Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

Five UK Marriott hotels, mainly country clubs, are to leave the chain

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Five UK Marriott hotels are leaving the chain in two weeks, despite being included on the new points pricing list from August.

These are:

Five UK Marriott hotels leaving the chain

  • Sunderland Marriott
  • Newcastle Marriott Gosforth Park
  • Hollins Hall Marriott Hotel & Country Club, Shipley
  • Meon Valley Marriott Hotel & Country Club, Southampton
  • Sprowston Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club, Norwich

The last day that these hotels will operate under the Marriott brand is 18th July.

These hotels were recently for sale – I don’t know if a deal was concluded.  You can see the glossy brochure here (PDF) which is an interesting read.   The removal of the Marriott branding is being described as a positive to give the buyer a clean sheet.


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

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.

American Express Marriott Bonvoy credit card

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.

American Express Platinum card Amex

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.)

Comments (379)

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

  • Stuart Evans says:

    I gather from the staff at the Hotel that the Sprowston Marriott in Norwich is being taken over by Brittanis

    • RussellH says:

      Brittanis = Britannia??

      I was not impressed with Sprowstn Manor when I visited a couple of years ago. Seemed very tired in the public rooms (I was not staying the night, but for a post funeral reception) and the food supplied was uninspiring.
      This was a Friday afternoon; I had a second funeral to go to in Oxfordshire on the Monday. Reception this time by the local WI, who performed magnificently.
      They were really chuffed when I told them that their offering was far better than a 4* hotel!!
      🙂

  • Kevin H says:

    For anyone who has to scan a copy of their passport to IIB for account verification (or whatever) the lady I spoke with on the phone was adamant that in the Header line of the email you ONLY put your IB Plus number – and nothing else!

    Am not sure why you can’t something in addition – but I pass it on for what it’s worth.

    • Claire says:

      Mine was entitled ‘Iberia Plus 12345678’ and it went through fine, my husband’s was identical but hasn’t gone through yet.

  • Tracy says:

    Mine arrived today. OH has not got any, same bookings for 2 people. Only difference was his account was a year old with no transactions, mine had some….his flights never showed in his account but mine did, hope I don’t have to fight for these avios…..

  • Alan Platts says:

    just looking at availability of redemption of the 90k on website – has anyone managed to do an open jaw booking online? If so how? (or maybe requires a phone call?) cheers for any help on this one

    • KevMc says:

      If it is with Iberia from Madrid, it might be easier book as two one-ways – in my experience, the return price is usually the same as two one-ways (unlike with BA)

  • Matthew says:

    Only 81k out of 90k landed in my account. Old Iberia account open since 2016 and had points in it already.

    Although the hotel redemption I wanted required all 90k, I ended up paying 81k + £30. Couldn’t be bothered with the hassle of calling up Iberia to query remaining 9k. Hotel redemption at the Aria in Las Vegas booked for 4 nights for £231 in total. Really can’t complain, as cash price was over £700. Thanks Head for Points.

  • Sergio says:

    I am thinking of using my M&M miles for a hotel redemption but it’s been quite some time now that I get this message when trying to do that – any idea what’s happening?

    Dear Miles & More Member,

    Until further notice, Miles & More Hotels and Miles & More Cars are not available due to a technical change. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.
    Should you have any questions about your existing bookings, please contact the Miles & More Service Centre at +49 (0)69 – 209 777 777 in the meantime.

    Your Miles & More Team

  • cookie_monster says:

    Bought 7 one way flights but only got 45k Avios ..Any ideas what happened here ? Can’t get through to their customer service line 🙁

    • the real harry1 says:

      check all your booking confirmation emails – do they all contain your IB number?

  • Anna says:

    Good to hear the avios are landing and interested to know what people are going to do with them. Apart from the faff of opening an account, my OH loves lounges and premium cabins but has no interest whatsoever in the actual “hobby” and would think I was insane if I booked 10 flights which I wasn’t going to take! But maybe in a few years when I’m retired and son is older there will be something similar and I will have myself a nice little solo tour of Europe!

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.