Marriott Bonvoy, with its extensive portfolio of more than 30 brands, offers many options for those seeking luxury accommodations. In popular cities like San Francisco, Washington, New York City, Mexico City, Dubai and Singapore, Marriott features both Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis properties.
While location, price and design may influence your choice between St. Regis and Ritz-Carlton, it’s worth noting that Platinum Elite members, along with Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members, receive exceptional benefits at St. Regis hotels. Surprisingly, the benefits for Platinum Elite members are far more limited at Ritz-Carlton properties.
Best of all, you can skip the requirement of 50 annual elite nights and unlock Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status just by holding the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. New applicants for this card can earn two 85,000-point free night awards after you spend $6,000 in your first six months of card membership.
Here’s why St. Regis is the perfect brand for Platinum Elite members.
Platinum Elite benefits at St. Regis and Ritz-Carlton
Given that Ritz-Carlton is known for charging a premium for its rooms, it would be natural to expect top-notch benefits. Yet unlike other high-end brands within the Marriott Bonvoy program, Ritz-Carlton does not offer free breakfast or room upgrades to Platinum Elite members.
Here’s a look at how Platinum Elite benefits differ at St. Regis and Ritz-Carlton properties:
| Benefit | St. Regis | Ritz-Carlton |
|---|---|---|
| Upgrades to enhanced rooms, including suites | ✓ | |
| Welcome gift | 1,000 points per stay, an amenity or daily restaurant breakfast for member and one companion (including at resorts) | 1,000 points per stay |
| Ability to redeem Suite Night Awards | ✓ |
The lack of benefits at Ritz-Carlton properties can feel unfair and contradictory to the purpose of the loyalty program.
The limited Ritz-Carlton benefits stem from when Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest and Ritz-Carlton Rewards merged forces under the Marriott Bonvoy logo in 2018. St. Regis’ previous loyalty program, SPG, provided high-value benefits like complimentary breakfast and suite upgrades to its top elite members, while Ritz-Carlton Rewards didn’t offer similar benefits.
Here’s a closer look at the upgrade terms for Marriott elite members:
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Platinum Elite Members and above receive a complimentary upgrade to the best available Room, subject to availability on the day of arrival, for the entire Length of Stay. Complimentary upgrade includes Suites, Rooms with desirable views, Rooms on high floors, Corner Rooms, Rooms with special amenities or Rooms on Executive Floors. At The Ritz-Carlton, suites are only included for Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite Members and Rooms with direct Club access are excluded. Enhanced Room Upgrades are subject to availability and are identified by each Participating Property.
At Ritz-Carlton, suite upgrades are only included for Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members. Apart from the 1,000 points per stay, Platinum Elite members receive perks like late checkout and enhanced internet at Ritz-Carlton properties.
Still, even as a top-tier Ambassador Elite member, breakfast isn’t an option as a welcome gift at Ritz-Carlton.
Simply put, choose a St. Regis property if you’re looking for your elite status to pay off at a luxury brand. In my experience, St. Regis properties have gone above and beyond as some of the most generous to offer suite upgrades, expansive breakfast options and complimentary in-room welcome amenities.
Related: Ritz-Carlton: The Marriott hotel brand where elite benefits don’t really apply
How to earn Marriott Platinum Elite status
To earn Platinum Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, you must earn 50 elite nights in a calendar year or hold the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card.
Marriott also has other credit cards that earn elite nights without stay activity. You can earn 15 nights from a business card and up to 25 nights from a personal card, giving you up to 40 elite nights per year earned from credit cards alone.
Cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card earn 15 elite nights per calendar year.
To track your progress toward Platinum Elite status and to learn more about the specific benefits and requirements, log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
Related: Your complete guide to Marriott published guarantees and compensation
Bottom line
St. Regis is the ideal brand for Platinum Elite members seeking luxury and rewards. While Ritz-Carlton properties may charge a premium for their rooms, their benefits for Platinum Elite members are limited, especially with the lack of complimentary breakfast and upgrades.
On the other hand, with its history of providing high-value benefits, St. Regis offers enhanced rooms and suite upgrades, complimentary breakfast and other generous amenities.
To earn Platinum Elite status, you must earn 50 elite nights in a calendar year or sign up for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, which waives the elite night requirement. For a rewarding and luxurious experience, St. Regis stands out as the preferred choice for Platinum Elite members.
