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

News in brief:

Virgin Trains launches a 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.

Get 2,015 Starwood 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 (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.