Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), an innovative and award-winning loyalty programme of Marriott International, has announced a new points earning opportunity for members of its ‘Emirates NBD Starwood Preferred Guest World MasterCard’.

Starting today, card members can now earn two Starpoints for every eligible dollar spent using the card directly at hotels participating in Marriott Rewards globally.

This credit card earning opportunity is just the latest benefit offered to SPG members. Already, members of SPG, as well as members of Marriott Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, can link their accounts at members.marriott.com to access unparalleled benefits such as instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer among the three programmes.

Launched in 2015 with Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the Middle East, the Emirates NBD Starwood Preferred Guest World MasterCard is the Middle East’s most rewarding hospitality credit card. With the new earning opportunity, cardholders can now earn points across nearly 6,000 of Marriott’s properties in over 120 countries, across the company’s diverse portfolio of 30 brands.

“The co-brand card with Emirates NBD is a one-of-a-kind product in the region and the new earning benefits only make the credit card more powerful and attractive,” said David Flueck, senior vice president of Starwood Preferred Guest. “Our SPG co-brand credit card members now have access to the best hotels and resorts in over 110 countries across the globe, giving them more flexibility to earn points no matter where they stay with us. We continue to look for opportunities to build bridges between our tremendous programs and offer our members greater benefits and experiences.”

The Emirates NBD Starwood Preferred Guest World MasterCard currently offers UAE consumers incredible rewards, including the ability to earn instant SPG Gold status that normally requires approximately 25 nights per annum and up to 50,000 bonus Starpoints - 25,000 Starpoints on activation  - and another 25,000 Starpoints upon reaching a determined threshold in the first three months.

The credit card offers 1 Starpoint per US Dollar on domestic and international spends and 2 Starpoints per US dollar at all SPG participating hotels; renewal bonuses that include free nights properties and automatic SPG Gold status, and up to 30 per cent discounts at restaurants and spas across SPG properties globally. In addition, cardholders can benefit from discounts at participating restaurants, spas, health clubs and entertainment destinations via ‘Bon Appetit’, Emirates NBD’s dining loyalty programme.

Additional Emirates NBD benefits include access to over 500 airport lounges globally; complimentary local concierge services and airport transfers in the UAE; complimentary rounds of golf and privilege access to select courses across the UAE along with complimentary multi-trip travel insurance. - TradeArabia News Service