Ready to dive into the world of Marriott Bonvoy points? It's a great way to make your travels more rewarding. Calculating your earnings isn't as complicated as it might seem, but it does involve a few key variables. Let's break it down so you can start maximizing your points on every stay.
Step 1: Understand the Base Earning Rate
This is the foundation of your points calculation. For most Marriott Bonvoy brands, you'll earn a standard number of points for every dollar you spend. But here's where it gets a little tricky: not all brands have the same earning rate.
10 points per dollar: This is the most common rate and applies to the majority of Marriott brands, including JW Marriott, Sheraton, The Ritz-Carlton, and many more. This is your starting point for calculating most stays.
5 points per dollar: A lower earning rate is applied to extended-stay brands like Homes & Villas by Marriott International, Residence Inn, Element, and TownePlace Suites.
2.5 points per dollar: The lowest rate is for Marriott Executive Apartments.
Pro-tip: Always check the specific brand's earning rate before you book. A quick search on the Marriott Bonvoy website can clarify this for any property you're considering.
<br> Let's look at a simple example to get you started. If you book a stay at a JW Marriott for $500, you'd calculate your base points like this:
$500 (eligible spend) x 10 (points per dollar) = 5,000 base points.
Remember, "eligible spend" usually includes your room rate and other charges you can bill to your room, such as dining, spa treatments, or golf. Taxes, fees, and tips are typically not included in the eligible spend for points calculation.
Step 2: Factor in Your Elite Status Bonuses
This is where being a loyal Marriott member really pays off! As you earn elite status by staying more nights, you get a percentage bonus on the base points you earn. This bonus can significantly increase your total points.
Here's a breakdown of the bonus percentages for each status level:
Silver Elite: You get a 10% bonus on your base points.
Gold Elite: You get a 25% bonus on your base points.
Platinum Elite: You get a 50% bonus on your base points.
Titanium Elite: You get a 75% bonus on your base points.
Ambassador Elite: You get a 75% bonus on your base points.
Now, let's go back to our earlier example with the $500 stay at a JW Marriott.
Base Points: 5,000
If you're a Platinum Elite member:
5,000 (base points) x 50% (bonus) = 2,500 bonus points.
Total points for the stay: 5,000 + 2,500 = 7,500 points.
Step 3: Stack Points with Promotions and Credit Cards
This is where the real power of the Marriott Bonvoy program comes in. You can supercharge your earnings by combining elite status with other earning opportunities.
Sub-heading: Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
Using a co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit card is one of the quickest ways to rack up points. These cards often offer huge welcome bonuses and give you an accelerated earning rate on Marriott purchases. The specific earning rates vary by card, but it's common to see rates like:
6x points per dollar spent at participating Marriott hotels.
2x to 3x points per dollar on other eligible purchases like dining, flights, or gas.
Let's combine this with our previous example. Imagine you're a Platinum Elite member and you pay for your $500 JW Marriott stay with a credit card that gives you 6x points on Marriott purchases.
Credit Card Points: $500 x 6 (points per dollar) = 3,000 points.
Elite Status Points: 2,500 bonus points (from Step 2).
Base Points: 5,000 base points.
Total Points: 5,000 (base) + 2,500 (elite bonus) + 3,000 (credit card) = 10,500 points.
As you can see, the credit card significantly boosts your total points, often adding another layer of rewards on top of your base and elite earnings.
Sub-heading: Limited-Time Promotions ⚡️
Marriott frequently runs special promotions that offer extra points for stays. These can include:
Bonus points per stay: "Earn 2,000 bonus points per stay."
Bonus points per night: "Earn 1,000 bonus points per night."
Bonus points for specific brands or regions: "Earn 5,000 bonus points for a two-night stay in Europe."
These promotions are a fantastic way to earn a ton of points in a short amount of time. You usually need to register for these promotions through the Marriott Bonvoy website before you book your stay.
Step 4: Don't Forget Other Earning Opportunities
Beyond hotel stays, you can earn points in various other ways. These are often overlooked but can add up over time.
Marriott Bonvoy Events: Planning a business meeting or a wedding? You can earn points for eligible event charges.
Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities: Book tours and activities through the Marriott Bonvoy portal and earn points for your adventures.
Airline Partners: You can sometimes earn points by flying with Marriott's airline partners.
Dine & Earn: Marriott has a dining program in certain regions that lets you earn points just by eating at participating restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to calculate Marriott Bonvoy points for a hotel stay?
Start with the base earning rate (usually 10 points per dollar), then add your elite status bonus (e.g., 50% for Platinum Elite), and finally, add any points earned from a co-branded credit card or a special promotion.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points without a hotel stay?
You can earn points by using a Marriott Bonvoy credit card on everyday purchases, booking a qualifying meeting or event, dining at participating restaurants through a "dine and earn" program, or booking tours and activities through Marriott.
How to get more points with elite status?
Achieving a higher elite status level (like Platinum or Titanium) automatically gives you a higher percentage bonus on the base points you earn during your stays. This is one of the most effective ways to boost your earnings.
How to use a Marriott Bonvoy credit card to maximize points?
Use your Marriott credit card for all your purchases at Marriott hotels to take advantage of the accelerated earning rate. You can also use it for other eligible purchases (like dining or flights) to earn points on your daily spending.
How to find out about current Marriott Bonvoy promotions?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on the website or app and check the "Promotions" section. This is where you'll find and register for all the latest limited-time offers.
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
You can check your points balance by logging in to your Marriott Bonvoy account online or through the mobile app. The balance is usually displayed prominently on the main dashboard.
How to earn points with Marriott's airline partners?
Marriott has partnerships with various airlines, allowing you to earn either Marriott Bonvoy points or airline miles for qualifying hotel stays. You can link your accounts to choose which currency you want to earn.
How to earn points for hosting a meeting or event?
Through the Marriott Bonvoy Events program, you can earn 2 points per $1 USD spent on qualifying event charges, up to a maximum of 60,000 points per event. Elite members can earn even more.
How to earn points on dining?
Marriott's "Eat Around Town" program (in certain regions) allows you to link a credit card to your Bonvoy account and automatically earn points when you dine at participating restaurants.
How to know which hotel brands earn a different base points rate?
The standard rate is 10 points per dollar. However, extended-stay brands like Residence Inn, Element, and TownePlace Suites earn 5 points per dollar, and Marriott Executive Apartments earn 2.5 points per dollar. You can find this information on the brand's page on the Marriott website.
