If you’re savvy about accumulating miles and points, it’s possible to travel like a rock star (yes, even on a tight budget) thanks to loyalty program benefits. Like everything, over time, rules and loyalty benefits may change. One valuable travel benefit that might fly under your radar? Marriott Bonvoy Nightly Upgrade Awards for Platinum and Titanium Elite members.
If you’re not sure what they are or where to get started, here are several tips to maximize this Marriott Bonvoy loyalty benefit and score coveted hotel accommodations and amenities.
What Are Nightly Upgrade Awards?
Marriott Bonvoy Nightly Upgrade Awards (also called NUAs) are complimentary upgrades to a standard suite or select premium room at Marriott Bonvoy participating properties. They’re offered (and confirmed) before check-in on all eligible stays.
Room upgrade options differ by property and availability but can include suites, corner rooms and guest rooms with more living space or scenic views. Just imagine the possibilities: more space for children to play, a private workspace, or a comfier spot to hang out in with friends or family.
How to Earn Nightly Upgrade Awards
If you achieve 50 or more Elite Night Credits (and again at 75 Elite Night Credits) within a calendar year, you can select five NUAs as your Annual Choice Benefit. Another way to get NUAs is if you spend $60,000 in eligible annual purchases with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card in a calendar year. That’s something to remember when choosing the most rewarding hotel credit card for you.
How to Use Your Nightly Upgrade Awards
After booking an eligible stay, you can apply one Nightly Upgrade Award per night — in other words, a four-night stay requires four NUAs. From there, the hotel’s system automatically tries matching your request with availability starting three days before arrival. An above-property algorithm forecasts availability to fulfill your request, so contacting the hotel’s front desk won’t help you get an upgrade.
Unlike some types of room upgrades, you’ll get email confirmation if you secure an NUA upgrade. That means you won’t be stuck in suspense until check-in. If your request isn’t fulfilled, the NUAs redeposit into your account for another time. Your awards will expire on December 31 of the year following the year in which you earned them.
Where to Find Your Nightly Upgrade Awards
It’s simple to redeem your Nightly Upgrade Awards — both online or through the Marriott Bonvoy App, and for both new and existing reservations.
After you complete a new hotel reservation, “Start Upgrade Request” will appear on the Marriott.com reservation confirmation page or click “Request Upgrade” in the Marriott Bonvoy App. You’ll be asked to select your desired rooms and/or suites before submitting your request.
Want to submit an NUA request for an existing reservation? Click “My Trips” on Marriott.com or “Trips” in the Marriott Bonvoy App. Find the reservation you’d like to update and if NUAs are available, you will see “Start Upgrade Request” on Marriott.com (you may need to click the down arrow to expand the reservation), or in the app, select the bell icon in the top-right corner of your chosen itinerary.
The request button won’t appear for ineligible stays, such as at nonparticipating brands, or if there is a lack of upgrade-eligible rooms at the hotel.
Tips for Redeeming Marriott Nightly Upgrade Awards
There are a few best practices to increase your chances of snagging an NUA (and live more lavishly while you travel).
Try Selecting Multiple Room Preferences
Being flexible can make it easier to redeem travel benefits. In this case, choosing several room types can increase the likelihood of getting a room upgrade. Just keep in mind that the reservations system, not an actual person, selects a room based on forecasted vacancy rates. If the system thinks the pricier room will sell out, you may not receive an upgrade for it.
Submit an Upgrade Request As Soon As Possible
When it comes to placing your Nightly Upgrade Award request, the sooner the better. Submitting your request when making a new reservation can help you get priority selection.
You can withdraw unconfirmed upgrades until 2 p.m. hotel time one day before arrival; but confirmed upgrades can only be withdrawn if you cancel the whole reservation, in which case you risk having to rebook your stay at a higher price.
When Possible, Go with Off-Peak Periods
Avoiding peak travel seasons can also increase your chances of being upgraded, as rooms and suites are more likely to be available.
Keep Your Mind Open to New-to-You Hotel Brands
Your favorite hotel might not have NUA availability for the time period you selected, but another nearby Marriott Bonvoy participating property might. Looking for hotels where you can redeem your Nightly Upgrade Awards is an excellent way to discover and try out new brands.
It’s worth noting that Nightly Upgrade Awards aren’t redeemable at certain brands and hotels.
Get Ideas from Fellow Marriott Bonvoy Members
Want more tips for redeeming your NUAs? The Marriott Bonvoy Insiders Facebook group is an excellent resource worth tapping — it’ll give you an inside look into how your fellow loyalty members successfully redeem their awards.
In one instance, Jay B. redeemed points for a stay at Hotel Imperial, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna and upgraded to a suite. He also enjoyed complimentary breakfast and self-serve champagne as a Platinum Elite member.
Jonathon A., a Titanium Elite member, upgraded to a one-bedroom Fireside Casita during a three-night stay at The Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain in Marana, Arizona. Jonathan noted that there were plenty of NUA options for this particular itinerary, too.
Joining the Facebook group, which has hundreds of thousands of members, is another great way to discover new destinations and maximize your Marriott Bonvoy membership.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s a blitz birthday trip or a long-awaited family getaway, getting an NUA approved for a swanky room with more space or a better view can make travel better. And Nightly Upgrade Awards can be pivotal to enhancing your stay at Marriott Bonvoy participating properties.
They pair well with your other Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite benefits to unlock more travel possibilities and fun getaways. All you have to do now? Figure out where you want to travel next.
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