You're ready to unlock a world of travel and experiences with Marriott Bonvoy points, are you? Fantastic! Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just starting your journey into the world of loyalty programs, earning Marriott Bonvoy points is a rewarding endeavor. These points can be redeemed for free nights, upgrades, unique "Moments" experiences, and much more. But how do you accumulate them effectively? Let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to becoming a Marriott Bonvoy points powerhouse!
The Ultimate Guide to Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points
Earning Marriott Bonvoy points isn't just about staying in hotels – it's about leveraging a diverse ecosystem of opportunities. From your everyday spending to grand travel plans, there are numerous avenues to build up your points balance.
Step 1: Join Marriott Bonvoy (If You Haven't Already!)
First things first, if you're not already a member, you need to join the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program! It's completely free and takes just a few minutes. Think of it as your passport to incredible travel perks.
Sub-heading: Why Joining is Crucial
Exclusive Member Rates: As a Bonvoy member, you gain access to special member-only rates when booking directly through Marriott's website or app. This alone can save you money and ensure you're eligible for points earning.
Points Earning Eligibility: Without a Bonvoy account, you won't earn points on your stays or other eligible activities. This is the foundational step!
Elite Status Tracking: Your stays and spending will be tracked, paving the way for elite status, which significantly boosts your points-earning potential and unlocks a host of other benefits.
Action: Visit the official Marriott Bonvoy website and sign up for a free account. Make sure all your future bookings are linked to this account!
Step 2: Maximize Points with Hotel Stays
This is the most direct and often the most rewarding way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points. Every eligible dollar you spend at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels worldwide translates into points.
Sub-heading: Understanding Base Earning Rates
At most Marriott Bonvoy brands, you'll earn a standard rate of 10 points per US Dollar spent on qualifying charges. "Qualifying charges" typically include your room rate, as well as incidentals like dining, beverages, spa services, and golf charged to your room.
Important Note: A few select brands have different earning rates:
5 points per USD: Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, Protea Hotels, City Express, Four Points Express, Element, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Sonder Apartments, and Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy.
4 points per USD: StudioRes.
2.5 points per USD: Marriott Executive Apartments.
Sub-heading: The Power of Elite Status
This is where your earning potential really takes off! As you climb the Marriott Bonvoy elite status ladder, you'll earn bonus points on top of your base earnings.
Action: Always book directly through Marriott's official channels (website, app, or phone) and provide your Bonvoy member number at check-in. Consider aiming for higher elite status to maximize your earnings.
Step 3: Supercharge Earnings with Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
Co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit cards are arguably the fastest way to accumulate a significant number of points, both through generous welcome bonuses and accelerated earning rates on everyday spending.
Sub-heading: Welcome Bonuses
Many Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offer substantial welcome bonuses when you meet a certain spending threshold within the first few months of opening your account. These bonuses can range from tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand points, providing an immediate boost to your balance.
Sub-heading: Everyday Spending Categories
These cards often provide bonus points on specific spending categories beyond just Marriott stays. For example, you might earn extra points on dining, gas, or even groceries.
Sub-heading: Annual Benefits and Elite Night Credits
Beyond points, many Marriott Bonvoy credit cards come with valuable annual benefits like free night awards (which can be used for complimentary stays) and even elite night credits that help you qualify for higher elite status faster. Some cards even grant automatic elite status (e.g., Silver or Gold Elite), immediately boosting your earning rate on stays.
Action: Research the various Marriott Bonvoy credit cards available in your region. Consider your spending habits and travel goals to choose the card that offers the most value. Always pay attention to the welcome bonus requirements and annual fees.
Step 4: Leverage Travel and Lifestyle Partners
Marriott Bonvoy has an extensive network of partners, allowing you to earn points even when you're not staying at a Marriott hotel.
Sub-heading: Car Rentals with Hertz
Link your Marriott Bonvoy account with Hertz and earn points on your car rentals. You typically earn 500 Bonvoy points per rental, and sometimes even more with special promotions.
Sub-heading: Dining Programs (e.g., Eat Around Town)
If you're in the U.S., the "Eat Around Town by Marriott Bonvoy" program is a fantastic way to earn points when dining out. Link your credit cards to your Bonvoy account, and you'll automatically earn points at thousands of participating restaurants. Keep an eye out for bonus points on your first few spends!
Sub-heading: Uber and Uber Eats
In select regions (like the U.S.), you can link your Marriott Bonvoy and Uber accounts to earn points on qualifying Uber rides and Uber Eats orders. This is a convenient way to earn points on everyday transportation and food delivery.
Sub-heading: Cruises with Points
Booking a cruise through the "Cruise with Points" program can earn you a generous amount of Bonvoy points, often 3 points per dollar spent, with additional points for co-branded credit cardholders.
Sub-heading: Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities
Marriott offers a platform for booking local experiences and activities. Booking these through the dedicated Tours & Activities website can also earn you Bonvoy points.
Sub-heading: Airline Partnerships (Your World Rewards)
Marriott has partnerships with various airlines, like Emirates through "Your World Rewards." Linking your Bonvoy and airline loyalty accounts can allow you to earn extra Bonvoy points on eligible flights.
Action: Explore the "Earn on the Go" and "Travel Partners" sections on the Marriott Bonvoy website to find all available partnerships. Link your accounts where applicable and make sure to utilize these options when spending with partners.
Step 5: Plan Events and Meetings
If you organize corporate meetings, conferences, or even family reunions, Marriott Bonvoy Events can be a lucrative way to earn points.
Sub-heading: Earning Structure for Events
You can earn 2 points per US Dollar spent on eligible event charges, including room rentals, food, beverages, and audio-visual equipment. There are often caps on base earnings (e.g., up to 60,000 points per event for general members), but elite status can increase this maximum.
Sub-heading: Elite Bonus on Events
Just like with hotel stays, your elite status grants you bonus points on events. For example, Titanium and Ambassador Elite members can earn up to 105,000 points per eligible event!
Sub-heading: Elite Night Credits for Events
Beyond points, you can also earn Elite Night Credits for qualified events, helping you achieve or maintain elite status faster. You typically earn 1 Elite Night Credit for every 20 room nights booked, up to 20 Elite Night Credits per event.
Action: If you're planning an event, always inquire about earning Marriott Bonvoy points through the Marriott Bonvoy Events program. Ensure your Bonvoy number is associated with the event booking.
Step 6: Keep an Eye Out for Promotions and Offers
Marriott Bonvoy frequently runs promotions that offer accelerated earning opportunities for its members. These can be regional or global, and often involve bonus points for certain types of stays, multiple stays, or new bookings.
Sub-heading: Types of Promotions
Double Points: Earn twice the points on eligible stays.
Bonus Points per Stay/Night: Receive a fixed number of bonus points for each stay or night within a promotional period.
Targeted Offers: Sometimes, promotions are targeted to specific members based on their activity or status. Always check your email and your Marriott Bonvoy account for these.
Transfer Bonuses: Occasionally, Marriott Bonvoy will offer a bonus when you transfer points from a partner program (like American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards).
Action: Regularly check the "Promotions" section on the Marriott Bonvoy website or app, and make sure you register for any relevant offers. Don't miss out on easy bonus points!
Step 7: Consider Buying Points (Strategically)
While generally not the best value for earning points, Marriott Bonvoy allows you to purchase points directly. This can be useful in specific situations, especially when there are promotions on buying points.
Sub-heading: When to Consider Buying Points
To Top Up for an Award Stay: If you're just shy of enough points for a desired award night, buying a small amount can be a good option.
During Sales/Promotions: Marriott often runs sales where you can buy points at a discount or with a bonus. This can sometimes make the cost per point more attractive.
Avoid Buying Without a Specific Redemption in Mind: Generally, it's not advisable to buy points speculatively. Points are best earned and redeemed when you have a clear use for them.
Action: Only buy points if you have a specific redemption in mind and the cost of buying points is less than or comparable to paying for the cash rate of the stay. Look for promotions on points purchases.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about earning Marriott Bonvoy points, with quick answers:
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points without staying at a hotel?
You can earn points without a stay through co-branded credit card spending, dining programs like Eat Around Town, car rentals with Hertz, Uber rides/Uber Eats (in select regions), booking cruises with points, and hosting qualified meetings/events.
How to link my credit card to Marriott Bonvoy for dining points?
For the Eat Around Town program, visit the Eat Around Town by Marriott Bonvoy website, register your Bonvoy account, and link your eligible credit cards. Points will automatically be earned when you dine at participating restaurants.
How to know how many points I will earn on a hotel stay?
At most Marriott brands, you'll earn 10 base points per US dollar spent on qualifying charges. This increases with elite status (e.g., Silver Elite earns 10% bonus, Platinum Elite earns 50% bonus). Check your specific hotel's earning rate on the Marriott website.
How to get Elite Night Credits faster to achieve higher status?
You can earn Elite Night Credits through qualifying hotel stays, by holding certain co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit cards (which often provide a set number of annual Elite Night Credits), and by hosting qualifying meetings and events.
How to transfer points from other loyalty programs to Marriott Bonvoy?
Marriott Bonvoy is a transfer partner with programs like American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards. You can transfer points from these programs to your Bonvoy account, typically at a 1:1 ratio.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on flights?
While primarily a hotel loyalty program, you can earn points on flights through partnerships like "Your World Rewards" with Emirates (by linking your Bonvoy and Emirates Skywards accounts) or by opting to earn Bonvoy points instead of airline miles for your Marriott stays if the hotel has an airline partner.
How to check my current Marriott Bonvoy point balance?
You can check your point balance by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the official Marriott website or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app.
How to maximize points earning during promotions?
Always register for any active Marriott Bonvoy promotions before your stays. Pay attention to the terms and conditions, such as minimum stay requirements or specific brand exclusions, to ensure you qualify for the bonus points.
How to earn points for booking groups or events?
Utilize the Marriott Bonvoy Events program when planning qualified meetings or group stays. You'll earn 2 points per dollar on eligible event charges, plus potential elite status bonuses and Elite Night Credits.
How to ensure my points are credited after a stay?
Always provide your Marriott Bonvoy member number at the time of booking and check-in. Keep your hotel receipts. If points don't post within a few days of checkout, you can contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service with your reservation details to request missing points.
