With the upcoming merging of points between Marriott and Starwood come August, there are many questions on how one can earn lifetime status. Ultimately, there are four different ways to earn lifetime status. Earning lifetime status via #1-#3 must be done by the end of this year. #4 is the new requirement which will start in August and will be how one can earn lifetime status going forward.
1. Earn lifetime status under the CURRENT Starwood requirements through December 31, 2018
While the number of nights required to earn lifetime status with Starwood isn’t that high, having that many years of elite status might be the challenge. And remember, only stays at Starwood properties will count (you cannot include Marriott stays).
- Lifetime SPG Gold = 250 nights and 5 years of elite status
- Lifetime SPG Platinum = 500 nights and 10 years of Platinum status
2. Earn lifetime status under the CURRENT Marriott requirements through December 31, 2018
Marriott is one of the few programs where ALL points earned count towards lifetime status. This includes points earned from hotel stays, purchased points, points transferred from another person, points transferred from another program such as Chase Ultimate Rewards, credit card bonus points, etc. The one exception is that points transferred from your Starwood account will NOT count towards lifetime status. And similar to the Starwood requirements, only stays at Marriott properties will count (you cannot include Starwood stays).
- Lifetime Silver = 250 nights and 1.2 million points
- Lifetime Gold = 500 nights and 1.6 million points
- Lifetime Platinum = 750 nights and 2 million points
3. Earn lifetime status by combining Starwood and Marriott nights and years towards status through December 31, 2018
Through a reliable source, there actually might be one more way to earn Platinum Premier lifetime status for just 2018. While it isn’t 100% confirmed yet, my fingers are crossed that this method actually works. You can learn more here.
- Lifetime Platinum Premier = 10 years of Platinum status combined between Starwood and Marriott AND 750 nights combined between Starwood and Marriott.
4. Earn lifetime status under the NEW requirements.
You can also earn lifetime status with the NEW requirements being put in place in August 2018. Marriott will actually COMBINE your current lifetime progress with both programs! These will be the new requirements going forward. This is great for those that have stayed at both Marriott and Starwood properties throughout the years. Remember though, there will be no way to earn Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite status under the new requirements.
- Lifetime Silver Elite = 250 lifetime nights plus 5 years of elite status
- Lifetime Gold Elite = 400 lifetime nights plus 7 years of Gold Elite status or higher
- Lifetime Platinum Elite = 600 lifetime nights plus 10 years of Platinum Elite status
Matching Lifetime Elite Status
If you’ve already earned Lifetime status in one of the two programs or if you will earn it under the current requirements by the end of December 31, 2018 (so with option #1 or #2), this is how your current lifetime status will match to the new program. Earning lifetime status in 2018 under the CURRENT requirements is important as it will be your only opportunity to earn Platinum Premier lifetime status. In 2019 Platinum status (which is one status level below Platinum Premier) will be the highest status you can earn.
Starwood Match
- Starwood Lifetime Platinum Gold => Marriott Lifetime Gold Elite
- Starwood Lifetime Platinum => Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite
- Starwood Lifetime Platinum with 750 nights => Marriott Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite
**For those who have earned Starwood Lifetime Platinum but have been able to earn 750 nights (instead of just the required 500 nights), you’ll receive Marriott Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite
Marriott Match
- Marriott Lifetime Silver => Marriott Lifetime Silver Elite
- Marriott Lifetime Gold => Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite
- Marriott Lifetime Platinum => Marriott Lifetime Platinum Premier Elite
What lifetime status are you trying to obtain? And feel free to comment below with any questions.
The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Hi Jen,
I have 317 nights with Starwood, 10+ years Platinum, both the SPG personal and business and
227 nights. Cancelled Chase Marriott Personal Visa in Oct 2016. Im at 4/24. Could I still get the Chase personal or business to give me a boost on nights? Any other advice? Thanks
Current Starwood Lifetime Platinum members will only get Lifetime Platinum, not Platinum Premier, unless they have a combined 750 nights from Starwood and Marriott.
I currently have 770 nites with marriott and 1950000 point as of today
I have called marriott a few times but I havent received a clear answer as to when I need to reach 2MM points in order to get the platinum premier status for life
it’s in August when the two programs merge or until December 2018? do you recommend transferring points from chase or amex rewards to achieve the 2mm mark?
Is it safe to say that Lifetime Platinum Premier is just a title that can’t be earned anymore in the future? I don’t really see any more additional benefits other than that and maybe an annual gift for life?
Isn’t it true that if you sign up for the new Marriott card, they will apply the 15 nights credit in 2018 as well as 2019?
@Henry – Yes. In 2018 nights earned from all credit cards will count, but in 2019 you will be able to earn 15 nights max regardless of the number of credit cards you have.
We are so close to earning Marriott Lifetime Platinum this year which we could easily accomplish by 12/31/18. We have enough nights, we just need more points. I spoke with 3 different representatives at Marriott concerning my situations and received 2 different answers, so 2 representatives were in agreement. I’m hoping you can clarify.
My questions are:
1. Is the deadline for earning points 8/31/18 or 12/31/18?
2. In order to obtain the Marriott Lifetime Platinum this year so it will transfer to a Marriott Platinum Lifetime Premier Elite Status do I need 10 years as a platinum member or just the combination of 750 nights and 2 million points by 12/31/18?
I really enjoy your posts. They are informative and very easy to understand.
Thanks!
@Maxine – I am so sorry you are getting such mixed messages. Here are some answers:
1. You have until 12/31/2018
2. To get Lifetime Platinum which will transfer to Lifetime Platinum Premier, you can do that one of two ways: a) Earn 2 million points + 750 nights with JUST marriott (not combining the two), OR b) 750 nights combined + 10 years of Platinum status combined (between Marriott and SPG).
I will have enough to reach SPG lifetime gold status through combination of my SPG and Marriott nights and years of status by August 1. Will they match me to Marriott gold lifetime under the new program?
Separate question, if I spend $30k on my Spg credit card by 8/1, will I get Marriott platinum for next year?
@Ben – If you are trying to earn SPG lifetime gold status, only stays at SPG properties count, you cannot combine the points and years of status between SPG and Marriott. If you want to combine the two then you’ll have to earn status under the NEW requirements that will be put in place in August.
Spending $30,000 on your SPG credit card gets you Gold status with SPG and that will get you Marriott Gold (not Marriott Platinum unfortunately).