Decent airline miles alternative for Marriott’s MegaBonus hotel promotion

UPDATE – JULY 2025:  This Marriott article is now out of date, but don’t worry.  We produce a monthly summary of the top hotel bonus point offers – please click HERE or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ menu above.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 15th July 2025, the sign-up bonus on the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is TRIPLED to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. This would convert into 25,000 Avios or into 40 other airline schemes. It would also get you at least £300 of Marriott hotel stays based on our 0.5p per point low-end valuation. Other T&C apply and remain unchanged. Click here for our full card review and click here to apply.

Marriott Bonvoy is offering a 30% to 50% bonus (varies by individual) when you buy points by 16th July 2025. Click here to buy.

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Back in December I wrote about the Marriott MegaBonus promotion which runs from February 1st to April 30th.

There are several versions of this offer but the most common is 2,500 bonus points per stay, starting with your second stay.

This is not a terrible deal – 2,500 Marriott Rewards points are worth £12.50 or so – but if you only have occasional Marriott stays you may end up with points which are orphaned. 

You cannot, for example, top them up with American Express Membership Rewards points unlike Hilton, Starwood or Club Carlson.  There is a Marriott credit card but the earning rate is a pitiful 1 point per £1.

There is an alternative!

Via this link, you can register for a version of the offer which gives airline miles in any of the participating airlines which work with Marriott Rewards.  This includes Avios.

You will need to set your Mariott Rewards account to earning miles instead of points to be able to register.

You earn 2,500 airline miles for every two stays.  If you value an airline mile at 1p, this offer is no worse than taking Marriott Rewards points, and a whole lot more useful if you doubt you will ever earn enough Marriott points for a decent redemption.

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How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (July 2025)

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.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 15th July 2025, the sign-up bonus on the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is TRIPLED to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. This would convert into 25,000 Avios or into 40 other airline schemes. It would also get you at least £300 of Marriott hotel stays based on our 0.5p per point low-end valuation. Other T&C apply and remain unchanged. Click here for our full card review and click here to apply.

You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card

60,000 points (to 15th July) and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review

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 The Platinum Card from American Express in detail here and you can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

50,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

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

and for small business owners:

• The American Express Business Gold Card (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• The American Express Business Platinum Card (50,000 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.