Marriott Bonvoy has just revealed its status soft landing policy for the next membership year (2024) and this is good news for those who couldn’t requalify the elite status.
Marriot Bonvoy 2024 Soft Landing Policy
Unlike this year’s soft landing policy which was announced in early January, Marriott has just announced next year’s soft landing policy.
For those who are not familiar with this term, it means that if you are a Marriott Bonvoy elite member and couldn’t requalify your current status tier for this year (2023), your tier will only be downgraded one tier below regardless until February 2025. In order words:
- Ambassador Elite will be downgraded to Titanium Elite
- Titanium Elite to Platinum Elite
- Platinum Elite to Gold Elite
- Gold Elie to Silver Elite
Marriott’s elite status soft landing policy has been long offering its members even before the Marriott Rewards SPG merging allowing members not to drop more than one elite tier.
In the past Marriott used to roll over member’s tiers with the existing status for years and also during the last few years due to the pandemic but starting 2023, it has brought back the downgrading.
You can find all frequently asked question here.
My Take About Marriott Bonvoy’s Soft Landing Policy
I think Marriott’s status soft landing policy is a great way to keep long-term relationship between the program and the members. For instance, if you are Titanium Elite then just because you did not requalify and be no tier, this will definitely move members away from the properties and program since there will be no benefit to customers. However, with the soft landing policy, you would still be Platinum Elite, which offers number of perks including standard suite upgrades. This will still keep the customers attached to the program and visit the hotels.
In the past, before Marriott Rewards merge with Marriott Bonvoy, the program used to run a program called ‘Elite Buy Back,’ which allowed members to pay and keep their status. With this option in history now, it is now based on stays you will retain your tiers.
Summary
Marriott Bonvoy has just announced the elite status soft landing policy for 2024 for those who couldn’t qualify or retain their current elite status. However, Marriott will only drop one tier at most due to its generous policy.
The program communicated clearly in advance for next year’s tier status, unlike this year when it communicated one month before the new membership year began.
