How to use hotel suite upgrade awards

What counts as a hotel upgrade instrument?

An upgrade instrument is a named award a loyalty programme lets a member apply to a stay, usually in exchange for points, cash or a status level, so that the member ends up in a better room category than the one booked. It is a different thing from the complimentary upgrade a hotel may offer at check-in, which is handled separately in the complimentary upgrade entry.

Marriott Bonvoy collects these products in one place on its redemption pages, under the heading "Upgrades & Awards", next to free night awards. [6] Two instruments sit in that group: Room Upgrades, which the programme describes as point upgrades or paid upgrades, and Nightly Upgrade Awards. [6] The differences that matter most for a traveller are what each one covers, when it is applied and who is allowed to use it. [6]

How do Marriott Bonvoy room upgrades work?

A member can trade points — a point upgrade — or cash — a paid upgrade — for a better view or a larger suite. [6] The choice is made as part of the booking itself, because the programme asks members to apply these awards during booking. [6] They are not offered at every property: the programme states that room upgrades are available at select hotels and resorts. [6]

Because the award is attached at the point of booking, it is the route for a member who wants the room category settled before arrival rather than requested later. The programme's own comparison places it beside free night awards, which are also applied during booking. [6]

How do you request a Nightly Upgrade Award?

Nightly Upgrade Awards work in the opposite order: the member books first and requests the upgrade afterwards. [6] The request is made from the Confirmation or Reservation Details page once the booking exists. [6] The programme limits the instrument by status, making it available to Gold Elite members and above. [6] Members who want to see what status tiers require before planning a stay can read the Marriott Bonvoy status page.

What can change or end an upgrade award?

Marriott's programme rules give the company broad latitude over awards. Marriott and its travel partners may change, limit, modify or cancel programme rules, rewards and reward levels at any time, with or without notice, even where the change affects the value of points already accumulated, the ability to use them, or the ability to obtain particular rewards. [2] The rules specifically allow the company to withdraw, limit, modify or cancel a reward, to add blackout dates, and to limit rooms available for reward redemption at any participating hotel. [2] Accumulating points does not give a member vested rights in points, miles, rewards or programme benefits, and members may not rely on any reward or reward level staying available. [2]

Account-level events also affect awards. If a member cancels their account, pending or unused awards — the rules name Nightly Upgrade Awards among them — may be affected, and unredeemed awards and benefits are cancelled or forfeited immediately. [4] An account with no Qualifying Activity for 24 consecutive months forfeits accumulated points, awards and other benefits. [4] If the loyalty programme itself is terminated, members may not claim awards after the termination date, and unredeemed awards are forfeited after the applicable notice period unless the company states otherwise or the law requires it. [4]

Exceptions and limits

• Property coverage. Room upgrades bought with points or cash are described as available at select hotels and resorts, so participation is not automatic across the brand list. [6]
• Status floor. Nightly Upgrade Awards are limited to Gold Elite members and above; the programme does not present them as a base-level member benefit. [6]
• Room supply. The programme rules allow the company to limit the number of rooms available for reward redemption at any participating hotel and to add blackout dates. [2]
• No cash value, no transfer. Points, awards and member benefits have no cash value and may not be sold, bartered, transferred, assigned, exchanged or purchased except as the rules expressly permit. [4]
• Corrections. Marriott may correct, adjust, cancel or reconcile points, status, benefits or transactions at any time, including where a benefit was issued in error or the member was not eligible. [4]

Frequently asked questions

Is a Nightly Upgrade Award applied when I book?

No. It is requested after booking, from the Confirmation or Reservation Details page. [6] A room upgrade bought with points or cash is the instrument that is applied during booking. [6]

Who can request a Nightly Upgrade Award?

Marriott Bonvoy lists the instrument as available to Gold Elite members and above. [6]

Can I use a room upgrade award at any Marriott hotel?

The programme describes room upgrades as available at select hotels and resorts, not across every property. [6]

What happens to an unused upgrade award if I close my account?

Cancellation may affect pending or unused awards, including Nightly Upgrade Awards, and unredeemed awards and benefits are cancelled or forfeited immediately. [4]

Do upgrade awards have a cash value?

No. Points, awards and member benefits have no cash value under the programme rules. [4]

Related pages

Terms: upgrade certificate, complimentary upgrade, full glossary. Guides: Marriott Bonvoy status, hotel annual choice benefits and milestones.

Sources

Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. It covers Marriott Bonvoy only; other hotel programmes, including Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards and Accor ALL, are not covered here.

1. Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program terms and conditions overview, checked 18 October 2026
2. Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program Terms & Conditions (updated October 2026), checked 18 October 2026
3. Redeem Marriott Bonvoy points: upgrades and awards, checked 18 October 2026