REGISTER NOW for Marriott’s new ‘double points and double elite nights’ promotion

UPDATE – APRIL 2024:  This article is now out of date, but don’t worry.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 1,000 bonus points per night and double elite night credits on stays between 13th February and 29th April. Click here to read more and click here to register.

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Marriott Bonvoy has launched its first promotion for 2021.

You can register here.

It is particularly attractive because you will earn double elite night credits on qualifying stays.

As we covered yesterday, Marriott has just posted your ‘bonus’ elite night credits for 2021 based on your earned status in 2020.

As a Platinum Elite member, I received a credit of 25 nights. I have also received 15 nights for having the Marriott Bonvoy American Express credit card. This means that I only need 10 more nights to retain Platinum Elite – and if I do them during this promotion, I will only need five nights.

What is the new Marriott Bonvoy promotion?

This is how it works in a nutshell.

• the promotion runs from 16th February to 27th April

• you must register in advance via this link

• you receive double base points and double elite night credits

• minimum stay to receive the bonus is two nights – you get nothing extra on a one-night stay

• reward nights do NOT count for double elite night credits or double base points on incidental spend

• nights at Homes & Villas by Marriott International, ExecuStay, Marriott Executive Apartments and Marriott Vacation Club do NOT count for double elite night credits or double base points

• registration closes on 13th April

When I originally discussed this promotion with Marriott last month, I was told that reward nights would count as long as the stay contained at least one paid night. A stay of four reward nights and one paid night would therefore earn 10 elite night credits.

The rules published yesterday contradict this but this US article appears to confirm it will work. It only works if you make your reservation in a certain way which only requires one booking – it does NOT work if you book some cash nights and then a separate reward booking afterwards.

What sort of return do I get on my spending?

Double points would mean 20 points per $1 spent, excluding tax.

Converted into £, and adjusting for 5% VAT, this means that a UK stay would earn you around 26 points per £1 paid on your bill.

Based on my valuation of 0.5p per point, this means a minimum return of 13% on your spending.

If you have Marriott Bonvoy status, your return will be higher.

Earn 10 points per £1 spent on the Marriott Bonvoy American Express card

As a reminder, until 31st March you will earn 10 Bonvoy points per £1 spent on the Marriott American Express card at Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

There is a cap of 20,000 bonus points available under this offer.

You would qualify for this offer if you applied for the card today, as well as qualifying for the 15 bonus elite night credits. These tend to post within a few days of your card being opened.

You can apply for the card here.

Conclusion

This is not a hugely generous promotion for earning bonus points, but it IS very generous if you are looking to earn or renew Marriott Bonvoy status.

It will be touch and go whether you will be able to squeeze in a few stays before the promotion ends on 27th April, unfortunately.

That said, I recommend you register now in case you forget – especially as Marriott is being naughty by closing registration early on 13th April.

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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.)