You will get a 2025 soft landing from Marriott Bonvoy if you don’t requalify

When Marriott Bonvoy was launched, it lost one useful feature from the old Marriott Rewards programme – the ‘soft landing’.

This came as a surprise to many in its first year because it wasn’t publicly announced. Some members, including myself, who were dropped to nothing had our status reinstated when we complained.

Marriott brought back soft landings for 2023 and 2024 to protect elites whose travel had been impacted by the pandemic.

According to a message on the Bonvoy website, you will be getting a soft landing again for 2025.

A ‘soft landing’, if you’re not familiar with the phrase, is when a loyalty programme only demotes you by one tier if you do not retain your existing status.

British Airways operates soft landings – if you are a Gold member and don’t take a single flight in the following year, you will only drop to Silver, not Blue. If you don’t take a single flight in the year after that, you only drop to Bronze and not Blue.

If you take a look at this page of the Marriott Bonvoy website, you will see that it says:

When does my Elite Status Expire?

Each year, Marriott Bonvoy works to ensure that all Members’ Elite Status reflects all previous year’s qualifying activity (i.e. if you earn 25 Elite Night Credits in 2024, your 2025 status will be Gold Elite).

• In January 2025, Members who achieved their existing Elite Status again in 2024 will have their current status renewed through February 2026.

• In early March 2025, Members who did not re-achieve their existing Elite Status will be offered one tier below their current status through February 2026. Members will see their new status in March 2025 and can enjoy that new status through February 2026. 

• Members who achieve a higher Elite Status during 2024 already have a status expiration date of February 2026.

So …. if you are currently Titanium, you will not drop further than Platinum. If you are currently Platinum, you won’t drop further than Gold. If you are Gold, you won’t drop further than Silver.

Let’s look at whether this benefits you:

• Currently Bonvoy Silver? You are on the lowest elite tier already, so there is no soft landing. If you don’t requalify, you will drop to ‘no status’ as you would have even without this policy.

• Currently Bonvoy Gold? The benefits of Gold status are slim, so you may decide that you’d be happy with Bonvoy Silver and stop chasing renewal of your Bonvoy Gold status.

• Currently Bonvoy Platinum? Platinum is the sweet spot in Marriott Bonvoy due to lounge access, free breakfast, guaranteed 4pm check-out and a shot at a good upgrade. The gap between Platinum and Gold is so big that it’s not worth accepting a soft landing – you should push on in your attempts to retain Platinum.

• Currently Bonvoy Titanium? The difference between Titanium and Platinum is slim, so you may decide that you’d be happy giving up your attempts to requalify and accept the Platinum soft landing. However, remember that hitting 75 elite nights for Titanium would unlock another five Nightly Upgrade Awards or other benefits.

You can see the official wording on the Marriott website here.

PS. Don’t forget that the Marriott Bonvoy American Express card comes with 15 elite nights towards status – every year! These even count towards lifetime status. If you don’t have one yet, here is our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy American Express credit card. Even if you don’t qualify for the sign-up bonus, you will still receive the 15 elite night credits. You can apply here.

How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (December 2024)

There are various ways of earning Marriott Bonvoy points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

The official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card comes with 20,000 points for signing up, 2 points for every £1 you spend and 15 elite night credits per year.

You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express

20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by converting American Express Membership Rewards points at the rate of 2:3.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Marriott Bonvoy Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th January 2025, the sign-up bonus on The Platinum Card from American Express is increased to 80,000 Membership Rewards points. This converts into 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points! The spend requirement is changed to £10,000 in six months for this offer. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express

Huge 80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

• American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th January 2025, the sign-up bonus on ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is increased to 30,000 Membership Rewards points. This converts into 45,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Click here to apply.

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (50,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Marriott Bonvoy points is 2:3.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Marriott Bonvoy points. 

(Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)