Marriott has the most exclusive top elite tier with published earning criteria. The Ambassador level requires not just 100 nights in hotels but also a minimum of $23,000 in spend, nearly impossible to achieve in many parts of the world with low hotel rates.
A carry-over from Starwood, members receive an agent specifically assigned to them to take care of all of their stay needs, including making requests and customizing things with hotels and assisting with any arrangements. The promise was that this person “gets to know you over time” and “provide the personal touches that make each trip special.”
Compared to Titanium (75 night, no spend requirement) status, Ambassadors also receive:
Your24: Subject to availability, arrange in advance to check in at your preferred time and have a check-out time 24 hours later.Higher priority for upgrades at least in theory, although upgrades can be hit and miss at best at many U.S. hotels.
Marriott appears to have added a new benefit for ‘overachieving’ Ambassadors who spend at least $40,000 in a year – at least it is a benefit for 2024 spend.
Ambassadors who spend $40,000 are being invited to extend the same status to a spouse, significant other, or other member of their household. This is what’s been sent to those who hit the threshold:
Greetings of the day! I hope this message finds you well.We are so grateful for your loyalty and honored that you continue to choose Marriott Bonvoy. I am thrilled to inform you that this year, Ambassador Elite members who have achieved 100 nights and exceeded $40,000 in annual spend are eligible to invite their significant other to join them as an Ambassador Elite through 2025. Your annual spend has already exceeded this amount, so I’ll be able to offer this to you!
We know that for those who travel extensively, it often means there is an unsung hero supporting you, whether they are back at home or traveling alongside you. We would like to help you honor that special someone in your life by allowing you to pick a “plus one” to upgrade to Ambassador Elite.
To get started, please provide the following details of your “plus one*”:
• Marriott Bonvoy Number (they can join here if they are not yet a member)
• Full Name
• Preferred Name
• Email Address
• Phone Number
• Mailing Address (should match your mailing address)
Once you reply to this email with the requested information, I will process the upgrade and update your Ambassador Preferences to ensure this individual is reflected as your significant other in your profile. After the upgrade processes (within one month after submission), your “plus one” will be able to enjoy Ambassador Elite status through the end of 2025. I will also be assigned to them as their personal Ambassador so that I can help coordinate your travels together.
Congratulations on this achievement! I look forward to providing you and your loved one with exceptional travel experiences you can enjoy together.
*Your Plus One is your companion, your spouse, a significant other, or a person who resides at your same home address. Please be aware that any suspected fraud will be thoroughly investigated, and if confirmed, both accounts will be revoked.
I wish you a wonderful day ahead!Best Regards,
It’s incredible to me that Marriott only cares about taking care of the people who matter most to their most important customers when they cross $40,000 in spend. One might wonder how many people spending $40,000 on the road with Marriott have the chance to find a +1?
The surprising thing is that they are warning members giving them $40,000 in revenue about loyalty fraud. These are customers spending at least $40,000 and Ambassador status isn’t that valuable. It’s not even like Hyatt where it’s possible to confirm suites at time of booking, breakfast benefits are weaker, and late check-out even less honored.
Hyatt, for years, has even had a ‘Guest of Honor’ benefit where top tier members can extend that status to whomever they wish for a given stay. It used to be only for points stays but now includes paid stays as well, and the benefit can be earned even before reaching top tier status so a member can gift themselves the status for a stay, too. Meanwhile, Marriott partner United has had a spouse benefit for million milers (the million miler’s partner gets the same status as the lifetime member).
There’s no question that offering this is better than not offering it! But in my view Marriott should seek to take care of an Ambassador member’s spouse every time, not only if the member hits $40,000 in spend. And this is a messaging fail, threatening members over something that frankly the program should care about in this context.
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