Titanium is a new tier introduced recently and is positioned between Platinum and top tier Ambassador status. The real status benefit with Marriott Bonvoy starts with Platinum Elite status. However, we shall see if Titanium status is worth aiming for. Since we have Platinum status, we won’t have any experience to draw from, but this post is based on published benefits and experiences of other members.
Why Platinum Status is the Sweet spot
Platinum status covers most bases with Marriott stays and we would recommend going for this status if you can swing it. Some of the benefits that Platinum members get:
- Free breakfast (at most Marriott hotels)
- Room upgrades, up to suite, if available
- 50% more points (15 points per 1 USD)
- Club Lounge Access, where available
- Late checkout till 4 PM. Subject to availability at Resorts and Convention centers
- Welcome gift (500/1000 bonus points, breakfast or amenity)
Published Benefits of Titanium over Platinum
25% more points over Platinum Status
Platinum earns 15 points for every dollar spent. And Titanium earns 17.5 points per dollar. That is 1.25-1.5% more rewards over Platinum. While this is nothing more substantial to talk about still if we are having more revenue stays or we are redeeming points at aspirational properties it may be worth more.
Annual Choice Benefit
We can choose any one of the following: (this is apart from the ones which we would choose when we hit 50 nights)
- one Free Night Award (FNA),
- five Suite Night Awards (SNAs),
- 40% off a mattress and box spring from your favorite hotel brand,
- give the gift of Gold Elite status to a family member or friend,
- $100 charity donation, or
- five Elite Night Credits
I would select either an FNA or an SNA, and I would value them at approximately Rs 20,000 ($250). If it helps with getting closer to requalification or lifetime status, one can also think about choosing five elite nights credits.
Suite Upgrade at Ritz-Carlton
Platinum gets room upgrade up to Suite, if available. However, this is not applicable at Ritz-Carlton but available for Titanium elites. We should note that we may be upgraded to a suite however Club Lounge access would still not be granted.
Complimentary United Airlines MileagePlus Silver Status
This doesn’t matter here in India or to anyone with access to a United Credit co-brand Card. But some status is better than no status. Silver status entitles us to one free checked bag, additional United Award availability, preferred seating, and expedited check-in.
48-Hour Guarantee
The hotel would have a room available for us at the rack rate if we made a revenue booking 48 hours before our scheduled check-in time (resorts and Design hotels are excluded). To accommodate you, the hotel would “walk” another guest. Personally, I would prefer to be walked and take compensation!
Dedicated Elite Support
A faster way to connect with humans though may not lead to a better resolution.
Other intangible Benefits of Titanium over Platinum
Better Upgrade chances and Elite Recognition
For instance, if multiple Platinum elites are at a particular time in the hotel, logically Titanium members would get priority for upgrades or be allotted better room (either by view or size). Titanium members may also have higher chances of suite upgrades if that matters to you. A welcome letter from FOM/GM, better in-room amenities, etc. may be present. The hotel would potentially have better elite recognition than other elites from lower tiers.
Bottom line
My travel pattern doesn’t take me to Titanium organically but if it were only a few stays away, I would mattress-run to Titanium. Further, if the room rates are low just as it was during the Covid time, then it may be worthwhile doing this.
Organically if one can get Titanium status, with some help from Promos and credit cards, then nothing like it. Otherwise going for Titanium may not be worth going out of the way to achieve status though individual actual experiences may wary.
In the way that some status is better than no status, I would say having the highest possible status maybe worth more. One certainly can’t go wrong with Platinum status, but given my travel habits, platinum should be more than enough.
[…] and suites which has lounge access and Platinum and above members of Marriott Bonvoy. The lounge had a low sitting capacity for the size of the hotel. It maybe difficult to get a […]