You can now merge your Marriott Rewards and SPG accounts – and what I booked

Whilst the functionality seems to be coming and going, it is now possible to merge your Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest accounts – I’ve done it.

If you log in at marriott.com (I had trouble at marriott.co.uk) you will see an option under the booking box.

A few clicks of the mouse and everything is done.  Your points balance is automatically updated.  Other information, including SPG stay history, is theoretically imported over the next 48 hours.

Once I’d done this I made my first two bookings to take advantage of the revised reward chart:

I rebooked the excellent Marriott Berlin (reviewed here) for the ITB travel show next March, as it dropped from 40,000 points to 35,000 points per night.  Cash rates are €699!  The Ritz-Carlton next door is 50,000 points but I don’t think it is worth the extra, especially if you have lounge access at the Marriott via your status.

I booked three nights at the St Regis New York, photo above, for 60,000 points per night.  Cash rates for my stay are $1,100 per night (plus a $50 resort fee ….) and I’m intrigued to try it out.

As I wrote the other day, I am not rushing off to book the Maldives, Bora Bora etc.  My kids are too young, I think, and it would still be a pricey gamble given that I would need four flights.  I am happier to wait a couple of years, spend more points but know that everyone will enjoy it.

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

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.

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)

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (40,000 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.)