Are you ready to unlock a world of travel and rewards? If you've ever found yourself wondering how to navigate the massive and sometimes confusing world of hotel loyalty programs, you've come to the right place. The Marriott Bonvoy program is one of the most popular and expansive loyalty programs in the world, with over 30 hotel brands and thousands of properties globally. But how do the points really work? This isn't just about collecting points; it's about understanding a system that can transform your travel. Let's dive in, step-by-step, to demystify Marriott Bonvoy points and help you get the most out of your travel.
Step 1: Signing Up and Understanding the Basics
The first and most important step is to become a Marriott Bonvoy member. The good news? It's completely free to join. You can sign up online in a matter of minutes. Once you're a member, you'll immediately gain access to a range of perks, even before you start collecting points.
Free Wi-Fi: Enjoy complimentary standard in-room internet access at participating hotels.
Member Rates: You get access to exclusive, discounted room rates that aren't available to the general public.
Mobile Check-in/Checkout: Use the Marriott Bonvoy app for a seamless, contactless stay.
Earn Points and Elite Night Credits: This is the core of the program. For every dollar you spend on eligible hotel purchases, you'll earn points. We'll get into the details of that next.
Remember: The key to earning points and enjoying your benefits is to always book directly with Marriott, either through their website, the app, or by calling them. Bookings made through third-party sites like Expedia or Priceline typically will not earn you points or elite night credits.
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| How Do Bonvoy Marriott Points Work |
Step 2: Earning Your Marriott Bonvoy Points
This is where the real fun begins! Earning Marriott Bonvoy points is easier than you think, and it's not just limited to hotel stays. The more ways you earn, the faster your points balance will grow.
Sub-heading: The Obvious Way - Hotel Stays
The most straightforward way to earn points is by staying at one of the over 8,000 participating Marriott properties worldwide. The number of points you earn per dollar spent depends on the hotel brand and your elite status level.
10 points per dollar: This is the standard earning rate at most Marriott brands, including JW Marriott, Sheraton, and Renaissance Hotels. You earn points not just on the room rate, but on all eligible charges you can charge to your room, like dining, spa services, and golf rounds.
5 points per dollar: A few brands, such as Element, Residence Inn, and TownePlace Suites, offer a reduced earning rate.
2.5 points per dollar: Marriott Executive Apartments have a different earning structure.
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Sub-heading: The Smart Way - Co-Branded Credit Cards
This is arguably the fastest and most efficient way to rack up a massive number of points. Marriott has partnered with American Express and Chase to offer a variety of co-branded credit cards. These cards offer huge welcome bonuses and ongoing earning rates for everyday spending.
Welcome Bonuses: Many cards offer substantial one-time point bonuses after you meet a certain spending requirement. These bonuses can be enough for a few free nights right off the bat!
Bonus Categories: You'll earn extra points on Marriott purchases, and often on other categories like groceries, dining, and gas.
Elite Status: Some cards even grant you automatic elite status, which comes with its own set of point-earning bonuses.
Sub-heading: The Creative Ways - Beyond the Hotel
Marriott has a surprising number of partnerships that allow you to earn points without setting foot in a hotel.
Marriott Bonvoy Events: Planning a wedding, business meeting, or other event? You can earn points for eligible event expenses.
Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities: Book local tours and excursions through Marriott's dedicated platform and earn points.
Uber & Uber Eats: Link your Marriott Bonvoy and Uber accounts to earn points on qualifying rides and food deliveries.
Cruise with Points: Book a cruise through the Marriott program and earn points per dollar spent.
Dining Programs: Enroll in the Eat Around Town dining program to earn points when you dine at thousands of participating restaurants in the U.S.
Step 3: Understanding and Achieving Elite Status
The more you stay with Marriott, the more rewards you get. This is the foundation of the elite status program. As you achieve higher tiers, you unlock more valuable benefits, which makes your travel experience even better. Status is earned based on the number of qualifying nights you stay in a calendar year.
Silver Elite (10 nights): Enjoy a 10% bonus on points earned, and priority late checkout (based on availability).
Gold Elite (25 nights): Get a 25% points bonus, 2 p.m. late checkout (subject to availability), and an enhanced room upgrade (if available).
Platinum Elite (50 nights): This is a game-changer. You get a 50% bonus on points, a guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout (at most properties), lounge access at hotels with lounges, and a welcome gift of your choice (points, breakfast, or an amenity).
Titanium Elite (75 nights): A 75% points bonus, a 48-hour room guarantee, and a second annual choice benefit in addition to the ones at the Platinum level.
Ambassador Elite (100 nights + $20,000 in qualifying spend): The highest tier. You get all the benefits of Titanium, plus a dedicated Ambassador to help with your travel needs, and the "Your24" benefit, which allows you to choose your check-in and checkout times.
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Step 4: Redeeming Your Hard-Earned Points
Now for the best part—using your points! Marriott Bonvoy points offer a lot of flexibility, but not all redemptions are created equal. The most valuable use of your points is almost always for free hotel nights.
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Free Night Awards: Use your points to book a room at any of the thousands of Marriott properties. The number of points required for a night is dynamic, meaning it fluctuates based on demand. To find the best value, look for off-peak dates or use the "Flexible Dates" calendar on the Marriott website.
Stay for 5, Pay for 4: This is a fantastic perk for Bonvoy members. When you book a five-night award stay, the cheapest night is automatically free. This effectively gives you a 20% discount on your stay!
Cash + Points: Don't have enough points for a full stay? You can combine a portion of your points with a cash co-pay for a single night or an entire stay.
Transfer to Airline Partners: Marriott has partnerships with over 40 airline programs. You can transfer your points to airline miles at a 3:1 ratio (3 Marriott points = 1 airline mile), and you'll even get a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points you transfer.
Marriott Bonvoy Moments: This is where you can use your points for unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, from VIP concert tickets to exclusive culinary events. This is a great way to use a large points balance on something truly special.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to find out my Marriott Bonvoy point expiration date?
Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 consecutive months of inactivity. To check your points expiration date, log in to your Bonvoy account, go to "Activity," and you should see the date listed. As long as you have a qualifying earning or redeeming activity within that 24-month window, your points will not expire.
How to keep my Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring?
There are many ways to keep your account active and reset the 24-month clock. The easiest ways are to book a stay, use a Marriott co-branded credit card, transfer points to an airline partner, or even purchase a small amount of points. Note that transferring points to another member or receiving a transfer does not count as a qualifying activity to prevent expiration.
How to combine Marriott Bonvoy points with cash for a hotel stay?
When you search for a hotel on the Marriott website or app, look for the "Use Points / Awards" option. If the hotel offers a Cash + Points option, it will be displayed alongside the standard points-only and cash-only rates.
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How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to an airline program?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account and navigate to the "Transfer Points" section. You will be able to select from a list of airline partners. You need to have a frequent flyer account with the corresponding airline, and the names on both accounts must match.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on everyday spending?
The best way to earn points on everyday purchases is by using a Marriott co-branded credit card from Chase or American Express. These cards typically offer bonus points on spending at Marriott properties and often on other categories like dining, groceries, and gas.
How to use the "Stay for 5, Pay for 4" benefit?
This benefit is automatically applied to your booking. When you search for an award stay of five nights or more, the points required for the fifth night will be deducted from your total. You don't need to do anything special to activate it, other than being a Bonvoy member and booking a five-night award stay.
How to get elite status with Marriott Bonvoy faster?
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Besides staying at hotels, you can get a jumpstart on elite status by getting a Marriott co-branded credit card. Many of these cards offer automatic Silver or Gold status, and some provide a certain number of elite night credits each year, putting you closer to the next status tier.
How to get an enhanced room upgrade with Marriott Bonvoy?
As a Gold, Platinum, Titanium, or Ambassador Elite member, you are eligible for room upgrades based on availability at check-in. The upgrades are at the discretion of the hotel and can include a better view, a corner room, or even a suite. The higher your status, the more likely you are to get a significant upgrade.
How to get complimentary breakfast with Marriott Bonvoy?
Complimentary breakfast is a benefit for Platinum Elite and higher members, but it's typically offered as a welcome gift at select brands that have lounges, such as Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, and Westin. At some other brands without lounges, you may be able to choose breakfast as your welcome gift.
How to redeem points for a Marriott Bonvoy Moment?
Visit the dedicated Marriott Bonvoy Moments website to browse a variety of unique experiences. Some moments have a fixed point price, while others are available through an auction-style bidding system. You simply use your points to bid on or purchase the experience.
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