New Marriott Bonvoy status match/challenge to Gold and Platinum elite

In an effort to keep up with their competition as the public slowly eases back into traveling, Marriott Bonvoy is offering a status match to their Gold and Platinum elite tier levels.  If you hold mid or top tier elite status with World of Hyatt, Hilton, IHG, or Accor, then you'll be eligible for a status match that is actually a challenge.  Once successfully matched, you'll be granted Gold or Platinum elite status for 90 days, in which you must complete at least 5 paid nights for Gold and 15 paid nights for Platinum in order to retain the status through February 2022.  Normally, Gold requires 25 nights a year and Platinum 50 nights a year.  The following elite members from the other hotel loyalty programs are eligible for a status match:

  • Hilton Honors
    • Gold/Diamond get matched to Marriott Bonvoy Platinum.
  • World of Hyatt
    • Explorist gets matched to Marriott Bonvoy Gold.
    • Globalist gets matched to Marriott Bonvoy Platinum.
  • Accor Live Limitless
    • Gold get matched to Marriott Bonvoy Gold.
    • Platinum/Diamond get matched to Marriott Bonvoy Platinum.
  • IHG Rewards Club
    • Platinum/Spire get matched to Marriott Bonvoy Platinum.

Register to match your status here

Existing elite members from the other hotel loyalty programs will also need to provide evidence of at least 1 stay with their respective program within the past 12 months.  But as you can see, many existing elite members are eligible for this status match.  Amex Platinum card holders automatically get Hilton Gold, which matches to Marriott Platinum.  And Chase IHG card holders automatically get IHG Platinum, which also matches to Marriott Platinum.


Marriott Gold and Platinum elite benefits

As a mid-tier level with Marriott, Gold elite status gets you an upgrade to enhanced room (not including suites and club rooms), 2 pm late checkout, complimentary enhanced Internet, and a 25% points bonus. Platinum is also considered mid-tier, but includes all the benefits of Gold and free breakfast, lounge access, room upgrades to suites, 4 pm late checkout, and 50% points bonus.  For most people, Platinum is where it's at with its suite upgrades, free food, and 4 pm late checkout, which is essential if you've got an evening flight.

Get a complimentary upgrade to a suite at the Tokyo Marriott as a Platinum elite member


Should you status match?

Many of us might not be staying 5 or 15 nights within the next 3 months to maintain status after the match.  However, if you have stays planned with Marriott in the next 3 months, registering for a status match will be useful as you are automatically upgraded to Gold or Platinum during the match, and so you'll get the appropriate elite benefits during your stay.  Marriott has also stated that the status match is limited to the number of registrations, though they haven't clarified what the limit is.  It can take up to 10 business days for registration approval, and you'll be matched to Gold or Platinum within 24-48 hours upon approval.  So it certainly doesn't hurt to register for a status match, especially if you're contemplating any type of hotel stay within the next 3 months.

Complimentary access to the club lounge at the Sheraton Grand in Taipei as a Platinum elite member

Bottom line

It's nice to see Marriott bring back their status match.  In the past when this was offered, it was a status challenge and you wouldn't get the appropriate elite status until you actually successfully completed the challenge.  But in this instance, Marriott will be giving you the status straight up for at least the next 90 days.  This is definitely Marriott's push to not lose their elite members, as they've already extended status for existing members by another year and handed out half the elite qualifying nights required to retain your current status.

From all of us at Flying for Fitness, please stay healthy during this trying time.  We hope you enjoyed this post.  Please consider visiting one of our sponsors by clicking on the advertisements.  Our sponsors pay us for customer visits and help us to keep the lights on.  Thanks!




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