Free Heathrow Express First Class upgrade over the summer for Marriott Rewards Elite members

UPDATE – JUNE 2025:  This is an old article, and the credit card information given is likely to be out of date.

To learn about current credit card bonuses, benefits, terms and interest rate information, take a look at our directory of the top UK travel credit card offers – please click HERE or use the ‘Credit Cards’ menu above.  Thank you.

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Hotel group Marriott and Heathrow Express have teamed up to offer a free First Class upgrade over the Summer for travel until August 31st.

This offer is ONLY available to elite (Silver and above) members of Marriott Rewards.

Getting to the booking page is fiddly:

You need to go to marriott.com at this page which discusses a London hotels promotion and log in

Half way down the page is a link to the Heathrow Express website (the words ‘redeem upgrade’ are underlined)

This will send you to the HEx site and you can book your ticket

The link does not work if I copy and paste it onto HfP.  The current Mastercard offer discussed below works the same way.

There is a second catch.

The upgrade is not, technically, free.  Via this Mastercard offer I wrote about here, you can save 12% on Heathrow Express tickets.  You need to choose between paying full price and getting a free upgrade via Marriott or saving £3-£4 and staying in Standard with MasterCard.

After having not used it for a couple of years, I have taken the Heathrow Express twice in the last six weeks.  The reason is that children are now free.  On both occasions we were heading to Heathrow on a Friday evening with the kids.   When you don’t pay for the children, the cost of a taxi to Paddington plus HEx tickets is equivalent to an Uber to Heathrow and – on a Friday night – far more reliable in terms of knowing when you will arrive.

PS.  Remember that, until June 30th, Star Alliance Gold members get a free Heathrow Express First Class upgrade just by showing their card

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How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (June 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.