Unlocking the World of Travel: Your Comprehensive Guide to Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points!
Ever dreamt of staying in luxurious hotels around the globe without breaking the bank? Or perhaps enjoying exclusive experiences that money alone can't buy? The answer often lies in loyalty programs, and for many seasoned travelers, Marriott Bonvoy stands out as a true game-changer. This comprehensive guide will not only show you how to earn Marriott Bonvoy points but will also equip you with the strategies to maximize your earning potential and unlock incredible travel rewards.
So, are you ready to embark on a journey of lucrative loyalty and unforgettable experiences? Let's dive in!
 |
| How Do You Get Marriott Points |
Step 1: Become a Marriott Bonvoy Member – Your First & Most Crucial Move!
Before you can even begin accumulating those coveted points, you need to be an official member of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. This is the absolute foundation of your points-earning journey.
Sub-heading: Why Join? It's Free and Full of Perks from Day One!
Joining Marriott Bonvoy is completely free and takes just a few minutes. Even as a basic member, you immediately unlock benefits that enhance your stays and put you on the path to earning points. Think of it as your passport to a world of exclusive travel advantages.
-
How to Join:
-
Visit the official Marriott Bonvoy website (
marriott.com/loyalty -
Click on "Join Now" or "Enroll."
-
Fill out the simple registration form with your details.
-
Confirm your email, and voilà! You're a Marriott Bonvoy member, ready to start earning.
-
Step 2: Mastering the Art of Earning Points Through Stays
The most straightforward and often most rewarding way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points is by staying at Marriott properties. With nearly 8,900 hotels across 30 diverse brands, from the opulent St. Regis to the comfortable Residence Inn, you'll find a Marriott for every travel style and budget.
Sub-heading: Base Points for Every Dollar Spent
For most Marriott brands, you'll earn 10 base points for every US dollar spent on qualifying charges. This includes your room rate and other incidentals that can be charged to your room, such as dining and spa services.
-
Exceptions: A few brands have different earning rates:
-
5 points per dollar: Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, Protea Hotels, City Express, Four Points Express, Element, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Sonder Apartments, and Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy.
-
2.5 points per dollar: Marriott Executive Apartments and ExecuStay properties.
-
Sub-heading: The Power of Elite Status: Accelerate Your Earnings!
This is where your loyalty truly pays off! As you accumulate more qualifying nights within a calendar year, you climb the Marriott Bonvoy elite status ladder, unlocking significant bonus points on your stays.
-
Marriott Bonvoy Elite Tiers and Bonus Points:
-
Silver Elite (10-24 nights): Earn 10% more points on eligible purchases.
-
Gold Elite (25-49 nights): Earn 25% more points on eligible purchases.
-
Platinum Elite (50-74 nights): Earn a whopping 50% more points on eligible purchases.
-
Titanium Elite (75-99 nights): Enjoy a generous 75% more points on eligible purchases.
-
Ambassador Elite (100+ nights + $20,000+ USD qualifying spend): Also earns 75% more points on eligible purchases, along with personalized service.
-
-
Tip: Aim for Platinum Elite if you can. The 50% bonus on points combined with other benefits like lounge access and guaranteed 4 PM late checkout makes it a sweet spot for many travelers.
Step 3: Supercharge Your Points with Marriott Co-branded Credit Cards
Tip: Share one insight from this post with a friend.
For many, this is the fastest and most efficient way to accumulate a massive amount of Marriott Bonvoy points. Marriott partners with financial institutions like Chase and American Express to offer co-branded credit cards that provide substantial earning opportunities.
Sub-heading: Welcome Bonuses - Your Instant Point Boost!
The most compelling reason to get a Marriott co-branded credit card is often the generous welcome bonus. These bonuses can range from tens of thousands to even hundreds of thousands of points after meeting specific spending requirements in the initial months of card membership. Always check the latest offers as they frequently change.
Sub-heading: Everyday Spending that Earns Points
These cards aren't just for Marriott stays. They offer accelerated earning rates on various everyday purchases, turning your regular spending into valuable Marriott Bonvoy points.
-
Common Earning Categories (may vary by card):
-
Marriott Bonvoy Stays: Earn high multipliers (e.g., 6X, 8X points per dollar) on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
-
Dining and Groceries: Many cards offer elevated earning rates at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
-
Travel and Entertainment: Accelerated points on airfare, car rentals, and other entertainment expenses.
-
Other Purchases: Typically earn 1-2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
-
Sub-heading: Annual Free Night Awards
Many Marriott credit cards also come with an annual Free Night Award as a card benefit, often upon renewal. These certificates can be incredibly valuable, allowing you to redeem a free night at a participating Marriott hotel up to a certain point value (e.g., 35,000 or 50,000 points).
Step 4: Diversify Your Earning: Beyond Stays and Credit Cards
Marriott Bonvoy offers numerous other avenues to earn points, allowing you to maximize your accumulation strategy even when you're not staying at a hotel or using your co-branded credit card for a Marriott purchase.
Sub-heading: Transferring Points from Other Loyalty Programs
If you have points accumulated in other flexible rewards programs, you might be able to transfer them to Marriott Bonvoy.
-
American Express Membership Rewards: A 1:1 transfer ratio to Marriott Bonvoy. Keep an eye out for transfer bonuses, which can further increase the value.
-
Chase Ultimate Rewards®: Also typically offers a 1:1 transfer ratio to Marriott Bonvoy.
-
Note: While transferring is an option, it's always wise to compare the value you get from transferring to Marriott versus using those points for other redemptions (e.g., other airline partners).
Sub-heading: Dining Programs: Eat Your Way to Points!
Enroll in Eat Around Town by Marriott Bonvoy. This dining program allows you to link your credit cards and earn Bonvoy points automatically when you dine at thousands of participating restaurants across the U.S.
Tip: Review key points when done.
 |
Sub-heading: Car Rentals with Hertz
Planning a road trip? Marriott members can earn 500 Bonvoy points on each eligible car rental with Hertz simply by providing your Marriott loyalty number.
Sub-heading: Rides and Food Delivery with Uber
Link your Marriott Bonvoy and Uber accounts (U.S.-based members) to earn points on eligible Uber rides and Uber Eats orders. This is an easy way to snag extra points on your everyday commuting and dining.
Sub-heading: Hosting Meetings and Events
If you're a business professional or planning a large gathering, consider hosting eligible meetings or events at Marriott properties. You can earn 2 points per dollar spent on room rentals, food, beverages, and audio/visual charges, up to a certain maximum. Elite members can earn even more!
Sub-heading: Booking Cruises
Through the "Cruise with Points" program, you can earn Bonvoy points when booking a cruise. Members typically earn 3 points per dollar spent, with co-branded credit cardholders earning an additional 2 points.
Sub-heading: Refer-a-Friend Programs
Marriott and its credit card partners often run refer-a-friend programs. If you refer someone who signs up for a Marriott Bonvoy credit card and meets the spending requirements, you can earn a substantial bonus of points.
Sub-heading: Purchasing Points (Use with Caution!)
While you can purchase Marriott Bonvoy points directly, it's generally not the most cost-effective way to acquire them unless you need a small top-up for a specific redemption or there's a significant promotion running.
Step 5: Stay Engaged and Take Advantage of Promotions
Marriott Bonvoy regularly offers various promotions that can significantly boost your point-earning efforts.
QuickTip: Stop scrolling fast, start reading slow.
Sub-heading: Global Promotions
Keep an eye out for global promotions that often offer bonus points for stays, such as double points or bonus points after a certain number of nights. Register for these promotions before your stays to ensure you qualify.
Sub-heading: Targeted Offers
Sometimes, Marriott will send targeted offers to individual members based on their stay history. Check your email and your Marriott Bonvoy account regularly for these personalized opportunities.
Sub-heading: Loyalty Program Partnerships
Marriott partners with various airlines (like Emirates and United MileagePlus) and other travel companies. Linking your accounts can lead to cross-earning opportunities, allowing you to earn Bonvoy points while flying or earn airline miles while staying at Marriott.
By combining these strategies – from maximizing your hotel stays and leveraging co-branded credit cards to taking advantage of diverse earning opportunities and promotions – you'll be well on your way to accumulating a substantial Marriott Bonvoy point balance, ready to unlock your next dream vacation!
10 Related FAQ Questions about Earning Marriott Points:
How to track my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
You can easily track your Marriott Bonvoy points balance by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the official website or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your current points total will be prominently displayed on your dashboard.
How to ensure I earn points on my Marriott stays?
Always book directly through Marriott.com, the Marriott Bonvoy app, or a Marriott reservation line. Ensure your Marriott Bonvoy membership number is added to your reservation before checking in.
How to earn Marriott points without staying at hotels?
Tip: Remember, the small details add value.
You can earn Marriott points without hotel stays by using Marriott co-branded credit cards for everyday spending, transferring points from partners like American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards, dining through the Eat Around Town program, renting cars with Hertz, and using Uber/Uber Eats (for U.S. members).
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy Elite Night Credits faster?
Elite Night Credits are primarily earned through qualifying paid stays. Many Marriott co-branded credit cards offer a certain number of Elite Night Credits annually, which can help you fast-track to a higher elite status.
How to get bonus points as an elite member?
Elite members automatically receive a bonus on base points earned from eligible hotel purchases: 10% for Silver, 25% for Gold, 50% for Platinum, and 75% for Titanium and Ambassador. Some elite tiers also receive a welcome amenity that can include bonus points.
How to earn points when booking for others?
Generally, you only earn Marriott Bonvoy points on stays where you are the registered guest. Some exceptions may apply for group bookings or specific corporate arrangements, but typically, the member whose name is on the reservation and who pays for it earns the points.
How to earn points on Marriott Bonvoy Moments?
Marriott Bonvoy Moments are unique experiences that you can often redeem points for. While you typically don't earn points on these redemptions, some "fixed-price" or "buy now" Moments may occasionally allow you to earn a small number of points on the cash portion if applicable, or if paying with a Marriott co-branded credit card.
How to get points for hosting a meeting or event?
To earn points for hosting an event, you must be a Marriott Bonvoy member and book an eligible meeting or event through the Marriott Bonvoy Events program at participating hotels. You'll typically earn 2 points per dollar spent on qualifying charges, up to a maximum.
How to maximize points from credit card spending?
To maximize points from credit card spending, identify the bonus categories on your Marriott co-branded card (e.g., Marriott stays, dining, groceries) and use the card for those purchases. Also, be sure to hit any minimum spending requirements for welcome bonuses.
How to avoid Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring?
Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 consecutive months of inactivity. To keep your points active, simply have any qualifying activity (earning or redeeming points) within that 24-month period. This could be a hotel stay, a credit card purchase, a point transfer, or even a small points redemption.
 |
