ByHow to Get Free Access to Marriott Hotel Rewards
Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, getting a good hotel room is a must. Contrary to popular belief, you don 't always have to be a member to get a hotel upgrade . In certain circumstances, you might even get your hotel room for free.
Still, many people don't know who or how to ask about free hotel room upgrades. Even if you've already checked in or the hotel is sold out, you can still maximize your reservation.
Types of Upgrades Available at Marriott
Marriott has a Bonvoy Rewards program that you can join for free on your first stay. The benefits increase as you go up the membership tiers:
| Member Status | You get a complimentary membership with just one stay. The Member Status is anything but basic because you can enjoy the following:
- Discounted rates - No blackout dates - Free Wi-Fi - Mobile key access |
| Silver Level | This status is available once you've made ten reservations in a year. Members of the silver level get all the previous rewards, plus access to late check-out and shorter check-in lines. They're also eligible for the Ultimate Reservation Guarantee: if the Marriott sells out unexpectedly, you can stay at a neighboring hotel free of charge. |
| Gold Level | This tier affords the member the same rewards as the Silver Level plus a complimentary free room upgrade. |
| Platinum Elite | A Platinum Elite membership offers the same benefits of a Gold Level plus the following perks:
- Free suite upgrades (when available) - Lounge access - 4 P.M. checkout - Complimentary breakfast |
| Titanium Elite | The top tier includes all the benefits of a Platinum Elite plus benefits for United Airlines. The Ambassador Elite level has every previous benefit, plus personal assistance with your stays and 24-hour check-in and check-out windows. |
What are the Other Benefits of Marriott Hotel Rewards
In general, Marriott usually does a good job serving its guests, according to Consumer Affairs. The staff offers flexible payment methods upon check-in, clean rooms, and good customer service.
In certain situations, you can even get a free room upgrade after you've checked in at Marriott. For example, the internet connection or air conditioning in your room isn't working. Hotels are often willing to make things right by giving you a new room.
If you're traveling with medication that must be refrigerated, staff will do their best to get you a room with a fridge. Light sleepers can often request rooms away from ice machines or elevators.
How To Get Marriott Hotel Rewards by Yourself
It's still possible to get access to all of the higher Marriott Hotel rewards (even at the lowest tier) by:
- Signing Up For Marriott Bonvoy. Once you've made a reservation, head over to the Marriott Bonvoy page and create a free account.
- Calling the Front Desk. You can also call or visit the front desk and ask if any upgraded hotel rooms are available. Feel free to mention if you're visiting for a special occasion, like a birthday or honeymoon. Celebrating a special event will increase your chances of getting a nice room upgrade or extra amenities.
- Emailing the Hotel. You can draft your own hotel room upgrade letter, specifying which upgrade you want. Remember to mention your special occasion and your loyalty program status.
Challenges of Getting the Rewards on Your Own
Signing up for the Bonvoy program seems easy, but it can be a headache to manage. If you're only on the lowest tier, the hotel has no obligation to grant your upgrade request.
Members of the Bonvoy program have also reported losing points for no reason and getting locked out of their accounts. One member had to reset their password 30 times and still couldn't access their rewards.
If you choose to contact the hotel directly, there's no guarantee that you'll reach the right person. The phone number listed on Marriott's website probably isn't the number for your specific hotel.
Additionally, the person at the front desk might not have the authority to grant your request. You'd want to speak to the general manager, but what if they're unavailable or your call gets disconnected?
Even if you can write a great upgrade letter yourself, every Marriott hotel has its own email address. You might be stuck trying out different variations of the hotel name with its email domain. Fortunately, there 's a way to make sure that your hotel upgrade letter always reaches the right person.
Get a Marriott Hotel Upgrade Fast and Free With DoNotPay
Signing up for a rewards program makes you feel obligated to make more reservations just to get simple upgrades. You can contact the hotel directly, but your inquiry might not be seen in time. Skip the stress and let DoNotPay do the work.
If you want to get an upgrade at but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 4 easy steps:
- Enter the name of the hotel you're staying at, including the location.
- Tell us the dates of your stay, who you're staying with, whether it's your first time, and whether you're a loyalty rewards member at the hotel.
- Tell us if it's a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) and any specific upgrades you want to request.
- Tell us your current room and confirmation number.
DoNotPay Won 't Let You Miss Any Hotel Rewards
Here are the top three reasons travelers love DoNotPay:
- We immediately generate your requests and always send them to the hotel right away.
- Less time hunting down contact information gives you more time to enjoy your stay.
- Even if you're not a Marriott rewards member, DoNotPay works hard for you.
If you 're not staying at the Marriott, DoNotPay can still help. We can contact pretty much any hotel on your behalf, including:
Consult DoNotPay for All Your Travel Needs
Did you know DoNotPay can also get travel benefits for American Express cardholders, or completely comp your flight? Whatever you need, we 'll do everything to make your trip the best it can be.