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.
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?
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