Marriott Bonvoy has updated its elite night earning policy for several limited-service brands, now awarding half an elite night for each qualifying night stayed. This change addresses a long-standing frustration for loyalty members, though the underlying issue of reduced earning rates remains.
The Problem: Devalued Elite Status
For years, Marriott Bonvoy awarded one elite night for every night stayed across most brands. Over time, the hotel chain has scaled back this benefit at select properties, awarding only one elite night for every two or three nights stayed. This shift has occurred as Marriott focuses on rapid expansion—primarily through franchising—often at the expense of loyalty program value.
The core issue isn’t just the change itself, but the underlying business model. Marriott increasingly prioritizes growth in room count over customer loyalty, and cost-cutting measures like these reflect that shift.
Which Brands Are Affected?
The following Marriott brands previously offered reduced elite night earning rates:
- City Express by Marriott
- Four Points Flex by Sheraton
- Marriott Executive Apartments
- Protea Hotels by Marriott
- Series by Marriott
Previously, most of these properties awarded one elite night for every two nights stayed (Marriott Executive Apartments awarded one for every three). This meant short stays offered minimal progress toward elite status.
The Update: Half Nights Earned
The new policy now awards 0.5 elite nights for each qualifying night at City Express, Four Points Flex, Protea Hotels, and Series by Marriott. This means:
- A one-night stay now earns 0.5 elite nights, rather than zero.
- Two one-night stays earn one elite night, making shorter trips more worthwhile.
- Marriott Executive Apartments remains unchanged, still requiring three nights for one elite night credit.
Why This Matters
This update is a small but meaningful improvement. While the ideal solution would be to reinstate full elite night earning rates across all brands, awarding half nights is a step in the right direction. It acknowledges that even brief stays contribute to loyalty and provides a slight incentive for members who frequently use these properties.
However, the change doesn’t fix the fundamental problem: Marriott continues to devalue its loyalty program by selectively reducing earning rates. The update may slow the erosion of value, but it doesn’t reverse it.
Ultimately, this policy change is a pragmatic response to customer dissatisfaction. Marriott has listened to feedback and made a minor adjustment, but the broader trend of cost-cutting within the loyalty program remains.
