Marriott fined £18.4 million for UK hotel data breach

Marriott’s fine for the 2014 data breach at Starwood Hotels & Resorts, which Marriott later acquired, was fixed at £18.4 million yesterday by the Information Commissioners Office.

Like the British Airways data breach fine which was fixed at £20 million two weeks ago, this is substantially lower than the £99 million fine that the ICO first threatened.

Whilst the breach began in 2014, two years before Marriott purchased the company, the ICO noted that Marriott failed to spot it until 2018.

339 million data records globally were stolen, containing some or all of:

• names
• email addresses
• phone numbers
• passport numbers
• arrival and departure information
• loyalty programme number

Marriott isn’t off the hook yet. Similar penalties are likely to be imposed in other jurisdictions around the world.

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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.)