Top Five Strategies for Accumulating Marriott Rewards Points
In the world of travel rewards, Marriott Bonvoy points stand as a popular choice for many. Here's a guide to help you earn these points efficiently and make the most of your Marriott Bonvoy experience.
Embrace Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offer high bonus points for spending in various categories. For instance, certain cards provide 6X points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels, 4X points at restaurants and supermarkets (up to a cap), and 2X points on all other purchases. New cardmembers can also earn large sign-up bonuses, such as up to 185,000 bonus points after meeting spending thresholds in the first 6 months.
Direct Spending with Marriott Properties
Booking stays at Marriott properties directly, including room rates, dining, and incidentals, is another effective way to earn points. These qualify for earning 10 base points per dollar spent (plus elite status bonuses). Platinum members, for example, earn 15 points per dollar.
Hosting Events and Meetings
Hosting events or meetings at Marriott hotels can yield 2 points per dollar spent on rooms, food, drinks, and other charges, plus elite night credits that help achieve higher elite tiers for additional perks.
Referring Friends
Referring friends to join Marriott Bonvoy can earn you bonus points. Each referral can yield 2,000 points per stay, up to a total of 10,000 points per referral, and up to five referrals per year (max 50,000 bonus points annually).
Cruise with Points
Booking cruises through Marriott's Cruise with Points program yields 3X points, and Marriott credit card members earn an additional 2X points on top of that.
Capitalize on Promotions
Taking advantage of Marriott promotions can help boost your points balance. For example, you can earn up to 25,000 bonus points for all-inclusive Vacations by Marriott packages, and limited-time bonus point multipliers (up to 4X) by purchasing points with discounts.
Renting Cars
Renting cars from Marriott partners like Hertz, Dollar, or Thrifty grants 250–500 points per rental, plus extra bonuses for elite members.
Understanding Point Value and Perks
Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued between 0.7 to 0.9 cents per point, which is lower compared to competitors like World of Hyatt but balanced by wide availability of award nights. Using credit card benefits such as complimentary Gold elite status and bonus points on stays boosts effective earnings. Elite tier membership further increases points earned per dollar spent and provides valuable perks like free room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points multipliers.
In summary, combining a high-earning Marriott Bonvoy credit card, direct Marriott spending including events, leveraging referral bonuses, and capitalizing on promotions offers the best overall points accumulation and high-value perks. These strategies maximize earning rates while also unlocking elite benefits and promotional bonuses.
- To boost your Marriott Bonvoy points balance, consider employing a Marriott Bonvoy credit card that offers high bonus points for various spending categories.
- Direct spending at Marriott properties, such as hotel stays, dining, and incidentals, can help accumulate points efficiently at a rate of 10 base points per dollar spent (plus elite status bonuses).
- Hosting events or meetings at Marriott hotels can garner 2 points per dollar spent on rooms, food, drinks, and charges, as well as elite night credits for higher elite tiers.
- Encouraging friends to join Marriott Bonvoy can earn bonus points, with each referral potentially yielding up to 10,000 points per referral (max 50,000 bonus points annually).
- Enjoy a unique travel experience by booking cruises through Marriott's Cruise with Points program, where you earn 3X points for your booking, with an additional 2X points for Marriott credit card members.
