Marriott Bonvoy 2023 Elite Status Soft Landing Policy

Marriott Bonvoy has been quiet if they continue the pre-pandemic policy of not downgrading members more than one tier regardless of how many nights they have consumed in the previous year.

Marriott Rewards used to soft land elite members (only one status level drop), while SPG didn’t have any soft landing policy in place. Marriott also allowed members to buy back status for a small number of points and often continued to extend status for years.

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Marriott has now posted the following update on its website:

What is Elite annual processing and when does it take place?

Each year, Marriott Bonvoy® works to ensure that all Members’ Elite status reflects all previous year’s qualifying activity.

In January 2023, all Members will have their 2022 loyalty activity evaluated as follows:

• Members who achieved their existing Elite status again in 2022 will have their current status renewed through February 2024.
• Members who did not re-achieve their existing Elite status in 2022 will be offered one tier below their current status through February 2024. These members will see their new status starting in March 2023 and can enjoy their existing status through February 2023.
• Members who achieved a higher Elite level during 2022 already have a status expiration date of February 2024.

Marriott continues its existing policy of dropping members only by ONE tier instead of crash-landing them where the nights would take them.

Marriott Status Downgrade & Soft Landing Coverage:

Marriott Bonvoy Elite Member Soft Landing Policy In 2023

Marriott Bonvoy Status Downgrade & Soft Landing Blunder

Marriott Bonvoy Elite Member Soft Landing Policy In 2020

Reader Question: Does Marriott Bonvoy Offer Soft Landings?

Conclusion

I am still not convinced that Marriott Bonvoy wouldn’t extend member tiers by an additional year for members in Greater China due to various pandemic-related travel restrictions in place for most of 2022.

The one status level soft landing policy makes sense and is unique among the programs in 2023.

Marriott previously disclosed that Ambassador members who don’t qualify in 2022 are downgraded only by one level, but at that time weren’t forthcoming what takes place with other status levels.