A LoyaltyLobby reader sent us a question about a rather extended Marriott stay that would earn them an Ambassador-status in the process.
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Here’s the question from the reader:
I have not been able to puzzle out despite reading the entire internet; it is probably in the t&c somewhere. I am Gold Elite with Marriott and later this year will have a 150 night single reservation that should move me up to Ambassador Elite.
Do I accrue points at the gold level (status when I start the stay) or Ambassador level (when I finish the stay)? For that long of a visit, it will mean a difference of about 70,000 points, so I wonder if I should break up my stay across different hotels to maximize earnings. Thank you for your time.
Some programs limit the length eligible for the night and points credits, as some SPG members found on very long stays. I don’t believe that this is the case with Marriott, and I did comb through the Bonvoy T&Cs once more to confirm this.
Reader Email: Lost 120,000 SPG Starpoints Due To Too Long Stay!
The reader doesn’t exactly spell out their nightly cost, but the number of elite bonus points would be 70,000 higher at the Ambassador-level 75% (same as Titanium) compared to Gold which is 25%.
This would imply a spend of roughly $14,000 (also the $$$ required amount for Ambassador in 2021 – usually $20,000).
The reader won’t get the Titanium or higher bonus or benefits associated with the status until the stay has been posted to the account.
I would break down this 150-night stay to three blocks; 50 nights, 25 nights, and 75, assuming that the reader doesn’t have any nights in their account for 2021 that is unlikely because of the boost.
Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Goodwill Elite Night Credits Have Posted, Lifetime Status Counters Updated
They would get the Gold bonus for the first 50 nights, the Platinum bonus for the following 25 nights, and the Titanium bonus for the rest (75 nights – same as Ambassador bonus). Also, the reader would get to choose their Annual Choice Benefits earlier:
Marriott Bonvoy Annual Choice Benefit Options 2021 Live – What To Choose & When
They would need to spend two nights elsewhere during the “stay” if broken into three.
With the boost, I would have the first stay long enough to hit 50 nights, the second one to reach 75 nights, and then the rest.
The nightly rate is low, and I have assumed that it is a property where one earns a full 10 points per USD. There are brands where one earns half or even less (Executive Apartments).
Also, I would ensure that the rate that has been negotiated for this stay is elite qualifying. Most of the time, they are, but sometimes you may be in for a negative surprise.
Conclusion
I definitely would break extended stays such as this into smaller chunks, and the hotel will likely ask the reader to settle the bill anyway periodically.
Why not break the long stay and spend two nights elsewhere to maximize the points and benefits? Anything else that the reader should consider? Leave your comments below.
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The reader should split the reservation. Depending on how many nights are already credited for 2021 you should split the reservation like this:
1st block, until you have reached 50 nights, than another 25 nights to become Titanium Elite and another 25 until Ambassador Elite. This way you would maximize the amount of points earned because of the points bonus which comes with each higher tier.
Enjoy your stay.
If the stay is longer than 30 nights, no qualifying nights are earned. For example, if it is a single stay of 35 nights, you get 0 qualifying nights. I remember reading about this on FlyerTalk. Therefore, the user needs to ensure each stay is less than 30 nights and that there is a break of at least one night if staying in the hotel. For example, if he check-in on March 1 and checks-out on March 29, he should then check-in to the same hotel on March 31 (and not March 30).
I’d break the 150 nights between several chains to achieve top status with all and maximum return!
In my experience most long stays the hotel wants you to settle the bill every week or so (say 10k usd of spend.) This was useful when hotels let you book rooms through cash back sites (before my company switched to using Expedia corporate…)
My advice is change the hotel if you can; a new neighbourhood / restaurants is a big win every now and then. It can also help with points in other hotel chains. It also gets you over the prisoner experience… 4 weeks into a 12 week stay at even at a spacious resort like Renaiisance Powai felt like a day release prison.
If you can’t change the hotel change the room; definitely make it clear you are there for the long stay as soon as you check in; a lot of hotels have benefits and recognition for long term guests. Have had access to hotel car for a few hours on weekends which was handy to get groceries or see the sites; second fridges in rooms, better desk chair was a BIG perk…
For a stay that long consider taking a second bag with personal effects; a chrome cast or Apple TV is going to be desirable – as can be a bluetooth adaptor for listening to books / music streamed from your phone.
I believe thay Marriott caps the maximum number of nights per stay that qualify for points and status. I think it’s something like 30 nights. Anything beyond that in a single, continuous stay would not qualify.
Better to break up the stay into multiple stays by checking out for at least one night, and then checking back in. If there are other Marriott properties in the area, you can stay up to the maximum time again, then repeat the process.
While potentially annoying, I believe it’s the only way to get credit for such a long hotel run. However, it has the benefit of seeing your status upgrade kick in sooner, because you don’t have to wait until the entire 150 days is completed. So by the second or third stay, you should already be upgraded to Platinum or Titanium.
I tried to find a reference to cite, but no luck. Give Marriott a call, and hopefully they have the info on hand.
Or like Kalboz said, break it up, and earn status at multiple chains.
John just posted in the reply section that Marriott does not have a 30 day cap. So, no matter how long the stay is the guests receive points unless they negotiated the rate.
John just posted in the reply section that Marriott does not have a 30 day cap. So, no matter how long the stay is the guests receive points unless they negotiated the rate.
If there is a Hyatt property around stay sufficient nights to gain Globalist and work it to get max points relative to each status attained.
Hyatt points never expire so great value.
The breaks could be spent to earn your status advancements at a Bonvoy properties with the necessary breaks at Hyatt.
The most important is to secure agreememt in writing that your rates will allow points, nights and all benefits.
Managers can change rapidly so a record is important.
World of Hyatt points are typically forfeited if an account is inactive for 24 months. Point expiration has been extended through June 30, 2021.
World of Hyatt points are typically forfeited if an account is inactive for 24 months. Point expiration has been extended through June 30, 2021.
Thanks John I wasn’t aware of this so in view of my stash of points I quickly checked with my Concierge in Omaha who has replied:
“….as a Lifetime Globalist member you do not need to maintain account activity. You are exempt from this.”
I’m relieved but did note you do say “typically” I just wanted to check & report back.
Concerning guest loyalty and hotel chain loyalty I’m sure we are all aware it’s a one way street with large hotel chains and airlines but this is a good reason for regular travellers to change to HYATT where possible:-
I was Platinum with Accor using Sofitel & Pullman for years then became ill and couldn’t travel for 19 months.
Despite sending medical proof Accor refused to consider my 13 years loyalty and I got dropped to first to Gold and then to Silver.
At roughly the same time as I began to travel again, HYATT GP changed to WoH and although I was Diamond GP for years I quite rightly dropped way down when using Accor (due to travel in a different world area where HYATT had few properties).
However, as soon as WoH was created I was awarded Lifetime Globalist (out of the blue) because I had accumulated over 1 million Base Points during my long, long ago patronage.
I’m now a firm HYATT fan again and only use Accor if no HYATT in town!
I am treated so well in the HYATTS of regions and cities I mostly visit and would never stay in an Accor in these areas – even if I was Platinum again.
I even wrote to M.Sébastien Bazin CEO of Accor but of course did not receive a reply! :))
I would never qualify for Ambassador status since you need to also meet approximately $20,000 total too. Or for 2021 $14,000. I’ll be getting over 100 nights this year at Marriot, but the dollar amount doesn’t come close to $14,000 ;( I have a stay for 123 nights that I broke up, but since the check-in and check-out dates are the same, I guess it will be treated like one stay. I was just trying to break up the payment so it won’t be a lot at one time. Not sure what they will do at check-in. I don’t want to move to pack all my stuff up and move to another hotel, so I guess that stay won’t count until next year’s totals since it goes into February 2022.
I’d definitely break this up into weekly stays. As your status goes higher your opportunity for room upgrades increases. Also, you’ll give yourself the opportunity to take advantage of new promotions like the current 2k bonus points per stay at Courtyard properties.
Where can I read more about 2000 points at the Courtyard?
The rate plan is inflated and you pay dearly for the bonus points. Makes no sense unless you are on an expense accounts, and your stays are not audited by anyone.
I couldn’t copy and past but you should be able to search for it.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6d109b24b6bfa7e3831343f7285a69c3c9d25eedc0313275322582bc23d928c1.jpg
If the stay is longer than 30 nights, no qualifying nights are earned. For example, if it is a single stay of 35 nights, you get 0 qualifying nights. I remember reading about this on FlyerTalk. Therefore, the user needs to ensure each stay is less than 30 nights and that there is a break of at least one night if staying in the hotel. For example, if he check-in on March 1 and checks-out on March 29, he should then check-in to the same hotel on March 31 (and not March 30).
There is no cap on number of nights a stay can be with Marriott Bonvoy. I just double checked it. Often, however, long term negotiated rates are not eligible for points or elite night credits.
Thank you John for clarifying this information! My upcoming long-term stay is not a negotiable rate and I booked it straight off the marriott app. Good to know!
Thank you John for clarifying this information! My upcoming long-term stay is not a negotiable rate and I booked it straight off the marriott app. Good to know!
The reader should split the reservation. Depending on how many nights are already credited for 2021 you should split the reservation like this:
1st block, until you have reached 50 nights, than another 25 nights to become Titanium Elite and another 25 until Ambassador Elite. This way you would maximize the amount of points earned because of the points bonus which comes with each higher tier.
Enjoy your stay.
The basic issue concerns at what point does one cease being a guest and start being a resident. I think there are local jurisdictional laws/rules impacting this.
John’s advice and the advice here is terrific. Take it.
May be in some countries. But, I’ve never ran into any issues with extended stays past 30 nights. Actually some countries remove the tax after 30 days.
I spent 320 nights in Marriott hotels last year and so far have spent all of 2021 in hotels of assorted Chains, currently Hyatt. I am Lifetime Titanium with Ambassador. I am also Hyatt Globalist and Hilton Diamond and I do the same thing at all brands.
A few things to note:
On most stays in most places, once you stay more than 30 nights, some of the taxes go away as you become a “resident”. May not matter if it is on the company dime.
Always call the hotel to negotiate the rate, always. Talk to the sales manager and tell them how long you are staying. I have never not had them give me a better than posted rate and more importantly, a better room. The rate may not matter if it is on the company dime, but the room does.
As far as billing, most set a threshold, say $1500 and bill you when you hit that. Make sure you are using a card to get max points!
For the points and nights, when I book the room with the Sales Manager, I explain that I will need them to clear nights for me as I ask so I gain status and achieve any promotions that may be running, I have never had an issue with this, nor have I ever had an issue with “Often, however, long term negotiated rates are not eligible for points or elite night credits.”
Where you get killed is on a promotion that is “stay” based and not night based. I have lost many points that way as even though they clear nights for me, it is still a single stay, even if you check out and check in, they done fall for that. Right now Hyatt is not doing that so that is where I am staying and getting 2000 points per night, on top of the normal point due to a promotion.
And then get it all in writing!
Hope this helps.
Just my experience, your mileage may vary.