You Can Now Go Glamping Using 35k Marriott Points
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Slide over, Bali — there's a pretty cool looking points property in Indonesia, but it's not on the island that first comes to mind for most tourists. Marriott's Tribute Portfolio has recently taken over what was known as The Canopi on Indonesia's Riau Archipelago. If ever you've dreamed of glamping in a safari-themed (points-friendly) tent, but in the tropics, here's your chance.
Formerly the Canopi Bintan, now known as the Natra Bintan, the newly renamed property is home to 100 tents, with each encompassing more than 40 square meters. In true glamping fashion, the tents are equipped with an LCD TV, Wi-Fi connection, a garden and outdoor patio, four-poster bed and -- blessedly -- air conditioning.
Which Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card Is Right for You?
Natra sits directly on the Crystal Lagoon, which is Southeast Asia's first and largest man-made seawater lagoon. The bumper boats and slides may be a turn-off for some, though families may see things differently.
Another strong draw here is the location. It's merely a ferry ride away from Tanah Merah Port (Singapore), Sri Bintan Pura in Tanjung Pinang from Berjaya Waterfront (Johor Baru, Malaysia) and Telaga Punggur (Batam, Indonesia). If you're coming from the port in Singapore, a transfer service is offered to guests. Given that Singapore is known for its relatively low airfares, those who are planning a mileage run to one of the world's most elaborate airports should consider a stay at Natra Bintan.
Natra will also offer guests an all-inclusive package "infused with unique destination experiences, curated to allure to the world's traveler." Evidently, that may include a death-defying ride aboard the Jetovator.
For most dates, we're seeing wide availability at 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
While that appears to be a fairly low amount of points for such a luxurious property, it's worth putting in context. This region as a whole is home to quite a few luxury properties that don't cost a fortune. Paid nights here for most of the year are around $140 per night for the base garden tent, and the safari tent isn't much more. The top-tier lagoon view tent, which doesn't appear to be bookable with points, can be had for under $180 per night. That could put you under the .8 cents per point valuation for Marriott Bonvoy set by TPG.
However, in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, there are cobranded credit cards offering an annual free night worth up to 35,000 points at each renewal, so using those certificates would also be an option. This perk can make it (more than) worth it to pay the annual fee each year on these cards. Marriott cards available with that benefit include:
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Here are some of the best uses of those certificates.
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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.