Change is in the air with several major hotel loyalty programs. The latest comes from Marriott, one of the largest hotel chains in the world. After acquiring Starwood several years ago, it recently combined the Marriott Rewards, Ritz-Carlton Rewards and the Starwood Preferred Guest Programs under a single new name, Marriott Bonvoy.

Identity Poi nts: you can also convert your Identity Points at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas into Marriott Rewards points. Traveling Connect: earn up to 10 Marriott Rewards points per minute of call time abroad with Traveling Connect’s participating networks in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, America and Asia. Likewise, 500 Identity Points (worth $5 in comps) only converts to 400 Marriott points, which means you are paying 1.25 cents per Marriott point, a rate higher than fair value. Thus, I would only convert in the case of necessity. Converting points is not the best use, although it is an option. Marriott Bonvoy members can earn up to 50,000 bonus points each year by referring friends and family to the loyalty program or credit cards.

What will this mean for hotel guests and those who hold one of the many credit cards associated with these brands? Here's what you need to know.

Which Hotel Brands Are Included?

While the program's new name has generated mixed feeling among travelers, few can complain about the number of options now under the Bonvoy umbrella. The Marriott Bonvoy rewards program includes all the brands that were part of the Marriott Rewards program, including the upscale JW Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott business hotels and midrange Springhill Suites. It also includes all of the properties that had been part of the Starwood Preferred Guest program, such as the high-end Westin and St. Regis, midrange Sheraton and the budget-friendly Aloft brands. Finally, Marriott took the opportunity to integrate the Ritz-Carlton Rewards program into the new Bonvoy brand as well.

Combining Your Rewards Accounts

You may be one of millions of travelers who have accounts with Marriott Rewards and Starwood, or with Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood (previously you couldn't have had both a Marriott Rewards and a Ritz-Carlton Rewards account at the same time). Before Bonvoy, it was possible to link your Marriott or Ritz-Carlton Rewards account to your Starwood account. This was convenient, as it would allow you transfer points between these programs so you could utilize either one.

With the new Bonvoy program, you'll need to go to Marriott's account merge page to request to combine accounts. Once you combine your accounts, you'll conveniently have a single login, and your elite night stay credits will be combined. Plus, you'll be able to book hotels and redeem points at a tremendous number of hotels—a total of more than 6,700 properties around the world.

How to Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points

If you were already a fan of the Marriott Rewards program and you're unsure how the new Bonvoy program will work, don't worry. Bonvoy is largely just a rebranding of the old Marriott Rewards program, and you'll still earn points the way you did previously. For example, you earn 10 points per dollar spent on eligible hotel charges, with the exception of three brands: At Element, Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites hotels, you'll only earn five points per eligible dollar spent.

And as you'll see below in greater detail, you can also earn points through Marriott's co-branded credit cards, which now carry the Bonvoy brand. Other ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points include hosting meetings and events and participating in the Rewarding Events program. You can also earn points with travel partners such as Hertz and CruisesOnly.

How to Redeem Marriott Bonvoy Points

Just like earning points, you'll be able to redeem your Marriott Bonvoy points much like you did with the Marriott Rewards program. However, Marriott will be introducing Off Peak and Peak awards soon (no time frame has been announced). Currently, Marriott offers eight different hotel categories that allow you to redeem between 7,500 to 85,000 points per night. The new Peak and Off Peak awards will raise or lower the amount of points needed by 15% to 33%, depending on the award category. For example, a Category 4 award has a standard price of 25,000 points, but it will change to 20,000 points Off Peak and 30,000 points during Peak times.

Other options for free night awards include PointSavers, which are highly discounted award categories, and Cash + Points awards, which allow you to combine approximately half the points normally required with a cash co-pay. To make things even more confusing, both the PointSavers and the Cash + Points awards will also have Peak and Off Peak prices. With eight award categories, three types of awards and three different award levels, that adds up to a whopping 72 different possible prices! To get all the details, make sure to check out Bonvoy's award charts.

Another award option that was popular with the Starwood program is transferring your points to frequent flyer miles. The new Marriott Bonvoy program allows you to transfer your rewards to miles with 40 different airline programs at a 3-to-1 ratio. And when you transfer your points to miles, Marriott will add a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred. You also get a 10% mile bonus when transferring points to United MileagePlus miles.

Marriott Bonvoy points can also net you some pretty special non-travel awards. If you're the kind of person who loves attending special events, the Marriott Moments program could be for you. It offers you the chance to redeem your points for tickets and VIP experiences at concerts, sporting events and culinary experiences. Examples include Coachella tickets with backstage access, a private dinner with a celebrity chef or a luxury suite for an NHL hockey game. Finally, you can redeem your points for merchandise or gift cards from dozens of shopping partners.

The New Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards

The biggest shakeup users will see under the new Bonvoy program is with credit cards. If you have a Starwood Preferred Guest^® card from American Express, then you'll receive the new Marriott Bonvoy card. In the meantime, your existing card will continue to work, plus you'll get a free night award each year on your account anniversary. Likewise, if you have Starwood Preferred Guest^® Luxury card from American Express, your account will be transitioned to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card from American Express. Those who have a Ritz-Carlton^® Rewards Card from Chase, will receive a card rebranded as or The Ritz-Carlton card from JPMorgan. And if you have a Chase Marriott Rewards^® Business card, then you'll receive the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus Business card.

New applicants now have the choice of three new credit cards:

• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card from Chase, with a $95 annual fee
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express^® Card, with a $450 annual fee
• Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express^® Card, with a $125 annual fee ($0 for the first year, then $95 annual fee if your application is received before March 28, 2019)

Change Is Good

Whatever you think of the Bonvoy name, it's probably a good thing Marriott has combined these three programs. It also makes sense that they've kept most of the terms the same, and given consumers additional credit card options to earn rewards. Nevertheless, it could take you a little time to combine your accounts and learn more of the details. But by taking a few minutes to work through this new system, you'll be able to make the most of your hotel rewards when you travel.

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The Marriott Rewards portfolio has over 5,700 properties worldwide to stay at whenever you travel. With rewards nights starting at 6,000 points per night, Marriott points can be very useful. So what’s the quickest way to earn Marriott Rewards points?

That answer largely depends on your travel habits and which travel credit cards are in your wallet.

The Most Direct Way: Marriott Rewards Credit Card (EXPIRED)

Owning the Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card is the easiest way to earn Marriott Rewards because you’ll earn at Marriott points on every single purchase. Here’s how much you will earn on each card purchase:

• 5 points per $1 on all Marriott, Starwood, and Ritz-Carlton purchases
• 2 points per $1 on airline tickets purchased directly with the airline, car rental agencies, and dining
• 1 points per $1 on all remaining purchases

For every year you own the Marriott credit card, you will receive one free night certificate good at any Marriott category 1-5 hotel. This free night is worth the equivalent of 25,000 points.

In addition to the free annual night, you will also enjoy automatic Marriott Silver Elite Status that lets you earn 20% more points with each stay. Instead of earning 1,000 points on a $100 stay, you will earn 1,200 points!

Finally, new cardmembers have the opportunity to earn 87,500 Marriott points worth 14 free Marriott nights as a sign-up bonus.

You can also transfer SPG points to Marriott, and in 2018 there will be 4 new credit card offerings that will earn Marriott points.

Earn Bonus Points By Referring Your Friend to Use the Marriott Visa Too!

Periodically, Chase will also let you earn bonus Marriott Rewards points when your friend applies for the Marriott Rewards Premier and is approved.

To begin inviting friends, visit the Chase Refer-a-Friend page and enter your Marriott card information to view the current promotions.

The Most Flexible Option: Chase Ultimate Rewards

When you don’t want a credit card that exclusively earns Marriott Rewards points, consider the Chase Trifecta. With this option, three of the best Chase credit cards earn Marriott points on any purchase when you own a card from each of the following Chase credit card families:

• Sapphire
• Freedom

Each personal and business purchase will let you earn up to 5 Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent. You can transfer your points on a 1:1 basis to Marriott since they are a Chase travel partner. Because Chase points are some of the most flexible travel rewards points in the business, you can also redeem them airline travel when you want to book an award flight in addition to your Marriott award night.

Book Flights through Marriott Rewards

By paying for an airline ticket with the Chase Sapphire Preferred through the Marriott Rewards program, you can earn 2 Avios and 2 Marriott Rewards points for each dollar spent. Or, by using the Marriott Rewards Premier, you will earn a total of 7 points per dollar (2 Avios and 5 Marriott Rewards).

By using the Marriott Premier credit card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can use this same buying strategy to earn up to 7 combined rewards points at over 40 airlines with the Marriott Airline Miles Program.

Some of the participating airlines include American Airlines, British Airways Avios, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.

Who knew your Marriot stays could help you earn free air travel in the process?

Maximize the Marriott-Starwood Merger

In case you missed it, Marriott and Starwood are in the process of merging their two programs into one. Now, your Marriott points can be used for Starwood stays and your Starwood Starpoints can be used for Marriott and Ritz-Carlton nights.

If you have elevated Starwood SPG membership status, Marriott will automatically upgrade your Marriott Rewards status to the similar level, even if you haven’t stayed at a Marriott hotel this year. Starwood will also automatically upgrade your SPG status to reflect your current Marriott status.

Once your Marriott and Starwood accounts are linked, you can transfer your Marriott points on a 3:1 basis to Starwood for your Marriott points to be even more valuable thanks to Starwood’s generous reward night values.

In addition to linking your accounts, using the Amex SPG credit card will help you earn the most number of Starpoints on each purchase.

For every dollar spent, you will earn up to:

• 5 points on Starwood stays
• 2 points on Marriott Rewards stays
• 1 point for all non-Starwood and Marriott stays

On a $100 Starwood stay, you will earn 1,500 Marriott points with the Amex SPG after the 1:3 point transfer. Remember that the same $100 stay at a Marriott property with the Marriott credit card will only net 1,200 Marriott Rewards points. For every $100 spent with the Amex SPG, you can earn 300 more points for each hotel stay.

Even though the Starwood Preferred Guest credit card is primarily a hotel rewards card, it also has a generous 1:1 airline rewards point transfer program too. You can also earn Starpoints on Delta, Emirates, and China Eastern flights that can later be transferred to your Marriott Rewards account.

Invite Your Friends to Join Marriott Rewards

No credit card is needed with the Marriott point hack! The Marriott Refer-A-Friend bonus lets you earn up to 50,000 bonus Marriott Rewards points each year.

Here’s how the program works:

• Refer up to 5 friends every year
• You earn up to 10,000 Marriott Rewards points for their first five stays (2,000 points per stay)
• Your friend also earns 2,000 Marriott Rewards points per stay (10,000 points total)

Your friend must make all five stays within 365 days of enrollment for you both to earn the maximum bonus of 10,000 points. All stays must be a paid stay.

Once you refer your five friends for this year, start thinking of five new friends to invite next year so you can earn another 50,000 bonus points that can help you enjoy 8 free Marriott nights!

Earn Points With the Marriott Travel Partners

Staying at a Marriott hotel isn’t the only way to earn Marriott points. You can earn extra Marriott Points by booking a cruise, a rental car from Hertz, converting your Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Identity Points to Marriott Rewards, and making a phone call with Travelling Connect when you travel abroad and cannot Skype or Facetime.

Although you won’t earn extra Marriott Rewards with this travel partner, you can earn 2 bonus Avios when you book a Marriott stay through the Avios Marriott Rewards link.

Summary

If you’ve only been collecting Marriott points for your regular business and personal travel, Marriott makes it easy to earn bonus points in a variety of ways. While owning the right travel credit card is the quickest way to earn Marriott Rewards points, it’s not the only way.

How To Use Marriott Points

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Plus earn up to $50 in statement credits towards grocery store purchases.
• 2X points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories.
• Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
• Earn 2x total points on up to $1,000 in grocery store purchases per month from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. Includes eligible pick-up and delivery services.

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Editorial Note: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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