With the Marriott – Starwood merger well underway, it’s not a surprise that both hotel chains have announced similar promotions for stays in early 2017.
With Marriott’s new MegaBonus promotion, you’ll earn 2X Marriott points on your first 3 stays at Marriott hotels (including Ritz-Carlton). Travel dates are from January 16, 2017, to April 15, 2017.
And Starwood has launched its Double Take promotion, where you’ll earn 2X Starwood points on your first 3 stays, with the same travel dates.
Plus, you can earn additional bonus points with targeted offers. I’ll explain!
Earn 2X Points on Your First 3 Marriott or Starwood Stays With These New Bonus Promotions
I’ll show you how to register for each promotion, and help you decide if it’s worth moving paid stays to Marriott and Starwood.
Earn 2X Points at Marriott and Starwood
You’ll earn 2X base points on your first 3 stays at Marriott and Starwood hotels with their new winter promotions. To get the bonus points, you must register for each promotion by March 15, 2017.
Valid stay dates are from January 16, 2017, to April 15, 2017.
Even if you don’t have paid stays planned, it only takes a minute to sign-up for both promotions. You never know when a last-minute trip will come up!
Earn 2X Starwood Points This Winter for Stays at Hotels Like the Westin Trillium House, Blue Mountain, Canada
1. Marriott Mega Bonus
Link: Marriott MegaBonus Registration
Register for the Marriott MegaBonus promotion to earn 2X Marriott points on the base rate at Marriott hotels, which include:
- AC Hotels by Marriott
- Autograph Collection Hotels
- Bulgari Hotels
- Courtyard by Marriott
- Delta Hotels
- EDITION
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
- Gaylord Hotels
- JW Marriott
- Marriott Executive Apartments
- Marriott Hotels
- Marriott Vacation Club
- Moxy Hotels
- Protea Hotels
- Renaissance Hotels
- Residence Inn by Marriott
- Ritz-Carlton
- Springhill Suites by Marriott
- TownePlace Suites by Marriott
Normally, you’d earn 10 Marriott points per $1 (except Residence Inn by Marriott and TownePlace Suites by Marriott, which earn 5 Marriott points per $1). With this promotion, you’ll earn 20 Marriott points per $1 (10 Marriott points per $1 at Residence Inn by Marriott and TownePlace Suites by Marriott).
Book a Stay at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach & Spa and Earn 20 Marriott Points per $1 With the MegaBonus Promotion
Here are other important terms:
- You’ll earn bonus points on the base rate your first 3 stays at Marriott hotels
- You must book directly through Marriott (not 3rd-party sites like Orbitz)
- Award nights or cash & points nights are NOT eligible
- You must choose to earn Marriott points, not airline miles, in your Marriott Rewards account
Bonus points should post to your account 3 to 5 business days after the completion of a stay.
2. Starwood Double Take
Link: Starwood Double Take Registration
Sign-up for the Starwood Double Take promotion to earn 2X Starwood points at Starwood hotels, which include:
Normally, you’d earn 2 Starwood points per $1 for Starwood stays. With this bonus, you’ll earn 4 Starwood points per $1.
Splurge on a Luxury Stay at the St. Regis, Bali, and Earn 4 Starwood Points per $1 on the Base Rate
Additional terms:
- You’ll earn bonus points on the base rate your first 3 stays at Starwood hotels
- You must book directly through Starwood (not 3rd-party sites like Orbitz)
- Award nights are NOT eligible
You should see the bonus points in your Starwood account within 2 to 4 weeks after your stay posts.
Note: When you register for Starwood’s promotion, you’ll see an additional targeted offer to earn more Starwood points beyond your 3rd stay.
For example, Million Mile Secrets team member Jasmin received an offer to earn 5,000 bonus Starwood points after 10 nights. And an extra 500 bonus points for each additional night after 10 nights, to a maximum of 5,000 Starwood points. For a grand total of 10,000 Starwood points for 20 nights.
Should You Move Paid Stays to Marriott and Starwood?
Maybe. If you prefer collecting Marriott and Starwood points, it could be worth switching paid stays to either chain to earn more points.
Marriott and Starwood points are now more flexible because of the merger and the ability to transfer points between accounts at a 3:1 ratio.
That said, you’ll only earn bonus points for your first 3 stays at each chain. So if you have LOTS of paid stays coming up, you might be better off with current promotions from Hilton, IHG, or Choice hotels, which don’t have a stay limit.
Use the Right Credit Card
Link: Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card
Link: Marriott Rewards Premier Business Card
Link: Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card
Link: Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express
Link: Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express
Folks with Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, and Starwood co-branded credit cards now earn bonus points on spending at all 3 hotel chains.
For example, with the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express and Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express, you’ll earn 2 Starwood points per $1 you spend at Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, and Starwood hotels.
And with the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card, Marriott Rewards Premier Business Card, and Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card, you’ll earn 5 Marriott or Ritz-Carlton points per $1 you spend at Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, and Starwood hotels.
Note: Points earned from these credit cards (or elite status bonuses) will NOT be doubled through the Marriott and Starwood winter promotions.
Bottom Line
You can now register for the new Marriott MegaBonus and Starwood Double Take winter 2017 promotions. You’ll earn 2X base points on your first 3 stays at each chain when you register by March 15, 2017.
The bonus is valid for stays between January 16, 2017, and April 15, 2017. Only paid (not award or cash & points) stays are eligible, and you must book directly through Marriott or Starwood.
It’s quick and easy to register, even if you don’t have paid stays planned. Because you never know when a travel opportunity will arise!
