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The new Marriott Bonvoy / Nectar partnership looks interesting – here’s why

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Last week we flagged an announcement in the Sainsbury’s financial results that mentioned – with no extra detail – that Nectar had signed a deal with Marriott Bonvoy.

Some more information was released today.

It is looking more interesting than I initially imagined although, as ever, the devil will be in the detail.

Nectar and Marriott Bonvoy partnership

This is what we were told today:

  • the partnership will launch in ‘early 2025’
  • you will be able to earn Nectar points when you stay at Marriott Bonvoy hotels
  • you will be able to convert Nectar points into Marriott Bonvoy points
  • you will be able to convert Marriott Bonvoy points into Nectar points
  • there will be a sign-up bonus for members of Nectar who join Marriott Bonvoy

How could this benefit you?

This could be VERY interesting if the conversion rates are attractive:

  • you will no longer need to convert Nectar points to Avios because Marriott Bonvoy points will be an alternative
  • you will be able to convert Marriott Bonvoy points into pseudo-cash by turning them into Nectar points and spending them at Sainsbury’s or Argos
  • it is possible that converting points from Marriott Bonvoy to Nectar to Avios will be more attractive than a direct Marriott to Avios transfer
  • you will be able to convert Nectar points into 40 airlines by going from Nectar to Marriott Bonvoy to an airline partner
  • Avios credit cards will de facto become Marriott Bonvoy credit cards (via an Avios to Nectar to Marriott transfer)
  • Avios credit cards will de facto let you earn points in 40 different airline schemes (via an Avios to Nectar to Marriott to an airline transfer!)

Now, it is very possible that most of the ideas I outline above will be poor value when we see the transfer rates. We don’t know yet.

However, it is definitely something to keep an eye on as we go into 2025.

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How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards

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:

and for small business owners:

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.

Category

British Airways and Avios, Marriott Bonvoy, Sainsbury's and Nectar

Comments (32)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Sandgrounder says:
    12 Nov12 November 12:09

    This is exciting, let’s hope the rates are reasonable.

  • Petros says:
    12 Nov12 November 12:22

    Don’t get excited, people. This way, you won’t be disappointed 😛

  • LittleNick says:
    12 Nov12 November 12:40

    Yh if it’s too attractive I very much doubt BA are going to be too happy about this.

  • BJ says:
    12 Nov12 November 12:54

    Not sure about others but I’ve found Sainsbury’s much less generous in dishing out Nectar points in the last 6 months. I doubt even the biggest shoppers will be earning many Bonvoy points this way.

    • Andrew. says:
      12 Nov12 November 13:16

      They do vary. I’ve got 730 extra points available this week for things I buy regularly.

      But, just been sent a batch of £10 off £60 Tesco Vouchers which will stack with the usual 5% at Airtime. So turning left for less for the next three weeks.

      (Then back to turning right for my comfort zone in Sainsbury’s where the average customer is about 5cm taller than Tesco).

      • Danny says:
        12 Nov12 November 13:30

        Are you saying Tesco customers have 2 fewer inches?

        • Andrew. says:
          12 Nov12 November 13:41

          I don’t do Brexiteer measurements!

          But, depending on the area, there are often distinct differences in the height of the customer cohort.

          Visit Waitrose in Stirling and you’ll find taller people like me, cross over the tracks and visit Farmfoods and most of the customers barely reach my chest height.

          It’s FAScinating. 😉

          • Michael says:
            12 Nov12 November 14:10

            Ha, I’ve noticed the same thing since moving from Edinburgh to Glasgow. At 6ft 2” I stand out in a land of pygmies. The height of the urinals at my golf club look like they were installed solely for the juniors!

          • Tariq says:
            13 Nov13 November 05:38

            Must be something in the water.

          • TooPoorToBeHere says:
            13 Nov13 November 08:37

            It ain’t the WATER that does it.

          • RussellH says:
            13 Nov13 November 10:25

            Stirling has a Waitrose now???
            Things have changed! (I lived in Stirling + Dunblane for most of 1970 to 2000.) Sainsbury’s had only just opened back then.

            As to height, I am 170cm and felt fairly average in height in the Stirling area.
            Then I moved to West Cumbria and there were kids in the English equivalent of S2 towering over me. Must be the Viking DNA there.

          • Bagoly says:
            14 Nov14 November 08:45

            In Texas all the staff in any retail seem to be a head shorter, and I’m only average for the UK (1.82m)

      • BJ says:
        12 Nov12 November 15:18

        I guess you look down on me then…

        My earnings have been stuck at 300-400/week for a while now. The Christmas thing isn’t helping much as a result.

    • TooPoorToBeHere says:
      13 Nov13 November 07:45

      I’m getting big bonus offers every week – 3x or 5x nectar points on a chunky (say £80) shop.

      Would add up well if I were earning Nectar, but just like BA you don’t earn points on redemptions 🙂

  • WillPS says:
    12 Nov12 November 12:57

    Surely you don’t need to convert Nectar at all – it has a value as is and can be redeemed with far less concern for opportunity cost than literally any other reward scheme.

    Of course, it’s not exciting but it’s not like finding decent stuff at the right price at Sainsburys or Argos is tricky.

    • RTS says:
      13 Nov13 November 09:39

      It’s the option and there will also be the possibility of size redemption value on Marriot as their redemption rates are capped.

  • Philondon says:
    12 Nov12 November 13:44

    Nectar just announced an offer of 10x Nectar points with selected TV & sound bar purchases at Argos.

  • CJD says:
    12 Nov12 November 14:05

    I take it the sign up bonus will be for Nectar members who aren’t members of Marriott’s scheme?

  • Lonjams says:
    12 Nov12 November 14:22

    Here’s my BOLD prediction: the rates will in fact not be favourable.

    • PH says:
      12 Nov12 November 23:53

      and, if we’re doing predictions, there will be monthly/yearly transfer limits…

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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