25% off Starwood Preferred Guest points means buying airline miles at 1.5p

UPDATE – DECEMBER 2024:  This article is now out of date, but don’t worry.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.

Marriott Bonvoy is offering a 40% or 45% bonus when you buy points by 23rd December.  The annual purchase limit is increased to 150,000 points plus your bonus during this offer. Click here to buy.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th January 2025, the sign-up bonus on ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is increased to 30,000 Membership Rewards points. This converts into 45,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th January 2025, the sign-up bonus on The Platinum Card from American Express is increased to 80,000 Membership Rewards points. This converts into 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points! The spend requirement is changed to £10,000 in six months for this offer. Click here to apply.

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Starwood is (again) offering a 10%-25% discount when you purchase SPG Starpoints before 15th April. The link to buy points is here.

The discount is staggered.  You get 10% off purchases of 5,000 to 9,500 points, 15% off 10,000 to 14,500, 20% off 15,000 to 19,500 and the full 25% off only when you buy 20,000 to 30,000 points.

At the top end, 30,000 points will cost you $787.50. These can be converted in 35,000 airline miles in the majority of programmes. The price per mile works out at 1.6p, which is certainly not a bargain.

The best deal is to buy 20,000 points for $525 as that converts into 25,000 airline miles and a price of 1.5p per mile.

The rules are straightforward – points post within 24 hours, maximum purchase of 20,000 points per year (increased to 30,000 during this deal), your SPG account must be 14 days old to participate.

This deal has, in the past, been more attractive.  However, the strength of the $ against the £ has pushed up the price since this offer last ran.  One of the best uses is to stock up on Lufthansa Miles & More miles as these can no longer be bought directly from Lufthansa.

Immaterial of whether you use the points to buy miles, it can still make sense to buy ALL the points you need for a room.  The Aloft in Liverpool costs £179 on 21th May. Alternatively, you could buy 3,000 SPG points for just £45 (based on buying 20,000 points). The reward night would also be cancellable, whilst the £179 room I quoted is not.

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

Marriott Bonvoy American Express

20,000 points for signing up 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 American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th January 2025, the sign-up bonus on The Platinum Card from American Express is increased to 80,000 Membership Rewards points. This converts into 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points! The spend requirement is changed to £10,000 in six months for this offer. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express

Huge 80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

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

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th January 2025, the sign-up bonus on ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is increased to 30,000 Membership Rewards points. This converts into 45,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Click here to apply.

and for small business owners:

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

(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.)