Bits: good Virgin West Coast First Class sale, get 2015 free Starwood points on your next stay

News in brief:

Virgin Trains launches flash sale in First Class

Virgin Trains has launched a 3-day flash sale which runs until tomorrow night.  Initial feedback from HfP readers in the comments yesterday was very positive.

There are 60,000 seats available from £12 – note that the sale covers Virgin West Coast only.  You need to travel between 12th December and 23rd January.

The special sale booking page is here.  Remember that you also earn Virgin Flying Club miles or Nectar points when booking directly with Virgin Trains.

2,015 Starwood Preferred Guest points on your next stay

The year is coming to an end, but if you can get a Starwood hotel into your travel plans before 31st December you will be 2,015 points better off.

This means any Sheraton, Westin, W, aloft, St Regis, Luxury Collection, Le Meridien etc property.  Existing bookings appear to count.

I value SPG points at 1p each – and that is a very low-ball number – so 2,015 points is a good rebate.

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How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (April 2024)

There are various ways of earning Marriott Bonvoy points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

The official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card comes with 20,000 points for signing up, 2 points for every £1 you spend and 15 elite night credits per year.

You can apply here.

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by converting American Express Membership Rewards points at the rate of 2:3.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Marriott Bonvoy Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.  We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

• American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (40,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Marriott Bonvoy points is 2:3.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Marriott Bonvoy points. 

(Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)