Starbucks + Marriott = ❤️

Estimated read time: 4 minutes and 16 seconds

Good morning and happy Friday from Bandung, Indonesia!

I love this city and have always felt like a part of me has stayed here. But maybe that’s just because I had my appendix removed here last month, so there is a literal part of me here…

But enough about me and my organs. Let’s talk travel:

• 🏨 IHG is sending out targeted promos

• ☕️ Marriott and Starbucks partner up

• 💳 Current transfer bonuses

🏨 IHG is sending out targeted promos

Earlier this week, I told you about how new IHG members can rack up some quick points after signing up for the program.

Now, IHG is back with a way for existing members to rack up even MORE points with a familiar series of targeted promotions.

As you can see from the image above, I’ve been targeted with an offer to earn 2,000 bonus points for every two nights.

Other offers that have been floating around include the following:

• Earn 8,000 bonus points for every four nights

• Earn 3,000 bonus points every two nights

Regardless of the offer you happen to receive, here are the terms:

• You must register for the offer (you’ll see your personalized offer in your account and email inbox)

• The offers are valid for stays between June 20th and August 31st, 2024

• There is no limit to the number of points you earn

• Valid on cash stays only (minimum of $30 per night before taxes)

Overall, this is great. I always love it when IHG comes out with these offers because, essentially, getting 1,000 bonus points per night is great…

…especially on super cheap stays.

Just today, I checked out of a hotel in Jakarta that only cost about $30 per night.

Of course, I booked an award stay, which isn’t eligible for this promo. 😭

Still, there are plenty of cheap options around the world where earning 1,000 points per night is a meaningful bonus.

For example, this Holiday Inn in Mexico City only costs around $76 most nights this summer, which is fantastic.

If I booked a 6-night stay here, I’d earn 6,000 bonus points from my targeted offer, plus 11,856 points from having elite status and using the [[ ihg-rewards-premier-credit-card.name ]] to make the purchase.

Earning almost 20,000 points on a pretty cheap stay is enough to book another night at a pretty nice hotel somewhere else in the world, like this one in Guangzhou, China, which I’ve been eyeing recently.

If you are lucky enough to get one of the better targeted offers, your earnings will be even higher.

So here’s the bottom line:

As you gear up for your summer travels, register for your targeted offer and keep an eye out for IHG properties.

If you find a good cash rate, this is a great way to maximize the return on your spend to put toward your next trip.

☕️ Marriott and Starbucks partner up

Marriott and Starbucks have had a very devoted, long-term (24ish year) relationship.

But as of this week, they’re taking it a bit further. 👀

This new partnership will allow members to link their accounts and start earning more Starbucks Stars and Marriott points. High-five for being extra caffeinated, eh?

Oh, and if you have no idea how Starbucks Stars work… here’s an overview of the coffee chain’s reward system (e.g. how to get free drinks).

These are the main takeaways from this partnership:

• You’ll earn double Starbucks Stars when you make a Starbucks purchase on days that you’re staying at an eligible Marriott property (which also includes stays when you’re redeeming Marriott points or using an FNA).

• You’re capped at earning 1,000 Stars under the Double Stars offer from now until June 17, 2025.

• You can receive 100 bonus Marriott points during select weeks when you make three qualifying transactions at participating Starbucks (the first Marriott Bonvoy Week runs from July 8 - July 14, 2024).

• It’s important to note that not all Starbucks are participating—you’ll find participating locations in the U.S. and U.S. territories.

Are these gainz marginal? Yes…

But are we still happy to earn bonus points and rewards for drinking coffee? Yes... 🙃

OH, BUT WAIT.

They’re also launching a limited-time sweepstakes which is pretty exciting!

More specifically, Marriott is offering this new sweepstakes to help coax more U.S. members to actually link their Marriott and Starbucks accounts.

You have until July 7 to enter for a chance to win, and here’s what’s at… stake…

• A grand prize trip to visit each Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle, Milan, and Tokyo (with hotels and round-trip flights included!) 🙌

• A visit to one of those Roasteries which also includes round-trip flights and hotels

• 500 chances to win hundreds of bonus Starbucks Stars

Overall this new partnership is pretty fun, and though there aren’t thousands of bonus points on the line, it still feels good to double-dip in these reciprocal rewards.

We get it, the newsletter is kinda of a one-way convo.

But if you’re looking to engage with other like-minded travelers who are sharing their best redemptions, asking for travel inspo, or are curious about the world of credit card miles and points…

Then you should look no further than our private Facebook group, the Daily Drop Lounge!

And speaking of, here’s a cool win from a fellow member 👇

That’s all for this week, folks! I hope you enjoyed this week full of tips for maximizing your travel.

But more importantly, I hope you’re looking forward to another week of travel content on Monday - I know I sure am. 😁

Farewell,

6.9175° S, 107.6191° E