As we near the end of the year, for many frequent travellers, it is time to look at their accounts and wonder about whether they will maintain their status. If they are short of the thresholds, should they scramble to get across the line one way or another. Or should they just take the hit and fall down the status ladder.
What happens if you have an elite status and for one reason or another haven’t stayed much this year? Do you drop all the way to the bottom?
With all that in mind, Marriott Bonvoy has released its policy for 2025 renewals, and it’s good news. Well, good news if you have fallen short of a renewal by quite a margin.
In a repeat of their policy for 2023 and 2024 they will be offering a so-called ‘soft’ status landing policy. That means that you would only drop at most one level, rather than falling to whatever level you actually achieved.
The way Marriott describes it is like this:
Each year, Marriott Bonvoy® works to ensure that all Members’ Elite Status reflects all previous year’s qualifying activity (i.e. if you earn 25 Elite Night Credits in 2024, your 2025 status will be Gold Elite).<
- In January 2025, Members who achieved their existing Elite Status again in 2024 will have their current status renewed through February 2026.
In early March 2025, Members who did not re-achieve their existing Elite Status will be offered one tier below their current status through February 2026. Members will see their new status in March 2025 and can enjoy that new status through February 2026.
- Members who achieve a higher Elite Status during 2024 already have a status expiration date of February 2026.
What that means is that if you were unable to renew your status in 2024, Marriott Bonvoy will work out your new status as follows:
- Ambassador Elite members will get Titanium Elite status
- Titanium Elite members will get Platinum Elite status
- Platinum Elite members will get Gold Elite status
- Gold Elite members will get Silver Elite status
Of course, if you have any form of Lifetime Status, you will not fall below that status either. As noted above, Marriott expect to process the downgrades in early March 2025. As such, you’ll have your current status for the first couple of months of the year.
Final Words
Even back in the days of Marriott Rewards, Marriott has traditionally offered a soft-landing policy. However, it is not specifically written into the program terms. While they have consistently applied the policy since the formation of Marriott Bonvoy, I guess one day that may stop offering it.
(H/T: LoyaltyLobby.)