Close to higher Bonvoy status? Should you get the Marriott Amex for 15 elite night credits?

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If you are currently within 15 nights of Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Platinum Elite or Titanium Elite status, there is a way of making the leap in one go.

The Marriott Bonvoy American Express credit card comes with 15 elite night credits. They have, in 2021, been posting within two weeks of application for most people.

I know that a lot of HfP readers will not qualify for the 20,000 Bonvoy points sign-up bonus because they hold, or have recently held, another personal American Express card. However, EVERYONE who is accepted receives the 15 elite night credits.

This is a repeating benefit. Your first batch of elite night credits comes within a couple of weeks of applying, with a further 15 elite nights posting each January.

You can apply for the card here.

Mariott Bonvoy American Express credit card

The card has a representative APR of 41.6% APR variable, based on a notional £1,200 credit limit and a £75 annual fee. The representative APR on purchases is 24.5% variable.

Marriott has already gifted you some elite nights this year

Earlier in 2021, all Marriott Bonvoy members were gifted elite night credits equivalent to 50% of the status they earned in 2020.

This means that if you were Platinum Elite in 2020, you received 25 elite night credits. You were half way to renewal already.

The full list of elite night credits given out was (this is based on the status you earned in 2020 and which was carried over into 2021):

Ambassador Elite – 50 elite night credits
Titanium Elite – 38 elite night credits
Platinum Elite – 25 elite night credits
Gold Elite – 13 elite night credits
Silver Elite – 5 elite night credits

Even if you have only done a few Bonvoy stays in 2021, you may well be close to the next tier.

Would the 15 Marriott Bonvoy Amex elite night credits work for you?

These are number of elite nights you need to reach each tier:

Ambassador Elite – 100 elite night credits plus $12,000 of spending
Titanium Elite – 75 elite night credits
Platinum Elite – 50 elite night credits
Gold Elite – 25 elite night credits
Silver Elite – 10 elite night credits

Would 15 extra night credits from the credit card be worth having? There is no easy answer to that question, as only you know how many nights you currently have and what another 15 nights would do for you.

Platinum Elite is the sweet spot in Marriott Bonvoy

If you have 35 elite nights at present, another 15 would take you to 50 and Platinum Elite status.

To my mind, this is where you want to be. You qualify for club lounge access, free breakfast at most brands, decent upgrades and guaranteed 4pm check-out at most hotels.

This is, absolutely, worth having.

You also get an ‘annual gift choice’ for reaching Platinum, the most useful of which – for most people – are five ‘Suite Night Awards’. We looked at the Marriott annual gift choice awards in this article.

It’s also worth pushing for Titanium Elite

If you are within 15 nights of Titanium Elite, you should also be seriously considering getting the Bonvoy Amex.

Whilst the elite benefits are not much better than Platinum Elite – although you are higher up the upgrade pecking order – you get another ‘annual gift choice’ benefit for hitting 75 nights. You can choose from five Suite Night Awards, a Free Night Award, gift Gold Elite status, five Elite Night Credits or a $100 charity donation.

Warning ….

If 15 extra elite nights in 2021 would make a difference to your Marriott Bonvoy elite status in 2022, you may want to apply for the Marriott Bonvoy American Express card.

There is some risk, however.

During 2021, new applicants have been receiving their 15 elite night credits within two weeks, looking at reader reports. If this happens to you, and you apply now, you’ll be fine.

If it takes more than three weeks, of course, your nights won’t arrive in time. Your first batch of elite night credits will be the batch that every Marriott Bonvoy American Express cardholder receives in early January.

If you think getting the credit card makes sense, our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy American Express card is here and you can apply here.

You need to apply ASAP if you want a good chance of your first batch of 15 elite night credits posting in 2021, however.

Disclaimer: Head for Points is a journalistic website. Nothing here should be construed as financial advice, and it is your own responsibility to ensure that any product is right for your circumstances. Recommendations are based primarily on the ability to earn miles and points and do not consider interest rates, service levels or any impact on your credit history. By recommending credit cards on this site, I am – technically – acting as a credit broker. Robert Burgess, trading as Head for Points, is regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a credit broker.