Marriott Bonvoy previously announced its soft landing policy for the 2024 membership year and is now sending out e-mails confirming that policy to members. As in years past, Marriott will offer elite members a soft landing, meaning that if they do not requalify for status, they will not drop more than one level in the Elite status hierarchy.
The Deal
Here’s the official release from Marriott:
In January 2024, all Members will have their 2023 loyalty activity evaluated as follows:
- Members who achieved their existing Elite status again in 2023will have their current status renewed through February 2025.
- Members who did not re-achieve their existing Elite status in 2023 will be offered one tier below their current status through February 2025. Members will see their new status in March 2024 and can enjoy their existing status through February 2024.
- Members who achieved a higher Elite status during 2023 already have a status expiration date of February 2025.
Quick Thoughts
This policy announcement applies to those who currently hold elite status but fail to requalify for it. For instance, I currently have Platinum status but I did not earn the 50 elite qualifying nights for 2023. Given that, my status will only drop to Gold in 2024 (this would be the case, even if I had earned 0 elite qualifying nights in 2023).
This soft landing is probably most appealing for a current Titanium member who will not earn at least 50 nights this year since they will drop to Platinum status (maintaining free breakfast or lounge access at many brands) even without earning the normally-required 50 nights.
Keep in mind that Marriott choice benefits, like the ability to choose 5 suite night awards, are based on elite night earnings — so a Titanium member receiving a soft landing to Platinum will not get suite night awards (they would need to earn 50 elite nights in 2023 to get those).
This soft landing policy has been in place for years and it is great to see it continue so that someone whose travel in 2023 didn’t quite hit their typical levels won’t lose status altogether in 2024.
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