stoked about this, Platinum status isn't worth much as others have stated and I don't have any family to gift it to.
I’ve been trying to obtain platinum for a while. I would appreciate a referral for platinum if you’re still able. Thanks
I am going on a Oneworld Round The World trip in March 24. Could use a referral. Been stuck at Gold for ages.
I’m at 99 nights with multiple stays already booked in November and December but I don’t think I’ll make the $14,000.00 minimum spending this year , what concerns me more is the rewards spending change as I have over 800,000 points to use
Anyone want to gift Bonvoy Plat to me in return for my thank$ and gratitude?
I don't fully understand the mentality of the Bonvoy program leadership. As being a lifetime titanium elite, now ambassador (which literally means no additional value), I'm stuck with arriving at properties giving up points to get breakfast at best. Then think of not having lounge access (which makes NO SENSE) to be told if I want a coke, snack, or bottle of water that I'll need to pay for it. I just returned from a...
I don't fully understand the mentality of the Bonvoy program leadership. As being a lifetime titanium elite, now ambassador (which literally means no additional value), I'm stuck with arriving at properties giving up points to get breakfast at best. Then think of not having lounge access (which makes NO SENSE) to be told if I want a coke, snack, or bottle of water that I'll need to pay for it. I just returned from a trip to LAX where I got 3 pancakes and a water were included in my free breakfast but when asked to add 2 straps of bacon, I was then out 5.00. There really needs to be an awakening at the Bonvoy department that those of us with this level of status, honestly get nothing to make us feel loyal.
As someone who earned Titanium this year with 'head in bed' nights, this is an insult. I understood extending status last year, but are those of us who spend enough nights in Marriott properties to earn top tier status in any hotel program (other than Bonvoy), supposed to be happy that our loyalty was just dramatically devalued and with no additional benefit.
P.S. I could log enough stays this year for Ambassador, but the incremental...
As someone who earned Titanium this year with 'head in bed' nights, this is an insult. I understood extending status last year, but are those of us who spend enough nights in Marriott properties to earn top tier status in any hotel program (other than Bonvoy), supposed to be happy that our loyalty was just dramatically devalued and with no additional benefit.
P.S. I could log enough stays this year for Ambassador, but the incremental value is minimal, particularly compared with earning status with Hyatt, Hilton and even IHG.
I’m with those above that this is not a “nice gesture”, this article is hugely wide of the mark. It’s a cynical insult taken in combination with the email pretending Marriott gives a **** about loyalty, it would literally be better if Marriott had done nothing. Oh great, for the second year in a row I can gift the mid-level tier of Marriott’s program to someone who doesn’t need it in exchange for being one...
I’m with those above that this is not a “nice gesture”, this article is hugely wide of the mark. It’s a cynical insult taken in combination with the email pretending Marriott gives a **** about loyalty, it would literally be better if Marriott had done nothing. Oh great, for the second year in a row I can gift the mid-level tier of Marriott’s program to someone who doesn’t need it in exchange for being one of the few guests keeping certain hotels open. “Better not let them gift Titanium though, that would be too much”. I have zero interest in maintaining Ambassador again next year.
I'm with Brandon. 37 years with Marriott, the first 7 as Gold that last 30 as Platinum and I'm moving to Hyatt the same as he is.
The list of things the hotels and corporate has pulled is too long to recite but here's a couple...
Downgraded the category two outstanding travel awards were good for. This was after they were issued but before they were set to expire. Just plain refused to honor them.
...I'm with Brandon. 37 years with Marriott, the first 7 as Gold that last 30 as Platinum and I'm moving to Hyatt the same as he is.
The list of things the hotels and corporate has pulled is too long to recite but here's a couple...
Downgraded the category two outstanding travel awards were good for. This was after they were issued but before they were set to expire. Just plain refused to honor them.
Allowed hotels to take upgraded rooms and suites out of inventory by bundling them as part of a "package" that was by their own admission nothing but a way to keep them from being used for upgrades.
These aren't one time mistakes. Time to stop doing business with an organization the embraces cheating their customers.
I have Ambassador status, but I’m pretty much done with Marriott after this devaluation. Just need to figure out where to spend my points before next spring.
Fortunately, I also have globalist status. Hyatt is going to get all of my city and vacation stays. Marriott can keep my smaller market stays.
This is not a "nice gesture" but a slap in the face. Extending status was bad enough. This "gift" is not a gift but just a way for Marriott to try to get more people in hotels and further dilute benefits. I earned Ambassador. I will be over $20K by the end of the year. They should have given members that actually qualified a dedicated Ambassador again, a free night, or the ability to roll...
This is not a "nice gesture" but a slap in the face. Extending status was bad enough. This "gift" is not a gift but just a way for Marriott to try to get more people in hotels and further dilute benefits. I earned Ambassador. I will be over $20K by the end of the year. They should have given members that actually qualified a dedicated Ambassador again, a free night, or the ability to roll over excess nights/spend. Marriott is tone deaf and I'm shifting the rest of my stays to Hyatt this year to finish my Globalist requalification and then some.
With the continual elite status extensions, members can receive devalued benefits and be denied room upgrades for even longer. This is great!!! But seriously folks . . . in reality, realization of benefits are ultimately controlled by the individual properties. The individual properties do not care diddly squat about one's loyalty to Marriott or Hilton or Hyatt. They care about whether you are a repeat paying guest at their specific properties. If you're not a...
With the continual elite status extensions, members can receive devalued benefits and be denied room upgrades for even longer. This is great!!! But seriously folks . . . in reality, realization of benefits are ultimately controlled by the individual properties. The individual properties do not care diddly squat about one's loyalty to Marriott or Hilton or Hyatt. They care about whether you are a repeat paying guest at their specific properties. If you're not a repeat paying guest, don't expect anything. With all hotel loyalty programs, it's just a game of points . . . unless your target redemption property is "managing" award inventory . . . in which case, it's not even a game of points. Is there an alternative? Yes. If you are a repeat guest for enough nights, you can negotiate a lower rate with the sales office . . . which might well be of greater value than loyalty program benefits and points.
Marriott continues to devalue its Bonvoy program
What a wonderful email to get yesterday. Let me tell you personally what Ambassador status is worth currently: 0.0. I actually needed my “ambassador” a couple weeks ago. I sent an email and received a reply 36 hours later.
I know they’re short staffed, etc. But I’m not getting a discount on any of my rooms, I’m paying full price and there’s no cleaning and most club rooms are closed or way cut back. I...
What a wonderful email to get yesterday. Let me tell you personally what Ambassador status is worth currently: 0.0. I actually needed my “ambassador” a couple weeks ago. I sent an email and received a reply 36 hours later.
I know they’re short staffed, etc. But I’m not getting a discount on any of my rooms, I’m paying full price and there’s no cleaning and most club rooms are closed or way cut back. I guess I do get bonus points, which are getting less valuable by the day.
Give everyone Platinum, give my dog Platinum. What does it matter? Loyalty is insignificant now, it’s all straight transactional. Providing a basic service for a fee. It’s ok, you can say it, we know.
To view another way, it's another devaluation of Platinum status.
I have $40,000 in spending and 125 nights with Marriott in 2021 for a total account balance of 4.5 million points.
Didn't Marriott do this last year?
This is nothing new or anything to get excited about.
Literally half the guests at any hotel these days have platinum status thanks to Marriott (a) extending the status of everyone who hasn't stayed at a hotel since March 2020 and (b) giving away status this...
I have $40,000 in spending and 125 nights with Marriott in 2021 for a total account balance of 4.5 million points.
Didn't Marriott do this last year?
This is nothing new or anything to get excited about.
Literally half the guests at any hotel these days have platinum status thanks to Marriott (a) extending the status of everyone who hasn't stayed at a hotel since March 2020 and (b) giving away status this year with overly generous promotions.
Platinum status is kind of worthless since most domestic properties don't have lounges open, breakfast is still grab-and-go or greatly reduced at many properties, amenities like pools or gyms remain closed, and daily housekeeping is sporadic.
It's very disappointing that Marriott didn't use the launch of a new Bonvoy program -- the revenue model is really a new program and not just a mere change –– to solidify elite status benefits, improve known weaknesses (like breakfast, and actually differentiate ambassador from titanium and platinum.
The gifting of platinum status is also worthless for those customers who aren't married or partnered. Even if I was married, my wife would travel with me. Giving her platinum status wouldn't make much sense unless she was traveling independently.
I don't understand the logic of Marriott yet again flooding the ranks of elite status with new elite status holders. Especially when there is nothing in the terms and conditions that says an ambassador...
The gifting of platinum status is also worthless for those customers who aren't married or partnered. Even if I was married, my wife would travel with me. Giving her platinum status wouldn't make much sense unless she was traveling independently.
I don't understand the logic of Marriott yet again flooding the ranks of elite status with new elite status holders. Especially when there is nothing in the terms and conditions that says an ambassador is supposed to receive a suite upgrade before one of these gifted platinum status holders.
@ FNT Delta Diamond -- I'm curious, if I may ask, why are you spending $40K and 125 nights with Marriott this year? Is Marriott the only option where you need to stay, do you love Marriott Bonvoy and think it's better than other programs, or...?
It's pretty much the only option available for where I go.