Have you ever found yourself staying at a fantastic Marriott property, enjoying the amenities, but wishing you could explore the culinary offerings of other Marriott hotels or even local restaurants outside of your immediate property, all while still racking up those valuable Marriott Bonvoy points? If so, then you're in for a treat! Marriott's "Dine Around" concept, often seen in various forms like "Eat Around Town" or specific hotel "Dine Around" programs, is designed precisely for this. It's a fantastic way to broaden your culinary horizons and maximize your Marriott Bonvoy membership benefits.
Let's dive into the fascinating world of how Marriott Dine Around works, step-by-step.
Step 1: Engage with the Concept - What is Marriott Dine Around?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's understand what "Dine Around" truly means within the Marriott ecosystem. It's not a single, universally applied program, but rather a collection of initiatives that allow Marriott Bonvoy members to earn or redeem points, and sometimes even enjoy special discounts, when dining at participating restaurants and bars. These can be:
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"Eat Around Town by Marriott Bonvoy": This is a free dining rewards program primarily for U.S. residents where you link your credit/debit card and earn Marriott Bonvoy points for dining at thousands of participating restaurants outside of Marriott hotels. This is a common and widely accessible version of "Dine Around."
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Hotel-Specific "Dine Around" Programs: Some Marriott properties, particularly resorts or those with multiple sister hotels in a close proximity (like the Elegant Hotels in Barbados or properties in Dubai), offer their own "Dine Around" programs. These typically allow guests on certain meal plans (e.g., Half Board) to dine at restaurants within other participating hotels in the same group or region.
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Earning/Redeeming Points at Hotel F&B Outlets Without a Stay: Marriott Bonvoy members can often earn and, in some select countries, even redeem points at participating hotel restaurants, bars, golf, and spa outlets even if they are not staying at that particular hotel.
So, which "Dine Around" are you most interested in? The beauty is, you might be able to leverage more than one!
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| How Does Marriott Dine Around Work |
Step 2: Choosing Your Path - Identifying the Right Dine Around Program
The first crucial step is to identify which "Dine Around" avenue is most relevant to your needs and location.
Sub-heading: 2.1 For Everyday Dining (Primarily US-Based): "Eat Around Town"
If you're looking to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on your regular dining expenses, even when you're not traveling, the Eat Around Town by Marriott Bonvoy program is your go-to.
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Check Eligibility: This program is generally for residents of the U.S.
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Visit the Website: Navigate to the official Eat Around Town by Marriott Bonvoy website.
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Sign In/Join: You'll need to be a Marriott Bonvoy member. If you're not, it's free and easy to join. Sign in with your existing Marriott Bonvoy credentials.
Sub-heading: 2.2 For Resort Stays with Multiple Properties: Hotel-Specific Dine Around
If you're planning a stay at a resort or within a cluster of Marriott properties, especially in destinations known for "all-inclusive" or "half-board" packages, check if they offer a specific "Dine Around" program.
Tip: Remember, the small details add value.
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Review Hotel Information: Look at the hotel's official website or contact their reservations department. They will usually have detailed information on any "Dine Around" options, including participating restaurants, meal plan requirements, and booking procedures.
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Package Inclusions: These programs are often tied to specific room rates or meal plans, so ensure your booking qualifies.
Sub-heading: 2.3 For Earning/Redeeming Points at Hotel Restaurants (Without a Stay)
This is a broad category, and its availability and specifics can vary by region.
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Check Marriott Bonvoy Website: Look for sections on "Earn Points" or "Redeem Points" that specifically mention dining at hotel outlets without an accompanying stay.
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Consult the Hotel Directly: The best way to confirm is to directly call the Marriott hotel you plan to dine at and inquire about their policy for earning/redeeming Bonvoy points on food and beverage for non-staying guests.
Step 3: Getting Set Up - Enrollment and Linking
Once you've identified the program, it's time to get ready to earn!
Sub-heading: 3.1 For "Eat Around Town by Marriott Bonvoy"
This is where the magic happens for earning points on your daily dining.
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Link Your Card(s): This is the most crucial step. On the Eat Around Town website, you'll be prompted to link your credit and/or debit cards. This is how the program tracks your spending and awards points.
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Pro-Tip: Link a card that already offers good dining rewards (e.g., a card with bonus categories for restaurants) to double-dip on your earnings! You'll earn points from both Eat Around Town and your credit card.
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Important Note: You can only enroll a single credit or debit card in one dining rewards program (like Eat Around Town, or similar programs from airlines) at a time. If you link a card already enrolled elsewhere, it will be un-enrolled from the previous program.
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Explore Participating Restaurants: Use the "Explore" or "Search" function on the Eat Around Town website to find restaurants, bars, and clubs near you that participate. You can search by location, cuisine, and even specific restaurant names.
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Look Out for Promotions: Eat Around Town often runs bonus point promotions for new members or for specific dining activities. Keep an eye on these to maximize your earnings!
Sub-heading: 3.2 For Hotel-Specific "Dine Around" Programs
This usually involves coordination directly with the hotel.
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Inform the Front Desk: Upon check-in, or even during booking, clearly communicate your intention to utilize the "Dine Around" program.
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Make Reservations: The front desk or concierge will typically assist you in making reservations at participating sister properties. This is often essential to ensure your "Dine Around" benefits are applied correctly.
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Understand Credit/Set Menu: Clarify whether your program offers a fixed credit allowance per person per day, or if it provides access to a specific "set menu" at no extra charge.
Step 4: The Dining Experience - Earning and Redeeming Points
Tip: Pause whenever something stands out.
Now for the enjoyable part – the actual dining!
Sub-heading: 4.1 Dining with "Eat Around Town by Marriott Bonvoy"
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Dine at a Participating Restaurant: Head to one of the restaurants you found on the Eat Around Town website.
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Pay with Your Linked Card: This is absolutely essential. Ensure you pay with the exact credit or debit card you linked to your Eat Around Town account. No special mention to the staff is usually required as the system works automatically.
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Earning Rates:
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Standard Bonvoy Members: Earn 4 points per $1 spent.
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Marriott Bonvoy Elite Members (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium, Ambassador): Earn an enhanced 6 points per $1 spent.
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Points Posting: Points typically post to your Marriott Bonvoy account within 6 to 8 weeks. Be patient!
Sub-heading: 4.2 Dining with Hotel-Specific "Dine Around" Programs
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Present Your Room Key/Voucher: When dining at a participating sister property, you'll likely need to present your room key or a special voucher provided by your hotel to indicate you're part of the "Dine Around" program.
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Understand What's Included:
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Credit Allowance: If it's a credit allowance, the specified amount will be deducted from your food bill. Beverages are typically excluded.
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Set Menu: If it's a set menu, you'll dine from that specific menu without additional charge for the food. Again, beverages are usually extra.
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Pay for Exclusions: Be prepared to pay separately for any items not covered by the program (e.g., alcoholic beverages, premium menu items beyond the credit allowance).
Sub-heading: 4.3 Earning/Redeeming at Hotel Restaurants (Without a Stay)
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Inform the Staff: Before paying, clearly inform the restaurant staff that you are a Marriott Bonvoy member and wish to earn/redeem points for your meal.
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Provide Your Bonvoy Number: You'll need to provide your Marriott Bonvoy member number.
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Earning Rates: The base earning rate is often 5 points per US$1 spent. Elite members usually earn additional bonuses based on their tier.
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Redeeming Points: In select countries, you can redeem points directly at participating restaurants.
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Minimum Spend: There might be a minimum spend requirement for redemption.
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ID Verification: For larger redemption amounts (e.g., over US$500), you may need to show a valid photo ID to match your membership account name.
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Important: Always confirm redemption possibilities and procedures with the restaurant staff beforehand.
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Step 5: Review and Enjoy!
After your meal, it's always a good idea to keep your receipts and monitor your Marriott Bonvoy account to ensure your points are credited correctly.
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Check Your Bonvoy Account: Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account online or via the app to track your points.
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Contact Member Support: If points don't appear within the expected timeframe, or if you have any discrepancies, contact Marriott Bonvoy Member Support.
Marriott Dine Around, in its various forms, offers a fantastic avenue to enhance your travel and dining experiences while accumulating valuable Bonvoy points. Whether you're dining out in your hometown or exploring culinary delights during a resort stay, understanding these programs can unlock a world of delicious rewards.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about Marriott Dine Around, with quick answers:
QuickTip: Read step by step, not all at once.
How to join Marriott's Eat Around Town program?
You can join for free by visiting the official Eat Around Town by Marriott Bonvoy website and signing in with your Marriott Bonvoy account. You'll then link your credit/debit cards.
How to find participating restaurants for Eat Around Town?
On the Eat Around Town website, there's an "Explore" or "Search" tab where you can enter your location and browse thousands of participating restaurants, bars, and clubs.
How to earn points with Marriott's Eat Around Town?
Simply link your credit/debit card(s) to your Eat Around Town account and use one of those linked cards to pay your bill at participating restaurants. Points are automatically credited.
How to earn more points with Eat Around Town?
Marriott Bonvoy Elite members earn more points (6 points per $1) than standard members (4 points per $1). Also, look out for special promotions and consider linking a credit card that offers bonus points on dining.
How to use the hotel-specific "Dine Around" program during a resort stay?
Tip: Don’t just glance — focus.
Typically, you inform the front desk or concierge of your hotel upon arrival. They will guide you on making reservations at participating sister properties and explain how your meal plan credit or set menu applies.
How to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for dining at a hotel restaurant without a stay?
This varies by region and hotel. In some select countries, you can inform the restaurant staff you wish to redeem points, provide your Bonvoy number, and ensure you meet any minimum spend or ID requirements. Always confirm directly with the hotel.
How to know if a specific Marriott hotel offers a "Dine Around" package?
Check the hotel's official website under "Offers," "Dining," or "Packages," or contact their reservations department directly.
How to split the bill to earn points if multiple Marriott Bonvoy members are dining together?
Members can request the restaurant to split the check so each member can pay for their portion separately with their own linked card (for Eat Around Town) or provide their Bonvoy number (for hotel F&B outlets), allowing each to earn points for their share.
How to ensure my points from Eat Around Town are credited?
Keep your receipts. Points usually post within 6-8 weeks. If they don't appear, contact Marriott Bonvoy Member Support with your dining details and linked card information.
How to avoid issues with "Dine Around" programs?
Always read the specific terms and conditions of any "Dine Around" program or promotion you intend to use. Clarify any doubts with hotel staff or Marriott Bonvoy customer service beforehand, especially regarding exclusions (like beverages) or minimum spends.
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