How to get Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite in 2019
Is Marriott Gold Elite worth it? in my opinion, it is! Marriott has a 5 tier reward system: Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium & Ambassador, but the reals perks start when you qualify for Gold Elite? Marriott Members enjoy all the benefits of Gold Elite status after completing only 25 eligible nights in a calendar year — including redemption nights, but if you don’t stay at Marriotts too often? GET A CREDIT CARD!!
Listed below are the credit cards that give you an Gold Elite status with Marriott
Penha Longa Hotel & Resort in Portugal.
1. The Platinum Card® from American Express provides automatic Gold Elite status.
2. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card provides automatic Gold Elite status.
3. The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card (no longer open to new applicants) provides automatic Gold Elite status.
4. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card allows you to earn Gold Elite status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year.
5. The Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card allows you to earn Gold Elite status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year.
6. The Marriott Premier Plus Business Credit Card (no longer accepting applications) allows you to earn Gold Elite status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year.
What value does Gold Elite status give you? (info from @thepointsguy)
25% point bonus ($90): As a Gold Elite member in the new program, you’ll earn 25% more points than a regular member, which works out to 2.5 additional points per dollar spent at most hotels. Since I’m assuming 30 nights with an average rate of $150 per night, that works out to an additional 11,250 points, worth $90.
Kauai Marriott Resort - Kalapaki Beach
Priority late checkout ($50): Gold members also enjoy a priority late checkout of up to 2pm, though it is subject to availability. Since there’s a stated time (in contrast the the aforementioned Silver perk), I’ll bump the value up slightly.
Elite phone line ($25): Same benefit, more frequent utilization
Complimentary enhanced internet ($30): Even though all members enjoy free internet when booking through a Marriott channel, Gold members can take advantage of faster speeds with complimentary enhanced internet access. I typically find that hotel Wi-Fi is decently fast, though if you like to stream videos or engage in other high-bandwidth activities online, the faster speed can make a difference. I’ll use the same value for this perk from previous posts: $1 per night.
Upgrades to enhanced rooms ($600): Gold members are also eligible for space-available upgrades to enhanced rooms at check-in. This may include rooms on higher floors, rooms with special amenities or rooms on the Executive Floor, but it explicitly excludes suites (per the terms & conditions). Since this perk is similar to what Hilton Gold members receive, I’ll use the same valuation of $20 per night.
Welcome gift ($50): If you’re a Gold Elite member, you’ll receive a welcome gift of extra Marriott points at check-in, either 250 points for limited-service properties or 500 points for full-service locations. Given the assumed split above, you’d earn an average of 375 points (worth ~$3.38) for each of your 15 stays.
