Let's dive into the world of Marriott Bonvoy points! The value of these points isn't a fixed number; it's a dynamic figure that fluctuates based on how you choose to use them. While there's an average value, the true worth of your points is what you make of them. This guide will help you understand that value and show you how to maximize it.
Step 1: The First Thing to Understand About Marriott Points
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's start with the most important concept: the average value of a Marriott Bonvoy point. On average, a Marriott Bonvoy point is worth about 0.9 cents when redeemed for hotel stays. That means 10,000 points are typically worth about $90, and 50,000 points are worth around $450. It's a useful baseline, but as we'll see, you can often get much more value than this if you're smart about your redemptions.
Step 2: The Best Way to Use Your Points: Free Hotel Stays
The most popular and generally most valuable way to redeem your Marriott points is for free nights at their hotels. The Marriott Bonvoy program has an impressive portfolio of over 30 brands and nearly 9,000 properties worldwide, from budget-friendly options to luxurious resorts.
How to Maximize the Value of Hotel Redemptions:
Be flexible with your dates. The point cost for a room is based on demand. If you can travel during off-peak seasons or on weekdays, you'll often find a better point value.
Search for the "fifth night free" benefit. When you book a stay of five nights using points, you'll get the cheapest night for free. This can significantly increase the value of your points, making a good deal even better.
Look for hotels with a high cash rate but a low point rate. This is where you'll get the most bang for your buck. Use the "Use Points/Awards" filter on the Marriott website to compare point prices with cash prices and find those sweet spots. For example, a hotel room that costs 50,000 points might be selling for $800 a night in cash, giving you a value of 1.6 cents per point (800/50,000 = 0.016). That's nearly double the average!
Step 3: Other Ways to Redeem Your Points (and Why They're Less Valuable)
While hotel stays are typically the best use of points, you do have other options. However, it's crucial to understand that these alternatives often provide a lower value per point.
A. Transferring to Airline Partners ✈️
Marriott Bonvoy has partnerships with over 39 airlines. You can transfer your points to airline miles at a 3:1 ratio for most partners. For every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer, you'll also get a bonus of 5,000 miles, bringing the total to 25,000 miles.
When is this a good idea? It's usually only a good option if you need to top off an airline account for a specific award flight. The value of airline miles varies, but it's often best to stick with hotel redemptions unless you have a compelling reason to transfer.
B. Marriott Bonvoy Moments
Marriott Bonvoy Moments allow you to use points to bid on or purchase exclusive experiences, like VIP access to concerts, sporting events, or culinary workshops.
Is it a good value? The value here is subjective. You might get a high-dollar experience for a reasonable number of points, but it's not easily quantifiable like a hotel stay. It's about creating memories, not maximizing a monetary value.
C. Other Redemptions (and Why You Should Avoid Them)
Marriott also allows you to redeem points for a variety of other things, but their value is significantly lower. These include:
Merchandise from the Marriott Bonvoy shop.
Gift cards from various retailers.
Car rentals and flights through the Marriott portal.
Donations to charities.
For these redemptions, the value per point often drops to less than 0.5 cents. It's almost always a better idea to save your points for a future hotel stay.
Step 4: How to Earn Points and Boost Your Balance
To get the most out of your points, you need to earn them! Here's how:
Hotel Stays: The most obvious way is by staying at Marriott properties. Members earn 10 points per dollar spent on most hotel stays. Elite members get bonus points: Silver Elite (10% bonus), Gold Elite (25% bonus), Platinum Elite (50% bonus), and Titanium/Ambassador Elite (75% bonus).
Credit Cards: Co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit cards from partners like American Express and Chase are a great way to earn points quickly, especially through welcome bonuses and spending on the card.
Partnerships: You can also earn points through various partnerships, such as with Uber, Hertz, and Emirates.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
You can easily check your point balance by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the website or through the mobile app.
How to use Marriott points for a free hotel stay?
Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account, search for hotels, and check the "Use Points/Awards" box to see the point cost for your desired dates.
How to find the best value for my Marriott points?
To find the best value, compare the point cost of a hotel room to its cash price. A redemption value of over 0.9 cents per point is considered a good deal.
How to transfer Marriott points to an airline?
Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account, go to the "Use Points" section, and find the "Transfer Points to Miles" option to initiate a transfer to one of their airline partners.
How to book a fifth night free with Marriott points?
When you book a stay of five nights or longer with points, the system automatically deducts the points for the cheapest night of your stay.
How to combine Marriott points with cash?
Marriott offers a "Points + Cash" option for some hotel bookings, allowing you to use a combination of points and cash to cover the cost of your stay.
How to earn more Marriott points from hotel stays?
Achieving elite status (Silver, Gold, Platinum, etc.) with Marriott Bonvoy will give you a bonus on the base points you earn for every dollar spent on your hotel stays.
How to use Marriott points for experiences?
Visit the "Marriott Bonvoy Moments" section of the Marriott website to browse and bid on or purchase exclusive experiences using your points.
How to get Marriott points through credit card spending?
Use a co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit card for your everyday purchases. These cards offer bonus points on specific spending categories and often come with a generous welcome bonus.
How to avoid my Marriott points from expiring?
Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 months of inactivity. To keep them active, simply make an eligible activity, such as a paid hotel stay or a purchase on your Marriott credit card.
