Not Double Nights: New Marriott Bonvoy Promo

Marriott has just announced its first major promotion of 2026, and it’s … acceptable. For the past five years, we’ve seen Marriott run double elite night promos, and when that didn’t happen in the past few weeks, there was speculation on whether it would return this year.

Well, the short answer is that it didn’t, and we’re seeing a different promotion in its place.

Earn 2,500 Bonus Points per Stay + 1 Bonus Elite Night per Brand

The heading is a little confusing, as I can’t remember the last time Marriott had a promotion based on “brand”, but let’s look at the details.

First, the eligibility period for this promo is for stays between February 25 and May 10, with registration open now through April 26. This promotion is not targeted. If you have trouble registering or see any errors, try a different browser or the mobile app.

The gist of the promo is that Marriott Bonvoy members will earn an extra 2,500 bonus points per stay. The 2,500-point bonus applies regardless of the stay length, whether it’s at a full-service or limited-service brand, or any other category.

On top of that, members will earn 1 bonus elite night for each distinct hotel brand they stay at.

If a member spends 2 nights at a SpringHill Suites and 3 nights at St. Regis, the member will earn 5 elite nights as usual and 2 bonus elite nights for staying at 2 different brands. In this example, the member would also earn 5,000 bonus points (2,500 points per stay).

Here’s the rest of the fine print:

• Cash stays count and points stays do not
• Must register before the eligible stay to get the bonus
• Only one room counts as an eligible paid stay

Excluded brands are BVLGARI, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Marriott Executive Apartments®, and owner-occupied weeks at Marriott Vacation Club®, Grand Residences by Marriott®, Marriott Grand Residence Club, Sheraton Vacation Club, Westin Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club, The St. Regis Residence Club, and The Luxury Collection Residence Club.

Running the Numbers

While I’m happy to see a return of some kind of bonus elite nights, this is nowhere near as lucrative as the flat “double elite nights” promotions of the past years. In the grand scheme of things, Marriott is probably seeing an increase in the number of elite members and has decided, strategically, that double elite nights are not necessary this year.

In order to “maximize” your return, you will need to stay at as many different brands as possible during the 75-day promotional period and also make your stays as short as possible (for the 2,500 bonus points per stay). Whether you want to hotel hop every night to take advantage is a personal decision. 😉

At a conservative estimate of 0.8 cents per point (CAD), 2,500 points are worth $20, so at a minimum, you’re “earning” $20 back per eligible stay. Of course, the percentage return will be higher if your stay is more cost-effective.

The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko

Personally, the 2,500 bonus points per stay aren’t enough to justify changing hotels on a trip, but I’m torn about the bonus elite nights: over the past few years, I’ve needed the 5-10 bonus elite nights earned in the double nights promo in order to reach Titanium Elite. If properties are geographically close together and I’m travelling alone, I would move my things over for a bonus elite night.

Takeaway

Marriott Bonvoy has launched its first major promotion of 2026, and Q1 promotions have historically been the most valuable. I’d treat this as a major opportunity to earn bonus elite nights, since Marriott’s fall promotion is usually targeted.

For every stay, earn 2,500 bonus points and for every unique brand stayed, earn 1 bonus elite night. Make sure to register for this promotion in advance, and happy earning between February 25 and May 10.