Starwood launches a new autumn hotel promotion – how does it compare?

UPDATE – APRIL 2025:  This article is now out of date, but don’t worry.  We produce a monthly summary of the top hotel bonus point offers – please click HERE or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ menu above.

Marriott Bonvoy is offering double elite night credits and 1,000 bonus points per night on all stays between 11th February and 28th April 2025. Click here for our HfP article and click here to register.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

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The stand-out hotel promotion for Autumn for many people is going to be the IHG (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza etc) ‘Accelerate’ deal which I covered here.

‘Accelerate’ is based on personalised targets, however, and if yours was totally unsuitable for your travel plans then you will need an alternative.

Hilton HHonors (see here) and Marriott Rewards (see here) have come out with variants on ‘double points’.  Carlson and Hyatt have not launched anything.  Accor has a short-term promotion which is VERY generous but is only for bookings made by 20th September – see here.

That leaves Starwood Preferred Guest, the Westin / Sheraton / Le Meridien / Aloft etc chain.

Whilst you cannot register yet, Starwood has revealed the details of its Autumn offering.

Called ‘Stay For More‘, it will run from October 1st to December 20th.  Registration will not open until September 20th, at which point I will run a reminder.

It is not hugely exciting.  You will earn:

double Starpoints on stays of 2+ nights

an additional 500 points on stays of 4+ nights

There is little to differentiate this from the Hilton and Marriott promotions.  You should obviously sign up if there is a chance you may have some Starwood stays during this period but it is unlikely to persuade anyone to move over an existing booking.

‘Accelerate’ still looks like the one to beat – in my case, 4 IHG nights (as long as they are at the right brands on the right days of the week) would get me £440 of IHG Rewards Club points.  Double SPG points isn’t going to top that.

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How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (April 2025)

There are various ways of earning Marriott Bonvoy points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

The official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card comes with 20,000 points for signing up, 2 points for every £1 you spend and 15 elite night credits per year.

You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express

20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by converting American Express Membership Rewards points at the rate of 2:3.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Marriott Bonvoy Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

• American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (50,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Marriott Bonvoy points is 2:3.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Marriott Bonvoy points.