Are you a frequent traveler looking for the best hotel loyalty program? Marriott International offers two distinct programs – Marriott Bonvoy and Marriott Vacation Club.
While both offer rewards and benefits, they serve different purposes. In this article, we will explore the differences between these two programs to help you decide which one is right for you.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy is a loyalty program that rewards members for staying at participating hotels. Members earn points for each stay that can be redeemed for free nights, flights, experiences, and more. The program has six membership tiers – Member, Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite.
As a member of Marriott Bonvoy, you can enjoy benefits such as free Wi-Fi, mobile check-in and checkout, and exclusive member rates. The higher your membership tier, the more benefits you can receive such as room upgrades, lounge access, and late checkout.
Member Benefits
- Earn points for each stay
- Redeem points for free nights or other rewards
- Free Wi-Fi
- Mobile check-in and checkout
- Exclusive member rates
Elite Benefits
Depending on your membership tier in Marriott Bonvoy program some of the elite benefits are:
- Silver Elite: Priority late checkout;10% bonus on points earned; dedicated reservation line; elite welcome gift of bonus points.
- Gold Elite: All Silver Elite benefits plus 25% bonus on points earned; guaranteed room type; lounge access or breakfast; welcome gift at check-in.
- Platinum Elite: All Gold Elite benefits plus 50% bonus on points earned; suite night awards; annual gift choice; Your24™ (choose the check-in time that works best for you); lounge access or breakfast.
- Titanium Elite: All Platinum Elite benefits plus 75% bonus on points earned; Ambassador service; United MileagePlus® Premier® Silver status; lounge access or breakfast.
- Ambassador Elite: The highest tier with all Titanium Elite benefits plus a personal ambassador to assist with travel needs and preferences.
Marriott Vacation Club
Marriott Vacation Club is a timeshare program that allows members to purchase vacation ownership in Marriott Vacation Club resorts. Members can use their ownership to stay at any of the participating resorts or exchange for other destinations around the world. The program offers flexibility, as members can choose how long they want to stay, and when they want to travel.
As a member of Marriott Vacation Club, you can enjoy benefits such as priority booking, discounts on resort stays, and exclusive owner events. The program has several ownership levels – Premier Plus, Premier, Select, and Destination Points – each with its own unique benefits.
Ownership Benefits
- Purchase vacation ownership in Marriott Vacation Club resorts
- Flexible vacation options
- Priority booking
- Discounts on resort stays
- Exclusive owner events
Ownership Levels Benefits:
- Premier Plus: Access to more than 50 Marriott Vacation Club resorts worldwide; ability to convert unused vacation time into Marriott Bonvoy points.
- Premier: Access to more than 50 Marriott Vacation Club resorts worldwide; priority access to Home Resort reservations; exclusive owner events.
- Select: Access to select Marriott Vacation Club resorts; ability to exchange for Marriott Bonvoy points.
- Destination Points: Flexibility to use points for vacation ownership, hotel stays, or other experiences within the Marriott Bonvoy program.
Conclusion
Both Marriott Bonvoy and Marriott Vacation Club offer unique rewards and benefits. If you are a frequent traveler looking for rewards for your hotel stays, then Marriott Bonvoy is the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a flexible vacation ownership program with exclusive owner events, then Marriott Vacation Club is the best option.
Regardless of which program you choose, both offer excellent customer service and high-quality accommodations at participating hotels and resorts. Happy travels!