Marriott Elite Status: As a Marriott Elite Member, what perks will you receive at Marriott Vacation Club Properties?

While I generally prefer traveling in timeshares, I definitely stay at my fair share of hotels.  When I stay at hotels, elite status can sometimes make or break the experience.  There are definitely some real perks and incentives to obtain status on various hotel brands.  In another post, I will show you how I am saving close to $200 per day by having status at a hotel. 

In this post, I thought I would explore Marriott Elite Status and what to expect when checking-in to a Marriott Vacation Club Property as a Marriott Elite Member.  

Before we get to answering that question, we should look at the Marriott Elite Membership and see what you would receive when staying at Marriott properties.  

** As you may or may not know, Marriott and Starwood completed a merger in 2016.  As of now, there two loyalty programs will remain separate through 2018.  After that, the details are sparse but if I had to guess, I would assume that their loyalty programs will merge into one.

​For now, Marriott Elite Rewards operates independently and there are 3 levels of membership:  Silver, Gold and Platinum.  Silver is the lowest tier and truthfully not even worth talking about. There are some minor perks but nothing much.

Gold and Platinum can have some worthwhile perks.  The main way that hotel loyalty programs want you to earn status is through night stays with the hotel chain.  However, there are a few easy wins to get Marriott Gold Status through credit card sign ups.  You can get Marriott Gold Status through applying for the American Express Personal Platinum Card as well as the American Express Business Platinum Card as well as a few other meaningful perks. 

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If you stay at Marriott properties at all, having status can be worthwhile especially if it comes for free through your credit card account. 

Status:

I have held status on numerous different hotel chains.  I have held top tier status on Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt.  The benefits of elite status are debatable but in some situations, I 100% agree that status can be worthwhile. 

For the current Marriott program, there are few if any real benefits that differentiate between Marriott Gold and Platinum.  I have held Marriott Gold Status for many years due to holding the American Express Business Platinum Card and think that it is a good perk of that card. 

Having status can be beneficial and definitely encourage it if you know you will be staying at certain properties.

Marriott Gold Status:

Here are the general Marriott Gold Benefits:

1. 25% additional points
2. 10% discount on gift shop purchases;
3.  Priority Late Checkout
4. Lounge Access which generally has complimentary breakfast and light snacks throughout the day
5. Complimentary Room Upgrades
6. Enhanced Internet Access
7. Guaranteed Room Types;
8. Guaranteed Late Checkout as late as 4pm. 

Marriott Platinum Status:

Marriott Platinum Status gives the same list above as well as the additional perks:

1. Platinum Arrival Gift (points or a welcome food and beverage amenity)
2. 48 hour guaranteed availability
3. Elite Reservation Line

Marriott Status at Marriott Vacation Club Properties:

The general perks outlined above have many exclusions based on the brand of the property.  Each brand has its rules and exclusions.  Here is the complete list of Marriott branded hotels:
               

• The Ritz-Carlton
• EDITION
• JW Marriott
• Autograph Collection
• Renaissance Hotels 
• Marriott Hotels & Resorts
• Gaylord Hotels and Delta Hotels
• Marriott Vacation Club
• Courtyard (U.S. & Canada),
• SpringHill Suites
• Residence Inn
• AC Hotels,
• Courtyard, Protea Hotels®     
• Fairfield Inn & Suites,
• TownePlace Suites
• Moxy Hotels

The purpose of this post was to explore what types of perks you can expect when you have Marriott status at Marriott Vacation Club Properties.  

Again, here is the complete list of perks that you would receive as either a Marriott Gold Member or a Marriott Platinum Member when staying at Marriott hotel properties:

1. 25% additional points
2. 10% discount on gift shop purchases;
3.  Priority Late Checkout
4. Lounge Access which generally has complimentary breakfast and light snacks throughout the day;
5. Complimentary Room Upgrades
6. Enhanced Internet Access
7. Guaranteed Room Types;
8. Guaranteed Late Checkout as late as 4pm. 
9. Platinum Arrival Gift (points or a welcome food and beverage amenity)
10. 48 hour guaranteed availability
11. Elite Reservation Line

Here is the complete list of perks that you would receive as either a Marriott Gold Member or a Marriott Platinum Member when staying at Marriott Vacation Club Properties:

1. 10% discount on gift shop purchases;
2. Platinum Arrival Gift:  500 bonus points - Food and Beverage amenity is not offered. 

AND THAT'S IT. 

Basically, as a Marriott Gold or Platinum Member, you will receive 500 bonus points upon check-in and 10% discount on gift shop purchases. 

You will not receive complimentary upgrades, free breakfast, late checkout, early check-ins, food and beverage perks, or other types of "perks" that you may expect to receive at hotel properties. 

Conclusion:

As I stated at the beginning of the article, I really enjoy having hotel status at various hotel chains.  The biggest perk for me is generally the free breakfast and occasional room upgrades.  Depending on the resort, free breakfast is a very meaningful and appreciated perk. 

As you can see, when I stay at hotel branded timeshare properties, you simply cannot expect to receive anything extra.  Having hotel status at timeshare properties generally does not give you any additional benefits.  I have never received an upgraded room at a timeshare property even though the timeshare property is close to empty. 

Overall, timeshare properties operate very differently that their hotel counterparts.  Many hotel branded timeshares will have the same luxuries of a hotel brand (soaps, bedding, furniture,decor, etc.) but will exclude many of those perks that you may expect from having elite status with a hotel. 

Despite this, timeshares have their own perks that, in my opinion, far exceed the perks of having "status". 

What has your experience been with checking-in to timeshare properties with elite status?
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