A LoyaltyLobby reader sent us a question about qualifying for Marriott Ambassador status when they are short on the revenue component.
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You can access Marriott’s page for the Ambassador status here.
READ MORE: Marriott Bonvoy Rate & Bonus Points Offers
Reader Question:
I am a Titanium Elite member with Marriott Bonvoy and have reached 120 nights this year, thanks to promotions and credit card benefits.
However, I still need to spend $5,000 to qualify for Ambassador Elite status. Is it worth pursuing this, or are there alternative ways to achieve the status?
I’d appreciate your insights!
Many Bonvoy members with 100 or so elite qualifying nights for the year are thinking about this issue if they are short on revenue.
The Ambassador requirements are:
- 100 nights in a calendar year (can be from any source)
- $23,000 in eligible spend
Bonvoy members can earn elite qualifying nights from staying at Marriott hotels, and there can be targeted or global offers for bonus elite qualifying nights. Also, there are credit cards that allow you to earn a set number of nights yearly and/or additional nights for money on the card.
The revenue side, however, is more difficult unless you spend that $23K++ amount at Marriott hotels or at Homes & Villas, which is also Ambassador qualifying.
If you think about that revenue, it is the qualifying spending that is used to calculate the number of points that you earn, and it doesn’t include resort/destination fees, any other scam charges, or actual taxes.
Your total spending should be between $26K and $28K to hit the baseline number of $23K.
Unfortunately, there is no way to “fast-track” this spending by buying Marriott gift cards or prepaying stays. Only actual, consumed stays count.
There are possibly four benefits that Ambassador members have over Titaniums:
1. Your24
You can have a flexible 24-hour check-in/check-out time, i.e., check in at 8 PM and check out at 8 PM the following day. This is not automatic, but it must be requested.
2. Ambassador
Members are assigned a personal “Ambassador” who should be their primary contact for all Marriott-related issues, from booking to follow-up points, etc.
3. Upgrades
Ambassador members can expect better upgrades than Titanium members at luxury properties.
4. MGM Benefits
Ambassador members receive set benefits at MGM properties, which are set to expire at the end of this year.
Worth Extra $5K?
It is late in the year, but there certainly are expensive Marriott properties where you can spend this amount of money in less than a week.
It all comes down to what are the plans in 2025. Are you going to stay at luxury properties where the elite and Ambassador recognition are meaningful
AND
How much value does the reader put into $5K? For some, it can be peanuts of no significance.
Conclusion
I don’t think it makes much sense to spend $5K on stays that you wouldn’t need to merely qualify for Ambassador status because the benefits over Titanium, IMHO, are not significant enough.
If you know early in the year that you have the nights, you could better plan the spending and see if it really makes sense.
The status really shines at Marriott’s luxury brands, such as St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton, and EDITION.
How do you justify the spending required for Ambassador OR that you wouldn’t spend a penny more than you otherwise would? Please comment below.
By the way, I find it somewhat weird that Marriott uses an image of Aloft Hotel on the Ambassador benefits page, a brand that doesn’t provide a luxurious experience.
