Bits: new SPG hotel in London, Marriott Rewards devalues but adds ‘cash and points’
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News in brief:
Town Hall Hotel is now an SPG property
I have written before about how Starwood is slowly integrating certain Design Hotels into Starwood Preferred Guest.
This week, the acclaimed Town Hall Hotel & Apartments in Bethnal Green (yes, Bethnal Green) went live. You can see its home page on spg.com here.
The hotel is well regarded. Nuno Mendes, for example, was the chef there before moving over to the much-hyped Chiltern Firehouse.
If you book this hotel, you will receive SPG stay credit and earn Starpoints. In theory, although some Design Hotels may act differently, your elite status will not be recognised. The hotel will become available for SPG redemptions in the near future but you cannot book them yet.
Marriott Rewards announces its annual devaluation
It says something of the approach that Marriott Rewards has to its members that the news of the annual devaluation was met with a ‘could be worse’ attitude over in the US.
To put it in context, over 500 hotels are getting more expensive. Only 200 are getting cheaper.
To be fair, some of the ones going down in price are actually in places you may be visiting. (Compare this to the IHG changes where almost every hotel going down in price was in China, India or Brazil.)
Two UK hotels get cheaper – the Courtyard and the Renaissance at Heathrow. UK hotels increasing in price by one category are:
- Bristol City Centre Marriott
- Cheshunt Marriott
- The Glasshouse (Autograph)
- London Kensington Marriott
- London Regents Park Marriott
- Newcastle MetroCentre Marriott
- Waltham Abbey Marriott
The full list of changes can be seen here.
You can book at the old prices – for stays up to 50 weeks in advance – until 24th March.
On 24th March, Marriott will also be launching ‘cash and points’ – more on that when I have the full details.
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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.
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