Marriott Bonvoy Elite Choice selections based on 2021 activity were widely expected to be available by the end of February but once more things are taking their sweet time with Marriott IT.
Changes in the Bonvoy system are supposed to take place at the end of February yet here we are again on March 2nd, and the elite choice isn’t available yet and lifetime years haven’t been updated yet either.
Due to the general status extension (expiration amnesty) there won’t be any downgrades this year so that’s one thing nobody has to fear about or look out for.
However the website for Elite Choice selection has not been activated yet despite now being more than two months into the new year and members could have reached way more than the required 50 nights, especially if they hold a credit card (not even including the goodwill nights).
The FAQ article about the Elite choice now says the site will be up on or after March 15th:
If you’ve reached 50 Qualifying Nights, you can Sign-In to your Marriott Bonvoy™ Account after March 15, 2021 to choose your Annual Choice Benefit
You can access Marriott’s page for your account here.
I’m not sure why something like this has to take that long. A bunch of members already have way more than 50 or even 75 nights.
At the same time the elite year counters for members thriving for lifetime status with Marriott Bonvoy have not been updated for 2020/2021. This was also supposed to take place in February, but now customer service is telling members who complain about it that this would take place “sometime in March”.
Same procedure as every year…
Conclusion
Many customers are seeking to select their Elite Choice as it might impact their spring travel or status upgrade to Titanium. Not processing lifetimes years may affect some readers who could have qualified for the Gold or Platinum status by now.
Not sure what is behind of all these Marriott Bonvoy IT issues that have plagued the program ever since the merger back in August 2018. This is the dance that’s been going on ever since and they simply can’t get it under control either by error or by design. I’m starting to believe it’s the latter for some unknown reason.
What happens if you have used your Elite choices for the previous year? I mean suite elite nights and 40k reward night certificate.
Are they being accumulated?
Would a member end up with 2 x certificate?
Thanks in advance
Yes, for example, I have 5 certificates carried forward and will soon have 7 because both of my cards have Spring anniversary dates.
Thanks for publishing an article about this. Good to know that many other members are also wondering why the elite choice selections and lifetime counters still haven’t been updated. I’m at 70 nights this year and would like to select and use suite night upgrades for my upcoming stays.
Most people haven’t earned them this year-only attained through the nights Marriott gifted a few weeks ago. I see nothing wrong with Marriott taking a bit of time in releasing the Choice Benefits.
Giving out that elite nights is Marriott decision. so they cannot say because they gave away those nights, they will take their own sweet times to process. I am guessing, it is their system limitation that lead them to decide to give away the elite nights instead of slashing the requirement like other chains.
Giving out that elite nights is Marriott decision. so they cannot say because they gave away those nights, they will take their own sweet times to process. I am guessing, it is their system limitation that lead them to decide to give away the elite nights instead of slashing the requirement like other chains.
Most members have 50 or 75+ nights (including me) because of the nights Marriott gifted towards status this year. So, not being able to select a benefit for a few weeks should not be an issue for anyone.
Unrelated to the issue discussed in this article, my recent highlights Marriott’s subpar IT all the same. Was looking to make a point + cash combo reservation (where 1 night was a paid reservation and the other one is an award booking) for a 2-night stay under a single reservation number but was unable to do so on the website. Talked to multiple agents at the call center who can’t do it either. They all cited that their system was preventing them to complete the booking process because “they have not loaded the rates” for one of the days that I need. Yet, they all invited me to complete the booking with all cash or all points! Go figure! It’s one of the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.
What you have to understand is that the point and cash combo is not available for every single reservation. They limit these or do not offer them, which is why you could not book it. In your case just do two separate reservations: one night booked with points and the other one as a paid reservation. I have done this and it is very easy. All that you do at check in is let them know you have two reservations and they need to link them together so you do not technically have to check out and then check back in.
Thanks for the info. Maybe the reservation agents need to rephrase their explanation better. Your explanation made much more sense as it becomes a matter of policy, not some system limitations anymore. The reason why I need to do the points and cash combo reservation is to take advantage of the current Double Elite Nights promo. Two separate reservations won’t do the trick .
I got it, did not realize you were booking to satisfy the two night minimum for the promotion. Sorry that they did not explain it more clearly. But as I stated the cash and point combo is not a given. Depending upon the hotel it may not be an option at all. If you need the nights I would save the points which don’t expire and just make a paid reservation at the least expensive rate you can get. This way you will get the double elite night credit. I personally have never tried to do that type of booking (points and cash) on a short term reservation. When I have used it, I was booking for at least 4 nights or longer, I don’t know if length of stay makes a difference in whether it is a option.
I still have some left over, from my carryover.