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Marriott 10,000 point stay bonus
- Get 1,000 bonus points per stay at Element, Residence Inn, Marriott Executive Apartments, Protea Hotels (*valid on standard rooms)
- Get 2,000 bonus points per stay at AC Hotels, Aloft Hotels, Courtyard Hotels, Four Points, Moxy Hotels (*valid on standard rooms)
- et 5,000 bonus points per stay at Autograph Collection Hotels, Delta Hotels, Le MERIDIEN, Marriott Hotels, Renaissance Hotels, Sheraton, Tribute Portfolio, Westin
- Get 10,000 bonus points per stay at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, The Luxury Collection, EDITION, W Hotels, JW Marriott
You can stay until 1 September and need to book by 22 August 2024. You need to use promotional code MR5.
New IHG 15% off sale
It seems to be summer sale season, and today, IHG has launched their new European Book Early and Save Summer Sale. The sale runs until 12 September 2024 and is one of the longest IHG sales I have seen. You can stay from 1 July until June 2025, so there is plenty of time to use the promotion as well. However, the rate is fully pre-paid and non-refundable at participating hotels, with the exception of Iberostar Beachfront Hotels, which have more flexible conditions.
You can find the offer page here.
If you heading to IHG Hotels & Resorts across the Middle East, Africa, India, & South Asia, there’s up to 24% off for IHG Rewards members on stays until 6 October 2024.
There is also an offer for 15% off when you pay with Mastercard on room stays in South East Asia, Korea, Japan, Micronesia, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific Islands and 20% discount on dining at participating properties in South East Asia. Book and stay by 31 December 2024.
Virgin up to 70% buy bonus
Virgin Red and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club are now offering a bonus of up to 70% to members buying or gifting Virgin Points until 7 July 2024. After this, there is a bonus of up to 60% until 4 August 2024. A bonus isn’t available for purchases of 5,000 points or fewer.
Here are the levels of bonuses available for purchases:
28 June – 7 July 2024:
- 5,000 – 24,000 points: 20% Bonus
- 25,000 – 69,000 points: 40% Bonus
- 70,000 – 124,000 points: 60% Bonus
- 125,000 – 200,000 points: 70% Bonus
8 July – 4 August 2024:
- 5,000 – 24,000 points: 20% Bonus
- 25,000 – 69,000 points: 30% Bonus
- 70,000 – 124,000 points: 50% Bonus
- 125,000 – 200,000 points: 60% Bonus
The points purchase cap has been raised during this offer period from 100,000 points to 200,000 points. If purchasing 200,000 points, with the 70% bonus you’d receive 340,000 Virgin Points. 340,000 Virgin Points could get you cruises with Virgin Voyages, stays at Virgin Limited Edition’s luxury properties or two Upper Class return flights to the Bahamas! Members can buy Virgin Points at a price of £15 per 1,000 points, plus a £15 flat transaction fee.
One thing you have to bear in mind is that if you are buying points for flights, Virgin’s own redemptions have a lot of taxes and charges, which can mean that even with the bonus, it is not worth buying points instead of using cash unless prices are very high. It is worth looking at other airlines with Virgin Points, such as Air France or KLM, which have reasonable taxes and charges.
However, you can also use points for things such as Virgin cruises, which can be great value as there are no fees to pay and all your meals and most soft drinks are included, plus there are no tips. So it is worth bearing in mind and looking at the other things you can buy with points. Virgin Voyages are only offered for specific sailing every now and again and usually cost between 120-160,000 points for a week for two people.
Virgin Points can be used across a huge variety of rewards on Virgin Red and Flying Club, from flights and holidays to extraordinary experiences. Virgin Points never expire, so at least you can keep them without worrying, although a devaluation is always a concern.
