Guide to Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points for Disney World
Guide to Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points: Maximize Your Rewards
Are you looking to stay at a Marriott property during your Disney World Vacation? Marriott Bonvoy points can be redeemed for free hotel nights, room upgrades, travel experiences, and more at nearby Disney hotels.
There are several different ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy Points, with welcome bonuses being the best value. In this post, we’ll break down the best ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points quickly and efficiently so you can make the most of your travels.
Sign Up for the Marriott Bonvoy Program
If you haven’t already, the first step to earning Marriott Bonvoy points is to sign up for the program. It’s free, and once you join, you’ll start earning points on every stay at Marriott properties and affiliated brands. Plus, you’ll get access to exclusive member rates, which can save you money right away.
Full Kitchen at Marriott Imperial Palms Villas
Which Marriott Credit Card To Sign Up for?
One of the easiest ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points outside of hotel stays is through a co-branded Marriott credit card. Cobranded credit cards are a great way to earn points with any major hotel chain. Here are some of the most popular Marriott Bonvoy credit cards:
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express Card: This card currently has an annual fee of $650, however, the additional benefits received on this card besides Marriott points add up to $729, not even including the free night award of up to 85,000 points. If you would benefit from the perks below, consider this this premium card. The Brilliant offers:
a generous welcome bonus (currently 185,000 points as a welcome offer)
6X points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels
Platinum Elite Status
3X points on restaurants and flights booked directly with airlines
$300 dining credit ($25 per month)
1 free night award worth 85,000 points
$100 property credit at The Ritz or St. Regis (2 night minimum)
25 Elite night credits
Earned choice award after spending $60,000 on the card in a calendar year.
Priority Pass Select (airport lounge access) (currently $329 for a membership)
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express Card: This card currently has an annual fee of $250. The Bevy offers:
a generous welcome bonus (currently 155,000 points as a welcome offer)
6X points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels
Gold Elite Status
4X points on restaurants and supermarkets (on up to a $15,000 combined purchase in a calendar year)
Earn 1 free night award after spending $15,000 in purchases in a calendar year (free night certificates worth up to 50,000 points)
15 Elite night credits
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card (Chase): This card currently has an annual fee of $250. The Bevy offers:
a generous welcome bonus (currently 125,000 points as a welcome offer)
6X points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels
3X points on restaurants, gas stations, and supermarkets (on up to a $6,000 combined purchase in a calendar year)
Annual free night award (free night certificates worth up to 35,000 points)
15 Elite night credits
With all 3 cards, you’ll earn points on every purchase, making them a powerful tool for everyday spending.
Guests at Marriott Swan, Swant Reserve, and Dolphin Hotels get the perks of staying on Disney property
Credit Cards Partnered With Marriott Bonvoy?
Many of Chase and American Express's travel reward credit cards earn travel reward points. Both Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards can be transferred to Marriott Bonvoy Points. If signing up for one of these cards, make sure the card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards to be able to transfer to Marriott.
What Are Marriott Elite Night Credits?
Marriott Elite Night Credits are credits that count towards earning Marriott Bonvoy elite status. Elite night credits can be earned for each eligible night stayed at a Marriott hotel and on Marriott Co-branded cards. The more Elite Night credits the higher elite status tier you can qualify for. Below are the levels of elite status and the nights needed for each:
Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite: 10 to 24 Qualifying Nights annually
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite: 25 to 49 Qualifying Nights annually
Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite: 50 to 74 Qualifying Nights annually
Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite: 75+ Qualifying Nights annually
Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite: 100+ Qualifying Nights annually and at least $23,000 in Annual Qualified Spend
How to Earn Marriott Points with Travel Partners
Beyond hotel stays, Marriott has partnerships with car rental companies. For example, renting a car through Hertz can earn you bonus points.
Through Marriott’s Eat Around Town dining program, you can earn bonus points when you dine at participating restaurants. Simply link your Marriott Bonvoy account to your credit card, and you’ll earn points every time you pay for a meal at a partnered restaurant.
Should You Buy Marriott Points?(When There’s a Promotion)
Though generally not advisable, buying points can make sense during special promotions when Marriott offers a bonus on points purchases. This strategy can help you top off your account if you’re just shy of the points needed for a free night or upgrade.
What is Marriot’s Annual Choice Award?
Marriott Bonvoy Members who earn 50 Elite Night Credits in one calendar year can choose one Annual Choice Benefit which includes
1. Select Nightly Upgrade Awards (five) to redeem for upgrades to select Premium Rooms or Standard Suites on your next adventure
2. Add Elite Night Credits (five) to get you closer to higher Elite Status and enhanced benefits in 2024
Marriott Bonvoy® Members who earn 75 Elite Night Credits in one calendar year can choose a second Annual Choice Benefit. Members can choose from all of the options above in addition to earning another free night award with a redemption value of up to 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Make the Most of Your Marriott Bonvoy Points?
There are several ways to get the most value from your Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit card. For example, if you sign up for all 3 cards above, you will have 2 automatic free night certificates and the ability to earn another one, in addition to the Marriott points you earn toward free stays. If you have a travel partner or a person 2, you can each sign up for the Marriott co-branded cards. You and your partner can pool the number of points you have and free night certificates.
Marriott offers the 5th night free when booking a stay using Marriott Bonvoy points (must be consecutive nights). This means to make the most of the free nights, award stays should be booked in multiples of 5. Free night awards are a great way to add onto stays longer than 5 nights or shorter than 4 nights.
By combining these strategies—using a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, staying during promotions, referring friends, and taking advantage of partnerships—you can quickly rack up points and get closer to your next free stay or elite status. Whether you’re a frequent traveler or just planning an annual vacation, earning Marriott Bonvoy points can significantly enhance your travel experience. Keep an eye out for promotions, always book directly with Marriott, and use your points wisely for maximum value! Marriott Bonvoy points in combination with other travel rewards points are your way to a low cost Disney Vacation.
