Marriott Rewards used to have three official status levels (plus two “secret” levels) while SPG had two plus one “unofficial.”
You may think that Marriott’s highest elite status level is Ambassador or Cobalt, but that is not the case. There is one higher that comes with unmatched benefits.
You can access Marriott’s page for status levels and benefits here.
READ MORE: Marriott Bonvoy Rate & Bonus Points And Miles Promotions
The status higher than Cobolt is Ambassador Elite 5-Star that is granted by Mr. Marriott himself. It comes with up to two free rooms per stay with complimentary food and beverage, and parking!
Ambassador Elite 5-Star
The Ambassador Elite 5-Star program is an exclusive membership sponsored by Mr. Marriott. The Executive Chairman of the Board personally selects a small group of Marriott executive associates, Marriott International Board of Directors, and other individuals to receive this executive status level.
The program goal is to permit the 5-Star members to evaluate quality and service and to increase their understanding of Marriott products and services. 5-Star members received the benefits of the Ambassador Elite tier as well as complimentary lodging (up to two rooms for leisure travel only), meals and parking.
It is important to note exclusive membership to this program is by invitation only and extended through Marriott International’s Executive Chairman of the Board.
Here’s Marriott’s elite benefits matrix:
Conclusion
This status is reserved for the friends of Mr. Marriott himself and a small group of Marriott executives.
It is, however, helpful that these executives are able to deal directly with Marriott hotels and see how things work on the ground and what if any issues can arise at a property level. The view from the ground and the isolation they may have in their ivory towers are certainly two different perspectives.
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So, chances are that none of us here will ever have that honor bestowed upon us.
What is Cobalt level?
Well that makes ZERO sense. Everyone at the hotel will know they are VIPs reporting back to corporate completely negating their ability to “evaluate quality and service and to increase their understanding of Marriott products and services.” Does anyone think through these things???
Of course it makes sense, just not to you and the general rabble. Tax free perks under the guise of a “working” ahem, trip. What’s the point of being the .01% if you have to pay for things? I mean come on!
I stand corrected 🙂
I’m sure they experience the same service and rooms as us
Please tell me you are joking….
I guess I’ll have to be content with Lifetime Titanium status.
So you say that I can be an “Ambassador 5-Star” and still be lied to about no upgrades being available and having maintenance walk in on me as I’m taking a nap?
Majority of Front Desk staff do not even know what Lifetime Titanium means, or that this level of discontinued at end of 2019, making it unattainable any longer! When explaining, in trying to get upgraded mostly, even management tells us Ambassador Elites get priority over lifetime status! Really, a maybe once in a while attained Ambassador level is higher than Lifetime Titanium, people who had to obtain that level for a very long time to be awarded LT? Please Marriott, train your management staff on level achievements and benefits!!!
Lifetime Titanium gives you Titanium benefits for life. Titanium benefits are below Ambassador. Lifetime Titanium does not give you anything beyond Titanium. I am currently both Ambassador and Lifetime Titanium. When I fail to re-qualify for Ambassador, I’ll drop to Titanium and be fine with that. It will be what I have earned.
Yes, what is Cobalt level I have never heard of this one? I am Lifetime Plat and Titanium level for the last 2 years. Still kicking myself that I did not do the extra nights needed to get Lifetime Titanium, that was a mistake on my part. I wouldn’t have to worry about re qualifying each year.
Great question! What is Cobalt, and how does it differ from LT Titanium, Ambassador and 5 Star Ambassador?