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Bits: get 1000 free Marriott hotel points, Qatar Airways launches food pre-ordering

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News in brief:

Get 1,000 free Marriott Rewards points

Marriott Rewards is giving another push to its promotion which tries to get to you to follow Marriott on social media.

You can earn:

  • 250 points for connecting your Facebook account
  • 250 points for connecting your Instagram account
  • 250 points for connecting your Twitter account
  • 125 points for following Marriott Rewards on Twitter
  • 125 points for following Marriott Rewards on Instagram

I wouldn’t usually recommend giving up your social data for a maximum of £5-worth of points.  Assuming they post instantly however – and apparently they do – you can quickly unlink and unfollow.

You will also be able to earn a tiny number of points by sending tweets a few times per month featuring Marriott hashtags.  This isn’t my sort of thing but I suppose it may kill a bit of time on the train in the morning.

Qatar Airways launched limited pre-flight food ordering

If you have a Business Class ticket booked with Qatar Airways from Doha between Europe (5 hours+ flights), North and South America, Australia, New Zealand,  Bangkok or Guangzhou you can now pre-order your main meal in advance.

The service is available via the My Trips section of the Qatar Airways website or app, from 14 days to 24 hours before departure.  The wording of the Q&A section implies that only ex-Doha departures count, and not your inbound leg into Qatar.

I must admit, I have never pre-ordered an airline meal even though British Airways has been offering the service for a while.  I can only assume that I would rather be surprised.

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

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

You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card

20,000 points 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.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th October 2025, the sign-up bonus on The Platinum Card from American Express is increased to 80,000 Membership Rewards points. This would convert to 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points! The spend target is changed to £10,000 within SIX months of approval. T&C apply. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express

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

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th October 2025, the sign-up bonus on the American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card is doubled to 40,000 Membership Rewards points. This would convert to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points! The spend target is changed to £5,000 within SIX months of approval. T&C apply. Click here to apply.

and for small business owners:

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th October 2025, the sign-up bonus on The American Express Business Gold Card is TRIPLED to 60,000 Membership Rewards points. This would convert to 90,000 Marriott Bonvoy points! The spend target is changed to £6,000 within three months of approval. The card remains free for the first year. T&C apply. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th October 2025, the sign-up bonus on The Platinum Card from American Express is increased to 80,000 Membership Rewards points. This would convert to 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points! The spend target is changed to £10,000 within SIX months of approval. T&C apply. Click here to apply.

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.

Category

ALL Accor, Marriott Bonvoy, Qatar Airways and Privilege Club

Comments (50)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Paul says:
    22 Aug22 August 05:35

    If on BA the biggest surprise will be getting your first choice if you have not prebooked! Have been using AA pre book service and it’s great, works very easily. A few week ago I was on the AA101 to JFK and the crew said that preordering was vital. Very often the popular dishes are gone before they have gotten halfway through the cabin. I also like the fact that AS alternate where they start the service depending on direction of travel.

  • Jonathan says:
    22 Aug22 August 06:29

    Note – you won’t receive any Marriott points if your preference is set to airline miles. Switch back to Marriott rewards before applying for these social media things.

  • Tel Anaw says:
    22 Aug22 August 06:41

    That’s a shame – I fondly remember a few £40 stays at the ibis Euston through the old Blue Monday promotion. I wonder if it will already have been demolished by the time the HS2 scheme implodes…

  • Craig Smith says:
    22 Aug22 August 08:09

    Just to clarify, the Ibis Euston closes on the 22nd October. I have a booking with them on the 4th and have just spoken to the hotel manager. I panicked when I read the 3rd this morning!

  • AndyGWP says:
    22 Aug22 August 08:10

    OT – upcoming first (and possibly only!) trip to the Concorde Room @ LHR. Is there any worth in booking a cabana? I read they were tired and worn, but then that it’s been refurbished… struggling to find any pics and the reviews I found on Flyertalk no longer have the free image hosted pics available. Thoughts welcome.

    • Nate says:
      22 Aug22 August 08:19

      I personally loved the cabana. You get a small room with an ensuite bathroom/shower. You can call and order anything from the menu to your room too. They also allow you to store your belongings there (they lock the room) while browsing the stores at T5.

      I was travelling with my wife and baby, so it was quite nice having our own room and changing facilities.

    • Genghis says:
      22 Aug22 August 08:34

      If you will need to shower they’re good as you have your own space. As a place to relax, not really my thing.

    • Graeme says:
      22 Aug22 August 09:19

      On our first trip there we booked one, purely to give it a go. We had a couple of drinks in there and a lay down, but really it was for the sake of it. You enjoy the lounge more out in the lounge, but it’s all part of the experience so I’d give it a go once.

  • Genghis says:
    22 Aug22 August 09:26

    I tried it once and used the HfP money off code. Trouble is it arrived luke warm. Never again.

    • Lumma says:
      22 Aug22 August 13:14

      McDonald’s often arrives lukewarm when you get it in a restaurant, never mind it being delivered on a moped/in a taxi

      • Genghis says:
        22 Aug22 August 14:20

        Top tip: ask for “no salt on the chips” or “extra sauce on the burger” so they’re made from fresh.

        • Sundar says:
          22 Aug22 August 17:49

          You can keep getting a Big Mac and fries for 1.99 every time by giving feedback and retaining the receipt.

  • Rob says:
    22 Aug22 August 10:34

    I am offered McD’s as my nearest UberEats restaurant! Have not tried it so far … Mrs would kill me ….

    • flyforfun says:
      22 Aug22 August 10:40

      Oh go on! Do it in the name of research!

      • the real harry1 says:
        23 Aug23 August 17:50

        or just go for something better, wd be interesting to read how it works plus value achieved

  • RussellH says:
    22 Aug22 August 11:21

    We pre-ordered our meals on BA LGW-OAK in July. System worked well. Not offered on inward flight, but J was half empty and no problems with availability.

    While HS2 is absolutely necessary, it is a pity about the Ibis. We stayed there just under two years ago, all very new and a nice bar area, with the largest wine glasses (well filled) for our free drinks as Accor silver. That status will sadly disappear for ever next year for me, as it was always points from e-Rewards that mounted up. A couple of Ibis overnights does not get you very far in points terms!

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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