fbpx

Basic Guide to Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points

Disclosure: Basic Travel Couple, LLC has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Basic Travel Couple, LLC and CardRatings and MileValue may receive a commission from card issuers. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Note: Some of the offers mentioned below may have changed or are no longer available. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. You can view our current offers here.

Marriott Bonvoy has over 7,200+ properties worldwide, which makes it one of the biggest hotel chains in the world encompassing over 30 brands. The great news with this is it’s incredibly easy to earn points towards major redemptions. There are a myriad of opportunities and ways to earn which we will list below.

Paid Stays at Marriott Bonvoy Properties 

The most obvious method for earning Marriott Bonvoy points, is the tried and true “butt in bed” method.

The default points earning structure for Marriott Bonvoy stays are 10 Points for every $1. Marriott Bonvoy members who hold status can earn an additional bonus broken down below. 

Elite LevelBonus Marriott points Earned
Silver Elite10%
Gold Elite25%
Platinum Elite50%
Titanium Elite
Titanium Elite with Ambassador
75%
This chart helps explain the bonuses you can earn, on top of your base earnings.

As a caveat, the following properties only offer half the typical earned rate at only $5 points per dollar. 

  • Residence Inn
  • Towneplace Suites by Marriott
  • Element Hotels

Marriott Dining Program 

Earn Marriott Rewards points for eating out at restaurants throughout the United States. Simply create an account, link a credit card(s), and dine at a participating restaurant. There are three different points-earning structures listed below. 

  • 2 Bonus Points per $1 when you don’t opt-in for email notifications. 
  • 5 Bonus Points per $1 when you dine 10 or fewer times in a year, and opt-in for email notifications from Hilton Honors Dining.
  • 8 Bonus Points per $1 when you dine 11 or more times in a year, and opt-in for email notifications from Hilton Honors Dining.

Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points with Rental Cars

When you rent through Hertz, Marriott Bonvoy members receive a special rate discount with code

Members enjoy the benefits of reserving now, paying later, and even canceling their reservations for free. Use code 154080 during booking for discounts and benefits. Members can earn up to 3,000 Marriott points for Hertz car rentals of 2 days or more.

Transfer Points from American Express Membership Rewards

American Express Membership Rewards (MR) points can be transferred to the Marriott Bonvoy program at a 1:1 ratio. For example, 25,000 Membership Rewards points will equal 25,000 Marriott Rewards points. It’s easy to transfer, simply login to an Amex MR account and click transfer rewards points. 

card_name
bonus_miles
bonus_miles_disclaimer
annual_fees annual fee
card_name
bonus_miles
bonus_miles_disclaimer

Transfer Ultimate Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy

Another great way to earn Marriott points is by transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards Points earned from several Chase credit cards. The transfer is simple, has a 1:1 transfer ratio, and takes about 2 days.

In terms of pure redemption value for your Ultimate Rewards points, you will find this has a generally poor transfer opportunity. If you happen to find a low-end property, however, where the points transfer outweighs the cash value (which can start at 4,000 Marriott points for a level 1 off-peak night) then this can have some great opportunities.

The following Chase credit cards allow you to transfer Ultimate Rewards Points directly:

card_name
bonus_miles
bonus_miles_disclaimer
annual_fees annual fee
card_name
bonus_miles
bonus_miles_disclaimer

The below Ultimate Rewards-earning credit cards do not allow direct transfers to Marriott Bonvoy. You can, however, transfer your Ultimate Rewards Points earned on these credit cards first to one of the premium Chase cards listed above and then to Marriott Bonvoy.

card_name
bonus_miles
bonus_miles_disclaimer
annual_fees annual fee
card_name
bonus_miles
bonus_miles_disclaimer

Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points from Credit Cards 

One of the easiest ways to snag a big lot of Marriott Bonvoy points is through a co-branded credit card. These are issued by both American Express and Chase. Sign-up bonuses are the fastest way to earn Marriott points, but there is also plenty of everyday spending options that help you reach your goals faster.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Earn 5 free nights (Valued up to 250k points) After you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months from account opening
(Valued up to 250k points) After you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months from account opening

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Earn 5 free nights (Valued up to 250k points) After you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months from account opening
card_name
bonus_miles
bonus_miles_disclaimer
annual_fees annual fee
card_name
bonus_miles
bonus_miles_disclaimer

Gain Points by Booking Events

Marriott also has a very generous structure on event booking when it comes to earning points. You can both nights and elite credits by booking meetings, and special events. You can earn 2 points per dollar spent at each event.

Basic Breakdown

From organic earning with paid stays, to credit card bonus, to transfer partners, Marriott Bonvoy offers a myriad of earning opportunities for either a dream vacation, like a honeymoon, to just a basic weekend getaway. 

I’d love to hear in the comments below or over in our 8,400+ Member Basic Travel Facebook Group!

New to Credit Card Rewards Points? Check out the BASICS Below!

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

The comments section below responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

5 Basic Travel Strategies

Need-to-know tricks for cheap travel.

Top Credit Card Offers

card_name
bonus_miles_full

Chase Freedom Flexâ„ 

5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.
card_name
bonus_miles_full
card_name
bonus_miles_full
card_name
bonus_miles_full
credit-card

We're Dave & Lisa

An easy-going, fun-loving couple who have a passion for adventure and exploring the world! Our strategies have saved us over $100,000 in travel over the last four years, and our goal is to help you do the same.

Keep Exploring