6 Ways to Earn Points for Travel During the Holidays

It’s easy, and common, to spend more during the holiday season as people celebrate, travel and show thanksgiving and gratitude for those they love. And there’s nothing wrong with being rewarded for doing so. Why not earn points on everything you purchase during the holidays? Points can expedite your journey to free travel, and no one should be leaving free trips on the table.

There are a lot of things you spend money on with a credit card that can earn more than one point per dollar spent. The best way to benefit from your favorite loyalty program is by earning multiples of points.

Here are several ways that the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Cards from Chase can get you more points than you ever imagined for the normal spending you do every day.

A woman curled up with a book in a Marriott Bonvoy hotel room — Get cozy on vacation. (Photo: Marriott International)

Hotel Stays

If you’re staying at hotels during the holidays, be sure to use the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card so that you can earn up to 17X total points per dollar spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Every dollar you spend means more points to redeem for your future trips. Here’s how the points add up:

With the Boundless card, you’ll earn 6X points.
Because you’ll be a Marriott Bonvoy member, you’ll earn an additional 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy.
On top of that, the Boundless card comes with Automatic Silver Elite status, so that will earn you an additional 1X point.
Altogether, that equals 17X total points.

Woman reading a book and floating in a pool tube at a Marriott Bonvoy hotel — Enjoy the perks Elite status brings. (Photo: Marriott International)

Stay enough nights during the calendar year and you can achieve higher Elite status. The next tier, Gold Elite, delivers 25% more points on every eligible hotel purchase, which increases how many points you can earn each stay.

If you’re looking for a card with no annual fee, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card is a great option that will earn you up to 14X total points per dollar spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.

Gas Stations, Grocery Stores, Dining

Did you know that with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card, you can earn 3X points per dollar spent on combined grocery store, gas station, and dining purchases (up to $6,000 per calendar year)? Here’s how you can earn more points on these common holiday purchases:

A couple in summery clothing walks in front of a colorful striped wall — Turn your daily activities into points. (Photo: Marriott International)

Restaurants

Whether you’re celebrating at a fancy restaurant or ordering take-out for the entire family during the holidays, you’ll earn 3X points per dollar spent on dining purchases with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card (spend cap applies).

The most savvy Marriott Bonvoy members will seek out participating restaurants at Marriott family properties where they can earn bonus points, even if not a guest.

Grocery Stores

Nothing is better than big homemade family meals: Turkey. Ham. Mashed Potatoes. Mac & Cheese. Yams. Cider. Buying food for your holiday meals is now more rewarding when you earn 3X points on grocery store purchases with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card (spend cap applies). It’s not just food that earns the triple bonus, either.

Buying household, school or office supplies (even gift cards you want to give as presents) would all qualify for additional points when purchased at grocery stores. Think about the grocery store purchases you have to make on a weekly basis, and be sure to make as many as you can using the right card for the maximum number of points per dollar spent, up to $6,000 per calendar year.

Gas Stations

If you’re hitting the road during the holidays to visit family, you can earn 3X points on gas station purchases with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card (spend cap applies). Earning points on travel, while you travel, is a great way to earn a free trip sooner. Don’t forget that any snacks you buy at the gas station would be eligible for 3X earnings, too (spend cap applies).

For those who aren’t road tripping or renting a car, you can still earn 2X points on rideshare, taxis, and trains when using the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card.

A man and woman looking at each other while walking through snow in the woods — Make the most of your holiday spending. (Photo: Marriott International)

Flights

Taking a flight home for the holidays? Or are you flying to a tropical getaway? Flights are often the most expensive part of a trip, but with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card, you’ll earn 2X points per dollar spent on airfare.

This is on top of the miles you can earn with an airline’s frequent-flyer program. That’s like double-dipping, earning both airline miles and hotel points for the same purchase. If you’re a United flyer, Marriott and United have a partnership that awards Marriott Bonvoy Elite status to United Elite flyers, and vice versa. All you have to do is sign up and check your eligibility.

Gifts (and Everything Else)

No matter what you buy for your family and friends, there’s a way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points — and faster than you think! Whatever traditions you and your loved ones have, use the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card to get 2x on all these everyday purchases.

If you’re looking to accumulate free nights or points quickly for the upcoming holidays, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card come with large “welcome bonus offers.”

Although the welcome bonus offers change throughout the year, there is always a way to earn points or free nights, which you can redeem for free stays at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Consider it a gift to yourself for a most festive holiday season.