In this post I wanted to take a closer look at Marriott Bonvoy Titanium status, which is Marriott’s elite tier that requires 75 nights annually. All the time I see people ask whether it’s worth going for Titanium status over Platinum status, so I wanted to share my take on that.
In this post:
Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador requirements
Marriott Bonvoy has five elite tiers, but I’d argue that status really starts to get valuable at the Platinum tier. There are two tiers above that, though. Specifically, here are the requirements over the course of a calendar year to qualify for Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador status:
- Platinum status requires 50 elite qualifying nights
- Titanium status requires 75 elite qualifying night
- Ambassador status requires 100 elite qualifying nights plus $23,000 of qualifying spending
Before you assume that these requirements are really high and unachievable, keep in mind that in the United States it’s easy to earn 40 elite nights per year through Marriott’s co-branded credit cards.
For example, I have the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (review) and Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (review), and just for holding onto those two cards I get 40 elite nights per year (25 from the Brilliant Card and 15 from the Business Card). That gives me quite a head start to earning status.
What are the advantages of Marriott Bonvoy Titanium status?
Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status requires only 50 elite nights per year, and comes with many great elite perks. I’d consider the most significant to be:
- Room upgrades subject to availability, and at most Marriott brands you’re eligible for an upgrade to a standard suite
- Complimentary executive lounge access at most Marriott brands
- Complimentary breakfast at most Marriott brands
- Guaranteed 4PM late check-out (except at resorts, where it’s subject to availability)
- Access to the Choice Benefits program when you pass 50 elite nights per year, where you can select Suite Night Awards as a perk
So, what are the incremental perks of Titanium status over Platinum status, given that Titanium status requires 75 nights rather than 50 nights? Let’s go over those, in no particular order.
75% Bonvoy bonus points
When it comes to earning points, Platinum members receive 50% bonus points on hotel stays, and Titanium members receive 75% bonus points. You ordinarily earn 10 base points per dollar spent, meaning Platinum members earn 15x points per dollar spent, while Titanium members earn 17.5x points per dollar spent.
I value Bonvoy points at 0.7 cents each, so I consider that to be an incremental 1.75% return on Marriott spending.
Ritz-Carlton suite upgrades, subject to availability
On paper the upgrade benefits for Bonvoy Platinum and Bonvoy Titanium members are identical, with one exception — Titanium members are eligible for space available suite upgrades at Ritz-Carlton properties, while Platinum members aren’t.
That’s how the rules are published, at least. That’s not to say that Titanium members will always get suite upgrades at Ritz-Carltons, and it’s also not to say that Platinum members will never get suite upgrades at Ritz-Carltons.
But Ritz-Carlton is the one brand where the upgrade benefit is different between Platinum and Titanium members.
United MileagePlus Silver elite status
Bonvoy Titanium members receive free United MileagePlus Silver status. This is valid for as long as they maintain Titanium status, and registration is required. This is United’s entry level status, and offers perks like bonus miles, a complimentary checked bag, and space available upgrades to first class and Economy Plus.
If you’re an occasional United flyer this could come in handy, though don’t expect to regularly get first class upgrades as a Silver member.
Access to additional Choice Benefits
Marriott Bonvoy members can select Choice Benefits when they pass 50 elite nights and 75 elite nights in a calendar year. So if you earn Titanium status with 75 elite nights, you’ll also be able to select an additional set of Choice Benefits.
Personally I’d select the five Suite Night Awards, each of which allows you to confirm a suite upgrade for a one night stay up to five days prior to arrival, subject to availability. Note that later this year, Marriott will be replacing Suite Night Awards with Nightly Upgrade Awards. This change is a mixed bag. The good news is that Nightly Upgrade Awards can be used at more properties and for more room types than before. The catch is that they’ll clear at most three days out, compared to the current upgrades clearing at most five days out.
Potentially better “soft” treatment
The above are the main published differences between Platinum and Titanium status in the Bonvoy program. I do think it’s at least worth mentioning that travelers may find that they get better “soft” treatment as a Titanium member than a Platinum member. After all, it’s a higher elite tier.
So you may find that the average Titanium member has better luck with upgrades than the average Platinum member. This won’t consistently be the case, but it’s logical that many hotels prioritize upgrades based on elite tier, even if the benefits are supposed to be the same.
My experience with Marriott Bonvoy Titanium status
I’ve been a Bonvoy Titanium member for a few years, so I’ll share my experience. For context:
- Prior to being a Bonvoy Titanium member I was a Bonvoy Ambassador member (going back to the Starwood Preferred Guest days), but I don’t go out of my way to stay at Marriotts like I used to with Starwood
- I’m also a lifetime Bonvoy Platinum member, so I always have that to fall back on
- Nonetheless I earn Bonvoy Titanium status, as I get 40 elite nights per year with co-branded credit cards, and then I organically spend 35+ nights per year at Marriott properties
Have I found Titanium status to be worth the incremental perks over Platinum status? I’m not sure, to be honest, because I’m also very strategic about the places where I elect to stay at Marriotts. The way I view it:
- I do consistently get value out of Suite Night Awards, so I appreciate being able to earn 10 of those per year as a Titanium member, vs. just five per year as a Platinum member; in the past couple of years I had Suite Night Awards clear at the St. Regis Aspen, W Muscat, St. Regis Venice, Gritti Palace Venice, King George Athens, and Hotel Grande Bretagne
- Most of my Marriott stays are outside the United States, and I avoid properties that are known to be bad with elite recognition
- I can’t say that I feel like I get many incremental “soft” perks for being a Titanium member over a Platinum member
So based on my experience is it worth going out of my way to earn Titanium status? No. But I happen to earn it through my hotel stays (combined with the elite nights I earn through credit cards), so the current system works for me.
Bottom line
Titanium status is Marriott Bonvoy’s 75-night elite tier, between Platinum and Ambassador status. It offers limited incremental perks over Platinum status, including 75% bonus points (rather than 50% bonus points), suite upgrades at Ritz-Carltons, United MileagePlus Silver status, and access to more Choice Benefits.
I don’t find there to be much difference in treatment otherwise between Titanium and Platinum status. I think the biggest thing I value is earning an additional five Suite Night Awards per year through the Choice Benefits program.
If you’re a Bonvoy Titanium member, what has your experience been like?
I was platinum for a few years then made titanium by the end of 2022. In my experience, staff training on the Bonvoy program is so poor at many properties that they have no idea of the difference between Titanium and Platinum. That's why there's very little distinction in treatment. I've had a couple of nice upgrades, but very little usually. The odd $8 bottle of wine. At one property I got a single drink...
I was platinum for a few years then made titanium by the end of 2022. In my experience, staff training on the Bonvoy program is so poor at many properties that they have no idea of the difference between Titanium and Platinum. That's why there's very little distinction in treatment. I've had a couple of nice upgrades, but very little usually. The odd $8 bottle of wine. At one property I got a single drink voucher. I didn't even get to use all of my SNAs so that was disappointing. I ended 2023 with 53 nights and decided it was absolutely not worth retaining titanium. So Marriott has forgone some revenue there by not training their staff properly and not insisting on some consistency across brands in treatment of elites.
For the past several years, I’m either titanium or ambassador (191 nights stayed in 2023). Upgrades come very rarely and often the hotel will scam you by saying you got an upgrade to a suite but it’s just a bigger room. Even the W hotel in Scottsdale scammed me that way. It leaves a very bitter taste when you show that degree of brand loyalty and are not appreciated for it. And that happens all the time, unfortunately.
I don't think the difference in benefits between Platinum and Titanium is enough to make a difference. I also find the other choice benefits better than the suite nights. I would rather take the coupon for a 35k night room than the suite nights. I have often had experiences with hotels not refunding me for the suite nights if such were not honored. Some hotels do not even offer suite upgrades with the suite nights...
I don't think the difference in benefits between Platinum and Titanium is enough to make a difference. I also find the other choice benefits better than the suite nights. I would rather take the coupon for a 35k night room than the suite nights. I have often had experiences with hotels not refunding me for the suite nights if such were not honored. Some hotels do not even offer suite upgrades with the suite nights but rather an upgrade that is just one or two levels up.
I’ve about hit my limit with Marriott. I’ve been titanium for the last few years (hitting lifetime platinum when they do the update from this year) and I’m tired of having to grovel for late check out, tired of having to ask about the amenity, tired of getting the crappy room by the elevator and having to ask for a better one, tired of inconsistency between courtyards (where I’ve been staying for work).
I...
I’ve about hit my limit with Marriott. I’ve been titanium for the last few years (hitting lifetime platinum when they do the update from this year) and I’m tired of having to grovel for late check out, tired of having to ask about the amenity, tired of getting the crappy room by the elevator and having to ask for a better one, tired of inconsistency between courtyards (where I’ve been staying for work).
I feel like Hilton point redemptions are ridiculously astronomical and Hyatt is rarely where I’m traveling. I’m thinking it’s time to shift back to IHG, which is depressing to ponder.
@Amy, what is it with the rooms by the elevator. I'm Ambassador and asked my Ambassador to add that I want a room away from the elevator to my profile. Very next stay, my room is across form the elevator. I went down and asked if that was in my profile and the clerk at the front desk said yes but they don't look at profiles when the assign rooms. Of course. She did thank...
@Amy, what is it with the rooms by the elevator. I'm Ambassador and asked my Ambassador to add that I want a room away from the elevator to my profile. Very next stay, my room is across form the elevator. I went down and asked if that was in my profile and the clerk at the front desk said yes but they don't look at profiles when the assign rooms. Of course. She did thank me for being an Ambassador thought and pointed out there were earplugs in the room -- which were indeed needed for the indoor and road noise.
I'm also lifetime diamond at Hilton, but like you find their redemptions ridiculous and don't really want to accumulate more points.
Hyatt's are hard to find where I stay too, but the Hyatt Houses seem to be changing that equation a bit. So, I may push more of my stays to hyatt this year.
IHG would indeed be depressing.
As a Titanium I haven't noticed any benefits over Platinum. Sure there are some club lounges like the Renaissance St. Pancreas that are only for Titaniums but I haven't stayed at that particular hotel. I think Plat vs Titanium is pretty equal except as you say the extra points on paid stays I consider that to be an incremental 1.75% return on Marriott spending. So yes Titanium is about 2% better than Platinum.
I also see little difference between TITANIUM and PLATINUM. In the USA, it's nothing but an acknowledgment, hardly ever a consideration for an upgrade. Internationally, depending on the country and location of hotel, you are given more special treatment. Center of town hotels where TITANIUMs walk by regularly you are just one more, new properties and out of the way properties your check in is at the lounge and they honor requests more easily. One...
I also see little difference between TITANIUM and PLATINUM. In the USA, it's nothing but an acknowledgment, hardly ever a consideration for an upgrade. Internationally, depending on the country and location of hotel, you are given more special treatment. Center of town hotels where TITANIUMs walk by regularly you are just one more, new properties and out of the way properties your check in is at the lounge and they honor requests more easily. One thing I hate, especially since I travel mostly internationally (Ben can testify) is that it includes a 4PM check out, but not an early check in. In Bangkok I arrived hotel 10am after traveling 30 hours from USA, I just wanted a shower, so they charged me Half a night stay for checking in prior to 3pm. I do not control flight arrivals, I carry electronics I rather not walk around with, and I am not handing them to the bellman, so it forces me to stay put until room is ready. In that same trip, my flight Bangkok-HKG was at 8am, so I did not use the late 4PM check out, I could have used the early check in. I paid it, but it leaves a sour taste, for sure Loyalty is one way, and perks are optional. You certainly are not getting any special treatment at a NYC property.
Multi-year Ambassador & multi-year Titanium. Ritz Carlton? Only one upgrade ever (non-US property). St. Regis? Not a single upgrade. Eligible upgraded rooms available for entire stay? I've had managers become argumentative and even say "we're not going to simply *give* you an upgrade." Now, I'm in points liquidation mode. Only three properties on my list. Lifetime Platinum will cover non-US breakfast. Like Hilton: points game.
Ben, I am confused ...
Are you sure that holding certain creditcards (or the automatically given Amex Platinum Hotel-status, namely Hilton Gold and Marriott Gold) already give you 40 nights (Hilton) and 25 nights (Marriott) and you yearly "only" need additional 20 nights (for Hilton Diamond) and/or 25/50 nights (for Marriott Platinum/Titanium) ?
On the contrary I got the information, that creditcard gives you status, however "the clock" for status-upgrades starts at "zero" nights...
Ben, I am confused ...
Are you sure that holding certain creditcards (or the automatically given Amex Platinum Hotel-status, namely Hilton Gold and Marriott Gold) already give you 40 nights (Hilton) and 25 nights (Marriott) and you yearly "only" need additional 20 nights (for Hilton Diamond) and/or 25/50 nights (for Marriott Platinum/Titanium) ?
On the contrary I got the information, that creditcard gives you status, however "the clock" for status-upgrades starts at "zero" nights for every year.
Or are there differences between the american and european (I am writing from Germany) markets ?
Can you or can someone else here on this forum please kindly advise ?
PS
Sorry, English isn't my mothertongue
@ Tina -- If the credit card simply offers elite status (like the Amex Platinum offering Marriott Gold or the Bonvoy Brilliant offering Marriott Platinum), then you don't get the corresponding elite nights. However, if the credit card offers a certain number of elite nights (as most Marriott co-branded credit cards in the United States do), then yes, you specifically get the elite nights. I have two credit cards that offer a total of 40...
@ Tina -- If the credit card simply offers elite status (like the Amex Platinum offering Marriott Gold or the Bonvoy Brilliant offering Marriott Platinum), then you don't get the corresponding elite nights. However, if the credit card offers a certain number of elite nights (as most Marriott co-branded credit cards in the United States do), then yes, you specifically get the elite nights. I have two credit cards that offer a total of 40 elite nights per year with Marriott.
Some North American Ritz Carltons I have enjoyed over the years:
Bachelor Gulch (Beaver Creek, CO)
Half Moon Bay
Kapalua
Chicago (though Langham, Waldorf Astoria are both better)
Georgetown, DC
Montreal
Dallas
Looking forward to checking out the rebuilt Naples and relatively new Turks and Caicos as well
I don't necessarily seek out Ritz Carlton but won't avoid them when they are good hotels in good locations
Have you ever got a suite upgrade at a Ritz Carlton?
@ Khatl -- I have a few times. But to be honest, I don't stay at too many Ritz-Carltons, as I usually prefer St. Regis or EDITION.
I also prefer St. Regis/Edition. And regularly get upgraded there. So while I've been Titanium for a while, never really had the opportunity to only have RC as a choice and see whether I would get suite upgrades there
I've been Lifetime Titanium since 2004 and for the most part I have been pleased with the treatment I get at the properties...
Wow, Titanium for life since 2004!
That was long before that status even existed, good for you!
It wasn't called Titanium back then, whatever the equivalent was pre-Starwood merger...
I've been Titanium for life since whatever year they invented, and then immediately discontinued access to it. I see no difference from platinum whatsoever. I've stayed twice in the years since, once just last December where I discovered breakfast was a welcome amenity and not a normal benefit any more.
I miss Starwood.
All of the photos you’ve chosen today to highlight your hotel perks posts show some yucky hotel rooms lollll. Seems very USA.
Just poking fun. But all 5-6 posts don’t look enticing at all from the front page