Marriott Bonvoy has recently sent out a targeted promotion for 20% off the purchase of their eGiftCards, allowing cardholders to purchase up to $3,000 (USD) in online gift cards at a notable discount.
The promotion is only running for a short time, so you’ll need to act before December 16, 2023, if you’re hoping to snag this deal.
Marriott 20% Off Gift Cards Targeted Offer
A number of Marriott Bonvoy cardholders received emails this week offering the opportunity to “Unwrap Your Holiday Escape for 20% Less.”
The promotional email offers cardholders the discounted rate on purchases of up to $3,000 (USD) in Marriott eGiftCards through the use of a unique code provided in the email.
The promotion was sent to individuals holding a wide range of Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards in both Canada and in the US, and is set to end at 11:59pm on December 16, 2023.
The Fine Print
Cardholders who received the emailed promotion were provided with a unique code to use when purchasing the discounted eGiftCards. Importantly, this code is non-transferable.
If you happen to hold more than one Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card, you’ll still only receive one code, as they’re unique to the account holder, rather than to the credit card.
The eGiftCards amounts can range from $25–2,000 (USD) in value. This means that if you’d like to take advantage of the full $3,000 (USD) offer, you’ll need to purchase multiple gift cards in a single transaction.
It’s also important to note that eGiftCards cannot be used for deposits, advance purchases, or to secure or confirm a reservation. The eGiftCards can be used to pay your final bill at eligible hotels, and can also be used at participating spas, golf courses, and retail and dining establishments at Marriott properties.
Since the eGiftCards will code as a Marriott purchase, cardholders have the opportunity to earn Marriott Bonvoy points by making the purchase on their Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards.
For example, if you use your Canadian-issued American Express Marriott Bonvoy Card to purchase a $1,000 (USD) eGiftCard, you’ll be charged $800 (USD) with the 20% discount, which is equivalent to about $1,086 (CAD). Since the card offers a 5x multiplier on Marriott spending, this purchase will earn you over 5,000 Bonvoy points.
However, it’s important to note that since the eGiftCards are sold in US dollars, Canadian purchasers may be subject to the FX fees on many credit cards (including the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card and Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card).
You’ll want to weigh the FX fees you incur against the points that you earn – since we value Bonvoy points at 0.8 cents per point (CAD), earning 5x Bonvoy points is equivalent to a 4% return, which outweighs the 2.5% FX fee that you’d incur by using one of the Amex Bonvoy credit cards.
Meanwhile, if you have both US- and Canadian-issued Marriott Bonvoy credit cards, consider using your US credit card to avoid incurring the FX fees and to still earn Marriott Bonvoy points on the purchase.
Finally, keep in mind that since the eGiftCards are held in US dollars, they will also be subject to exchange rates when used at properties that are not located in the US. This makes the eGiftCards most valuable at US properties, where you’ll avoid losing a percentage to conversion costs.
Enhancing Your Stay with Marriott STARS and Luminous
Once you’ve got your eGiftCards purchased and you’re set to make a booking, consider enhancing your stay by booking through Marriott STARS or Marriott Luminous.
If you don’t have Marriott Bonvoy elite status, or even if you do but you’d like to further elevate your experience, both the Marriott STARS and Marriott Luminous programs offer additional benefits during your hotel stay at no extra cost.
The benefits can include statement credits, free breakfasts, and room upgrades (subject to availability), to name a few.
Luxury hotels like the St. Regis Toronto, The Ritz-Carlton Toronto, and The Ritz-Carlton Montreal can be booked via Marriott STARS. Meanwhile, a wider range of properties, including The DOUGLAS Vancouver and the W Montreal, can be booked via Marriott Luminous.
The rates you’ll find through both the Marriott STARS and the Marriott Luminous programs are the same as the best available flexible rate. However, this rate may be higher than prepaid rates, member rates, or corporate rates that you may have access to.
If you have access to these types of rates, make sure to weigh the savings against the value of the STARS and Luminous benefits.
Book a hotel stay with Prince of Travel through Marriott Luminous and enjoy exclusive additional benefits at no cost to you, including:
Conclusion
Marriott Bonvoy is offering cardholders the opportunity to buy eGiftCards for a 20% discount.
Cardholders who received the promotional email and unique purchase code can buy up to $3,000 (USD) in Marriott eGiftCards at a very favourable price.
The promotion is only running until December 16, 2023, so be sure to check your email to see if you’ve received a discount code.
I received the offer. Can I use any card or does it have to be Marriott Bonvoy credit card?
You can use any card, but as mentioned in the article the purchase will code as a Marriott purchase. You may want to use a Marriott credit card or a card that earns a multiplier on travel. Also keep in mind the transaction is charged in USD, so FX fees will depend on the card you use.