Editor’s note: This post has been updated with current information.
The Marriott Bonvoy program has gone through some fundamental changes as of late, but Bonvoy points still have value when redeemed for hotel stays and even airline tickets. But how do you actually put them to use while maximizing their potential value?
In this article, we’ll dive deep and show you all the different ways you can redeem your Marriott points. We’ll start by walking you through hotel redemptions and then move into airline transfers and other interesting redemptions.
Want more credit card news and advice from TPG? Sign up for our daily newsletter.
Using Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel stays
As you’d expect, you can use your Marriott Bonvoy points to book a room at any one of Marriott’s worldwide properties. But, how many points you need is a bit more variable than it has been in the past.
One of the biggest changes to the Marriott Bonvoy program involves the elimination of a published award chart. You used to be able to get an estimate of how many points you needed to book at a specific hotel with bands for standard, peak and off-peak pricing.
Those bands still exist for most properties through the end of 2022, though the ranges are no longer published on the Marriott website. We've included a copy of the chart for reference. It should serve as a guide for your vacation planning.
Marriott's new dynamic pricing isn't all bad. In fact, you'll actually get more value at some properties. That said, many properties have drifted into the upper range of the category they used to reside in. And the 3% of properties that are no longer in a category have, in many cases, seen significant increases in the number of points required to redeem a free night.
Additionally, Marriott has two other types of hotel redemptions: PointSavers and Cash + Points. PointsSavers awards offer a discount on standard redemption rates at selected hotels. On the other hand, Cash + Points redemptions let you combine cash and points for discounted hotel stays starting at just $55 and 3,500 points per night.
Sign up for our daily newsletter
You can also use Cash + Points to customize a stay, redeeming points for one night and paying cash for the next. This is a great option when the paid rates vary significantly during your stay.
All award stays get a 5th night free
One great perk of the Marriott Bonvoy program is that all award stays of four nights or more get a fifth night free no matter if you’re booking at standard or PointSavers rates. This free night will automatically be reflected when you book online and applies to stays across all 29 of Marriott’s participating brands.
However, this gets a bit tricky if you use the Cash + Points option to redeem points for some nights and pay cash for others. You must have a total of five or more award nights to get the fifth night free. If you book a seven-night stay and pay cash for three of them, you’ll need to redeem points for all four of the other nights.
Related: Do fifth-night-free awards apply to suites or only to standard rooms?
Book ahead with Points Advance
One final aspect of the Marriott Bonvoy program that can help with your hotel stays is the Points Advance feature.
This allows you to book an award stay without having enough points in your account. You then have until 14 days before arrival to do so. This is a terrific strategy to snag a room at a high-demand property like The St. Regis Maldives, especially if you’re afraid there will be no rooms left when you finally have enough points.
That said, one of the biggest benefits of Points Advance is no longer available. Marriott used to allow members to lock in the redemption rate with Points Advance bookings. Now, you can only lock in the award availability. The award pricing will be determined when you finally confirm your booking.
Related: The award travelers guide to Marriott Bonvoy
Transferring Marriott points to airline partners
One of the most popular features of the Starwood Preferred Guest program was its airline partner program. SPG members could transfer their hotel points to a huge list of airline partners at a favorable rate.
Thankfully, Marriott preserved many aspects of this program after acquiring SPG, and allows Marriott Bonvoy members to transfer their points to over 40 different airline programs — many of which do not partner with other loyalty programs.
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to most airline partners at a ratio of 3:1, meaning that 3 Marriott Bonvoy points yield 1 airline mile. There are a few exceptions to this rule, though:
- Aeromexico Club Premier: A ratio of 3:1.
- Air New Zealand Airpoints: A ratio of 200:1.
- United MileagePlus: A ratio of 3:1.1.
One of the best parts about transferring your Marriott Bonvoy points to airline partners is that you get a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points you transfer. For example, if you were to move 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage, you’d receive 25,000 AAdvantage miles. This gives you an effective transfer ratio of 2.4:1.
While airline transfers may not give you as good a deal as hotel stays, they can come in handy if you need to top up your points balance or leverage a more obscure mileage program that may be hard to earn. Just note that you can only transfer 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to airlines per day, and the minimum transfer is 3,000 points.
Related: What is Marriott Bonvoy elite status worth in 2022?
Use points for Marriott Bonvoy Moments
Marriott Bonvoy Moments offers destination-specific activities — think bus tours, sporting events and culinary experiences — in many cities where Marriott has a hotel presence. You can book these experiences using your Marriott Bonvoy points, giving you a "free" way to experience new cities. In many cases, these aren’t awards you could purchase using cash, so they can provide some unique activities on your next trip.
To see what’s currently available, head to the Marriott Bonvoy Moments site and click on the category you’d like to explore. Just note that certain experiences are bookable for a flat number of Marriott points while others are an auction against other bidders. Be sure to read the terms and conditions before you commit to purchasing one, as most are nonrefundable.
Related: Which Marriott Bonvoy credit card is right for you?
Buy merchandise with Marriott Shopping
Finally, you can use your Marriott Bonvoy points for merchandise and gift cards.
Marriott offers a wide range of products on its web store, from Uber gift cards to Bose headphones and Bluetooth speakers. However, these redemptions are not usually the best use of your miles.
For example, a $25 Apple gift card costs 10,000 points. This gives you just 0.25 cents per point in value, which is well below our Marriott Bonvoy valuation.
Related: Your guide to maximizing shopping portals for your online purchases
Bottom line
Even though recent changes have diminished or eliminated some of the best parts of the Bonvoy program, there are still a number of ways for you to get reasonable value out of your Marriott Bonvoy points. To do so, we generally recommend sticking with hotel stays or transferring to airline partners — these give you the best bang for your hard-earned points and let you see the world on the cheap.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
FAQs
How to redeem points with the Marriott Bonvoy program - The Points Guy - The Points Guy? ›
Marriott Bonvoy is also known for its popular rewards credit cards, and how easy it is to rack up points for a free stay. Free night awards also start at just 5,000 points, which is a major plus for travelers who want to stretch their rewards as far as they can go.
How many Bonvoy points do I need for a free night? ›Marriott Bonvoy is also known for its popular rewards credit cards, and how easy it is to rack up points for a free stay. Free night awards also start at just 5,000 points, which is a major plus for travelers who want to stretch their rewards as far as they can go.
How much is a Marriott point worth the points guy? ›Point are worth 1.25 cents apiece when redeemed for travel through Chase, but can also be transferred to 11 airline and three hotel partners for even more choices, including those first-class flights and fancy suites you've been dreaming of.
How do points work with Bonvoy? ›Marriott Bonvoy points can be used to purchase gift cards or for online shopping, and they can be transferred to airline partner programs to book flights. But more often than not, the best way to use Marriott Bonvoy points is to book rooms at Marriott hotels.
How many Bonvoy points is $100? ›So a $100 hotel stay earns 1,000 Marriott points. There are three exceptions: Element, Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites hotels earn just five Marriott points per dollar spent. You can earn even more points by maintaining Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Do Bonvoy points expire? ›As long as you keep earning points consistently, your Marriott Bonvoy points won't expire.
How many nights is 100000 Bonvoy points? ›Marriott Bonvoy's 100,000-Point Welcome Offer Means Up to 13 Free Nights at a Hotel. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is a great card for those who want to turn day-to-day expenses like groceries and gas into free hotel stays. Condé Nast Traveler has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products.
How do I convert my Marriott points to cash? ›You can sell Marriott Vacation Club points through the Marriott Vacation Club repurchase program. Their timeshare exit specialists will guide you through the process of resale. You can also sell these points with online traders like MilesBuyer for competitive prices.
How many dollars is 100000 Marriott points? ›It is possible to buy Marriott points, and the standard rate for 1,000 points is $12.50. The number of points you wish to purchase does not affect the price you pay per point. For example, if you purchase 100,000 points, you need to pay $1,250. That means you pay 1.25 cents per point.
What is the highest Marriott Rewards level? ›The top tier in the Marriott program is Bonvoy Ambassador Elite. You must reach 100 elite qualifying nights and $23,000 in qualifying spending to qualify for this tier.
What does 1000 Bonvoy points get you? ›
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Value of 1,000 Points | $9.1 |
| Minimum Value of 1 Point | 0.43 cents |
| Maximum Value of 1 Point | 1.63 cents |
| Value of 1 Point Toward Travel | 0.91 cents |
Marriott Bonvoy® Members can combine Cash and Marriott Bonvoy® Points to make a Reservation in two ways: Cash & Points Rate = A fixed combination of Cash and Points per Night. Customized Cash + Points = A multi-night Stay in which Marriott Bonvoy® Points are used for 1+ Nights and 1+ Nights are on a Paid Rate.
How many points per dollar do you get with Marriott Bonvoy? ›2.5 Points Per $1 USD Spent.
How many Bonvoy points do I need for a room? ›This property averages about 60,000 points per night, but there are times when you can snag a free night for as few as 41,000 points per night. With the three nights earned from the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, you can get three nights for free, depending on the time of year.
How many points do you need for a hotel on Bonvoy? ›6 points per dollar spent at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2 points per dollar).
How much is 42000 Marriott points worth? ›| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Value of 42,000 Points | $382.2 |
| Minimum Value of 1 Point | 0.43 cents |
| Maximum Value of 1 Point | 1.63 cents |
| Value of 1 Point Toward Travel | 0.91 cents |
Now, Marriott Bonvoy is ending them altogether on March 28, 2023, citing low demand as a reason.
Does Marriott Bonvoy reset every year? ›Each year, Marriott Bonvoy® works to ensure that all Members' Elite status reflects all previous year's qualifying activity.
How do I get my lifetime status on Bonvoy? ›- Lifetime Silver Elite: 250 lifetime nights and five years as a Silver Elite member or higher.
- Lifetime Gold Elite: 400 lifetime nights and seven years as a Gold Elite member or higher.
- Lifetime Platinum Elite: 600 lifetime nights and 10 years as a Platinum Elite member or higher.
A Free Night Award (Certificate) can be earned through Marriott Bonvoy® Credit Cards or Marriott Bonvoy® Elite Benefits such as Annual Choice.
How many Bonvoy nights do you need to be platinum? ›
Achieve Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum Elite status after 600 total lifetime nights and 10 years of Platinum Elite status or higher.
What to do with 100k Marriott points worth? ›If you've got 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, that will cover six nights — pay for nights one through four with points and get the fifth night free as a Marriott Bonvoy member. Then pay with points for the sixth night.
How much is 5000 Marriott points in dollars? ›...
Use Marriott Bonvoy Points for Instant Redemptions at Hotels.
No, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is not a cash back credit card. Although the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card does not offer cash back, it does have rewards, giving 2 - 6 points per $1 spent on purchases. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card also has a $650 annual fee.
Can I transfer Marriott points to someone else? ›You can transfer your Marriott Bonvoy® Points to another Member's Account through the Points Transfer tool online. Please Note: If you are not already logged into your Marriott Bonvoy® Account, you will be directed to the Login Page prior to being presented with the Online Transfer Tool.
How much does 80000 Marriott points cost? ›| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Value of 80,000 Points | $728 |
| Minimum Value of 1 Point | 0.43 cents |
| Maximum Value of 1 Point | 1.63 cents |
| Value of 1 Point Toward Travel | 0.91 cents |
Gold members receive points at check in. Most properties offer 500 points, but these brands only offer 250: Courtyard, Four Points, SpringHill Suites, Protea Hotels, Fairfield, AC Hotels, Aloft, Moxy, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites and Element hotels.
How do you get lifetime platinum at Marriott? ›You must earn 600 Qualifying Nights and 10 years as Platinum Elite or higher to achieve Lifetime Platinum Elite status. Marriott Bonvoy® would love to welcome you to the Lifetime Platinum Elite community!
Is Marriott Titanium higher than Platinum? ›Titanium status is Marriott Bonvoy's 75-night elite tier, between Platinum and Ambassador status. It offers limited incremental perks over Platinum status, including 75% bonus points (rather than 50% bonus points), suite upgrades at Ritz-Carltons, United MileagePlus Silver status, and access to more Choice Benefits.
How many points is a Category 6 Marriott? ›| Marriott Hotel Category | Off-Peak Night Cost | Example of a Hotel in this Category |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 40,000 points | Four Points Hotel in Juneau, Alaska |
| 7 | 50,000 points | The Press Hotel in Portland, Maine |
| 8 | 70,000 points | The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada |
Can my wife use my Marriott Rewards number? ›
You can only use your Marriott Bonvoy® Points to Gift an Award Redemption Reservation to another Guest You cannot use a Free Night Award Certificate to book a Room for another Guest.
How much is 14 000 Marriott points worth? ›| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Value of 14,000 Points | $127.4 |
| Minimum Value of 1 Point | 0.43 cents |
| Maximum Value of 1 Point | 1.63 cents |
| Value of 1 Point Toward Travel | 0.91 cents |
What is the 85,000-point Free Night Award worth? The 85,000-point award is provided each year to those with a Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Terms apply. NerdWallet values Marriott points at 0.7 cent each, making this award worth $595.
Can I combine Marriott points and free night? ›Your e-certificate may not be combined with cash or other Marriott Bonvoy points when redeeming for your free night, and may not be transferred, extended beyond expiration date, or re-credited for points. Each Anniversary Free Night Award issued will have an expiration of 12 months.
Is it worth it to use Marriott points? ›Bonvoy points redeemed at these properties are worth 0.73 cents per point. When comparing Marriott's domestic and international properties from the data we collected, we found that redeeming your Bonvoy points for hotels located in the U.S. offers more value than Marriott hotels in international destinations.
Can you pay with points and cash? ›You can buy a ticket or book a room even if award seats or nights are not available (no blackout dates) You'll typically earn frequent flyer miles for airfare booked through travel portals. If you don't have enough points to pay for a ticket (either an award ticket or paid fare), you can combine your points with cash.
Do I get Marriott points if I book through Amex? ›There are examples of people receiving stay credits with Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors, for example, on rooms booked through Amex Travel. However, it's not guaranteed that the hotel will recognize your elite status in these programs or provide status-qualifying stay credits in your loyalty account.
How to get free stay at Marriott? ›- Search for a stay with the preselected “Use Points / Awards.”
- Select hotel and room type.
- Review the reservation details. If an award is available for your stay, it will be preselected.
- Book your free nights.
Point Upgrade Award - Issued when Marriott Bonvoy® Points are redeemed to upgrade a Free Night Award in a Standard Room and is subject to availability at Participating Properties. Please refer to the details for the selected Participating Property at which you are making a Reservation.
How many hotel points do you need for a free stay? ›How many Points do I need for a free night? Free nights can be redeemed for as few as 5,000 Points per night and no more than 95,000 Points per night for a Standard Room. Select properties with specialty accommodations may require up to 150,000 Points per night for a Standard Room.
Can you use Marriott points for Ritz Carlton? ›
Can I Earn and Redeem Marriott Bonvoy® Points when staying at Ritz-Carlton Reserve Properties? Yes, we are pleased to announce that you can Earn and Redeem Points for Stays at all Ritz-Carlton Reserve Properties as of April 14, 2022. Terms and Conditions apply.
What is a elite night credit? ›Elite night credits qualify you to become an elite member in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program at one of the different tier levels, and can be earned by staying at participating properties. For example, if you stay one night at a participating Marriott hotel, you'll earn one elite night credit.
How much is 70 000 Bonvoy points worth? ›| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Value of 70,000 Points | $637 |
| Minimum Value of 1 Point | 0.43 cents |
| Maximum Value of 1 Point | 1.63 cents |
| Value of 1 Point Toward Travel | 0.91 cents |
Marriott Bonvoy is also known for its popular rewards credit cards, and how easy it is to rack up points for a free stay. Free night awards also start at just 5,000 points, which is a major plus for travelers who want to stretch their rewards as far as they can go.
What is the dollar value of 10000 Marriott points? ›, 10,000 Marriott Bonvoy points are worth about $70. How much are 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy points worth? , 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy points are worth about $175.
How many Marriott points do I need? ›| Hotel Category | Off Peak Season | Standard Season |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5,000 | 7,500 |
| 2 | 10,000 | 12,500 |
| 3 | 15,000 | 17,500 |
| 4 | 20,000 | 25,000 |
50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points are worth an average of $455, according to WalletHub data. You will get the best value for your Marriott Bonvoy points when you redeem them for Marriott reservations, but you can also redeem them for flights, car rentals, cruises and others.
How much is 6000 Marriott points worth? ›| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Value of 6,000 Points | $54.6 |
| Minimum Value of 1 Point | 0.43 cents |
| Maximum Value of 1 Point | 1.63 cents |
| Value of 1 Point Toward Travel | 0.91 cents |
Elite Night Credits are the number of completed Qualifying Nights you have earned with us. One Elite Night Credit (ENC) is earned for each completed Qualifying Night you stayed at a Marriott Bonvoy® Participating Property on a Qualifying Rate. Earning Elite Night Credits (ENCs) help you earn Elite Status.
Are Bonvoy points worth it? ›While one Bonvoy point is typically valued at between 0.7 cents and 0.9 cents, it can drop to 0.5 cents or go upward of 2 cents in some cases. Usually, you will get the best value for your points when you redeem them for stays at Marriott's top-end properties.
How much is 100000 Marriott points in dollars? ›
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Value of 100,000 Points | $910 |
| Minimum Value of 1 Point | 0.43 cents |
| Maximum Value of 1 Point | 1.63 cents |
| Value of 1 Point Toward Travel | 0.91 cents |
You'll earn: 6 points per dollar of eligible purchases spent at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
What is Marriott bonus nights? ›Bonus Elite Night Credits make each night of a stay count twice, allowing registered members to reach higher Marriott Bonvoy membership tiers more quickly.
How long does Bonvoy Elite status last? ›How long does Marriott Bonvoy status last? Elite status is valid in the year in which it's earned and an additional 14 months after that year. For example, if you earn elite status in November 2020, the status that you earn is valid until February 28, 2022.
What is the minimum credit score for Marriott Bonvoy Amex? ›Marriott Bonvoy credit card credit score requirements
You will need a Good to Excellent credit score rating of 690-850 to improve your chances of approval. Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card.