Some links to credit cards and other products may earn a referral commission. Furthermore, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For full advertising disclosure, click here.
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.
Well done Roberto. Congrats buddy. Always neat to discover stuff like this. Tweeted for you.
Ryan
Thanks Ryan, your comments are always welcomed.
I hadn’t realized that Marriott and Starwood have merged. I’ll have to check out the status of my account. Good luck with reaching Lifetime Gold Elite.
Thank you. Definitely check your account, you might be surprised as well.