Are you ready to unlock a world of incredible travel experiences and luxurious stays? Whether you're dreaming of a romantic getaway, an adventurous escape, or simply want to elevate your business trips, accumulating Marriott Bonvoy points is your ticket to making those dreams a reality. And guess what? It's easier than you might think to rack them up! Let's dive in and transform you into a Marriott Bonvoy points powerhouse.
The Ultimate Guide: How Do I Get More Marriott Points?
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International's award-winning loyalty program, offers numerous avenues for earning points, from simply staying at their vast portfolio of hotels to strategic credit card spending and engaging with various partners. Here's your step-by-step roadmap to becoming a Marriott Bonvoy points pro!
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| How Do I Get More Marriott Points |
Step 1: Join Marriott Bonvoy (If You Haven't Already!) - Your First Crucial Move!
First things first, if you're not already a member, you need to join Marriott Bonvoy. It's absolutely free and opens the door to all the earning opportunities we're about to discuss. Think of it as your passport to a more rewarding travel journey.
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How to Join: Simply visit the Marriott Bonvoy website (
marriott.com/loyalty.mi
Step 2: Maximize Your Stays at Marriott Properties - The Foundation of Your Points Empire
This is the most direct and often the most rewarding way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points. Every time you stay at a participating Marriott hotel, you'll earn points.
Sub-heading 2.1: Base Point Earnings
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You'll typically earn 10 points per USD spent on eligible room rates and other incidentals (like dining and spa services charged to your room) at most Marriott brands.
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However, some brands like Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, and Element hotels earn 5 points per USD, while Marriott Executive Apartments and ExecuStay properties earn 2.5 points per USD. Always check the earning rates for the specific brand you're staying with.
Sub-heading 2.2: Leverage Elite Status for Bonus Points
This is where your earning potential truly accelerates. The more nights you stay, the higher your elite status, and the bigger your bonus points!
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Silver Elite (10 nights/year): Earn a 10% bonus on base points.
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Gold Elite (25 nights/year): Earn a 25% bonus on base points.
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Platinum Elite (50 nights/year): Earn a 50% bonus on base points.
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Titanium Elite (75 nights/year): Earn a 75% bonus on base points.
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Ambassador Elite (100+ nights/year + $23,000+ USD qualifying spend): Also earn a 75% bonus on base points, plus personalized Ambassador service and the "Your24" benefit.
Pro Tip: Always book directly through Marriott's website or app to ensure you receive your points and elite benefits. Third-party bookings often don't qualify.
Sub-heading 2.3: Look for Promotions and Bonus Offers
Marriott frequently runs promotions that offer significantly more points for stays. Keep an eye on your email and the "Promotions" section of your Marriott Bonvoy account.
QuickTip: Revisit key lines for better recall.
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These can include double points, bonus points for multiple stays, or specific brand promotions. Always register for these promotions before your stay to ensure you qualify.
Step 3: Unleash the Power of Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards - Your Fastest Path to a Points Bonanza
Co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit cards are arguably the single most effective way to earn a massive amount of points quickly, especially through generous welcome bonuses.
Sub-heading 3.1: Welcome Bonuses
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Most Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offer substantial welcome bonuses after meeting a certain spending requirement within the first few months. These bonuses can range from tens of thousands to over 100,000 points, providing an immediate boost to your balance.
Sub-heading 3.2: Elevated Earning Rates on Spending
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These cards offer accelerated earning rates on Marriott purchases (often 6x points per USD or more, depending on the card) and often bonus points on everyday spending categories like dining, groceries, and gas.
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Some cards even provide elite night credits annually, helping you achieve or maintain elite status faster.
Sub-heading 3.3: Annual Free Night Awards
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Many Marriott Bonvoy credit cards come with an annual Free Night Award on your account anniversary. These certificates can be incredibly valuable, often worth more than the card's annual fee.
Consider this: Research cards from issuers like American Express and Chase (in the US, for example) or HDFC Bank (in India), as they offer a variety of Marriott Bonvoy co-branded cards with different benefits and annual fees. Choose one that aligns with your spending habits and travel goals.
Step 4: Strategic Point Transfers from Partner Programs - Diversify Your Point Portfolio
If you have points accumulated in other transferable loyalty programs, you might be able to convert them into Marriott Bonvoy points.
Sub-heading 4.1: American Express Membership Rewards
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American Express Membership Rewards points typically transfer to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio. While it's generally not the best value to transfer Amex points to Marriott, it can be useful for topping off your account for a specific redemption.
Sub-heading 4.2: Chase Ultimate Rewards®
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Chase Ultimate Rewards points also transfer to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio. Similar to Amex, you might find more value using Chase points for other travel redemptions, but it's an option if you need Marriott points.
QuickTip: Pause at lists — they often summarize.
Sub-heading 4.3: Bilt Rewards
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Bilt Rewards, a program focused on earning points on rent payments, partners with Marriott Bonvoy and also offers a 1:1 transfer ratio.
Important Note: Always compare the value of your points across different redemption options before transferring. Transfers are usually irreversible.
Step 5: Explore Other Earning Opportunities - Beyond Stays and Cards
Marriott Bonvoy has a wide ecosystem of partners and activities where you can earn points.
Sub-heading 5.1: Marriott Bonvoy Events
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If you're planning a meeting, conference, or even a wedding, you can earn Marriott Bonvoy points for eligible expenses. You can earn 2 points per USD on room rentals, food, beverages, and audio/visual charges, with potential bonuses based on your elite status.
Sub-heading 5.2: Dining Programs (e.g., Eat Around Town)
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Enroll your credit cards in dining programs like "Eat Around Town by Marriott Bonvoy" (available in the U.S.). You'll earn points for dining at thousands of participating restaurants when you pay with your linked card.
Sub-heading 5.3: Car Rentals with Hertz
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Marriott Bonvoy members can earn 500 Bonvoy points on each car rental from Hertz by providing their Marriott loyalty number.
Sub-heading 5.4: Uber Rides and Uber Eats
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Link your Marriott Bonvoy and Uber accounts (for U.S.-based members) to earn points on eligible Uber rides and Uber Eats orders. This is a great way to earn points on everyday expenses.
Sub-heading 5.5: Cruises
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Book a cruise through the "Cruise with Points" program and typically earn 3 points per USD spent, with an additional 2 points per USD for co-branded credit cardholders.
Sub-heading 5.6: Refer-a-Friend Programs
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If you're a Marriott Bonvoy credit cardholder, you can often earn bonus points by referring friends or family members who get approved for a Marriott Bonvoy credit card.
QuickTip: Repetition signals what matters most.
Sub-heading 5.7: Purchasing Marriott Bonvoy Points
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While generally not the most cost-effective method, you can purchase Marriott Bonvoy points directly from Marriott. This can be useful for topping off your account for a specific redemption, especially if there's a promotion on purchased points. Members can typically purchase up to 150,000 points per calendar year, with an additional 100,000 points annually when booking a hotel stay.
Sub-heading 5.8: Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities
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Earn points by booking local experiences and tours through Marriott's Tours & Activities platform.
Step 6: Monitor Your Account and Stay Informed - Don't Miss Out!
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Regularly Check Your Balance: Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account or use the Marriott Bonvoy app to keep track of your point balance and elite night credits.
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Sign Up for Emails: Ensure you're opted in to receive marketing emails from Marriott Bonvoy. This is how you'll hear about targeted promotions, new partnerships, and limited-time offers.
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Read the Terms and Conditions: Always review the terms and conditions of any promotion or earning opportunity to understand eligibility requirements and earning caps.
By systematically applying these strategies, you'll see your Marriott Bonvoy point balance grow, bringing those dream vacations and luxurious stays closer to reality. Happy earning!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points through hotel stays?
You earn 10 points per USD spent on eligible charges at most Marriott brands (5 points at Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Element; 2.5 points at Marriott Executive Apartments, ExecuStay), plus bonus points based on your elite status (10% for Silver, 25% for Gold, 50% for Platinum, 75% for Titanium/Ambassador).
How to get a Marriott Bonvoy credit card?
You can apply for co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit cards from issuers like American Express and Chase (in the US) or HDFC Bank (in India) through their respective websites. These cards often offer substantial welcome bonuses and accelerated earning rates.
How to transfer credit card points to Marriott Bonvoy?
You can transfer points from eligible transferable rewards programs like American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards®, and Bilt Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy, typically at a 1:1 ratio. Log into your credit card rewards portal to initiate the transfer.
Tip: Don’t skim — absorb.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on meetings and events?
Through Marriott Bonvoy Events, you can earn 2 points per USD on eligible expenses for meetings, events, and catering, up to a maximum of 60,000 points for general members, with higher caps for elite members.
How to keep Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring?
Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 consecutive months of inactivity. To keep them active, you need to have a qualifying earning or redemption activity in your account within that timeframe, such as a hotel stay, credit card spend, or point transfer.
How to find current Marriott Bonvoy promotions?
Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the website or app and navigate to the "Promotions" or "Offers" section. Marriott also sends out emails detailing new promotions, so ensure your communication preferences are set to receive them.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points with Uber?
Link your Marriott Bonvoy and Uber accounts (if you're a U.S.-based member) to earn points on qualifying Uber rides and Uber Eats orders.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on car rentals?
You can earn 500 Marriott Bonvoy points on each car rental with Hertz by providing your Marriott Bonvoy membership number at the time of booking.
How to purchase Marriott Bonvoy points?
You can purchase Marriott Bonvoy points directly from the Marriott website. Members can typically buy up to 150,000 points per calendar year, with an additional 100,000 points allowed when purchased during a hotel booking.
How to get elite status faster for more Marriott points?
Beyond staying nights, you can accelerate elite status by holding certain Marriott Bonvoy credit cards that offer complimentary elite status (like Silver or Gold) or provide elite night credits annually, helping you reach higher tiers faster.
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