New Marriott Rewards MORE Shopping Program Review [Amazon Removed]

Update: Best Buy is back, Amazon still missing.

We’re reposting because Amazon & Best Buy are no longer options. When asked on Twitter they give the following response:

The link is currently down and we do not have an estimated time of when it will be back up. I do apologize for any inconvenience. -Leanne

Marriott introduced a new way to earn and redeem Marriott points by shopping with Marriott Rewards MORE.

Press Release / Marriott Rewards MORE 

Introduction

Marriott discontinued their Shop My Way portal partnership a few months back, and now launched their new shopping program through Engage People. The program is available in US, UK, and Canada.

Something different here is that Marriott Rewards MORE doesn’t work like a regular web portal by clicking through. Rather, you’ll download the app or add the toolbar extension on your favorite browser (you’ll see the option here).  Android download link / Apple download link

Presumably there’s a portal tracking going on with the toolbar/app, and it will override any previous portals you went through (in other words, you can’t stack this program with a more traditional shopping portal).

Another interesting thing is that different people appear to be getting different portal rates, for reasons that aren’t clear. For example, Amazon is 1x for some and 2x for others.

Earning

Available retailers currently include: Addition Elle, Amazon, Ann Taylor, Anthropologie, Apple, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, Converse, FTD, Gap, Joma Shop, Land’s End, Liftopia, Loft, Macy’s, Mr. Porter, Net-A-Porter, Nike, Nordstrom, The Outnet, Petco, QVC, Ralph Lauren, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sephora, Shop Marriott, Sunglass Hut, Walgreens, and Wayfair.

Direct Link to list of all retailers (for some reason, not all available retailers show there, but you’ll see the toolbar working at all in the list above)

Amazon is especially interesting since they never offered portal rewards across all categories until recently with the Jetblue 3x deal. Hopefully, we’ll see more airlines creating such partnerships as well.

 

There’s a nice perk for Marriott Rewards credit card holders to get a 25% bonus on all points earned through the portal. The terms indicates that you won’t earn the 25% bonus on the part of the purchase paid for with a gift card (it’s vague whether this is only true for the 25% bonus or even for the base points). We’ll see if this holds true, in fact.

Redeeming

Using the same toolbar/app, you can redeem Marriott points for purchases at these retailers. You’ll get around 1/3 of a cent per point (.37 to be exact). Redemption rates are the same for all retailers.

Signup Bonus

There is a small bonus given to new members:

• Earn 1,000 bonus points when you complete your first purchase of $25+

Final Thoughts

The signup bonus is nice with a simple $25 purchase, and some of their rates could be worthwhile, especially if you’re a Marriott cardholder who gets the 25% bonus. Could also be useful if it works to extend expiration of your Marriott points. Most people won’t find the redemption value worthwhile. I still hate toolbars and I hate shopping through apps.

Marriott’s program is a bit different than a typical portal experience in the sense that each retailer on the portal is available for both earning and redeeming. Other airline/hotel shopping portals just earn rewards, and perhaps have partnership with specific retailers to be able to redeem (e.g. Amazon partners with various points currencies to allow redemption). This detail is significant: we’re not likely to see Marriott Rewards MORE have hundreds of retailers available since Marriott and the retailer have to agree on to a deal on both the earning and redemption side.

Let us know your thoughts and experiences with the new portal in the comments.