Turning every meal into Marriott Bonvoy points is seamless with Marriott Eat Around Town. If you’re a traveler hungry for points, learn the quick way to enroll in this rewards program, link your cards, and start earning points at participating eateries nationwide. No more leaving points on the table—just dine, earn, and enjoy the journey.
Today I’ll walk you through a MAJOR hack you can use to boost your points with Marriott and earn rewards towards stays. We use this frequently and enjoy the perks of eating at restaurants we already dine at.
Eat Around Town Marriott Overview
Marriott’s Eat Around Town is a free dining rewards program for Marriott Bonvoy members in the U.S., allowing them to accrue points at participating restaurants worldwide by linking a credit or debit card.
Members can maximize their points through strategic card linking, taking advantage of promotions, and understanding program rules, including special bonuses for frequent dining and new member offers.
Maintaining an active account, understanding exclusions, and using the Eat Around Town website to manage accounts and find enrolled restaurants are essential for optimizing reward potential.
Dive into Marriott Eat Around Town
We’ll explore Marriott’s Eat Around Town, a free dining rewards program that stretches from your local neighborhood joints to high-end restaurants worldwide. This program lets Marriott Bonvoy members earn points at various restaurants, bars, and clubs, simply by linking a credit or debit card to their account. Members can also earn bonus Marriott Bonvoy points by dining at restaurants, especially during promotions for additional points when making reservations through specific channels. And the best part? It’s available to all U.S residents at no cost!
Enrolling is as easy as pie. Here’s how to do it:
- Visit the website
- Click ‘Join Now’
- Sign into your Marriott Bonvoy account
- Link at least one credit or debit card
Once you’ve linked a card, you’re ready to earn rewards every time you dine or order takeout from several local restaurants. A world of gastronomic delights and rewards awaits you. Bon Appétit!
When you search for restaurants in the program, you’ll see a map like showing participating locations like this:
I’m very fortunate that here in Broward County, one of our favorite restaurants, Otoro Sushi, participates in the program!
Getting Started with Marriott Eat Around Town
To start your culinary adventure, you first need to connect your credit or debit card to your Marriott Eat Around Town account. The program accepts all major cards, including:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Discover
- American Express
Linking a card that offers Marriott elite status can significantly enhance your point-earning potential, especially when combined with the Eat Around Town program.
A pro tip for maximizing benefits is to link a card that offers bonus points on dining transactions. This strategy allows you to earn points from both the card and the dining program.
And here’s a golden nugget of information for those who prefer using debit cards: to earn Marriott points, ensure your dining transaction is processed as a credit transaction, not with a PIN. Now that you’re all set, it’s time to explore the world of dining rewards that Marriott Eat Around Town has to offer.
Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points on Every Experience!
We’ll go in-depth on how your dining expenses can yield a bounty of rewards. By default, members without elite status earn 4 points per dollar spent on dining at certain restaurants. However, members with elite status can earn at an increased rate of 6 points per dollar.
But it doesn’t stop there. During certain promotional periods, members can earn up to 8 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent. That’s right, your delicious meal could potentially yield 8x rewards! This means that every dollar you spend not only satisfies your palate but also brings you closer to an array of exclusive benefits and rewards.
Identifying Participating Restaurants
You might wonder how to find restaurants that participate in the Marriott Eat Around Town program. It’s as simple as visiting the Eat Around Town website and using the map feature to search for restaurants by location and cuisine. This feature allows you to plan your meals around the restaurants that will maximize your rewards.
Whether you’re craving Thai food in San Francisco or looking for a seafood restaurant in Miami, the Eat Around Town website has got you covered. Join today, explore the map, and start earning rewards from your next dining experience.
Maximizing Points Through Promotions
Why Should You Get the Bonvoy credit Card?
- Earn up to 17X total points for every $1 spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
- Earn 6X points with Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy® for being a loyalty member
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on gas stations, grocery stores, and dining
- Earn 2X points per $1 spent on other travel purchases
- Receive 15 Elite Night Credits per calendar year
- Enjoy a Free Night Award every year after your account anniversary, valid for a one-night hotel stay at a property with a redemption level up to 35,000 points. Certain hotels have resort fees
And Much More! Points never expire. This is the card I use to earn free stays, upgrades, and status at Marriott Hotel brands.
Dining at these restaurants guarantees point earnings, you can significantly boost your earnings by taking advantage of promotions. To earn bonus points through promotions, remember to opt in to receive Eat Around Town emails. These promotions often offer increased earning rates, such as 8 points per dollar spent. Utilizing ‘points guy’ strategies can help maximize points through dining rewards programs, such as enrolling in Marriott’s Eat Around Town and using credit cards designed for earning points.
Currently, there’s a scrumptious promotion running that offers 1,000 bonus points for members who complete 10 eligible dines of $30 or more. Keep in mind that promotional bonus points might take a little extra time to show up in your Marriott Bonvoy account. So, keep an eye on those emails and don’t miss out on these amazing opportunities to boost your point balance!
Regular Member Bonuses
Marriott’s Eat Around Town program appreciates its dedicated members and offers a Frequent Diner bonus that rewards members with an additional 1,000 bonus points for every 10 eligible dines costing $30 or more. This means the more you dine, the more you earn!
Frequent diners can also earn bonus Marriott Bonvoy points by dining at local restaurants, especially when making reservations through specific channels.
Additionally, during certain months, members can earn at a higher rate of 8 points per dollar spent as part of special seasonal promotions. These promotions are a great way to earn points faster and enjoy exclusive rewards.
So, why wait? Start planning your next dining experience now!
Special Offers for New Members
For those unfamiliar with the Marriott Eat Around Town program, there’s a special welcome offer just for you. New members can earn up to 6,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points by spending $30 or more on individual dining experiences within their first 60 days.
To be eligible for earning these bonus points, you need to link an eligible credit or debit card and complete a dine review within 30 days of your dining experience. This special offer is a fantastic way to kick-start your rewards journey, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!
Strategic Card Linking for More Points
Choosing the appropriate credit or debit card to your Marriott Eat Around Town account can significantly enhance your point earnings. Choose a card that offers bonus points for dining expenses. This strategy allows you to earn points not only from the Eat Around Town program but also from your card’s rewards program.
In short, every time you dine at an enrolled restaurant, you’re earning double rewards – once via your linked card and then again through the Eat Around Town program. This strategy of ‘double-dipping’ allows you to maximize your point earnings with every bite.
Recommended Cards for Marriott Bonvoy Members
For Marriott Bonvoy members, using a Marriott credit card can further increase your earning rate on Eat Around Town purchases. For instance, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers 3X points at restaurants worldwide and 2X points on other eligible purchases.
There are several credit cards that offer attractive points on dining:
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card: 4X points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, with a cap on combined purchases per year.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: attractive points on dining.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card: attractive points on dining.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: 4X points at restaurants worldwide.
Elite Status Advantages
Holding a Marriott elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program further boosts your earning potential. Holding a credit card that grants elite status can increase your point earnings through the Eat Around Town program.
For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status provided by the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and the Gold Elite status offered by both the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card and the Platinum Card® from American Express can enhance your dining reward potential by offering:
- Room upgrades
- Late checkout
- Complimentary breakfast
- Access to exclusive lounges
- Priority check-in and check-out
These benefits can make your dining experience even more enjoyable and rewarding.
So, eat, earn, and enjoy elite status advantages with Marriott Eat Around Town when you join Eat!
The Fine Print: Program Rules and Limitations
Although the Marriott Eat Around Town program enriches your dining experiences with rewards, it’s essential to understand the program’s rules and limitations. Marriott’s Eat Around Town allows members to earn Bonvoy points for dining at selected restaurants, but to earn bonus points through promotions, you must opt in to receive promotional emails. Some members have reported confusion regarding earning correct bonus points, especially concerning dining reviews and status-related earning rates.
Here’s a few key points to keep in mind:
- Your Marriott Eat Around Town account will be terminated after 36 consecutive months of not earning any rewards, resulting in the expiration of all accumulated points.
- Promotional bonus points may experience delays before being visible in your Marriott Bonvoy account.
- Linking a credit card to the Eat Around Town program will unenroll it from any other dining rewards programs to which it was previously linked.
Keeping Track of Bonus Qualifying Visits
Monitoring your bonus-qualifying visits is paramount to maximizing your rewards. Points earned through the Eat Around Town program are typically posted to your Marriott Bonvoy account one to two weeks after dining. However, promotional bonus points may take a little longer to appear in your account.
Bonvoy members have the opportunity to earn an extra 1,000 bonus points after every 10 dining visits until January 2024. This offers a reliable way to keep track of one bonus qualifying visit. Tracking your dines ensures that you’re not missing out on any potential rewards.
Understanding Exclusions and Limitations
Despite the Marriott Eat Around Town program being an excellent source of rewards, it’s essential to understand its limitations. For instance, when using a debit card, your transaction must be processed as a credit transaction to earn points.
You are only able to earn bonus points on one qualifying visit per restaurant per day. Additionally, bonus points can only be earned once per day at each restaurant. Dining orders placed through third-party services like Uber Eats typically do not qualify for earning points because the program requires the card to be charged directly by the restaurant’s payment system. Keep these exclusions and limitations in mind to ensure that you’re maximizing your point earnings.
Dining Out with Benefits: Real Member Experiences
Now that I gave you a summary of how the program works, let’s talk about some people who have been active in the program. These testimonials highlight the tangible benefits of the Marriott Eat Around Town program and how it has enriched their dining and travel experiences.
Members with Marriott elite status have earned more points through the program, enhancing their overall rewards.
Whether it’s a member who earned over 3,000 points on a single meal at a high-end steakhouse, subsequently using some of those points for a free night’s stay, or another member who frequently dines out for business and collected enough points over six months for a weekend getaway, the benefits are clear and substantial.
These experiences serve as powerful testimonials, demonstrating how the Marriott Eat Around Town program can be utilized to earn meaningful rewards.
Elite Bonvoy members have effectively used their status to earn up to 6x points per dollar spent at participating Eat Around Town restaurants. One member even managed to earn over 10,000 points from a single anniversary dinner by carefully choosing restaurants that offer higher point rewards.
These members have cleverly used the program to their advantage, with some even selecting high-end restaurants partnered with Marriott Eat Around Town, allowing them to earn significant points due to the higher average spend per visit. These success stories serve as fantastic examples of how strategic dining choices can significantly boost your point earnings.
Navigating the Marriott Eat Around Town Website
The Eat Around Town website acts as your comprehensive guide to manage your account and discover venues in the program. The website provides a search function for users to find restaurants, bars, and clubs where they can earn Marriott Bonvoy points.
From tracking your rewards to discovering new places to dine, the website provides a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for members to navigate the program. Whether you’re planning a dine-out or checking your points balance, the website has you covered!
Restaurant Search and Discovery
The Eat Around Town website offers an extensive search feature where you can find eligible restaurants, bars, and clubs to earn points using your enrolled credit card. You can use the search page filters to narrow down dining options based on your preferences.
Individual restaurant pages on the Marriott Eat Around Town website specify the days of the week when members can earn points, assisting in planning for dining out. So, log in, explore, and start planning your next dining adventure today!
Managing Your Account Online
Online management of your Eat Around Town account is crucial to ensure you’re maximizing your rewards. Regular account activity monitoring is crucial as your account will expire if no rewards are earned for 36 consecutive months.
By regularly checking your account, you can stay updated on your points balance, keep track of your dining transactions, and ensure that you’re not missing out on any potential rewards. So, make sure to log in frequently and keep a close eye on your account activity.
Comparison to Other Dining Rewards Programs
Marriott’s Eat Around Town program is one of several dining rewards programs available to Marriott Bonvoy participants. Here’s how it compares to other popular programs:
- American Airlines Dining: This program offers 1-5 miles per dollar spent at restaurants, with a 1,000-mile bonus for new members. While the earning rate is lower than Eat Around Town, American Airlines Dining has a wider selection of participating restaurants.
- Delta SkyMiles Dining: This program offers 1-5 miles per dollar spent at restaurants, with a 1,000-mile bonus for new members. Like American Airlines Dining, the earning rate is lower than Eat Around Town, but Delta SkyMiles Dining has a larger network of participating restaurants.
- Hilton Honors Dining: This program offers 1-8 points per dollar spent at restaurants, with a 1,000-point bonus for new members. Hilton Honors Dining has a similar earning rate to Eat Around Town, but with a smaller selection of participating restaurants.
- IHG Rewards Club Dining: This program offers 1-5 points per dollar spent at enrolled restaurants, with a 1,000-point bonus for new members. IHG Rewards Club Dining has a lower earning rate than Eat Around Town, but with a larger selection of restaurants.
Overall, Marriott’s Eat Around Town program offers a competitive earning rate and a wide selection of restaurants, making it a great option for Bonvoy program members looking to earn bonus points on their dining purchases.
Summary
In conclusion, the Marriott Eat Around Town program offers an exciting opportunity to earn Marriott Bonvoy points while enjoying your favorite meals at venues you probably already frequent. From linking the right credit or debit card and maximizing points through promotions to using the Eat Around Town website to find enrolled restaurants, the program offers an easy and rewarding way to turn your dining experiences into tangible benefits.
I’ve used this program to continue to earn Marriott points by doing things I already do – dine at some of my favorite restauarants.
What is the difference between Marriott and Marriott Bonvoy?
Marriott is the hotel chain, while Marriott Bonvoy is the hotel chain’s loyalty program, which replaced the Marriott Rewards, Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and Starwood Preferred Guest programs to offer greater rewards and benefits to its members.
How many points do I earn per dollar spent?
You earn 4 Marriott Bonvoy points points per dollar spent on dining at participating restaurants, and 6 points per dollar if you have elite status. This can help you maximize your rewards when dining out.
Can I earn bonus points?
Yes, you can earn bonus Marriott Bonvoy points by opting in to receive Eat Around Town emails.
About Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is a 20+ year Entrepreneur and Digital Marketer. A Fort Lauderdale-based "Digital Nomad," he enjoys traveling as much as possible with family and friends. AllWorld is his escape to document all of his adventures, including being a hardcore "foodie." He has property in Costa Rica and visits several times each year and is happy to offer his expert advice for planning your trip.
