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Marriott Bonvoy has over 7200+ 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.
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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 Level | Bonus Marriott points Earned |
| Silver Elite | 10% |
| Gold Elite | 25% |
| Platinum Elite | 50% |
| Titanium Elite Titanium Elite with Ambassador | 75% |
As a caveat, the following properties only offer half the typical earned rate at only $5 points per dollar.
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- 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
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Members enjoy the benefits of reserving now, paying later, and even canceling their reservation for free. Use code 154080 during booking for discount 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.
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Plus earn up to $150 back in statement credits on eligible purchases made on your new card within the first 3 months of card membership. This card is great for earning on your business travel hotel stays.
- 6x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- 4x points at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases
- Earn 1 free night award each card year on your cardmember anniversary.
- Receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite Status
- $125 annual fee. (Rates & Fees)
Terms Apply. Learn More Here.
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, that 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:
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Earn 100,000 bonus points once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of our favorite Travel cards always in our wallet.
Learn more about Travel Credit Cards here.
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.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Earn $200 cash back when you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months. Also earn unlimited 1.5% Cash Back. Plus Earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (not including Walmart or Target purchases) on up to $12,000 in the first year.
Learn More Here.
Editors Note: We love this card for easy 1.5% Cash Back on everything!
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 3 free nights of up to 50,000 points each after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months of card opening. You can also earn 10x on all eligible purchases in select categories.
One annual free night certificate on account anniversary (valued up to 35,000 points). Learn More Here.
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Plus earn up to $150 back in statement credits on eligible purchases made on your new card within the first 3 months of card membership. This card is great for earning on your business travel hotel stays.
- 6x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- 4x points at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases
- Earn 1 free night award each card year on your cardmember anniversary.
- Receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite Status
- $125 annual fee. (Rates & Fees)
Terms Apply. Learn More Here.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
Earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy points once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. This card is great for maximizing your value on Marriott Bonvoy properties. Some of our favorite features include:
- Earn 6 points per dollar at participating Marriott Hotels, 3 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants and flights booked directly with airlines and 2x points per dollar on all other purchases.
- Enjoy up to $300 in statement credits on qualifying Marriott Bonvoy purchases each year.
- Earn up to $200 in Statement Credits for eligible purchases at U.S. Restaurants within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- $450 Annual Fee (Rates & Fees)
- Terms Apply.
- Learn More Here.
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 towards either a dream vacation, like a honeymoon, to just a basic weekend getaway.
I’d love to hear your favorite strategy to earning Marriott Bonvoy points down in the comments below or over in the 4,000 + Member Basic Travel Facebook Group!
New to Credit Card Rewards Points? Check out the BASICS Below!
- Learn how to utilize credit card points with our Basic Travel Course
- Basic Travel 101
- Basic Travel 102
- Credit Scores 101
- Knowing the Rules
- 5/24 Status
- Top Credit Card Offers
- How to Earn Credit Card Bonuses
- Expedited Airport Screening
- Cashback Sites
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