In 2023, Marriott Bonvoy started putting out hints around the move from Suite Night Awards to Nightly Upgrade Awards in their communication material. This plan has now been implemented.

Suite Night Awards (SNAs) vs Nightly Upgrade Awards (NUAs)

SNAs, as they were popularly called, were choice benefits offered to Marriott Bonvoy’s 50 and 75 elite night clearing customers every year. These upgrades used to be cleared five nights out if space was available at the hotel. In exchange, the hotel was compensated by Marriott Bonvoy for the suite or upgraded room. Hotels were also free to upgrade customers on a space-available basis and host guests in better rooms or suites.

Now, Marriott has rolled out the Nightly Upgrade Awards, and they are better in many ways than the earlier Suite Night Awards, or at least, this is what Marriott assures us. Nightly Upgrade Awards can be used only on Loyalty Program eligible paid stays and Award Redemption Stays (which means the stays must be booked directly, either at Marriott.com, with the hotel, or via a luxury travel advisor).

NUAs have gone live on January 11, 2024, and replaced SNAs. Nightly Upgrade Awards will expire on December 31, the year after the year they were earned. For example, since these NUAs were earned as a choice benefit in 2023, the five (5) Nightly Upgrade Awards will expire on December 31, 2024.

Nightly Upgrade Awards can only be used for Premium Rooms and Suites as designated by the Participating Property. Some suite types may not be available for use with Nightly Upgrade Awards. While premium rooms were a part of the offering earlier, Marriott has now changed the definition and claims up to 20% more inventory for upgrades.

The Nightly Upgrade Award use is based upon the availability of the requested suite or Premium Room. Unlike the earlier five days, checking for availability begins three (3) days before arrival. One Nightly Upgrade Award is required per room per night, and you need enough NUAs in your account to cover the entire stay.

If availability is not confirmed three (3) days before arrival, availability is checked each day before arrival up to 2 p.m. local time of the Participating Property one (1) day before arrival. If, at that time, Nightly Upgrade Awards cannot be confirmed, the Nightly Upgrade Awards are credited back to the Member’s account if they have yet to expire. Requests to use Nightly Upgrade Awards on a reservation can be made up to 2 p.m. local time of the Participating Property one (1) day before arrival.

Another critical change is the addition of brands where NUAs can now be used. Ritz-Carlton, EDITION, Aloft, Element, and Protea hotels are the new brands where NUAs will be applicable. This is good news because Ritz-Carlton used to be unavailable for SNAs earlier, while St. Regis used to be available. Adding EDITION is also a good move for those who like to look at premium properties for their stays.

Bottomline

Marriott Bonvoy has introduced the Nightly Upgrade Awards, replacing the Suite Night Awards. They’re valid at five additional brands, including Ritz-Carlton and EDITION, and the premium room upgrade inventory available for these upgrades has also increased by about 20%. Nightly Upgrade Awards will, however, clear at most three days rather than five days in advance.

What do you think of Marriott’s new Nightly Upgrade Awards?

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