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Marriott donates $10 million in free hotel stays to healthcare professionals

April 08, 2020
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3 min read
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Marriott donates $10 million in free hotel stays to healthcare professionals
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Marriott is dedicating some $10 million worth of free hotel rooms to healthcare professionals serving areas most impacted by coronavirus cases. The new initiative, called Rooms for Responders, will launch in hard-hit cities such as New York City, New Orleans, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C. and Newark.

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Rooms for Responders was largely initiated by Marriott's Bonvoy loyalty team in partnership with American Express and JPMorgan Chase. The team worked with the American College of Emergency Physicians and the Emergency Nurses Association to make sure thousands of emergency doctors and nurses have free accommodations in participating hotels near their hospitals.

Marriott separately teamed up with a number of local franchisees to launch the Community Caregiver Program, which is available in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America. The Community Caregiver Program offers significantly discounted rates for first responders and healthcare professionals who want to stay near the hospitals where they are working. The rate is available on Marriott.com at nearly 2,500 hotels.

"With both initiatives, our goal is simple: We want to support the frontline heroes who are selflessly supporting us," Marriott announced in an email that went out to Bonvoy members Wednesday afternoon.

The email also listed a number of favorable policy changes for Bonvoy members, including a generous cancellation or change policy for all reservations, including restrictive pre-paid bookings.

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Related: Marriott Bonvoy extends elite status membership through February 2022

And for Marriott Bonvoy elites, there's cause for celebration: The hotel chain extended elite status membership through February 2022, and has paused points expiration through February 2021.

Feeling charitable? Bonvoy members can use Marriott Bonvoy’s Giving Platform to donate their Marriott Bonvoy points to relief organizations that are active in COVID-19 responses around the world. These organizations include the American Red Cross, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, UNICEF and World Central Kitchen, amongst others.

Other hotels have also stepped up with similar programs. Hilton and American Express are donating another million hotel room nights across the U.S.

Doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics and other frontline medical staff who need a place to sleep, recharge or isolate from their families through the end of May will get free hotel rooms.

Related: Our favorite ways travel companies are giving back during coronavirus

For the latest travel updates, bookmark TPG’s coronavirus hub page and sign up for our daily newsletter.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.