Dining out can be an enjoyable experience, but what if you could also earn valuable points and miles while doing it? With Marriott’s Eat Around Town by Marriott Bonvoy program, you can do just that. By using the right credit cards and joining restaurant loyalty programs, you can maximize your rewards every time you dine at participating restaurants, bars, and clubs.
Joining Marriott’s Eat Around Town Program
How to Enroll
- Free Membership: The Eat Around Town by Marriott Bonvoy program is free to join. Simply visit the Eat Around Town website to sign up.
- New-Member Bonus: Enroll and link an eligible credit or debit card to your account by December 31 to earn up to 6,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points within your first 60 days, in addition to the regular points you earn.
Steps to Join
- Visit the Website: Go to the Eat Around Town website.
- Join Now: Click “Join Now” and sign in to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
- Complete the Form: Marriott will prefill your email address and ZIP code. Check the terms and conditions box and click “Join Eat Around Town.”
- Link a Card: Link at least one credit or debit card to your account. For the best results, use a card that earns bonus points on dining. Debit cards must be processed as credit to qualify for points.
Earning Points with Eat Around Town
How It Works
- Use Enrolled Cards: Earn points by dining at participating restaurants, bars, and clubs with your linked card.
- Search for Locations: Find eligible locations on the Eat Around Town website.
Points Earning Rates
- Marriott Bonvoy Members: 4 points per dollar spent for members without elite status.
- Marriott Bonvoy Elite Members: 6 points per dollar spent for elite members.
- Bonus Points: Throughout June, earn 500 bonus points every time you spend at least $75 with an enrolled card.
Optimizing Your Earnings with Credit Cards
Recommended Credit Cards
- American Express® Gold Card: Earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on dining.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on dining.
- American Express® Green Card: Earn 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn 4 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card: Earn 4 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent on up to $15,000 in combined purchases each calendar year at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (then 2 points per dollar spent).
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 3 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Earn 3 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent on the first $6,000 in combined purchases each calendar year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
Why Choose Marriott’s Eat Around Town Program?
Advantages
- Points Accumulation: Earn points on dining, which can be redeemed for Marriott stays and other rewards.
- Promotion Opportunities: Take advantage of regular promotions for additional points.
Considerations
- Limited Enrollment: You can only enroll each card in one Rewards Network-operated dining rewards program at a time.
- Other Options: Evaluate other programs like Hilton Honors Dining, IHG One Rewards Dine & Earn, and airline dining programs to see which offers the best return for your dining spend.
Is Marriott’s Eat Around Town Dining Rewards Program Worth It?
Benefits
- Elite Status Advantage: Marriott’s Eat Around Town program bases earning rates on your Marriott Bonvoy elite status. If you have elite status, you could potentially earn more points compared to other dining rewards programs.
- Promotional Bonuses: Regular promotions, like the 500 bonus points for spending $75 in June, add significant value to the program.
Comparison with Other Programs
- Hotel Dining Programs: Compare with Hilton Honors Dining, IHG One Rewards Dine & Earn, and Choice Privileges Eat & Earn to determine the best fit for your dining habits and loyalty preferences.
- Airline Dining Programs: Evaluate airline dining programs such as American AAdvantage Dining, United MileagePlus Dining, Delta SkyMiles Dining, Alaska Mileage Plan Dining, Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining, JetBlue TrueBlue Dining, and Free Spirit Dining for their potential return on spending.
- Transferable Rewards Programs: Consider Bilt Dining and other programs that offer transferable rewards for more flexible redemption options.
How to Maximize Points with Marriott’s Eat Around Town Program
Strategic Card Enrollment
- Link High-Earning Cards: Enroll cards that offer bonus points for dining to maximize your earnings. Using cards like the American Express® Gold Card or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card can significantly boost your points accumulation.
Utilize Promotions
- Monitor Promotions: Stay updated on ongoing promotions to take full advantage of bonus points opportunities. For instance, the current 500 bonus points for spending $75 promotion is a great way to boost your points balance.
Frequent Dining
- Dine Regularly at Participating Locations: Frequent dining at participating restaurants, bars, and clubs ensures continuous accumulation of points. Use the Eat Around Town website to find eligible locations and plan your dining accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Enrolling in Marriott’s Eat Around Town program is a simple way to earn extra points and miles while enjoying meals at your favorite restaurants. By using the right credit cards, you can maximize your rewards and take advantage of special promotions. Whether you’re a frequent diner or just looking to boost your Marriott Bonvoy points, this program offers a valuable opportunity to enhance your dining experience.
Dining out can be rewarding in more ways than one. By strategically using credit cards and taking advantage of Marriott’s Eat Around Town program, you can significantly increase your points and miles, making every meal a step towards your next vacation or a luxurious hotel stay.
