Every Marriott Elite members knows the ins and outs of the program but not everyone has heard of the Marriott Cobalt Elite.
After the Marriott acquisition of the SPG program and bringing in thousands of Elite members, the benefits have become hard to pay for themselves. However, the program remains the strongest and most versatile in Hotel loyalty programs after combining Marriott Rewards, Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG).
Marriott Elites are divided into Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador with various benefits according to your status. Many members have become lifetime Elite with corresponding status over the years through their earned stays, credit cards or even status challenges. With over 29 Hotel brands in their portfolio, Marriott has become enormous and very flexible when booking a hotel stay anywhere in the World.
But not many know is that there is another hidden (and rumored) Elite level called Cobalt. It was always whispered as an Urban legend among frequent travelers and mattress run junkies. But we came to a document circulated among Marriott employees explaining the program and benefits to the staff.
Here are details of the Cobalt Elite Membership of Marriott Bonvoy Program:
Marriott Cobalt Elite members are top priority guests and influential leaders in their field. The Hotel Manager should work with Ambassador Service team to deliver Elite benefits and exceptional experiences.
Cobalt members receive all Ambassador Elite benefits (100 nights per year plus $20,000 revenue to qualify). These include:
- 75% point bonus on loyalty base points
- Priority late checkout at 4 pm
- Elite phone line
- Enhanced WiFi
- Complimentary enhanced internet
- Room Upgrades
- Elite Welcome gift
- Lounge access
- Ultimate Reservation Guarantee room type
- Annual choice benefits
- 48-hour guaranteed availability
- Gift shop discount
- Member only rates
- United Premier Silver status
- Ambassador service
- Your24
In addition, Cobalt members receive the following benefits that vary by brand tier
Select Hotels: Courtyard, Four Points, SpringHill Suites, Protea, Fairfield, AC, Aloft, Moxy + Longer Stay: Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Element: Upgrade to best available accommodations, including suite if applicable + Personalized note from General Manager to be sent with Elite arrival gilt as applicable + Met during stay by General Manage, every effort made.
Premium Hotels: Marriott, Sheraton, Delta, Le Meredien, Westin, Autograph, Renaissance. Tribute, Gaylord: In addition to the above benefits: Personalized amenity + Amenity cost
Luxury Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, St Regis, EDITION, The Luxury Collection, W, JW Marriott : ln addition to above benefits: A distinctive experience on-property for member and a guest (details later) + In addition to above cost: Experience costs vary (details later)
Note: Cobalt benefits do not apply to The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
Luxury brand hotels provide an elevated benefit experience. Cobalt members have exclusive access to unique hotel events.
In addition, there are Elevated Benefit offered by Luxury Marriott Brands Hotels for the Marriott Cobalt Elite
The Ritz-Carlton: Complimentary Club Lounge access and greeted by leadership while in Club lounge + Personal invitation and hosted by General Manager to Scenogranhy Defining Moment of the day. Applies to member + 1 guest. Member will be invited to Defining Moment of the Day by General Manager in person or with personal note in guestroom.
The Ritz-Carlton Reserve: Personal invitation to meet with General Manager in a Food & Beverage outlet. Applies to member + 1 guest.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection: Exclusive dinner with Yacht’s Captain and Officers. Applies to member + 1 guest. Ambassador to direct member to dedicated Cobalt Yacht line to make reservations. Member will be invited to dinner by Captain onboard the yacht.
JW Marriott: Personal invitation to meet with General Manager in a Food & Beverage outlet. Applies to member + 1 guest.
St Regis: Personal invitation to a Ritual experience. Applies to member + 1 guest. Ambassador Liaison to coordinate ritual experience with hotel in advance.
The Luxury Collection: Personal invitation to a Daily Epicurean moment. Applies to member + 1 guest. Ambassador Liaison to coordinate F&B experience with hotel in advance.
EDITION: VIP table allocations in the restaurants and bars. Applies to a table of 4 people. Ambassador Liaison to coordinate reservation with hotel in advance.
W Hotels: Personal invitation to W happenings and/or Program Activations. Personalized trip itinerary from the W Insider. Applies to member + 1 guest. Ambassador Liaison to coordinate communications and Happenings with hotel in advance.
The General Manager has more duties to carry (in collaboration with Executive Assistant, where available) owns the on-property relationship with the Cobalt member. In absence of the General Manager, an Executive Committee member tokes on this role. These duties include Pre-arrival, Arrival, During Stay and at Departure of the Cobalt member!
Here are the benefits for the Marriott Cobalt Elite all summarized in one picture below.
Don’t feel like royalty yet? We believe Marriott Bonvoy has turned out to be the best Elite program there is! With 29 brands and a global footprint, they are unmatched!
