This is a friendly PSA from your favorite Basic Traveler to make sure that you select an Annual Choice Benefit from Marriott if you reached 50 or more nights in 2019 and earned Platinum Elite Status for 2020. If no selection is made by January 15th, 5 Suite Night Upgrade Awards will automatically be chosen. You’ll find all 5 Options Covered Below!

Marriot Bonvoy Platinum Annual Choice Options

Five Elite Night Credits

You can choose to add 5 additional elite nights to your account which can help to recertify for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Status in 2021. This is in-addition to the 15 Elite Nights that come with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express Card.

40% Off of Your Favorite Hotel Bed

Member can choose a 40% off code which is valid for mattresses from any of the following brands: The Westin Heavenly^® Bed, The Marriott Bed, The Ritz-Carlton Bed, The W Hotels Bed, The Sheraton Bed, The St. Regis Bed, The Courtyard Bed, The JW Marriott Bed, The Renaissance Bed, The Luxury Collection Bed, The Fairfield Bed, The EDITION Hotel Bed, The Gaylord Hotels Bed.

Gift Silver Elite Status

You can share Elite benefits with a friend, family member or colleague — give the gift of Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.

Here are the benefits of Silver Elite status:

• 10% bonus points on stays
• Priority Late Checkout
• Dedicated Elite reservation line
• Ultimate Reservation Guarantee

Support Children with UNICEF

Marriott Bonvoy will make a US$100 donation to UNICEF USA on your behalf. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF provides health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. $100 is enough to provide two families with essential hygiene supplies for a month in an emergency.

Five Suite Night Awards

Step up your stays with Five Suite Night Awards, which are advance, confirmable upgrades for select premium rooms or standard suites (subject to availability) at any participating Marriott Bonvoy hotel or resort. You can also apply your Suite Night Awards to eligible paid stays, Free Night Award stays and Cash + Points stays.

If you Earn 75 Elite Nights in One Year

For Members who Reach 75 Elite Nights (Titanium Elite Status) they’ll get to make an additional selection with two additional options . Those Members can Choose From Gifting Gold Elite Status or A Free Night Certificate.

Basic Breakdown

I never received any initial or reminder email to choose a benefit from Marriott and completely lost track of time. This will probably be my last year as a Platinum Elite Member due to Marriott allegedly axing the opportunity to Earn 10 Nights from Hosting a Meeting. I sure will miss the Free Breakfast, Club Lounge Access, and 4pm Checkout!

It’s hard to accumulate 50 Nights at one particular brand, especially when using Points & Miles to Travel for Free. I’ll most likely be choosing the Suite Night Upgrades. Last summer, I used those Suite Night Upgrades to get some absolutely stunning villas in Japan and the Philippines.

For those of you that are stuck with the same decision, what benefit are you choosing? I’d Love to see your answers down in the comments below.

More Basic Reading

• Top Credit Cards of the Month
• Learn how to utilize credit card points with our Basic Travel Course
• How to book an Overwater Bungalow at the Conrad Maldives for cheap!
• Seven Steps to utilize credit card reward points to Save Money
• 16 Side Hustles that can Qualify for a Small Business Credit Card 
• Step-by-Step Guide to Completing a Small Business Credit Card Application

For rates and fees for American Express cards mentioned in this post, please see the following links: Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card (See Rates & Fees; terms apply);Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (See Rates & Fees; terms apply);