Marriott Bonvoy is the world’s largest hotel loyalty program, and is also the most easily accessible program from a Canadian perspective.
In this video, we’ll summarize all of the opportunities to rack up Marriott Bonvoy points, showing you how to achieve a balance of 1,000,000 Bonvoy points as a household with a well-thought-out strategy among Canadian and US credit cards.
But we’ll also ask the question: where does the value really lie in Marriott Bonvoy points these days, given a spate of recent devaluations and a trend towards even more to come in the post-pandemic era?
In particular, with the Cobalt Card changing soon and the optimality of Bonvoy points transfers being called into question, under what circumstances does it still make sense to build up your Bonvoy balance?
More videos:
– Summer 2021 Amex Welcome Bonuses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui2uM1wN57I
– Summer 2021 Credit Card Strategy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP4D_AibXtE
– Canadian Bonvoy Cards (although the current offers are better): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ12vnEHw40
– US Bonvoy Brilliant Card (although the 125K offer is expired): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSkLJjE3oHo
Here’s the full math:
– Marriott Bonvoy Card (Canada): 105,000 points
– Marriott Bonvoy Business Card (Canada): 105,000 points
– Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card (US): 75,000 points
– Marriott Bonvoy Business Card (US): 75,000 points
– All of the above × 2 players = 720,000 points
– 3 × Referral bonuses (Canada): 45,000 points
– 3 × Referral bonuses (US): 60,000 points
– 5x points on $30,000 spent on food and drinks on the Cobalt Card: 180,000 points
– Total: 1,005,000 points
0:00 Introduction
1:24 Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards – Canada
5:00 Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards – US
8:03 Cobalt Card 5x Points
9:54 The Diminishing Value of Bonvoy Points
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Does the free night at renewal come with all the cards? Even the one without an annual fee?
Lol so my wife and I just need to spend $20,000 on dining in 6 months to get the spend points
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you say respectively way to many time even in times where it is not needed to be said at all.
Yes, and my dad and my mom do this then I will have 2M, and then next will be my neighbors. Damn, why did not I think about this earlier?
This guy using 100% of his brains here.
Can spouses combine points on different accounts?
11:10 You shouldn't do what this whole video is about lol 😂
I appreciate your honesty tho. 👍
eh shitty video, you making too many assumptions, from spending to adding a spouse and not considering if viewers have multiple amex cards.. this is def the perfect scenario. kind of pointless that you're rambling on and on
The problem with this is if I'm following correctly, a couple would need to open 8 credit cards in total? If there is like a $5000 minimum for each card to get the points as well, you are looking at $40,000 in charges needed to receive all points, if not I'm guessing you won't receive them all. Also, there is a time frame I believe. The Chase Bonvoy was much lower at $3000 but I believe it had to be done in 3 months. If you get all these cards close together, it might be hard to charge up 8 cards at the minimum since typically you can't charge mortgage expenses. Also, note, the is a month or so lag before getting points after you reached you spending limits.
So I think for most people, getting 8 credit cards and spending the minimums to get the points might need to be spaced out over a year.
Been a member of marriot bonvoy for a while……but haven’t stayed in hotel cuz of pandemic
One thing to keep in mind is that every time you apply for a credit card, a credit inquiry is noted on your credit report. Each inquiry lowers your credit score between 15 to 25 points. It takes about 12 to 18 months for the effect to reverse.
Aren't Marriot card subs only allowed every 24 months?
I am trying to take advantage of the August 31 deadline of free cancellation. However I found it is impossible to book four biz class tickets back to China. I normally find 1 or at most 2 spot, but it is important for the whole family to travel together. Any tips? Thanks
Important to note that because points effectively sets foreign exchange rates to par, redemption value for Canadians is that much better.
Ut like uh, not ah. Small distinction but it's important for gaining trust with people who know.
Can usa residents get Canada cards for sign up bonus?
Great video always!! I transferred all of my Cobalt MR points to Marriott before they announced the changes. A bit unfortunate, but Aeroplan is also slowly being devalued, so transferring to Aeroplan is not always the best choice. The only things that won't be affected are cash back and fixed travel points (HSBC, MBNA, Scotiabank, etc).
haha I got 3m marriot points, have not used them for a while during covid
Ahh but Sensei, you’ve taught us that we can now transfer the cobalt points to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio. 😉
Great stuff! Would be nice if you did one on Hilton points as well which are becoming increasingly less valuable, more so than Bonvoy points.
Love the Kelowna Delta in the summertime. They have always been so good to me with upgrades to the 2 bedroom condos just after booking. Looked into going there next week but they booked up pretty quick when the restrictions were lifted.
Stayed at the Ritz Carlton San Francisco Club Level 1 bedroom suite for 3 nights for 300k points . Marriott has really devalued the points.
Hey Prince, which one has a better airline xfer ratio. The Marriott bonvoy card or the Colbalt? Marriot is partnered with several big airlines to xfer your points opposed to just using them for hotels.
Next Up: How to Earn a BILLION Marriott Bonvoy Points 😉
Another great thing about redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points is that the 5th night is free. You can’t get that perk when booking stays with cash
So what you are telling us is The AMEX Marriott card is not worth getting. LOL Also the way to push to 1M points is not as easy to do as your described. First you and your partner individually needs to fulfill the spending requirement, unless you have a big family and your grocery and restaurant bills is constantly at high balance. Plus you need to persuade (refer) friends and family to get this card in order to get the referral bonus. It is not an easy task!
can you and your spouse get the bonus bonvoy points to the same bonvoy rewards account?
Sounds like too much efforts and spending to get 10 days at hotels