Generally speaking, hotel elite status becomes most valuable when you get toward the higher tiers, as that’s when you start getting benefits like suite upgrades and breakfast. Admittedly many people end up with lower elite status as well, so I think it’s worth covering what that offers.
While my focus with Marriott Bonvoy is generally on the perks associated with Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador status, in this post I wanted to take a look at Gold status. How do you earn it, and what are the perks?
In this post:
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy Gold status
You can earn Marriott Bonvoy Gold status through hotel stays, by having certain credit cards, or through a combination of both. Let’s take a look at what’s required.
Earning Marriott Gold status with hotel stays
Marriott Bonvoy Gold status requires earning 25 elite nights in a calendar year. Both paid and award nights count toward this total, as long as you booked directly with Marriott.
Earning Marriott Gold status with credit cards
Credit cards can help you earn hotel elite status, and that’s the case with Marriott Bonvoy Gold as well. The following three credit cards offer Marriott Bonvoy Gold status just for being a cardmember:
- The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (review)
- The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card (review)
- The Platinum Card® from American Express (review) (Enrollment required)
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (review) (Enrollment required)
A special mention has to go to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (review), which offers Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status just for being a cardmember.
Beyond that, you can earn Marriott Bonvoy elite nights with credit cards. Specifically, you earn 15 elite nights toward status annually just for having one of the following cards:
- The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card (review)
- The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (review)
- The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card (review)
- The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (review)
- The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (review)
Meanwhile the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers 25 elite nights toward status.
You can earn 15-25 elite nights from at most one personal and one business card. So the ideal situation would be to have the Bonvoy Business Card and Bonvoy Brilliant Card, and then you’d get 40 elite nights every year.
Marriott Bonvoy Gold status perks & benefits
With the requirements to earn status out of the way, what are the benefits of Marriott Bonvoy Gold status? Below are the perks, roughly in the order that I value them.
Room upgrades, subject to availability
Marriott Bonvoy Gold members are entitled to room upgrades subject to availability at check-in. Upgrades are to “enhanced rooms,” which could include rooms with desirable views, rooms on high floors, corner rooms, rooms with special amenities, and rooms on executive floors.
Don’t expect suite upgrades or club access rooms as a Bonvoy Gold member, but hopefully you get some sort of an upgraded room.
25% Marriott Bonvoy bonus points
Marriott Bonvoy Gold members earn 25% bonus points on hotel stays. Since Bonvoy members ordinarily earn 10x points per dollar spent, that’s an extra 2.5x points per dollar spent. I value Bonvoy points at 0.7 cents each, so to me that’s like a 1.75% incremental return on Marriott spending.
Premium internet access
While all Marriott Bonvoy members receive free internet at Marriott properties, Bonvoy Gold members and above receive premium in-room internet. This could come in handy, given the slow Wi-Fi speeds at some hotels for the basic plans, as well as how much some hotels try to charge extra if you want faster Wi-Fi.
Bonus points as a welcome gift
At check-in Marriott Bonvoy Gold members receive a welcome gift consisting of points. This will be 250-500 points, depending on the brand. That’s better than nothing, though nothing too exciting — I value those points at $1.75-3.50.
2PM late check-out, subject to availability
Marriott Bonvoy Gold members receive 2PM late check-out subject to availability. Unfortunately unlike the 4PM late check-out that Platinum members and above receive, this isn’t a guaranteed perk, so the hotel can reject this request.
Is Marriott Bonvoy Gold status worth it?
Is it worth being loyal to Marriott in order to earn Bonvoy Gold status? Probably not. I’d argue status with Marriott really gets valuable at the Platinum tier, where you’re potentially eligible for suite upgrades, complimentary breakfast, guaranteed late check-out, and more bonus points.
That being said, if you stay at Marriotts with any frequency, then getting Bonvoy Gold status just for having the Amex Platinum (or another credit card) is certainly worth it.
How does Marriott Bonvoy Gold status compare to other mid-tier hotel status?
- Hilton Honors Gold status can also be earned just by having a credit card, and offers stronger perks, including complimentary breakfast or a food & beverage credit
- IHG One Rewards Platinum status can also be earned just by having a credit card; while there’s not much in the way of guaranteed benefits, I’d say the potential benefits are still a bit stronger
- World of Hyatt Explorist status can’t be earned just by having a credit card, but offers better room upgrades, and also gives you access to the Milestone Rewards program, where perks start to become more valuable
Bottom line
Understandably the Marriott Bonvoy program is most widely discussed when talking about Platinum status and above, since that’s where the program becomes really valuable. That being said, Gold status can be attained just by having the Amex Platinum, so it’s a status that many probably have (or are eligible for).
Marriott Bonvoy Gold status offers complimentary room upgrades, 25% bonus points, premium internet, late check-out subject to availability, and a welcome gift of points. It’s better than nothing, but also probably not a reason to be loyal to Marriott.
If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy Gold member, what has your experience been like?
I've had exceptional good fortune as a Bonvoy Gold staying primarily at Protea Hotels in Africa.
Always some actually decent welcome amenity (bottle of wine, box of chocolates, etc..), and excellent upgrades about half the time including to a duplex suite at the Protea Fire & Ice Umhlanga in Durban.
The only catch is that Protea no longer gives any stay/night credit for single night stays so despite nearly 40 actual nights last year at...
I've had exceptional good fortune as a Bonvoy Gold staying primarily at Protea Hotels in Africa.
Always some actually decent welcome amenity (bottle of wine, box of chocolates, etc..), and excellent upgrades about half the time including to a duplex suite at the Protea Fire & Ice Umhlanga in Durban.
The only catch is that Protea no longer gives any stay/night credit for single night stays so despite nearly 40 actual nights last year at their properties (and around $6000 in spend), I've earned all of 12 qualifying nights
Gold gets you almost nothing. The real benefits start at platinum.
Marriott gold... It gives you the feeling that you got kicked in the family jewels. Platinum is barely any kind of status so forget gold. In the last 3 years with platinum and over 200 nights for me, I have had 2 whole upgrades(zero in the usa), 1 because the suite cert actually got accepted. For 2024,it will be my last year with Marriott. I decided to give them up and just stick to Hilton...
Marriott gold... It gives you the feeling that you got kicked in the family jewels. Platinum is barely any kind of status so forget gold. In the last 3 years with platinum and over 200 nights for me, I have had 2 whole upgrades(zero in the usa), 1 because the suite cert actually got accepted. For 2024,it will be my last year with Marriott. I decided to give them up and just stick to Hilton and csr/amex hotel portals. The only reason I'm keeping Hilton is because the aspire card is still useful (just barely make up for the $550 fee). The devaluation in points and spike in prices with Marriott hotels is too off putting to continue.
Chase's Ritz-Carlton card also gets automatic Gold Elite status. So I think that brings the total to five credit cards that offer Marriott Bonvoy Gold status just for being a cardmember.
I'm normally a harsh critic of tier status. Marriott Gold gives you 2pm checkout. For some stays, those extra 2 or 3 hours (relative to 11am or 12noon normal checkout) are quite valuable. The Amex Platinum gives you Marriott Gold. Easy peasy.
I’ve got Lifetime Gold Status and it really doesn’t do much for me other than the 25% bonus, 500 Welcome Points and the odd help getting checkout to 1 or 2pm.
Marriott Gold member for 5+ years. Got an upgrade. Once. Looking for a new hotel credit card that has actual perks.