Marriott Bonvoy Made Simple: From Points to Perks
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Being one of the most popular hotel loyalty programs, the Marriott Bonvoy program is taking over the loyalty rewards scene. So, it is essential that all savvy travelers know the program’s ins and outs. As daunting as it might seem, the Marriott has simplified most of the crucial information of the program, so whether you’re a new traveler or a diehard Marriott follower, let’s look at all the information you need to use your card to its fullest potential.
How to Earn Marriott Points
From spending on everyday purchases to staying at participating Marriott hotels, Marriott Bonvoy provides a multitude of ways to build up points that culminate in a great vacation. Members will earn 10 points per dollar spent on qualifying charges for stays and most Marriott hotel brands.
With the exceptions are the following brands, where you’ll earn 5 points for every dollar on qualifying payments:
- Element
- Residence Inn
- TownePlace Suites
- Homes & Villas
- Protea Hotels
- City Express
- Four points Express by Sheraton
As well as some hotels and apartments of the Marriott Executive Apartments brand, which will only earn 2.5 points for every dollar on qualifying payments.
Important things to know
To earn points for a stay, you need to make sure you book directly with Marriott. If booking through an online travel agency, or staying as a part of an event, your stay will not acquire you points, as well as the nights not be counted as Elite Nights toward the next Elite Status tier.
How to Earn Points with Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card
As a new applicant, there are four cards available to earn Marriott Bonvoy points, tree being from Chase and tree from American Express.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Bold (Chase) | Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful (Chase) | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless (Chase) | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant (Amex) | Marriott Bonvoy Bevy (Amex) | Marriott Bonvoy Business (Amex) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | no fee | $250 | $95 | $650 | $250 | $125 |
| Sign-up Bonus | 60,000 points + 1 Free Night after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months | 85,000 points after you spend $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months | 5 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months | 95,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first 6 months | 85,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first 6 months | 3 Free Night Awards (redeemable for up to 150,000 total Marriott Bonvoy points) after you spend $6,000 in your first 6 months |
| Point Earnings* | 3x points at Marriot, 2x points on grocery stores, rideshare, select streaming, and more, 1x other travel purchases, | 6x at Marriott, 4x points in the first $15,000 in combined purchases each year on grocery stores and dining, 2x on all other purchases | 6x at Marriott, 3x on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on gas stations and dining, 2x on all other purchases | 6x at Marriott, 3x at restaurants, 3x on flights booked directly with airlines, 2x on other purchases | 6x at Marriott, 4x points at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery and supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and supermarkets per calendar year, then 2x points), 2x on all other purchases | 6x at Marriott, 4x at gas stations, wireless phone services, restaurants, and shipping providers, 2x on all other purchases |
| Free Night Awards | 1 FNA, annually | 1 FNA, annually + up to $300 in Marriott statement credits | 1 FNA after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card in a calendar year | 1 FNA, annually | ||
| Elite Status Benefits (automatic) | Silver Elite Status | Gold Elite Status | Silver Elite Status, Gold Status after spending $35,000 on purchases each calendar year | Gold Elite Status, Platinum after spending $75,000 on purchases each calendar year | Gold Elite status | Silver Elite Status, Gold after spending $35,000 on purchases each calendar year |
| Additional Perks | 5 Elite Night Credits, annually | 15 Elite Night Credits, annually (after $15,000 in spend), Earn 1,000 Bonus Points per eligible stay at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy | 15 Elite Night Credits, annually no foreign transaction fees | 25 Elite Night Credits, annually, $300 Marriott credit, Priority Pass Select, no foreign transaction fees | 15 Elite Night Credits, annually, no foreign transaction fees, Earn 1,000 bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties | 15 Elite Night Credits, annually, no foreign transaction fees |
*You’ll receive these points in addition to 10x Marriott Bonvoy points for participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program and bonuses awarded for the elite tier
For every friend who is approved for a Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card, you have the opportunity to receive 40,000 bonus points. To invite an arc, follow the link
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card Review
Pros and Cons Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card
| Pros | Cons |
| No Annual Fee: Attracts those who prefer a card without the burden of yearly fees. Travel-Friendly: With no foreign transaction fees, it’s great for international use. Points Accumulation: Beneficial for those who frequently stay at Marriott properties. | Lower Point Earnings: Compared to other Marriott cards, the point earnings are less aggressive. Limited Elite Benefits: Fewer elite status benefits compared to premium Marriott cards. |
Ideal User Profile for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Cardholder
- Budget-Conscious Travelers: Those who want a travel card without an annual fee.
- Marriott Guests: Ideal for those who occasionally stay at Marriott properties but don’t travel enough to justify a card with an annual fee.
- International Travelers: Suitable for people who travel abroad and want to avoid foreign transaction fees.
Show more or Apply now Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Card Review
Pros and Cons Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Card
| Pros | Cons |
| Increased Points Earning: Earns more points per dollar spent, especially at Marriott properties, which can quickly accumulate for frequent travelers. Significant Welcome Bonus: Often comes with a substantial sign-up bonus, providing a quick boost to your points balance. Elite Status Acceleration: Offers Elite Night Credits which help in achieving higher Marriott Bonvoy Elite status faster, unlocking additional benefits. Valuable Redemption Options: Points can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, and more within the Marriott Bonvoy program, and potentially transferred to airline partners. Travel and Protection Benefits: Includes travel protections and perks such as baggage insurance and no foreign transaction fees. Additional Cardholder Perks: May offer extra benefits like annual free night awards, making it a great choice for regular Marriott customers. | Annual Fee: Comes with an annual fee, which might be a drawback for budget-conscious users. High Spending for Maximum Benefit: To fully take advantage of the card’s benefits, especially the Elite status, a significant amount of spending is required. Limited Outside Marriott Bonvoy Ecosystem: While excellent for Marriott stays, the rewards earning rate on non-Marriott purchases might not be as competitive as other general travel credit cards. Potential for Better Value Elsewhere: Depending on your spending habits and travel patterns, other cards might offer better overall value or more flexible rewards. |
Ideal User Profile for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Cardholder
- Frequent Marriott Guests: Best suited for those who often stay at Marriott properties and can leverage the high points earning rate.
- Travel Enthusiasts: Ideal for travelers who can utilize the card’s travel benefits and are willing to pay the annual fee for better rewards.
- Points Maximizers: Suitable for users who are keen on accumulating points quickly for redeeming on hotel stays or transferring to airline partners.
Show more or Apply now Marriott Bountiful Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card Review
Pros and Cons Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
| Pros | Cons |
| Generous Sign-Up Bonus Increased Points Earning: Earns higher points on Marriott stays and additional points on all other purchases, beneficial for frequent Marriott guests. Annual Free Night Award: Offers an annual free night award, redeemable at eligible Marriott hotels, which can offset the annual fee. Elite Status Boost: Provides automatic Silver Elite status and a path to Gold status, enhancing the hotel stay experience with additional benefits. No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international travelers, as it does not charge extra fees on purchases made abroad. Travel and Purchase Protections: Includes standard travel and purchase protections like baggage delay insurance and purchase protection. | Annual Fee: Carries an annual fee, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious users. Focused Reward Structure: Most beneficial for spending at Marriott properties; everyday spending rewards are less competitive. Limited Flexibility in Rewards: Points are primarily geared towards Marriott stays, which might not be ideal for those seeking more flexible reward options. High Spending for Maximum Rewards: To fully benefit from the card, especially for achieving higher Elite status, significant spending is required. |
Ideal User Profile for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Cardholder
- Frequent Marriott Guests: Best suited for individuals who frequently stay at Marriott properties and can make the most of the increased points earning.
- Travel Enthusiasts: Ideal for travelers who appreciate hotel perks and are willing to pay the annual fee for benefits like free night awards and Elite status.
- Points Accumulators: Suitable for those focused on collecting Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel stays, upgrades, and other Marriott-related rewards.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card Review
Pros and Cons Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
| Pros | Cons |
| Luxurious Benefits: Offers top-tier perks including annual free night award, $300 Marriott Bonvoy statement credits, and Priority Pass Select membership. High Points Earning: Exceptional points earning rate at Marriott properties and on other categories like dining and flights. Complimentary Gold Elite Status: Automatic Gold Elite status provides enhanced benefits at Marriott hotels. Substantial Welcome Bonus: Typically features a generous sign-up bonus. | High Annual Fee: Comes with a significant annual fee, which might not be justifiable for infrequent travelers. Focused Reward Structure: While lucrative for Marriott spending, may not offer the best rewards rate for non-hotel expenses. |
Ideal User Profile for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Cardholder
- High-end travelers who frequently stay at Marriott properties and can fully utilize the extensive benefits and statement credits.
- Those who value luxury travel perks like lounge access and room upgrades.
Show more or Apply now Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card Review
Pros and Cons Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card
| Pros | Cons |
| Balanced Rewards: Good points earning rate at Marriott properties and on other purchases. Annual Free Night Award: Offers an annual free night, increasing its value proposition. Elite Night Credits: Helps in achieving a higher Elite status faster within the Marriott Bonvoy program. | Moderate Annual Fee: Carries an annual fee, which needs to be weighed against the benefits received. Specific Reward Focus: Best suited for Marriott spending, with less competitive rewards for everyday expenses. |
Ideal User Profile for the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Cardholder
- Regular Marriott guests seeking a balance between reasonable annual fees and valuable hotel perks.
- Travelers aiming for higher Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program.
Show more or Apply now Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card Review
Pros and Cons Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card
| Pros | Cons |
| Business-Oriented Rewards: Enhanced points earning on business-related expenses like restaurants, gas stations, and shipping. Free Night Awards: Offers an annual free night award, beneficial for offsetting the annual fee. Elite Night Credits: Contributes towards achieving Elite status, advantageous for business travelers. | Annual Fee: Includes an annual fee, which small businesses need to consider. Limited Non-Business Rewards: More focused on business spending, with less emphasis on other expenses. |
Ideal User Profile for the Marriott Bonvoy Business Cardholder
- Business owners and professionals who frequently travel for work and spend in categories aligned with the card’s rewards structure.
- Marriott loyalists looking to leverage business expenses into hotel rewards and perks.
Show more or Apply now Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Elite
The Bonvoy program has 5 levels of elite status benefits, those being: Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite. Certain Marriott cards provide automatic status and elite night rewards that allow you to progress even further in the elite hierarchy.
Silver Elite
Silver Elite is the lowest elite tier in the Marriott Bonvoy program. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its perks.
Requirements:
- 10 qualifying nights in a year
Benefits:
- 10 percent points accrual bonus on stays
- 2 pm priority late checkout (when available)
- complimentary in-room Internet access when you book through the website or app.
- Reservation guarantees
- Exclusive member rates
- Mobile check-in
Buy Elite Status:
If you have one of the following cards, you are automatically awarded Silver Status:
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card.
Gold Elite
Gold Elite is the second tier in the Marriott Bonvoy program, coming with a hefty set of benefits that match its status.
Requirements:
- finishing 25 qualifying nights in a year
Benefits:
- 25 percent bonus on stays
- 2 pm priority late checkout
- Room upgrade priority
- A welcome gift of points each time you stay.
- Mobile check-in
- Reservation guarantees
- complimentary in-room Internet access when you book through the website or app.
Buy Elite Status:
There are 5 cards that grant gold status as a perk of their card after enrolling:
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express.
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card (after spending $35,000 on purchases in a calendar year).
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card (after spending $35,000 on purchases each calendar year).
Platinum Elite
Platinum Elite is the third tier in the Marriott Bonvoy program, coming with even more benefits for the devoted member.
Requirements:
- Finish 50 qualifying nights in a year.
Benefits:
- Gain a 50 percent bonus on stays
- Suite upgrades based on availability, access to Marriott lounges
- Guaranteed 4 pm checkout
- A choice of gifts with each stay. These gifts include a choice of points, breakfast, or an amenity
- Instant redemption
* To gain a lifetime status on your Platinum Elite rewards, you’ll need to rack up 600 lifetime nights and 10+ years as a Platinum Elite member.
Titanium Elite
Titanium Elite is the fourth tier in the Marriott Bonvoy program, chock-full of a multitude of benefits that set it apart from every status before it.
Requirements:
- Finish 75 qualifying nights in a calendar year.
Benefits:
- 75 percent point bonus on stays
- 48-hour guaranteed availability
- Lounge access
- Dedicated Elite support
- Ultimate Reservation Guarantee
- Annual Choice Benefit for Members with 50 Elite Night Credits
- After completing 75 nights in a calendar year, Titanium members are eligible for a second Annual Choice Benefit, with an added option being a free night worth up to 40,000 points, as well as the option to gift Gold Elite status.
Ambassador Elite
Ambassador Elite is the fifth and most prestigious tier in the Marriott Bonvoy program. This Elite Status will provide you with the largest count of benefits.
Requirements:
- Finish 100 qualifying nights in a year
- Achieve $20,000 in Marriott spending
Benefits:
- 75 percent bonus points on stays
- Gain dedicated ambassadors that assist you in booking stays.
- Gain access to Your24, which lets you pick a 24-hour check-in and checkout time.
- 48-hour Guarantee
- Lounge access
- Dedicated Elite support
- Ultimate Reservation Guarantee
- Annual Choice Benefit for Members with 50 Elite Night Credits
- After completing 75 nights in a calendar year, Titanium members are eligible for a second Annual Choice Benefit, with an added option being a free night worth up to 40,000 points, as well as the option to gift Gold Elite status
Refer a Friend Reward
One benefit of the Marriott Bonvoy program that is often overlooked is its refer-a-friend rewards. Each year, you can refer up to five new members and earn 2,000 points for up to five of their stays. On top of this, if all the friends you refer complete five stays, you will be rewarded a bonus of 50,000 points a year. This referral can be filled out with the link below.
https://www.joinmarriottbonvoy.com/friends.aspx?promo=rewardafriend&ctycode=EN&source=
Buy a Mattress, and get Free Points
Members of the Marriott Bonvoy program can earn 10,000 Marriott points if they buy a mattress from any of the Marriott’s retail stores online.
Transferring Your Points
You can transfer both the American Express Membership Rewards and the Chase Ultimate Rewards to the Marriott Bonvoy at a transfer rate of 1:1.
Combining Points
The Marriott Bonvoy allows you to combine your points with another Marriott Bonvoy member. Each year, members can receive up to 500,000 points from each other and transfer 100,000 points to another account. These transfers between members are completely free, with the limitation that you need to call Marriott to complete the transfer.
Maximizing the Value of Your Points
- Free Fifth Night: Members of the Marriott Bonvoy get a free night on award stays of five nights or longer.
- Best Rate Guarantee: The Marriott will match a rate found on another website so long as you submit a claim within 24 hours of making your reservation at said Marriott hotel.
- Low Point Hotels: Not all hotels are created equal! Some Marriott hotels can be stretched by redeeming at hotels with staggeringly low award rates. There are Marriotts that cost 5,000 points per night in 2022, and if you can find these low-award hotels, you can maximize your points.
Fifth Night Free: The Hidden Gem of Marriott’s Points Program
The official name of this benefit is “Stay 5, Pay 4”. It is available to all Marriott Bonvoy members who can enjoy a fifth night free of charge when paying with loyalty points.
This benefit will automatically apply when you log in to your loyalty account and search for hotels directly on the Marriott website.
How do I take advantage of the benefit?
- Book through the Marriott website or app
- Redeem points for a hotel room at the full reward rate and the benefit will be automatically applied for five consecutive nights. The fifth free night will be applied only to the cheapest night at the hotel, not to the price of the fifth night when booking.
Please note that bookings made with other methods, or when paying with Cash + Points, nightly rewards or any promotional benefits, or made with a co-branded credit card are not eligible for the “Stay 5, Pay 4” offer.
If you book ten (10) nights in a row, you will get two (2) nights free, and so on.
Marriott Bonvoy Moments
Another feature of the card, the Moments Program, allows you to cash in your points for unique experiences, ranging from entertainment to sports, even to culinary. The options change regularly and fluctuate in value.
Buying Points With a Bonus During Promotional Offers
From time to time, Merriott Bonavoy offers promotions for buying points with a bonus of 35% to 45%. Such promotions can be very useful when you have a certain lack of points for a certain redemption and you calculate that booking with points is cheaper than paying cash. Marriott also offers a separate points redemption mechanism called Point Multiplier, which allows you to purchase points at a 15%, 20% or 25% discount depending on your recent activity.
Do Marriott Bonvoy points expire?
Yes, Marriott Bonvoy points do expire if there's no qualifying activity in the member's account for a certain period. As of my last update in April 2023, Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 months of inactivity. Qualifying activity includes earning or redeeming points, so as long as you continue to earn or spend points within this timeframe, your points should remain active.
To prevent points from expiring, you can engage in activities such as staying at Marriott hotels, using a Marriott Bonvoy credit card for purchases, redeeming points for stays or other rewards, or even purchasing points. It's always a good idea to review the latest terms and conditions on the Marriott Bonvoy website or contact their customer service for the most current information.
How Do I Get the Fifth Night Free at Marriott?
Every Marriott Bonavoy member is entitled to a fifth free night when paying for their reservation with loyalty points.
This benefit is automatically applied when you log in to your loyalty account and search for hotels directly on the Marriott website when booking five consecutive nights.
For more information, please click here.
