In 2024, Marriott Bonvoy quietly added a new perk for Ambassador members who over qualify for status. While this was initially only valid for last year, it has now been extended to this year as well, so maybe it’ll become a long term benefit of the program.
In this post:
$40K+ Marriott Ambassadors can gift status
Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador status requires earning 100 elite nights plus completing $23,000 of qualifying spending in a calendar year. It’s Marriott’s highest elite tier, and the only one with a revenue requirement. At least on paper, the incremental perks over Titanium status are fairly limited (like the Your24 benefit), though soft treatment is often better, and you might find you receive higher priority for upgrades.
For the second year in a row, Marriott is providing an extra perk for Ambassador members who greatly exceed the spending requirement. Specifically, those who exceed $40,000 in eligible spending are able to invite their significant other to also receive Ambassador status throughout the remainder of the current membership year, and the entire following membership year. I like the way the email to eligible members phrases this:
We know that for those who travel extensively, it often means there is an unsung hero supporting you, whether they are back at home or traveling alongside you. We would like to help you honor that special someone in your life by allowing you to pick a “plus one” to upgrade to Ambassador Elite.
The communication goes on to clarify that the plus one can be a companion, spouse, significant other, or a person who resides at your same home address, and notes that “any suspected fraud will be thoroughly investigated, and if confirmed, both accounts will be revoked.”
While this isn’t officially a permanent feature of the program, it’s now being offered a second year in a row, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see it stick around.
The concept behind this reward is great
I can be tough on Marriott Bonvoy at times, as I feel like in many ways the program doesn’t try, because of how big the hotel group is.
In an ideal world, Marriott would meaningfully improve the perks that Ambassador members receive, to make them a bit more differentiated from other elite tiers. So while nothing is being done for “base” Ambassador members here, I very much appreciate the concept behind this.
For anyone who spends a lot of time on the road, there’s nothing quite as nice as being able to share perks with loved ones. Now, this is something that World of Hyatt does really well with its Guest of Honor program, which offers a lot of flexibility. But this is pretty awesome as well.
Yes, the requirements here are very high, but at least being able to gift Ambassador status to a loved one is a nice perk that can add a lot of value. I also feel like this perk is a no-brainer from Marriott’s perspective:
- It’s likely to generate incremental business for the hotel group
- It’s also presumably low cost to offer, and shouldn’t swell elite ranks too much, since I imagine the spouse of an Ambassador likely often travels with the Ambassador, and there aren’t any benefits to two people both having the status for a single room booking
Bottom line
Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador members who spend at least $40,000 are being invited to gift their same status to someone special in their life. It’s nice for Marriott to recognize those who go above and beyond with spending, and similarly, this is a nice reward for that loyalty. While I wish we’d see some other overall improvements to the program, this is positive, and Marriott deserves credit for that.
What do you make of Marriott’s “plus one” perk for high revenue Ambassador members?
Agree, this probably costs them less than the revenue they are making on the member and the additional member. I would also add that I would think there are relatively few people that would qualify for this.
I'm looking forward to hearing you break down how much better (if any) Ambassador has been over Titanium.
Other hotel loyalty programs base elite status on night OR revenue. Say a person stays 24 nights per year in suites that average $3000 per night. That's $72k in revenue and the person has not even attained Bonvoy Gold Elite. Marriott is discouraging the high-end guest. And, to say the person should hold Marriott credit cards for Elite Night Credits is a non-starter. If Marriott wants these guests, something needs to change.
Another hotel loyalty program has an invite-only status that is based purely on revenue. The network has properties of the type I seek in the locations I visit. Its economic reward rate is comparable to other programs. And, it's where I've landed.
People who drop $3k a night doest care much about chasing status because they already get more perks than people with status.
If you are spending $3000 a night, you don't need the perks of Marriott status. You are not going to care about a $10 welcome food voucher or some extra points. These arent people staying at the Courtyard.
I got this perk unexpectedly last year after I’d spent more than 50K at Marriott. And I’m very happy to be able to report to you that my wife is now getting the exact same lukewarm treatment, fake upgrades and ignored perks that I’ve come to treasure so dearly.
Yet another discrimination against single people
Heaven forbid they even do the tiniest little thing like waive resort fees on (at least) points stays…but Nope! Way too rich for Marriott’s blood.
Won't cost them much to make this gesture, because all the benefits of elite membership have been incrementally eroded away anyway!