Hey there, fellow traveler! Have you ever wondered how many Marriott Bonvoy points you rack up for a hotel stay? It can feel a bit like a mystery, right? You check out, and a few days later, a bunch of points appear in your account, but you're not entirely sure how that number was calculated. Well, you're in the right place! We're going to break down the entire process, from the basic earning rates to the secret strategies that can supercharge your point accumulation. Get ready to turn your next vacation or business trip into a points-earning machine!
Step 1: Understand the Foundation - Base Points
Let's start with the basics. The core of earning Marriott Bonvoy points comes from your eligible hotel spending. This is the foundation upon which all other points are built. It's a simple calculation, but it's important to know the details.
The 10 Points Per Dollar Rule
For the vast majority of Marriott brands, you'll earn 10 base points for every $1 USD you spend on qualifying charges. This includes your room rate and any incidental charges that are billed to your room, like dining at the hotel restaurant, spa treatments, or in-room movies. It's a straightforward and generous rate that forms the backbone of your earnings.
For example, a $500 stay (pre-tax) would net you 5,000 base points.
The Exceptions to the Rule
While the 10 points per dollar rule is common, it's not universal. There are a few brands that have different earning rates. It's crucial to know these exceptions so you can manage your expectations and potentially choose a brand that aligns with your earning goals.
5 points per $1: This rate applies to extended-stay brands like Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Element, and Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy. The lower rate is meant to reflect the longer-term nature of these stays.
2.5 points per $1: The earning rate at Marriott Executive Apartments is the lowest, again reflecting the nature of these stays.
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| How Many Points Do You Earn For A Marriott Stay |
Step 2: Supercharge Your Earnings with Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status
This is where things get really exciting! Marriott Bonvoy's loyalty program rewards frequent travelers with elite status, and one of the best perks of that status is a bonus on the base points you earn. The higher your status, the bigger the bonus. This is how you can significantly boost your point-earning potential.
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A Breakdown of the Elite Status Bonuses:
Silver Elite: Earn a 10% bonus on your base points. A $500 stay would get you an extra 500 points on top of the 5,000 base points.
Gold Elite: Enjoy a 25% bonus. That same $500 stay would earn you an additional 1,250 points, for a total of 6,250 points.
Platinum Elite: This is where the bonus really starts to add up. You'll get a 50% bonus on base points. A $500 stay would now earn you a whopping 2,500 bonus points, bringing your total to 7,500 points.
Titanium Elite & Ambassador Elite: The top tiers of the program offer the most generous bonus: a 75% bonus on your base points. On a $500 stay, you'd be looking at an extra 3,750 points, for a total of 8,750 points.
Remember that this bonus is applied to your base points only, not to any other promotional points you might be earning.
Step 3: Don't Forget the Welcome Gift!
As a Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, or Ambassador Elite member, you have a choice of a welcome amenity upon arrival. In many cases, one of the options is a generous points bonus. The number of points you can choose varies by brand.
At many full-service brands like St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, and JW Marriott, you can choose 1,000 bonus points.
At other brands like Courtyard and AC Hotels, the welcome gift is 500 bonus points.
This is an easy way to get a quick influx of points for every single stay, so be sure to ask about your welcome gift choice at check-in!
Step 4: The Credit Card Multiplier - Your Points on Steroids
Holding a co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit card is one of the fastest and most effective ways to earn points. These cards offer a huge multiplier on your spending at Marriott properties. This is a game-changer for serious points collectors.
How it Works:
The points you earn with a co-branded credit card are in addition to the base points and elite status bonus points you're already earning.
QuickTip: Skip distractions — focus on the words.
Let's take a look at a hypothetical example using a popular co-branded credit card that offers 6x points per dollar on eligible Marriott purchases.
Using the same $500 stay from our previous examples, let's see how the points stack up for a Titanium Elite member with this credit card:
Base Points: 5,000
Elite Status Bonus (75%): 3,750
Credit Card Bonus (6x): 3,000
Total Points Earned: 11,750 points
As you can see, the credit card bonus nearly doubles your total earnings! This is a powerful tool for maximizing your point accumulation.
Step 5: Leverage Promotions and Other Earning Opportunities
Marriott Bonvoy frequently runs special promotions that can provide huge point boosts. These can range from double points on every stay to a fixed number of bonus points for a certain number of nights.
Keep an eye on the Promotions page on the Marriott Bonvoy website. It's a great habit to check this before you book a stay to see if you can take advantage of any offers.
Marriott Bonvoy Events: If you're a business traveler who plans meetings or events, you can earn points for the charges associated with the event. You'll earn 2 points per $1 USD on qualifying event charges, up to 60,000 base points per event (with higher caps for elite members).
Refer a Friend: You can earn up to 50,000 bonus points each year by referring up to five friends. You'll get 2,000 bonus points for each of their first five stays.
Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities: You can earn points on a variety of experiences and activities booked through the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to calculate the total points for a Marriott stay?
First, determine your base points (10 points per dollar for most brands, 5 for extended stay, etc.). Then, add your elite status bonus (10% for Silver, 25% for Gold, 50% for Platinum, 75% for Titanium/Ambassador) to the base points. Finally, if you have a Marriott co-branded credit card, add the points you earn from using that card for the stay. Don't forget any welcome gift points or promotional points!
How to earn a welcome gift of points?
Tip: Context builds as you keep reading.
You must be a Platinum, Titanium, or Ambassador Elite member. When you check in, you will be given a choice of a welcome amenity, and in most cases, one of the options is a points bonus.
How to earn bonus points with a Marriott Bonvoy credit card?
Simply use your co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit card to pay for your stay. The points you earn from the card are in addition to the points you get from being a Marriott Bonvoy member.
How to find out about current Marriott promotions?
You can find all current promotions on the official Marriott Bonvoy website, usually under a "Promotions" or "Offers" tab. It's a good idea to check this page before you book a stay.
How to earn points for a meeting or event?
You must book a qualifying event through the Marriott Bonvoy Events program. You will earn 2 points for every $1 USD spent on eligible event charges, up to a certain maximum.
How to refer a friend to Marriott Bonvoy?
You can refer friends through your Marriott Bonvoy account. You'll earn 2,000 bonus points for each of their first five stays, up to 50,000 points per year.
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How to earn points for dining without a stay?
Some Marriott properties and outlets allow you to earn points for dining even if you aren't a hotel guest. You'll need to provide your Marriott Bonvoy member number at the time of payment.
How to earn points with other Marriott partners?
Marriott Bonvoy has various partnerships. For example, you can earn points for booking car rentals with Hertz or booking a cruise through the Marriott Bonvoy Cruise with Points program.
How to earn elite night credits?
Elite night credits are earned by staying qualifying nights at Marriott properties. You can also earn them through certain co-branded credit cards and as a benefit for reaching certain elite tiers.
How to make sure you get all your points?
Always book your stay directly through Marriott's official channels (marriott.com, the app, or over the phone). If you use a third-party booking site, you may not be eligible to earn points or receive elite benefits. Make sure your Marriott Bonvoy member number is on the reservation, and if your points don't post within a few days of your stay, you can submit a missing stay request online.
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