Elite members in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program enjoy VIP benefits when they stay at hotels in 30 Marriott family brands. But did you know that if you don’t get to use your elite perks, Marriott will give you on-the-spot compensation?

Here’s everything you need to know to fully enjoy the benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Elite Guarantee.

How it works

The hotel's Elite Member Benefits Guarantee means that, as a Bonvoy elite, you shouldn't arrive at your hotel to find that your room has been given away. And if you do, you're entitled to various forms of compensation depending on the location — potentially points, meals or even cash.

The perks of the Elite Member Benefits Guarantee vary depending on your elite status level and the hotel brand where you’re staying. All levels are eligible for reservation guarantees. Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador elite members are additionally entitled to a guaranteed welcome gift, room type and access to a lounge if the hotel has one.

Eligibility

The Elite Member Benefits Guarantee applies no matter how you attained Bonvoy elite status — be it through frequent Bonvoy stays or through frequent spending on a co-branded credit card like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, which comes with Silver Elite status, or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, which comes with Platinum Elite status.

Types of Elite Member Benefit Guarantees

Some member benefit guarantees are available to all elites, while others are only offered to the highest elite tiers.

All elite members

Ultimate Reservation Guarantee

When you arrive at a qualifying hotel, Marriott guarantees that your reservation will be waiting for you. If, for some reason, the hotel is oversold or the property can't honor a reservation, elite members need not worry: The hotel will pay for a comparable hotel nearby.

For your trouble, you'll also get compensation in the form of cash — usually $100 or $200 — or Marriott Bonvoy points. Often, you can choose which type of compensation you would like, although your options may vary by brand and elite tier as shown in the chart on Marriott’s website.

If this situation happens to you and compensation is not proactively offered, be sure to ask about it.

Platinum elite, Titanium elite and Ambassador elite

Welcome gifts

Marriott’s Titanium elites and above receive a welcome gift when checking in to a Marriott family hotel. The welcome amenity adds a nice perk to your stay, whether in points or in a food-and-beverage amenity. And if a welcome gift is not delivered, your compensation can add a nice boost to your wallet courtesy of Marriott.

Gifts vary. You could get Bonvoy points, breakfast or a food or beverage item, depending on the property. Here’s what the compensation looks like at Marriott’s high-end properties:

Unfortunately, at Ritz-Carlton, EDITION, Marriott Vacation Club, Marriott Grand Residence Club, Home & Villas by Marriott International and Design Hotels properties, the elite welcome gift is not part of the guarantee. That is, there’s no assurance you’ll be compensated if your elite welcome gift is not offered, although you can follow up with Marriott Bonvoy to request compensation.

Vistana locations will only provide the welcome gift to elites not using their ownership interest.

Non-luxury Marriott properties have slightly lower compensation amounts:

Luxury brands usually offer greater compensation than more affordable brands. For example, the compensation at a St. Regis for a skipped welcome amenity is $100, whereas at a Courtyard it is $50.

If the hotel staff hasn't proactively offered you your welcome gift after check-in, ask about compensation. In most cases, you’re entitled to cash ranging from $25 to $100, depending on the hotel. If your hotel is outside the U.S., expect the equivalent in local currency.

The U.S. $10 food-and-beverage credit per night is for the Marriott member. If a guest is staying with the member, an additional $10 credit is provided. These credits are use-it-or-lose-it; they do not accumulate from day to day.