So, you want to dive into the world of travel rewards and unlock some incredible stays? Earning Marriott Bonvoy points is a fantastic way to do that, and it's a lot easier than you might think! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the absolute basics to some of the most advanced strategies. Let's get started on your journey to free nights and amazing perks! ✈️
Step 1: Join Marriott Bonvoy (It's Free!)
First things first, you can't earn points if you're not a member. The Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program is the key to everything. It's free to join and takes just a few minutes.
What you get immediately: As a new member, you'll instantly get access to exclusive member-only rates, complimentary Wi-Fi, and the ability to earn points on your stays. You'll also be on your way to earning your first elite status.
How to join: Simply go to the Marriott Bonvoy website or download the app and sign up. You'll need to provide some basic information like your name, email, and a password. Make sure to keep your member number handy!
Step 2: Stay at Marriott Properties to Earn Points
The most direct way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points is by staying at any of the over 30 Marriott brands worldwide. This is the core of the program, and the more you stay, the more you earn.
Base Points for Every Dollar Spent
For most brands, you'll earn 10 base points for every dollar spent on qualifying charges. This includes your room rate, as well as any food, beverages, and other incidentals you charge to your room.
Exceptions to the rule: A few brands have different earning rates. For example, you'll earn 5 points per dollar at brands like Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites, which are designed for longer stays. At Marriott Executive Apartments, you'll earn 2.5 points per dollar.
Elite Status is Your Secret Weapon
The real magic happens when you start climbing the elite status ladder. The higher your status, the more bonus points you'll earn on top of your base points.
Silver Elite: After 10 qualifying nights in a calendar year, you'll earn a 10% bonus. That's 11 points per dollar!
Gold Elite: After 25 nights, you get a 25% bonus, bringing you to 12.5 points per dollar.
Platinum Elite: After 50 nights, you'll earn a 50% bonus, for a total of 15 points per dollar.
Titanium & Ambassador Elite: After 75 nights (Titanium) or 100 nights plus a certain spend (Ambassador), you'll earn a massive 75% bonus, giving you 17.5 points per dollar.
Pro-tip: To ensure you earn points and elite night credits, always book directly with Marriott through their website, app, or by phone. Bookings made through third-party sites like Expedia or Booking.com generally won't qualify.
Step 3: Supercharge Your Earnings with Credit Cards
For many people, the fastest and most lucrative way to accumulate Marriott Bonvoy points is by using a co-branded credit card. These cards offer a huge points boost on Marriott spending and a great earning rate on everyday purchases.
Welcome Bonuses Are a Game-Changer
When you sign up for a new Marriott Bonvoy credit card and meet the initial spending requirement, you'll often be rewarded with a massive welcome bonus. This can range from tens of thousands of points to over 100,000 points, which is enough for several free nights.
The Power of Everyday Spending
Beyond the welcome bonus, these credit cards are designed to reward your loyalty. You'll earn bonus points on all your Marriott purchases, and often on other categories like dining, gas, and groceries.
Example: A card might offer 6x points per dollar on Marriott purchases, 2x on other select categories, and 1x on everything else. When you use that card at a Marriott property, you'll earn your base points, your elite bonus points, and the credit card bonus points—all at once!
Step 4: Explore Other Ways to Rack Up Points
Marriott Bonvoy has a wide network of partners and promotions that allow you to earn points without even staying in a hotel.
Partner Programs
Eat Around Town: Link your credit card and earn points for dining at thousands of participating restaurants in the U.S.
Uber: Link your Marriott Bonvoy and Uber accounts to earn points on eligible rides and Uber Eats orders.
Hertz: Earn points on car rentals when you book through a specific Marriott link and provide your Bonvoy member number.
Airline Partners: Convert points from flexible travel programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy points, often at a 1:1 ratio.
Special Offers and Promotions
Keep an eye on the Marriott Bonvoy website's "Promotion Central" page. They frequently run promotions where you can earn double points or extra points on specific stays. These can be a huge accelerator for your point balance.
Host Events and Meetings
If you're planning a wedding, a business meeting, or a large event, you can earn up to 60,000 points on the booking. Elite members can earn even more, making this a powerful option for event planners.
Step 5: Understand How Your Points Grow and Last
Once you have your points, it's important to know how to keep them active and what to do with them.
Points Expiration
Marriott Bonvoy points will expire if there's no qualifying activity on your account for 24 consecutive months. This includes earning points, redeeming points, or even transferring points. To keep your points active, simply make a qualifying purchase or stay within that two-year window.
Combine and Share Points
You can share up to 100,000 points per year with another Marriott Bonvoy member, which can be a great way to top off an account for a specific redemption. You can also combine multiple accounts that are in your name.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to use Marriott Bonvoy points?
You can redeem your points for free nights at participating hotels, book a "Cash + Points" stay, use them for room upgrades, transfer them to over 40 airline partners, or use them for unique experiences through Marriott Bonvoy Moments.
How to earn free nights with Marriott?
The most common way is to save up your Marriott Bonvoy points and redeem them for a free night award at a participating hotel. Many co-branded credit cards also offer a free night award each year upon renewal.
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
You can easily check your points balance by logging into your account on the Marriott Bonvoy website or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. The balance is displayed prominently on your account dashboard.
How to transfer American Express points to Marriott?
You can transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points to your Marriott Bonvoy account at a 1:1 ratio. You must link your two accounts on the American Express website and initiate the transfer from there.
How to get Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status?
You can achieve Gold Elite status by staying 25 nights in a calendar year. Many Marriott Bonvoy credit cards also offer complimentary Gold Elite status just for being a cardholder.
How to find Marriott Bonvoy promotions?
Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account on their website and navigate to the "Promotion Central" page. This is where you'll find all the current offers and promotions that you need to register for to earn bonus points.
How to earn points on dining without a stay?
Join the "Eat Around Town" program by linking your credit card to your Marriott Bonvoy account. You'll then automatically earn points whenever you dine at a participating restaurant and pay with your linked card.
How to earn points on flights with Marriott?
While you don't earn points directly on all flights, you can earn points through partnerships with certain airlines like Emirates and United. You can also transfer your Marriott Bonvoy points to over 40 airline partners to book flights.
How to keep my Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring?
To prevent your points from expiring, you need to have a qualifying activity on your account at least once every 24 months. This includes a paid stay, redeeming points, or even earning points through a partner program like Eat Around Town.
How to earn points for hosting an event?
Contact the event planning team at a participating Marriott hotel. You can earn points for eligible charges related to meetings, weddings, and other events, including room rentals, food, and beverages.
