Reply To: How to start collecting points for a Maldives and LA trip?

[NorthernLass]

Holding the BA card will bar you from getting a sign up bonus on the Marriott/Bonvoy one. You don’t get points when you book through a 3rd party, but I would have thought that Marriott had some kind of price match scheme? I find them an expensive chain in general and the points quite difficult to earn. I find Hilton has a wider choice of properties and suits me better. You don’t say what your budget is pn night for hotels so it’s a bit difficult to give advice (though obviously Maldives is going to be a lot more expensive than the US). Also, remember Marriott is about to have what is likely to be a significant devaluation, so you can’t rely on your points being worth what you hoped in the future. It’s worth considering hotels.com for the free night after you’ve stayed 10 – I booked a really nice resort in Mallorca last summer at a lower price than going direct and it got me a free night!