The Ultimate Guide To The Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Program For Canadians
By Katherine Parent | Published on 25 Jul 2023
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Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway, planning a business trip or want to discover a new country, nights in a hotel are often synonymous with relaxation – but also with spending money! Fortunately, you can become a member of a rewards program at virtually all hotels. This is the case with Marriott Bonvoy.
With more than 8,000 hotels worldwide, the Marriot Bonvoy brand can be found in almost every beautiful destination imaginable. The Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Program allows you to enjoy a wide range of benefits that go far beyond points for free nights.
Summary of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program
| How to register for the Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Program | Fast and free of charge via the program website |
| How to collect Marriott Bonvoy points | Use of one of the Program’s credit cards or an American Express Rewards card Book a stay at Marriott Bonvoy hotels Book a cruiseRent a car Events (Marriott Bonvoy Moment) Event organization Buying points |
| How to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points | Book a stay at an eligible establishment Transferring points to Air Miles Events |
| Best credit cards for earning Marriott Bonvoy points | Marriott Bonvoy American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express American Express Cobalt card |
| Member status | Member (0 to 9 nights per year) Silver Elite (10 to 24 nights per year) Gold Elite (25 to 49 nights per year) Platinum Elite (50 to 74 nights per year) Titanium Elite (75 to 99 nights per year) Ambassador Elite (over 100 nights) |
| Benefits of the Program | Fast, free membership Free Wi-Fi during your stay Best prices guaranteed Mobile check-in |
What is the Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Program?
As with any rewards Program, the company’s aim is to build customer loyalty. Marriott Bonvoy is no exception! The group of hotels offers points to program members to encourage them to book stays at one of their many establishments.
It’s not just hotel stays that earn you points, you can exchange your points for various rewards.
The number of points you can earn varies based on membership status, whether or not you use a credit card, the type of purchase, and more. The most important thing to remember is that the more you travel and the more loyal you are to Marriott Bonvoy establishments, the more you are rewarded! Don’t worry, you’ll be a real expert on the subject by the time you’ve finished reading.
How do I register for the Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Program?
Registering for the Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Program is very quick! Not only is it free, it only takes a minute to register. All you have to do is go to the registration page and provide a few personal details such as your name, place of residence and e-mail address.
Once you’ve registered, you can start enjoying the benefits of membership!
How do I collect Marriott Bonvoy points?
There are many ways to collect points! The most popular and effective way is to use the Marriott Bonvoy American Express credit card or the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express credit card. This way, you earn points directly with daily purchases. You can also opt for any other American Express Rewards credit card. This way, you earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly.
In fact, you earn American Express Membership Rewards points, which you can then convert into Marriott Bonvoy points. Five Amex Membership Rewards points earn you six Marriott points.
By booking hotel stays
Of course, you can also earn points by booking a stay at participating hotels. You don’t need to have a special rewards credit card, you just need to be a Mariott Bonvoy rewards member. Not only do you earn points on your stay, but also on all your spending at the hotel (such as restaurants, activities, etc.).
For every US dollar spent, you earn 10 points! Certain membership statuses allow you to collect points more quickly. We’ll come back to this later. There are several brands that are part of the Mariott Bonvoy Rewards Program.
By booking cruises or car rentals
This little-known Program also offers a cruise booking portal. Prices are very competitive and you earn three points for every dollar spent. The maximum number of points that can be accumulated on a booking is 30,000.
There is also a booking platform for car rentals. The company has teamed up with Hertz to give members extra benefits. You can earn up to 2,000 points per rental.
By booking activities
And that’s not all: there’s also an activity booking portal. Here, you’ll find packages for guided tours and culinary visits, entry tickets for certain attractions and theme parks, and tickets for shows and sporting events. On this portal, every US dollar spent earns you 10 Mariott Bonvoy points.
If you’re used to organizing large events, you’ll be pleased to know that you can earn points for that too. You earn two points for every dollar spent on events booked at Marriott Bonvoy properties. The maximum number of points per event is 60,000, or 105,000 if you are a Titanium Elite member.
If you are short on points for a reward you want, such as a free night’s stay, you can buy points and add them to your account. You can purchase up to 50,000 points per year, in increments of 1,000 points. The cost per 1,000 points is $12.50.
Considering the value of points based on point exchanges, we estimate that one Marriott Bonvoy point is worth around 0.8 cents.
How can you maximize your rewards?
To benefit from Marriot Bonvoy rewards more quickly, we strongly advise you to keep an eye out for promotions! There are certain times when you can earn more points, such as double the points on your next stay. To make sure you don’t miss out on anything, opt-in to receive promotional emails when you complete your registration. You can change your preferences directly in your account at any time.
You can also accumulate points much more quickly by signing up for the Marriott Bonvoy American Express credit card or the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express credit card. You can give an additional card to members of your household to pool family expenses or even set up automatic recurring bill payments to the account. That way, you’ll earn points quickly. Plus, when you sign up for one of these cards, you automatically become a Silver Elite member and are entitled to one free night’s accommodation per year.
The different types of membership
There are six different membership levels: Basic, Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite. To reach a higher level, you need to book stays at Marriott Bonvoy establishments. As soon as you register, you will be given Basic Member status, which already gives you access to a number of privileges.
When you reach a higher level, your status remains valid until February two years later. For example, if you reach Gold Elite status in September 2022, it will be valid until February 2024, even if you do not continue to meet the status criteria. Here are the different statuses, the number of nights required to reach each level and the respective benefits.
Basic membership: upon registration, 0 to 9 nights per year
- Free Wi-Fi during your stay
- Best rate guaranteed for members
- Mobile recording
Silver Elite: 10 to 24 nights per year or with the Marriott Bonvoy American Express credit card or the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express credit card)
- All the advantages of the previous status
- Absolute reservation guarantee
- 10% Bonus points
- Priority late checkout
- Welcome gift at the hotel
Gold Elite: 25 to 49 nights per year
- All the advantages of the previous status
- 25% Bonus points
- Late checkout at 2pm
- Special Elite booking line
- Room upgrade subject to availability
Platinum Elite: 50 to 74 nights per year
- All the advantages of the previous status
- 50% Bonus points
- Late checkout at 4pm
- Access to the lounge
- Room type guaranteed
- Choice of annual benefits, such as free suite upgrades or gift
Titanium Elite: 75 to 99 nights per year
- All the advantages of the previous status
- 75% Bonus points
- Exclusive Titanium Elite service
- Many other advantages
Ambassador Elite: more than 100 nights per year
- All the advantages of the previous status
- 75% Bonus points
- Exclusive Ambassador Elite service
- Other exclusive benefits
How do I redeem Marriott Bonvoy points?
Since there are many ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points, you’ll be happy to know that there are also many ways to redeem them for rewards.
For nights in a hotel
The most popular is to exchange your points for free hotel nights. You need between 5,000 and 100,000 points to get a free night. The number of points required depends on the season, the hotel, the type of room selected, the occupancy rate, and much more.
For example, you need a minimum of 58,000 points to book a night at the Westin Mont-Tremblant in September. If you are short on points, you can buy them, pay the balance or even request a points advance! For this last option, you must accumulate the missing points at least 14 days before your departure. Otherwise, your booking will be cancelled.
For tickets to events
You can also use your points to treat yourself to unforgettable moments with Marriott Bonvoy. On the rewards platform, you have access to tickets for sporting events, concerts, festivals and more! Once again, if you run out of points for an activity you want to do, you can buy points or pay the balance.
Exchange them for travel miles
Finally, you can decide to exchange your Marriott Bonvoy points for miles from airline programs. In fact, there are several partner airline loyalty programs. For most programs, the exchange value is three Marriott Bonvoy points for one mile.
For every 60,000 points you transfer, you earn 5,000 bonus miles. So if you transfer 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you’ll earn 40,000 miles plus 10,000 bonus miles. That gives you a total of 50,000 miles.
| Points Marriott Bonvoy | Frequent Flyer Program | |
| Value | 3 points | 1,000 miles |
| 60,000 points | 25,000 miles (20,000 miles plus 5,000 bonus miles) |
Other benefits of the program
As you’ve probably already realized, the benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Program are numerous. First, you benefit from the lowest rates guaranteed. In fact, you’re promised that if you find a lower rate elsewhere, you’re entitled to that rate with an additional 25% discount or 5,000 Marriott Bonvoy points added directly to your account.
Plus, you get free Wi-Fi access during your stay!
You will also receive personalized offers so that you can take advantage of exclusive promotions.
Then, when you use your points to book a five-night stay, you only pay for the first four nights. That’s right, one night is free!
Finally, members can transfer up to 100,000 points between each other per year. So if several family members or friends travel together, you can enjoy your benefits together and accumulate points more quickly.
Expiry of your Marriott Bonvoy reward points
Your points may expire if your account is inactive for 24 consecutive months. To keep your account in good standing, you can earn points, use points, or transfer points. In other words, all you have to do is make a transaction.
The best credit cards for earning Marriott Bonvoy points
Although you earn Marriott Bonvoy points as soon as you join the program free of charge, a Marriott Bonvoy American Express credit card will help your points balance soar faster! In fact, when you hold one of these two cards, you automatically get Silver Elite status and are entitled to one free night per year.
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express and Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express credit cards allow you to earn points directly on daily purchases made with the card. However, you can also decide to sign up for another American Express Rewards credit card. In this way, you will earn Marriott Bonvoy points, but indirectly. In other words, you will earn American Express Membership Rewards points, which can then be converted to Marriott Bonvoy points. You can also convert Mariott Bonvoy points to American Express Membership points.
When you collect points with your credit card, allow up to 72 hours after your monthly statement is issued for your points to be transferred to your account.
To make sure you choose wisely and sign up for the right credit card that really fits your needs, we invite you to use our credit card comparison tool. It’s a completely free, customizable tool that helps you find the best card for your goals and spending habits.
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express credit card
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express credit card is the most popular card in the rewards program! It allows you to earn Marriott Bonvoy points directly on your purchases.
When you get the card, you automatically become a Silver Elite member of the Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Program. This means that you are entitled to free Wi-Fi during your stay at Marriott Bonvoy establishments, the best price guarantee on the booking platform, access to mobile check-in, the absolute reservation guarantee, a 10% points bonus when you book a stay, the possibility of late check-out, and a welcome gift when you arrive at the hotel.
The card costs $120 per year and interest rates are 20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances. If you wish to give an additional card to someone in your household, there is no charge. There is no minimum income required to qualify. However, you must be a Canadian resident, have a credit rating that meets American Express requirements and have reached the age of majority in your province or territory of residence.
50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points as a welcome gift
Currently, there is a welcome offer whereby you earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy rewards points by making a minimum of $1,500 in purchases on your card in the first three months of your membership. During the same period, you’ll earn five points for every dollar spent in restaurants, bars and bistros in Canada.
If you find out about this offer too late or if you have completed the three-month period, points will continue to be accumulated at a more regular rate. You’ll earn five points per dollar spent at participating hotels. For all other purchases charged to your card, you’ll earn two points per dollar spent.
When you sign up for this credit card, you get one free night every year! In addition, you’ll receive 15 Elite nights per year. These nights can be used to access the next level of Elite status.
Finally, in addition to the benefits already mentioned, your card offers travel insurance. You also have access to additional protection on your purchases.
The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express credit card
The American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business Credit Card is very similar to the previous card, but is reserved for businesses. By joining, you enjoy the same benefits!
One of the differences is the cost of the card. It costs $150 per year and additional cards cost $50 each.
The way points are accumulated is a little different. First, for the welcome offer, you earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy Rewards points by making a minimum of $1,500 in purchases on your card in the first three months after joining. You can also earn five points for every dollar you spend at restaurants, bars and bistros in Canada.
Second, once the offer is over, you earn five points for every dollar you spend at participating establishments. You earn three points per dollar spent on gas, meals and travel. Finally, for all other purchases made with the card, you earn two points per dollar spent.
Finally, since the credit card is reserved for people with businesses, American Express also offers protection for your business. This covers fraudulent use of the card by an employee. You are covered for up to $100,000.
The American Express Cobalt credit card
The last option is a card that allows you to earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly. Instead, it allows you to accumulate American Express Membership Rewards points, which you can then convert to Marriott Bonvoy points. By redeeming five Membership Rewards points, you earn six Marriott Bonvoy points. This is the American Express Cobalt credit card.
It costs $12.99 a month, or $155.88 a year. Additional cards on the same account are free. The interest rate on purchases is 20.99%. For cash advances, the interest rate is 21.99%. No minimum income is required to qualify. You must be a Canadian resident, have a credit file that meets American Express requirements and have reached the age of majority in your province or territory of residence.
Up to 30,000 Membership Rewards points in the first year
There’s currently a very special welcome offer! During your first year of membership, you’ll earn more points. You can earn 2,500 Membership Rewards points (3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) for each monthly billing period in which you have made a minimum of $500 in purchases on your card. In total, you can earn up to 30,000 Membership Rewards points (36,000 Marriott Bonvoy points).
With the standard earn rate, here’s how quickly you accumulate Membership Rewards points:
- Five points per dollar spent in restaurants, bars and bistros;
- Three points per dollar spent on streaming services;
- Two points for every dollar spent on travel and transport;
- One point per dollar spent on all other expenses charged to your account.
What’s more, you’ll enjoy a range of benefits including insurance for your mobile device, travel insurance and insurance on your purchases.
FAQs about Marriott Bonvoy rewards
Yes, you can register very quickly via the program’s website.
Yes, if your account has been inactive for 24 consecutive months.
Between 5,000 points and 100,000 points. It depends on the room, the season, the location of your hotel, the occupancy rate, etc. To find out how many points you need, go to the reservation platform. If you are short of points, you can request a points advance or pay the balance.
