Is the Marriott Moments auction site getting more useful?

Last year, Marriott Rewards quietly launched Marriott Moments.  This is their version of SPG Moments and Hilton Auctions, allowing you to use your points for ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences.

Whilst I was keen on this initiative, the reality did not initially live up to the promise:

the site was almost entirely US dominated

items were going for exceptionally high points bids, probably because Marriott Rewards is such a massive programme and arguably because (with Starwood not integrated) Marriott had very few high-end hotels where travellers wanted to redeem their points for stays

I was encouraged by a reader to take another look.

The good news is that, whilst there is still virtually nothing happening in the UK, there are signs of life elsewhere in Europe.  Some of the experiences are cheap as well.

The best deals are on the Culinary page.  For example:

The Art of Cooking like a Chef Class at Le Cordon Bleu Paris

• 6.5-hour The Art of Cooking Like a Chef Class at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris (classes subject to availability)
• Gifts to commemorate your experience including apron, tea towel, and cooler bag
• Exclusive gift of a Le Cordon Bleu tea box
• Experience is for two people

You get all of this for 25,000 Marriott points (8,333 Starwood Preferred Guest points) for two people.  Choose from 15th September or 20th October.

or

Delight in a 6-Course Culinary Voyage at 3 Michelin Star Restaurant Aqua at The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg

• Exceptional six-course dinner with Chef de Cuisine Sven Elverfeld at 3-star Michelin restaurant, Aqua within The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg
• Exclusive welcome champagne aperitif with Chef Elverfeld in Aqua’s acclaimed kitchen
• Signed, personalized copy of Sven Elverfeld’s cookbook
• Experience is for two people

This is 95,000 Marriott Rewards points (31,666 Starwood points) for two and you can pick a date to suit yourself, subject to availability.

or, in Berlin:

Discover with a Tea Master during a Robust Interactive Tea Class at The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin

• Two and a half hour tea class by a trained Tea Masters at the prestigious Tea Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin (July 29, 2017 4:00-6:30pm)
• Complimentary gourmet delicacies from the in-house patisseries of The Ritz-Carlton
• Special Gift to commemorate your experience
• Experience is for two people

This is just 10,000 Marriott Rewards points for a couple or, converting from Starwood, just 3,333 SPG points.   The Ritz-Carlton Berlin is a very pleasant place indeed – I’ve stayed – and this could be fun.

There are a couple of other European culinary deals available too.

Now, to be honest, the other categories of rewards – Lifestyle, Sports and Entertainment – have virtually nothing to offer if you’re not planning to be in the US.  It is clear that Marriott Moments is worth a bit more of our attention, however.

PS.  It seems that I also missed out on a good auction.  They had a day at Wimbledon on Centre Court last Thursday with Stan Smith which went for 255,000 Marriott Rewards points.  That is a £3,000 – £4,000 package.

How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (December 2021)

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 usually 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 sign-up bonus and 15 elite night credits 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 Gold and MeliaRewards Gold status.  We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

You can also earn American Express Membership Rewards points with American Express Gold (20,000 bonus points), the American Express Rewards Credit Card (5,000 bonus points) and – for small business owners – American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus points) and Business Platinum (40,000 bonus points).

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

(Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)