Points Hacking: Brand Partnerships To Earn Hotel Points and Miles (No New Credit Card Required)

Years ago, I thought the only way to fund travel was to save up every dollar. Then I took my first solo trip to Paris in 2014 and started learning the rules of the game. Here’s what I know now: you don’t have to front 100% of the bill for every trip. One of the most underrated strategies is points hacking – maximizing loyalty programs and brand partnerships to earn bonus miles and hotel points on purchases you’re already making.

The partnerships below let you earn hundreds or even thousands of bonus points annually on items like groceries, coffee, and ride-sharing, with no new credit card required and no extensive travel needed.

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Before You Start: Things Worth Knowing

Some partnerships only require linking accounts once.

After that, earnings are automatic with no extra steps per purchase.

Others require using a specific link every time. I’ll flag those below. They’re easy to miss and easy to lose out on.

Helpful Tip: Before making a purchase, pause and consider whether there are other ways to maximize the purchase, such as earning cashback with Rakuten.

Marriott Bonvoy Partnerships: Earn More Points on Everyday Spending

Marriott Bonvoy is Marriott’s free hotel rewards program. Members earn points on hotel stays, credit card spending, and thanks to these partnerships, everyday purchases. Points can be redeemed for free hotel nights, room upgrades, and more.

Uber and Marriott: Earn Points on Rides and Food Delivery

Uber and Marriott have teamed up to make earning Marriott Bonvoy points easier.

Earn points toward your next dream vacation with each Uber ride or Uber Eats order. Link your Uber and Marriott Bonvoy accounts once, and start earning automatically:

• 6x points per dollar on Uber Eats orders of $25+ delivered to any Marriott hotel
• 3x points per dollar on rides with UberXL, Uber Comfort, Uber SUV, and Uber Black rides
• 2x per dollar on all other Uber Eats orders of $25+ (pick-up or delivery)

Currently, U.S. only.

If you’re not a Marriott Bonvoy member, join Marriott Bonvoy free at Marriott.com, then click on the link to your Uber account.

Result: I earned 600 Marriott Bonvoy points this year from this one partnership alone, without changing my spending habits.

Note: You can only have one partner at a time, either Delta SkyMiles or Marriott Bonvoy. Choose based on which program you’re building toward.

Starbucks and Marriott

Link your Starbucks Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy accounts to earn in both programs simultaneously.

• 2x Starbucks Stars during eligible Marriott Bonvoy stays
• 100 bonus Marriott points during “Marriott Bonvoy Week” (when you complete at least three qualifying Starbucks transactions)

Link your accounts at the Starbucks website.

Watch your inbox for the Bonvoy Week announcement; these pop up a few times a year.

United Airlines and Marriott

Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus have a partnership called RewardsPlus. The partnership allows members to convert rewards and earn miles on hotel stays.

Before your flight, book a Marriott Bonvoy hotel using this link.

Sign in and select “book hotel” below your upcoming flight. You’ll earn United MileagePlus miles once you book and complete your stay.

Other perks include converting up to 100,000 United MileagePlus miles into Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1-to-1 ratio every year. This benefit is only available for MileagePlus Premier members.

Delta Partnerships: Earn SkyMiles Without Flying

Delta SkyMiles is Delta Air Line’s loyalty program. Free to join with no caps on how many you accumulate; these miles do not expire. Common ways to earn Delta miles include flying, dining out, shopping, and using co-branded American Express credit cards like:

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Disclaimer: This offer is accurate as of the publishing date; however, the offers mentioned may have expired.

Delta and Starbucks

After linking your Delta and Starbucks accounts, earn 1 mile per $1 spent at participating Starbucks stores. 

On travel days, when you fly with Delta and make a Starbucks purchase, you’ll earn double Starbucks Rewards stars. Excludes taxes and gratuity. 

Visit deltastarbucks.com and follow the prompts to link your accounts. Log in or sign up for both programs to link your accounts.

Helpful Tip: You do not have to visit deltastarbucks.com or starbucksdelta.com to earn miles or Stars. Link your accounts once, and you’re good to go.

Keep an eye out for special offers where you can unlock new ways to earn more miles, like this one…

Through September 12th, enroll and visit Starbucks (2) times in one week to earn 1,000 bonus miles.

Airbnb and Delta

This partnership is another one of my favorites.

With over 7 million homes listed on Airbnb, stay at a castle, igloo, or cozy tiny cabin by the lake. 

With no minimum spend, earn 1 mile per $1 spent with Airbnb on all qualifying stays worldwide.

To earn miles, you must book through deltaairbnb.com.

To reiterate this, for tracking purposes, visit this exclusive page and enter your Delta SkyMiles number every time to earn miles on Airbnb stays. If you go directly to Airbnb without first visiting deltaairbnb.com you will not earn any miles.  

Tired of reading? Listen to this podcast episode on Spotify.

Uber and Delta

Good News! You can now turn rides into miles with Delta!

Earn 1x on Uber Eats on restaurants orders over $40.

As well as 1x Delta SkyMiles on UberX rides to the airport, 2x on Premium rides, and 3x on Uber Reserve.

To link your accounts, head to Partner Rewards in the Uber app.

Note: You can only earn with one Uber partner at a time, either Delta SkyMiles or Marriott Bonvoy.

Keep Learning: The Travel Hacking 101 Series

This post is part of The Thought Card’s Travel Hacking 101 Series:

• Travel Hacking Mistakes to Avoid – Episode 94
• Ways To Earn Points and Miles Without Traveling – Episode 93 
• How To Get Free Hotel Upgrades and Other Travel Hacking Secrets – Episode 79 

Danielle Desir Corbett

Danielle Desir Corbett is an award-winning and 6x grant-funded travel writer and podcast host who went from financial struggle to visiting 27+ countries all without waiting until retirement. Her story is proof that budget doesn’t limit adventure. Tune into The Thought Card Podcast for practical strategies to travel smarter and live on your terms. Say hello: thethoughtcard (at) gmail (dot) com.

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