**Comprehending Marriott Bonvoy’s Elite Night Accumulation Policy**
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s loyalty scheme, enables members to achieve elite status depending on the total elite qualifying nights accrued during a calendar year. Traditionally, members received one elite night for each night stayed across all Marriott brands. However, recent modifications have impacted this earning structure, especially for limited service brands.
**Marriott Brands with Modified Elite Night Accumulation**
With over 30 hotel brands, tracking their elite night accumulation policies can be complicated. Several limited service brands now provide fewer elite night credits. These brands include:
– City Express by Marriott
– Four Points Flex by Sheraton
– Marriott Executive Apartments
– Protea Hotels by Marriott
– Series by Marriott
Historically, most of these brands granted one elite night for every two nights stayed, except for Marriott Executive Apartments, which offered one elite night for every three nights. This resulted in many members becoming frustrated as shorter stays often did not yield any elite nights.
**Launch of Half Elite Nights**
In a recent revision to its terms and conditions, Marriott Bonvoy has launched a fresh policy that permits members to earn half of an elite night credit for each qualifying night stayed at selected brands. This update pertains to:
– City Express
– Four Points Flex
– Protea Hotels
– Series by Marriott
According to this new policy, a one-night stay at these brands will now earn 0.5 elite nights, whereas previously, such stays would receive no elite nights. This change benefits members who often stay for brief intervals, as two one-night stays will now total one full elite night.
The policy for Marriott Executive Apartments remains the same, providing elite nights solely for stays of at least three nights.
**Final Thoughts**
Although the notion of not acquiring a full elite night per night stayed at certain brands is less than ideal, the introduction of half elite nights is an encouraging development. It offers incremental rewards for stays that previously received no credit. This update showcases Marriott’s continuous attempts to balance the costs of the loyalty program with advantages for frequent travelers.
**Your Opinion**
What are your thoughts on Marriott Bonvoy’s half elite night policy?