If you’re new to the world of loyalty programs, you’re in for some good news. There has never been a better time to start earning points for free travel, and Marriott Bonvoy is a great place to start. With many hotels around the world, Marriott can unlock some incredible experiences for travel.
Its elite status program is rewarding, and the number of ways to earn and burn points continues to grow. Here are five things to know before joining Marriott Bonvoy.
1. Joining Marriott Bonvoy is free, and redeeming points is easy
Do you have to pay to be a Marriott Bonvoy member? No. It’s free. As a member, you earn points that you can redeem for hotel stays, hotel perks (when you earn elite status), gifts or experiences.
Redeeming points for a free night at Marriott is simple. Marriott Bonvoy has an award chart that divides hotels into 8 categories. Category 1 hotels are typically more affordable destinations while Category 8 hotels are the most luxurious properties in enviable locales.
The chart further divides properties into off-peak, standard and peak redemption pricing. During the busiest times of year the hotel uses peak pricing, and during less busy times, it uses off-peak pricing. At various times of year, Marriott Bonvoy also has sales on stays at many of its properties using the PointSavers program, which takes up to 20% off the redemption rate.
A Category 1 PointSavers redemption costs as few as 4,000 points. If you’re a “go-big-or-go-home” type of person, a peak redemption night at a Category 8 hotel costs 100,000 points. While it may seem daunting, earning Marriott points is easier than you think.
There’s also Marriott Bonvoy Moments, which lets members use points to bid on or buy unusual experiences. This can include everything from VIP access to sporting events like the U.S. Grand Prix to concert tickets in luxury seats.
2. There are 8,000+ Marriott Bonvoy hotels
With more than 8,000 Marriott Bonvoy hotels, there is bound to be a hotel for every taste. Marriott Bonvoy is the loyalty program for 30 brands as well as Homes & Villas by Marriott International. Whether you are looking for a comfortable night’s sleep at a Fairfield Inn & Suites or want a luxurious vacation at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis, Marriott Bonvoy points can take you around the world.
Other Marriott Bonvoy brands include:
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Autograph Collection.
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Courtyard by Marriott.
3. When you earn enough Marriott Bonvoy points, you’ll get elite status and perks
Once you earn enough points to qualify for Marriott Bonvoy elite status, the perks will start pouring in on future stays. Marriott Bonvoy rewards its most frequent guests with different status levels: Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite. The perks improve with each level of status you attain. The more you stay, the more perks you earn. For example, Gold Elite and higher members earn the possibility to receive a free room upgrade (based on availability), while Platinum Elite and higher members earn access to club lounges where breakfast and refreshments are available.
You also earn more points per dollar spent based on your elite level. Depending on the hotel, you can earn as many as 10x points per dollar spent. Silver Elite members get a 10% bonus on top of that, while Titanium Elite and top-level Ambassador Elite members earn a 75% bonus. Other elite status benefits include things like free breakfast, a welcome amenity, late checkout and faster Wi-Fi speeds.
4. You can earn points and elite status faster with a Marriott Bonvoy-affiliated card
Now that you know all about points and elite status, there is a fast track to getting there via Marriott Bonvoy-affiliated cards. Getting approved for these cards can deliver instant elite status and bonus points for meeting certain spending thresholds.
For example:
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The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card gives you Silver Elite status. Since the card has no annual fee, this is the fastest and cheapest way to instant elite status with Marriott Bonvoy.
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For a $95 annual fee, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card also gives you Silver Elite status as well as a free night award (valued at up to 35,000 points) every year on your account anniversary.
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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card offers Gold Elite status, plus up to $300 in statement credits to use at Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Together with its other perks including a free award night (valued at up to 50,000 points) each year after the card’s account anniversary, the $450 annual fee can basically pay for itself. Terms apply.
Even if you don’t have immediate plans to stay in a hotel, you can start earning Marriott Bonvoy points now. A Marriott Bonvoy-affiliated card is one quick way to do that.
5. There are several ways to increase your Marriott Bonvoy points total
You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points with:
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Orders through Uber and Uber Eats. There is no cost to link your accounts.
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Stays at Homes & Villas vacation rentals.
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Purchases at ShopMarriott.com, which stocks the products used at Marriott properties, including pillows, linens, blankets and furniture.
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Meals out through the Eat Around Town program. Earn points for every dollar you spend at participating restaurants.
If you’re a new member who doesn’t have enough Marriott Bonvoy points but wants to make a big redemption, you can transfer points into Marriott from American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards® at a 1:1 ratio.
What to know before joining Marriott Bonvoy
Some good things in life are indeed free, and joining Marriott Bonvoy is one of them. With these five tips, you could be on your way to a dream vacation in no time.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2021, including those best for:
This post was originally published on Nerd Wallet
