Marriott rewards: the ultimate guide to its existence
What To Know
- Upon the merger, all Marriott Rewards points were automatically converted to Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1.
- Members who had elite status in Marriott Rewards were also given equivalent elite status in Marriott Bonvoy.
- You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points by staying at participating hotels, dining at participating restaurants, shopping at select retailers, and using co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit cards.
Marriott Rewards, the iconic loyalty program that has rewarded countless travelers for decades, has undergone a significant evolution. The question on many minds is: does Marriott Rewards still exist? The answer is both yes and no.
The Evolution of Marriott Rewards
In 2018, Marriott Rewards merged with Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) to create Marriott Bonvoy. This merger brought together two of the world’s most renowned loyalty programs, offering members access to an expanded portfolio of hotels, exclusive benefits, and personalized experiences.
What Happened to Marriott Rewards Points?
Upon the merger, all Marriott Rewards points were automatically converted to Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1:1 ratio. Members who had elite status in Marriott Rewards were also given equivalent elite status in Marriott Bonvoy.
Benefits of Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy offers members a wide range of benefits, including:
- Earn points: Members earn points for every dollar spent on eligible hotel stays, dining, and other purchases.
- Redeem points: Points can be redeemed for free nights, flights, experiences, and more.
- Elite status: Members can earn elite status based on their annual spending or number of nights stayed, which unlocks exclusive perks and benefits.
- Personalized experiences: Marriott Bonvoy uses data to tailor personalized offers, recommendations, and experiences to each member.
How to Join Marriott Bonvoy
Joining Marriott Bonvoy is free and easy. You can sign up online, through the Marriott Bonvoy app, or at any participating hotel.
Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points
There are several ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points:
- Hotel stays: You earn points for every dollar spent on eligible hotel stays.
- Dining: You earn points when you dine at participating restaurants and bars.
- Shopping: You can earn points by shopping at select retailers and online stores.
- Credit cards: You can earn points by using co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit cards.
Redeeming Marriott Bonvoy Points
Marriott Bonvoy points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including:
- Free nights: You can redeem points for free nights at participating hotels.
- Flights: You can redeem points for flights on select airlines.
- Experiences: You can redeem points for unique experiences, such as cooking classes, wine tastings, and spa treatments.
- Gift cards: You can redeem points for gift cards to popular retailers and restaurants.
Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status
Marriott Bonvoy offers four tiers of elite status:
- Silver: Requires 10 nights or 25,000 points earned in a calendar year.
- Gold: Requires 50 nights or 75,000 points earned in a calendar year.
- Platinum: Requires 75 nights or 100,000 points earned in a calendar year.
- Titanium: Requires 100 nights or 150,000 points earned in a calendar year.
Elite status unlocks a range of benefits, including:
- Priority check-in: Elite members receive priority check-in at participating hotels.
- Room upgrades: Elite members are eligible for complimentary room upgrades, subject to availability.
- Bonus points: Elite members earn bonus points on eligible hotel stays.
- Free breakfast: Platinum and Titanium Elite members receive complimentary breakfast at participating hotels.
The Future of Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of travelers. The program recently introduced dynamic award pricing, which allows members to redeem points for free nights based on real-time availability and demand. Marriott Bonvoy is also expanding its portfolio of experiences and partnerships to offer members even more ways to earn and redeem points.
Marriott Rewards: A Legacy of Loyalty
While the Marriott Rewards name may no longer exist, the legacy of loyalty and rewards that it represents lives on through Marriott Bonvoy. The program continues to offer members a world of opportunities to earn, redeem, and experience the best in travel.
Questions We Hear a Lot
Q: Are Marriott Rewards points still valid?
A: Yes, all Marriott Rewards points have been automatically converted to Marriott Bonvoy points.
Q: How do I earn Marriott Bonvoy points?
A: You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points by staying at participating hotels, dining at participating restaurants, shopping at select retailers, and using co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit cards.
Q: How do I redeem Marriott Bonvoy points?
A: You can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for free nights, flights, experiences, gift cards, and more.
Q: What are the benefits of Marriott Bonvoy elite status?
A: Marriott Bonvoy elite status unlocks a range of benefits, including priority check-in, room upgrades, bonus points, and complimentary breakfast.
Q: How do I qualify for Marriott Bonvoy elite status?
A: You can qualify for Marriott Bonvoy elite status by staying a certain number of nights or earning a certain number of points in a calendar year.