Marriott Bonvoy adopted Suite Night Awards (SNA) from Starwood Preferred Guest when the programs were combined, but they have never been the same under Marriott as they were in the SPG.
Marriott Bonvoy members can choose 5 SNAs when they reach 50 elite qualifying nights within a calendar year and another 5 at 75. There are other options too.
You can access Marriott Bonvoy here.
READ MORE: Marriott Bonvoy Rate & Bonus Points And Miles Promotions
You can use SNAs to trying to upgrade your accommodation at select brands, and your upgrade may go through starting five days before your stay. You need one SNA for each night of your stay.
Marriott Bonvoy has now expanded the properties where you cannot use SNAs.
There is a workaround for reservations that the system deems non-upgradeable:
Previously:
(13) Not all Participating Properties participate in Suite Night Awards. Suite Night Awards are not redeemable at the following brands: The Ritz-Carlton, The Ritz-Carlton Reserve, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, EDITION, Protea Hotels, Aloft, Element, Design HotelsTM, all-Suite Hotels, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott Vacation Club, Marriott Grand Residence Club properties and Vistana properties. In addition, Suite Night Awards are not redeemable at select Participating Properties. Contact a Customer Engagement Center for individual Participating Property Suite Night Award participation.
Now:
(13) Not all Participating Properties participate in Suite Night Awards. Suite Night Awards are not redeemable at the following brands: The Ritz-Carlton, The Ritz-Carlton Reserve, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, EDITION, Protea Hotels, Aloft, Element, Design Hotels™, all-Suite Hotels, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott Vacation Club, Marriott Grand Residence Club properties, Vistana properties, and All-Inclusive Resorts. In addition, Suite Night Awards are not redeemable at select Participating Properties. Contact a Customer Engagement Center for individual Participating Property Suite Night Award participation.
Suite Night Awards are not usable, unlike with Hyatt, at All-Inclusive Resorts.
What should you choose as an Annual Choice Benefit at 50 and 75 nights?
Marriott Bonvoy Annual Choice Benefit Options 2021 Live – What To Choose & When
Conclusion
These SNAs are quite a disaster, and your best luck to use them are luxury properties previously part of Starwood and outside of the United States; think of Luxury Collection and St. Regis properties.
Unfortunately, the list of hotels where one cannot use them keeps growing, and there are even more hotels that don’t accept them but are undisclosed. You need to contact the Customer Engagement Center to find out (fancy name for a call center).