Members of Marriott International’s Bonvoy loyalty program can now earn points via Uber as travel brands look to diversify their loyalty offerings amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Through the partnership, Bonvoy members can earn points toward free nights at Marriott properties, including home rentals, by ordering food delivery via Uber Eats or requesting select Uber rides.
Travelers who link their Bonvoy and Uber accounts in the Uber app will automatically start earning points on qualified transactions. The perk is available in the United States, and those who sign up and have at least one qualifying transaction by May 31 will get 2,000 Bonvoy bonus points.
"We are continuing to see our members return to travel and are excited to give them more opportunities to earn points toward free nights through Uber rides and Uber Eats," says David Flueck, senior vice president global loyalty at Marriott International.
"This tremendous relationship with Uber reflects our goal to engage members and enable them to earn and redeem points whether traveling or through everyday activities at home."
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Members who get an Uber Eats delivery to a Marriott-operated hotel earn six Bonvoy points per dollar on minimum orders of $25. For non-hotel deliveries and food pickups, they earn two points per dollar.
For transportation, members earn three Bonvoy points per dollar spent on Uber XL, Comfort and Black rides.
The Marriott and Uber partnership comes as travel brands contend with how to grow their loyalty programs despite the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
However, it’s not the first such partnership to form: Lyft has a partnership with Hilton in which members of the hotel’s Honors loyalty program can redeem points for Lyft ride credits. The ride-share company also has a partnership with Delta that allows SkyMiles members to earn one mile per $1 spent on rides in the U.S.
According to Phocuswright Research, 29% of traveler loyalty members say their memberships are more influential now compared to pre-COVID-19.
One-third of travelers agree that because of the pandemic, they are more open to trying new travel companies they had not previously used, presenting an opportunity for brands to lure over consumers with new perks.