Marriott Bonvoy just launched a game-changing upgrade system that automatically assigns room upgrades to elite members at 3 PM the day before arrival. Here's what you need to know.

Marriott officially rolled out its new Automated Complimentary Upgrades (ACU) system on July 14, 2025, using AI technology to streamline how hotels assign room upgrades to elite members across 1.2 million rooms in their portfolio. Instead of waiting until check-in to discover your room assignment, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite members and above can now receive upgrade notifications up to 24 hours in advance.

How Marriott's Automated Upgrade System Works

The ACU system activates at 3 PM local time the day before your arrival. Here's the step-by-step process:

• Marriott's system scans available elite upgrade inventory at participating hotels
• AI technology automatically matches eligible reservations with available upgraded rooms
• Gold Elite and higher status members are prioritized based on their tier level using Marriott's GXP algorithm, which considers elite status, spending history, and arrival preferences
• If an upgrade is available, members receive a notification through the Marriott Bonvoy app
• Hotels then assign the specific room and finalize the upgrade in their system

The key benefit? You'll know about your upgrade before you even pack your bags, rather than hoping for good news at the front desk.

What This Means for Your Marriott Stays

This new system works in addition to existing upgrade options, not as a replacement. You can still:

• Use Nightly Upgrade Awards (NUAs) to secure upgrades 3-5 days in advance
• Request upgrades at check-in based on availability
• Receive manual upgrades from front desk staff

The ACU system only uses "remaining elite upgrade inventory" after NUAs are processed, so it won't interfere with awards you've already attached to your reservation. For travelers considering which Marriott credit card offers the best elite benefits, this automated system makes elite status even more valuable.

Important Limitations to Know

While this sounds promising, there are some important caveats:

Competition is increasing. Marriott elite membership has grown by roughly 20% in recent years, creating more competition for limited suite inventory. The AI system helps manage this demand more fairly than manual processes. If you're comparing Marriott vs IHG's rewards programs, this automated upgrade feature gives Marriott an edge in elite experience.

Hotels still control availability. Properties decide which rooms go into the elite upgrade inventory, and recent policy changes give hotels more discretion over upgrade types. Marriott has also shifted from guaranteeing "best available room" language to "upgrades subject to availability."

Timing matters more now. The algorithm considers arrival times and preferences, so arriving earlier in the day and including specific requests in your booking notes could improve your odds.

Not all upgrades are guaranteed. Even if you don't receive an ACU notification, upgrades may still be available at check-in.

Manual processes remain. Hotel staff must still assign specific rooms and close upgrade cases in their system, so execution will vary by property.

Bottom Line

Marriott's new ACU system represents a solid improvement for elite members who want advance notice about upgrades. Getting that notification 24 hours early means you can plan your stay accordingly and avoid the uncertainty of check-in upgrades.

However, the system's effectiveness will ultimately depend on individual hotels properly managing their upgrade inventory. As with many Marriott elite benefits, your experience will vary significantly based on the property and how seriously they take elite member perks.

Pro tip: Check the Marriott Bonvoy app regularly in the days before arrival – upgrades sometimes appear there before you receive the official notification.

Elite members should continue using all available upgrade strategies – including NUAs when valuable upgrades are available and politely requesting upgrades at check-in – rather than relying solely on the automated system. For those looking to maximize their Marriott stays, consider reading our guide on whether Marriott points or cash offers better value for your next booking.

Ready to book your next Marriott stay? Browse available hotels and put this new upgrade system to the test.