Reader Question: Worth Spending Marriott Bonvoy Points To Reach Platinum?

A LoyaltyLobby reader asked if it is worth spending points for a six-night stay to reach Platinum status.

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Here’s the question from the reader:

I have been saving marriot points for 4 years and am finally at 400,000.

I am 6 nights stay away from the 50 needed for Titanium.  Is it worth trying to use 6 nights of points to reach titanium?

We are likely to try to vacation next yr and are the perks and extra points valuable enough to blow half my points?

There are a few things to consider:

1. Does the reader stay enough at full-service properties that provide significant benefits for Platinum and higher tier members?

2. Would they be able to retain the status in the upcoming years?

3. Is it worth burning points for six nights?

If the reader mainly stays at select-service hotels, the status benefits beyond late check out are close to non-existent. Also, the status benefits for stays outside of the United States are usually far better.

Staying for an additional six nights could also make sense if they are sure they can qualify for the status in 2022.

If the reader decides that it is worth reaching Platinum, they must decide whether cash or points are the way to go. I tend to use points for aspirational stays (will be extremely expensive in coming years after Marriott’s program moves completely dynamic).

Conclusion

This is one of those questions with no simple yes or no answer. It depends.

The Platinum is the first worthwhile status tier of Marriott Bonvoy as it comes with complimentary upgrades, club lounge and/or breakfast benefit, among others.

I would be somewhat hesitant to reach a higher tier just for a year unless you can turn those “unnecessary” nights into a staycation, and there is no financial burden to either burn the points or use cash to achieve this.