Have you ever dreamed of luxurious stays, complimentary upgrades, or even free flights, all thanks to your loyalty to a hotel brand? If so, then you're in the right place! Earning Marriott Bonvoy points is your golden ticket to unlocking a world of incredible travel experiences. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just beginning your points journey, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of accumulating Marriott Bonvoy points like a pro.
So, are you ready to transform your ordinary trips into extraordinary adventures? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Join the Marriott Bonvoy Program (It's Free!)
The very first and most crucial step in your Marriott Bonvoy journey is to officially enroll in the program.
Sub-heading: Why Join?
Joining Marriott Bonvoy is completely free and instantly opens the door to earning points. Without an account, any stays or activities with Marriott won't earn you a single point. Think of it as getting your passport to premium travel perks!
Sub-heading: How to Enroll
Simply visit the official Marriott Bonvoy website (
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| How Do You Earn Marriott Points |
Step 2: Maximize Earnings Through Hotel Stays
The most intuitive way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points is by staying at participating Marriott hotels and resorts worldwide.
Sub-heading: Base Points Earning
You'll generally earn 10 base points per U.S. dollar spent on qualifying charges at most Marriott brands. "Qualifying charges" typically include your room rate, as well as incidentals like food and beverages charged to your room, in-room movies, and direct-dialed phone calls.
However, there are exceptions:
Some extended-stay brands like Element, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, Protea Hotels, and City Express earn 5 points per dollar.
Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy may earn 5 points per dollar.
Marriott Executive Apartments typically earn 2.5 points per dollar.
StudioRes properties earn 4 points per dollar.
Sub-heading: Boost Your Earnings with Elite Status
This is where your loyalty truly pays off! As you accumulate nights and climb the Marriott Bonvoy elite status ladder, you'll earn significantly more points on your stays.
Silver Elite (10-24 nights/year): Earns a 10% point bonus on eligible purchases.
Gold Elite (25-49 nights/year): Earns a 25% point bonus on eligible purchases.
Platinum Elite (50-74 nights/year): Earns a 50% point bonus on eligible purchases. This status also offers valuable perks like lounge access and guaranteed 4 PM late checkout.
Titanium Elite (75-99 nights/year): Earns a 75% point bonus on eligible purchases.
Ambassador Elite (100+ nights/year and $23,000+ in qualifying spend): Also earns a 75% point bonus and provides personalized Ambassador service and the unique "Your24" benefit (flexible check-in/checkout).
Pro Tip: Always ensure your Marriott Bonvoy member number is associated with your reservation to guarantee point accrual.
Step 3: Unlock Massive Points with Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
For many, co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit cards are the fastest and most lucrative way to amass a huge stash of points. These cards offer substantial welcome bonuses and accelerated earning rates on everyday spending.
QuickTip: Slowing down makes content clearer.
Sub-heading: Welcome Bonuses
Credit card welcome offers can range from tens of thousands to well over a hundred thousand points after meeting a specified spending requirement within the first few months. This alone can be enough for several free nights!
Sub-heading: Accelerated Earning Categories
Marriott Bonvoy credit cards typically offer:
High earning rates on purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. This often stacks with your base points and elite status bonus, leading to incredible multipliers.
Bonus points on common spending categories like dining, grocery stores, gas stations, and sometimes even streaming services or phone bills.
A base earning rate of 1 or 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Sub-heading: Elite Night Credits
Many Marriott Bonvoy credit cards also provide complimentary elite night credits annually, giving you a significant head start towards achieving or maintaining elite status. Some even grant a specific elite status (e.g., Silver or Gold) just for being a cardholder!
Important Note: Always read the terms and conditions of any credit card offer carefully, including annual fees and spending requirements.
Step 4: Leverage Strategic Partnerships and Promotions
Beyond stays and credit cards, Marriott Bonvoy offers numerous other avenues to earn points, often through partnerships and special promotions.
Sub-heading: Dining Programs
Enroll in Eat Around Town by Marriott Bonvoy (if available in your region, primarily the U.S.). Link your credit cards and earn Bonvoy points automatically when you dine at thousands of participating restaurants. Look out for bonus point offers for new enrollees or for reaching certain dining milestones.
Sub-heading: Car Rentals
Earn points when you rent a car through Marriott's partners, such as Hertz. Typically, you can earn 500 points per rental. Remember to provide your Marriott Bonvoy number at the time of booking.
Sub-heading: Ridesharing and Food Delivery
In some regions (e.g., U.S.), you can link your Uber account with Marriott Bonvoy to earn points on eligible rides and Uber Eats orders.
Sub-heading: Cruises and Tours
Tip: Patience makes reading smoother.
Book cruises through the Cruise with Points program or explore Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities to earn points on your vacation experiences.
Sub-heading: Marriott Bonvoy Events
If you plan meetings or events, consider hosting them at participating Marriott properties. You can earn 2 points per dollar spent on qualifying charges, up to a certain limit (e.g., 60,000 points for general members, more for elite members).
Sub-heading: Refer-a-Friend Programs
Marriott Bonvoy often has a "Refer a Friend" program where both you and the new member earn bonus points when they join and complete qualifying stays. This is a fantastic way to earn easy points!
Sub-heading: Ongoing Promotions
Keep a keen eye on Marriott Bonvoy's official promotions page. They frequently run promotions offering bonus points for specific stays, regions, or activities. These can include:
Double points on all stays.
Bonus points for stays of a certain length.
Bonus points at new or specific hotels.
Bonus points for using the Marriott Bonvoy app.
Always register for promotions before your stay or activity to ensure you qualify for the bonus points.
Step 5: Transfer Points from Other Loyalty Programs
If you have points accumulated in other transferable points programs, you might be able to convert them into Marriott Bonvoy points.
Sub-heading: Major Transfer Partners
American Express Membership Rewards: Generally transfers at a 1:1 ratio to Marriott Bonvoy. This is a very popular option for many.
Chase Ultimate Rewards: Also typically transfers at a 1:1 ratio.
Bilt Rewards: Transfers at a 1:1 ratio.
Consider the value: While transferring points is an option, always evaluate if it's the best use of your transferable points. Sometimes, using them for other redemptions (e.g., airline transfers) might offer better value.
Step 6: Other Niche Earning Methods
For the truly dedicated points earner, there are a few more ways to accumulate Bonvoy points.
Sub-heading: Marriott Bonvoy Shopping & Dining Portal
Similar to the Eat Around Town program, Marriott may have online shopping portals or specific offers where you can earn points for purchases made with linked credit cards at participating retailers.
Tip: Remember, the small details add value.
Sub-heading: Buying Points
While generally not recommended as the primary method due to the cost, you can purchase Marriott Bonvoy points directly from Marriott. This can be useful if you're just short of a redemption and there's a good promotion on purchased points.
Sub-heading: Gift Cards
Sometimes, purchasing Marriott gift cards can indirectly lead to points, especially if you use a Marriott co-branded credit card for the purchase.
Step 7: Monitor Your Points and Plan Your Redemptions
Earning points is only half the battle! Regularly check your Marriott Bonvoy account to ensure points are posting correctly and stay informed about your balance.
Sub-heading: Checking Your Balance
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account online or via the Marriott Bonvoy app to view your current point balance, elite status progress, and past activity.
Sub-heading: Understanding Point Expiration
Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 consecutive months of inactivity. This means if you don't earn or redeem points within a two-year period, they will expire. Making any qualifying earning or redemption activity will reset the 24-month clock.
Sub-heading: Planning for Redemptions
Once you have a healthy points balance, start exploring redemption options. The most popular and often highest-value redemption is for free nights at Marriott properties. Marriott's award chart is dynamic, so point requirements can fluctuate. Remember the "Fifth Night Free" benefit when booking four consecutive award nights!
By diligently following these steps, you'll be well on your way to earning a substantial amount of Marriott Bonvoy points and unlocking incredible travel rewards. Happy earning!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 10 related FAQ questions to help you navigate your Marriott Bonvoy journey:
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
To check your Marriott Bonvoy points balance, simply log in to your account on the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com) or use the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your current point balance will be prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
Tip: Don’t skip the details — they matter.
How to ensure I earn points on every Marriott stay?
Always provide your Marriott Bonvoy member number when booking your stay, whether online, by phone, or at check-in. Double-check that it's correctly linked to your reservation.
How to prevent my Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring?
To prevent points from expiring, ensure you have a qualifying earning or redemption activity at least once every 24 months. This can be a paid stay, a credit card purchase, a point transfer, or even redeeming a small amount of points.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points without staying at a hotel?
You can earn points without staying by using a Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card for everyday purchases, participating in the Eat Around Town dining program, referring friends, or transferring points from partners like American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards.
How to get elite status faster to earn more points?
Many Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offer complimentary elite night credits annually, giving you a head start. Staying frequently and taking advantage of elite status challenges or promotions can also accelerate your path to higher status.
How to find current Marriott Bonvoy promotions?
Visit the "Offers" or "Promotions" section on the official Marriott Bonvoy website. It's crucial to register for any relevant promotions before your eligible stays or activities.
How to maximize points when booking a large event or meeting?
Utilize the Marriott Bonvoy Events program. When booking qualifying group meetings or events at participating hotels, you can earn 2 points per U.S. dollar spent on eligible charges, up to specified limits.
How to transfer points from other credit card programs to Marriott Bonvoy?
Log in to your credit card's rewards portal (e.g., American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards). Find the option to transfer points to travel partners, select Marriott Bonvoy, and follow the instructions to link your accounts and initiate the transfer.
How to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for free nights?
Go to the Marriott Bonvoy website or app, search for hotels, and select the "Use Points/Certificates" option. You'll see the point requirements for various room types and dates, allowing you to book your free night. Remember to look for the "Fifth Night Free" benefit when booking 4 consecutive award nights.
How to use Marriott Bonvoy points for more than just hotel stays?
Beyond free nights, you can redeem points for Marriott Bonvoy Moments experiences (unique events), transfer them to airline miles (though usually at a less favorable rate), book cruises, or even purchase merchandise (generally not the best value).
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