Greetings, fellow travelers and Marriott Bonvoy members! Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your points and embark on an unforgettable journey without draining your bank account? The Marriott Points + Cash option is a powerful tool in your travel arsenal, allowing you to stretch your points further and stay at your dream destination for less. But how exactly does it work, and is it always the best option? Let's dive deep into a comprehensive guide that will make you a master of this booking method.
Step 1: Understanding the Marriott Points + Cash Program
First and foremost, let's get a clear picture of what the Points + Cash program entails. It's not a simple one-to-one exchange, but a flexible way to book a hotel stay using a combination of your precious Marriott Bonvoy points and a cash co-pay. This method can be incredibly beneficial, especially when you don't have enough points for a full award night, or if you want to save your points for a more luxurious redemption down the line.
What is it, really? Think of it as a way to "buy" the remaining points you need for a stay at a favorable rate. Marriott offers a fixed combination of points and cash for a single night's stay. The specific amount of points and cash will vary based on the hotel, your travel dates, and the room type.
What's the catch? It's all about availability. The Points + Cash option is not available at every single Marriott property or for every single night. Marriott has discretion on which hotels and dates offer this rate, so you'll need to be flexible and do some searching. You'll be responsible for taxes and fees on the cash portion. Unlike a points-only booking where taxes are typically covered, you will have to pay the taxes and fees that apply to the cash amount of your reservation.
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| How To Use Points And Cash On Marriott |
Step 2: The Booking Process – A Detailed, Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to book your next trip? Let's walk through the process on the Marriott website. The steps are very similar for the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app as well.
Sub-heading: Getting Started on the Website
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Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy Account: This is a crucial first step. You need to be logged in to see the available points and cash rates.
Start your search: On the Marriott homepage, enter your desired destination and travel dates.
Check the "Use Points/Certificates" box: This is the key to unlocking the points-based rates. Make sure this box is checked before you hit "Find Hotels."
Find your hotel: Browse through the list of hotels that appear. Not all of them will have a Points + Cash option, but you'll see a points-only rate for many.
Sub-heading: Finding the Points + Cash Option
Click "View Rates": Once you've found a hotel you're interested in, click on the "View Rates" button next to it. This will take you to the individual hotel's booking page.
Look for the "Cash + Points" rate: On the rates page, you'll see a breakdown of different ways to pay. The "Cash + Points" rate, if available, will be listed alongside the standard cash rate and the points-only rate. It will show a combination of points and a cash amount per night.
Compare and calculate: This is where you become a travel hacker. You need to do a little math to determine if the Points + Cash option is a good value.
Find the difference in points between the points-only rate and the Points + Cash rate.
Find the difference in cash between the Points + Cash rate and a standard cash rate for the same room.
Divide the cash difference by the points difference to find the value you're getting for each point. For example, if the points-only rate is 50,000 points and the Points + Cash rate is 25,000 points + $150, you are "buying" 25,000 points for $150, which is $0.006 per point, or 0.6 cents per point. This calculation helps you see if you're getting a good deal or not.
Sub-heading: Completing Your Booking
Select the rate: If you've determined that the Points + Cash option is the best value for you, click "Select" next to that rate.
Review your reservation: Double-check all the details of your stay, including the dates, room type, and the total points and cash amount.
Finalize your booking: Confirm your payment information and click "Book Now." You're all set! Your reservation will be confirmed, and you'll receive an email with all the details.
Step 3: Important Considerations and Tips
The Points + Cash option is a fantastic tool, but it's important to use it strategically. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Availability is dynamic. Marriott uses dynamic award pricing, which means the point value can change frequently. This also applies to Points + Cash rates. Check back often to see if the rates have shifted.
Short on points? No problem. If you don't have enough points for the points portion of the reservation, Marriott may give you the option to purchase points during the checkout process. This is often a great way to top off your account for a specific stay.
Multi-night stays. For multi-night stays, you may be able to customize your booking, paying for some nights with points and others with cash. This can be a savvy way to save money and points, especially if the nightly rates fluctuate.
Elite status and benefits. A Points + Cash booking is considered a points redemption, so you will receive your Marriott Bonvoy elite benefits, such as late checkout, complimentary internet, and room upgrades (subject to availability). However, you generally will not earn points on the cash portion of the stay, as it's not a "qualifying charge."
Resort fees. Be aware that if a hotel charges a resort fee, you will likely be responsible for paying it, even on a Points + Cash reservation. This is an important detail to factor into your total cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How to find out if Points + Cash is available?
You can't filter your search results for Points + Cash availability. The best way is to search for a hotel with the "Use Points/Certificates" box checked, and then click "View Rates" on the individual hotel's page to see if a Points + Cash option is listed among the rates.
How to calculate the value of my points on a Points + Cash booking?
Subtract the points portion of the Points + Cash rate from the points-only rate, and then subtract the cash portion of the Points + Cash rate from the standard cash rate. Divide the cash difference by the points difference to get the per-point value.
How to use a Free Night Award with Points + Cash?
You can combine a Free Night Award with points to increase its value, but you cannot combine it with a Points + Cash booking. You can, however, use a Free Night Award for one night and book an additional night with Points + Cash, creating a multi-night stay.
How to book a stay with a mix of cash and points for different nights?
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For a multi-night stay, Marriott's booking system may allow you to select whether you want to pay with points or cash for each individual night. This can be a great way to mix and match to get the best value, especially if a specific night is a "peak" date requiring more points.
How to get an upgrade on a Points + Cash booking?
Upgrades are based on your Marriott Bonvoy elite status and are subject to availability at check-in. The Points + Cash booking is treated as a standard award booking, so you are eligible for the same benefits as a points-only stay.
How to earn points on a Points + Cash booking?
You will not earn Marriott Bonvoy points on the cash portion of a Points + Cash booking because it is considered a redemption stay, not a paid stay. You may, however, earn points on any incidental charges you make during your stay, such as dining or spa services.
How to cancel a Points + Cash reservation?
You can cancel a Points + Cash reservation just like any other booking, subject to the hotel's cancellation policy. The points and cash will be refunded to your account accordingly.
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How to determine if a Points + Cash booking is a good deal?
Compare the value you are getting per point (using the calculation above) to a baseline value you have for your points. If you value your points at, for example, 0.7 cents per point, and the Points + Cash rate gives you a value of 0.8 cents per point, it's a great deal!
How to book a Points + Cash stay on the mobile app?
The process is very similar to the website. After logging in and searching for your hotel, you need to ensure the "Book with Points" toggle is switched on. The Points + Cash option will appear on the rates page if available.
How to use Points + Cash for a booking at an All-Inclusive resort?
Marriott's All-Inclusive resorts are generally not eligible for Points + Cash bookings. However, you can still book them with points-only redemptions. Always check the specific property's terms and conditions.
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