Just want to report a data point. We’re a few days into the Marriott Bonvoy era and I am still a Platinum Elite despite zero stays in the last couple years and no lifetime status.
My Marriott elite status comes from RewardsPlus, the partnership between Marriott Bonvoy and United Airlines.
Ostensibly, by virtue of my 1K status on United (actually available to Premier Gold members and above), I can receive complimentary Gold Elite status at Marriott, the second elite tier for guests with stays between 25-49 night per year. That used to include lounge access or breakfast, but since the merger with Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott now has five elite tiers:
- Silver Elite: 10-24 nights per year
- Gold Elite: 25-49 nights per year
- Platinum Elite: 50-74 nights per year
- Titanium Elite: 75-99 nights per year
- Ambassador Elite: 100+ nights and $20,000 in annual qualifying spend
Gold Elite now only includes high speed wi-fi, 2:00PM checkout, and a 25% bonus in stay points.
Ok, so how do I have Platinum Elite status?
When Marriott Rewards merged with Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott Gold members were mapped to Marriott Platinum in the new program. The benefits themselves were largely unchanged (free lounge access or breakfast being the most important benefit), though suites upgrades were added. That’s a nice potential.
But the catch was that this higher elite tier, 50-74 nights per year, would only be available on a complimentary basis until last month, when the new elite year started. Then, United MileagePlus Gold (or higher) members would drop to Gold Elite, absent sufficient stays.
But several days into the new program, I remain a Platinum Elite. As shared on Flyertalk, others do as well. In fact, there is even evidence on Flyertalk to suggest that this was a deliberate choice by Marriott to stem the loss of elites.
So at least for now, I’m still Platinum Elite despite no stays at Marriott the last couple years. You can see how many points I have…
CONCLUSION
Now it could well be simply Marriott’s horrific IT department at work…time will tell…but I’m probably missing out by not taking advantage of the free breakfast and potential suite upgrades while still a Platinum Elite. For those who earned status the hard way, I can only imagine your annoyance.
But I’m a bit hesitant to merge by Starwood account and risk messing this up.
> Read More – RewardsPlus: United MileagePlus Partners with Marriott Rewards
I don’t think anyone has been downgraded yet, not UA-matched elites nor earned elites. Expect that to happen end of month.
But wasn’t that supposed to happen at the end of January?
I know those who have now linked their MileagePlus number are getting only Gold.
Marriott elite status changes on Marriott’s end have historically taken place the end of February – Beginning of March.
Expect it.
I was previously Gold elite with over 600,000 pts and my status has dropped to silver on 3 March
I have enjoyed platinum status with Marriott due to my United 1K up until a stay at a Marriott last week. Just checked my Bonvoy app, and I have been downgraded to gold. Looks like we got an extra month, and no more.
I have been down graded by Marriott Platinum to Good during my trip to Boston in May. I was not able to access lounge anymore.
Yes I’m one of those who commented on FT (status only through United) and I’m in the same situation as you, though I do actually stay at Marriotts from time to time.
I’m currently at the JW Marriott Sahar in Mumbai and am still being recognized as a Plat. As long as it lasts through tomorrow (ITC Hyderbad) I’ll be a happy camper. If the status sticks I may go for earning Plat outright this year. Even though most of my stays would be at Courtyards and domestic Sheratons, the benefits will be well worth it when traveling overseas.
Usually Marriott updates status as of Feb 28th, right? I think the rollout of bonvoy was not the same thing and I don’t recall them mentioning that the 2019 status would take effect with that.
For example, I don’t have the extra year of plat status from earning it last year yet, I would assume that would show up at the same time as they do the 2019 updates for status.
Wouldn’t celebrate for another 2 weeks if I were you.
Uniteds calendar year with Marriott ends Feb 28 thats why you havent been downgraded yet.
I am still at Platinum elite via a 1k status match, but my understanding was that we would keep whatever status was required to still have the lounge access/free breakfast. I do frequent Marriott/Sheraton but not 50+ nights a year since the US embassy tells where to stay by and large when we travel.
I am at Titanium and only supposed to be at the new gold this year. I don’t think anyone has dropped yet.
I am Platinum as well with 0 nights. Mine is certainly not coming from United as I have never in my life been on a United plane as far as I know.
Always has reset in March. Nothing new here.
At the end of 2018 I rightfully earned and became SPG Lifetime Platinum. With that being said, what Bonvoy tier shall I expect to now be at? This Bonvoy rollout has really been a convoluted, frustrating & confusing mess from my perspective and the new Bonvoy app is a sophomoric joke when compared to the beautiful and actually functioning purple SPG app RIP.
I believe you will be Platinum Elite. I earned SPG Platinum for 2018 and that’s what I was mapped to. Sadly, Did not make SPG Lifetime Platinum (but Gold), before the merger. Probably will never make Platinum Elite again since Bonvoy took away the 25 STAYs option and now I need 50 nights. I have a lot of 1-night stays. After 30 years of business travel, I prefer to sleep in my own bed.
So this is news to me that Legacy Marriott Gold members were supposedly mapped to Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, because I wasn’t. And I”ve been Marriott Gold (and am lifetime btw) for more than 6 years. I am very unhappy that the lounge access for Gold has now been removed as well.
Just got bumped on March 3 from Platinum Elite under Marriott Rewards to Bonvoy’s Gold Elite. Missed Bonvoy’s Platinum Elite by ONE night and the big difference is now I no longer have Club access. To say I find this frustrating is an understatement. Called Marriott Bonvoy Customer Service to inquire as to whether they’d wave the one night difference and you would have thought I was asking if they would French kiss my dog. Gotta love it when your loyalty is met with customer service disdain.
Was downgraded from Platinum to Gold this past week. Seems now only Bonvoy Gold for 1K and Platinum (and now Gold too) members. Bonvoy Gold isn’t enough for me to stay at Marriot’s or SPG Properties.
I am a United Global Services member and got knocked down from Platinum Elite to Gold. I agree that Bonvoy Gold doesn’t have enough perks for me to continue to book at Marriott properties. After I use up all my points I’ll start staying at Hilton.
United 1K here and recently was downgraded from Platinum Elite to Gold. Bonvoy Gold is really quite NOTHING. Is United going to move to Hyatt or Hilton…..even Accor rewards would be better. I travel by myself and loved the benefit of the lounge…..without this benefit I will be changing hotel from now on. I hope Marriot will reconsider.
Very interesting info!Perfect just what I was searching for!
Ditto….United GS and was surprised to find I didn’t have lounge access on my trip last week. Bumped from Platinum to Gold Elite.
I will write to United asking that they and Marriott work something out. Or call Hilton and see what they might do.
I am a lifetime platinum on Marriott and had silver status on United. This was dropped and I had to return register for the United status.
The Marriott change really fouled me up including getting a new Marriott number..