Following a similar move already announced by Hyatt, Marriott is extending elite status by a year for residents of China and its Special Administrative Regions (as well as Taiwan so as not to get in trouble by differentiating it) due to the coronavirus outbreak and concomitant drop in travel to and from the region. This is based on account address date as of February 1, 2020.

Marriott is also extending Suite Night Awards and Free Night awards for these customers won’t expire points in these members’ accounts until February 2021.

Finally Marriott is waiving hotel cancellation rules through March 15, 220 for:

• All guests with reservations at hotels in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau – business there has already dropped to almost nothing (Hyatt announced their mainland China business is down 90%).
  
• All guests with account addresses in these regions who are traveling to Marriotts anywhere in the world.

Here are details of the Bonvoy exemptions:

Extension of Elite status:

The above-mentioned qualifying Marriott Bonvoy Elite members will now keep their status until February 2022 instead of February 2021.

Extension of Suite Night Awards (SNA) and Free Night Awards expiration dates:

Valid Suite Night Awards (SNA) with an expiration date of December 31, 2020, earned through our Annual Choice Benefit will receive an updated expiration date of December 31, 2021. Members who have requested their SNA but not yet completed their stay can cancel their reservation, which returns the SNA to their account, and then reschedule their stay.

Valid Free Night Awards earned by members located in mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan, through our Annual Choice Benefit or promotions that have a 2020 expiration date will be extended 12 months into 2021.

The above updates regarding Extension of Elite status, SNA’s and Free Night Awards will be reflected in member accounts by the end of April 2020.

Exemption of points expiration date:

Members located in mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan with a points expiration date prior to February 2021, will be granted additional time to remain active in the program. Points Expiration will resume February 2021 for members who have been inactive for the previous 24-consecutive months per our standard program rules.