How Did I Receive Marriott Lifetime Status?

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Earlier today, I checked my Marriott app to check my points balance so that I could better plan an upcoming trip. The Marriott brand is my favorite group of hotels, I search them before any others. 

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw that I was bumped from Premier Gold to Premier Platinum for the rest of the year. 

This occurred due to the merger of Marriott and Starwood Preferred Guest. I am not quite sure why members were bumped a category, but I will certainly take it. I swiped left on the app and came across a lifetime status page. I had never seen or heard of such a thing until now. 

I am currently sitting at Lifetime Silver Elite due to me surpassing 250 nights and 5 years with elite status. While it is the lowest elite level, it is cool to know that I will have at least silver elite forever. The lifetime status gives me: 

• 10% bonus points on all stays
• Free wi-fi 
• Priority late checkout 
• Exclusive member rates
• No blackout dates
• Ultimate reservation guarantee

These are not all of the benefits, but the ones that I appreciate. I am currently 77 stays from being a Lifetime Gold Elite. While I will not be able to hit that mark this year, it should be completed by the end of 2020. 

Here is a look at the rest of the Lifetime Elite Statuses and benefits:

Lifetime Gold Elite

400 lifetime nights and 7 years of Gold Elite or higher

• 25% bonus points on all stays
• Enhanced room upgrade
• Welcome gift of points
• Free wi-fi
• Priority late checkout (2pm)
• Exclusive member rates

Lifetime Platinum Elite

600 lifetime nights and 10 years as a Platinum Elite

• 50% bonus points on all stays
• Enhanced room upgrade, including suites
• Welcome gift choice (points, breakfast, or an amenity)
• Lounge access
• Priority late checkout (4pm)
• Annual gift choice to members who have stayed 50 nights

(Platinum and Gold Elites also have the same basic benefits as Silver Elites)

Final Word

As I said earlier, this was a pleasant surprise.  I have not thought about lifetime status for hotels, but I knew that it exists on airlines.  Marriott did well introducing this new “benefit”.  I will definitely try to get that Lifetime Gold Elite status sooner rather than later.