Marriott Bonvoy has officially opened registration for its first global promotion of 2026, and as usual, the Q1 offer is shaping up to be the most significant of the year. While the 2,500 bonus points per stay headline looks solid, the elite night credit structure has changed dramatically from previous years — and that shift has major implications for status retention.
Registration Link Here
Here’s everything you need to know, our honest analysis, and a step-by-step strategy to maximize your return.
Marriott Q1 2026 Promotion: Full Details
| Promotion Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Bonus Points | 2,500 Bonvoy points per eligible paid stay |
| Bonus Elite Nights | 1 elite night credit per distinct brand stayed |
| Registration Window | February 10 – April 26, 2026 |
| Stay Period | February 25 – May 10, 2026 (75 days) |
| Eligible Stays | Paid cash stays booked through Marriott channels only |
| Points Posting | Within 10 business days after checkout |
Key Rules to Remember
- Registration is required before your first eligible stay — register here
- Award stays, Cash + Points redemptions, and most third-party bookings do not qualify
- Only one room per stay counts toward the promotion
- You must earn Bonvoy points (not airline miles) as your earning preference
- Stays at Bulgari, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and vacation club properties are excluded
Our Analysis: The Good and the Bad
The Bad News: Elite Night Credits Got Nerfed
This is the biggest disappointment. In previous years, Marriott offered double elite night credits — meaning every paid night earned two nights toward status. That was a game-changer for retention.
This year? You only earn 1 bonus elite night per brand, not per night. Stay five nights at a Courtyard? You get just one bonus elite night. This dramatically reduces the promotion’s value for status retention and makes requalifying through this promotion alone much harder.
The Good News: Points Are Genuinely Generous
The 2,500 bonus points per stay is where the real value lies. When you factor in the full earning stack, each stay delivers solid returns:
| Component | Gold Elite | Platinum Elite & Above |
|---|---|---|
| Promotion Bonus | 2,500 points | 2,500 points |
| Welcome Bonus | 250 points | 500 points |
| Base Points (estimated) | ~250 points | ~300 points |
| Total Per Stay | ~3,000 points | ~3,300 points |
At a conservative valuation of $0.008 per point, each stay generates approximately $24–$26 in point value — a meaningful return, especially for travelers who can structure multiple short stays.
Elite Status Strategy: Tailored Recommendations
With elite night credits less generous this year, the right approach depends entirely on your current status level. Here’s our recommended playbook.
Strategy 1: Current Platinum or Above — Maximize Points While Retaining Status
Who this is for: Members currently holding Platinum (50 nights), Titanium (75 nights), or Ambassador status who need to requalify in 2026.
While the bonus elite nights won’t carry your retention alone, this promotion is an excellent opportunity to earn substantial points while working toward your night requirement. The key is structuring stays so that each night counts as a separate stay, maximizing the 2,500-point bonus.
Our Service: Marriott Mattress Run
During Q1, we structure bookings as 1 night = 1 stay to maximize your promotional bonus on every single night.
Orders of 50+ nights receive a 20% discount ($36.40/night) — significantly improving your ROI.
ROI Analysis: Platinum Retention (50 Nights)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Service Cost (50 nights × $36.40 after 20% OFF) | $1,820.00 |
| Points Earned (50 stays × 3,300 pts) | 165,000 points |
| Points Value (× $0.008) | $1,320.00 |
| Net Cost After Points | $500.00 |
| Points Recovery Rate | 73% |
ROI Analysis: Titanium Retention (75 Nights)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Service Cost (75 nights × $36.40 after 20% OFF) | $2,730.00 |
| Points Earned (75 stays × 3,300 pts) | 247,500 points |
| Points Value (× $0.008) | $1,980.00 |
| Net Cost After Points | $750.00 |
| Points Recovery Rate | 73% |
With over 165,000–247,500 Bonvoy points earned, you’re looking at 3–5 free nights at premium properties on top of retaining your elite benefits for another full year — and thanks to the 20% bulk discount, nearly three-quarters of your investment is recovered through points alone.
Strategy 2: Dropped to Gold or Below — Take the Platinum Challenge
Who this is for: Members who lost Platinum status at the end of 2025 and are now sitting at Gold Elite or below.
Good news: you can proactively contact Marriott to enroll in the 16-night Platinum Challenge (complete 16 paid nights within 90 days to earn Platinum status). Timing this during Q1 means you stack the challenge with promotional bonus points.
Our Service: Marriott Mattress Run
We complete the 16-night challenge with 1 night = 1 stay structuring for maximum point earning.
Orders of 10+ nights receive a 10% discount ($40.95/night).
ROI Analysis: 16-Night Platinum Challenge
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Service Cost (16 nights × $40.95 after 10% OFF) | $655.20 |
| Points Earned (16 stays × 3,000 pts) | 48,000 points |
| Points Value (× $0.008) | $384.00 |
| Net Cost After Points | $271.20 |
| Points Recovery Rate | 59% |
For just $271 net cost, you regain full Platinum Elite status — including complimentary breakfast, suite upgrades, lounge access, and 50% bonus points on all future stays. That’s an exceptional deal for any traveler with even a handful of Marriott stays planned.
Strategy 3: Occasional Travelers — Get a Fresh 2-Year Platinum Card
Who this is for: Casual Marriott guests who don’t stay enough nights to qualify organically but want premium benefits for upcoming trips.
Right now is an ideal window to secure a brand-new Marriott Platinum Elite status valid for nearly 2 years, plus earn a healthy points balance during the Q1 promotion.
Our Service: Marriott Instant Platinum Elite Status
This package includes Platinum Challenge enrollment + 8 nights of mattress run to complete the challenge for you. During Q1, we structure each night as a separate stay to maximize your promotional bonus earning.
ROI Analysis: Instant Platinum Package (Challenge + 8 Nights)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Service Cost (Challenge + 8 Nights included) | $482.50 |
| Points Earned (8 stays × 3,000 pts) | 24,000 points |
| Points Value (× $0.008) | $192.00 |
| Net Cost After Points | $290.50 |
| Points Recovery Rate | 40% |
What you get:
- ✅ Platinum Elite status valid for nearly 2 years
- ✅ 24,000 Bonvoy points — enough for a free night at mid-tier properties
- ✅ Zero effort — we handle the entire challenge process
For under $300 net, you receive Platinum Elite status for nearly 2 years plus 24,000 Bonvoy points. For occasional travelers planning even a few Marriott stays, the suite upgrades, free breakfast, and lounge access will quickly pay for themselves.
Key Takeaways for Marriott Q1 2026 promotion
This Q1 2026 promotion isn’t perfect — the shift from double elite nights to just one bonus night per brand is a real setback for status chasers. But the 2,500 bonus points per stay remain genuinely valuable, especially when every night is structured as a separate stay.
Your action items:
- Register now at marriottbonvoy.com/2500andMore before your first stay
- Assess your current status and choose the right strategy from the options above
- Act before May 10 — the 75-day earning window won’t last forever
Whether you’re defending Titanium, rebuilding after a status drop, or grabbing Platinum for the first time, the Q1 window combined with the right service strategy can deliver serious value. Don’t leave points on the table.
Need a custom offer? contact us for personalized discount or guidance.
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