Marriott, with its vast portfolio of brands ranging from luxury to extended stay, offers a seemingly endless array of options for travelers. But with so many choices, how do you ensure you're snagging the absolute best rate for your stay? It's a common question, and one that often involves a bit of strategic planning.
Ready to unlock the secrets to cheaper Marriott stays? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Join Marriott Bonvoy - Your Essential First Move!
Before you even think about searching for rates, the single most important thing you can do is join Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott's loyalty program. It's completely free, and the benefits start immediately.
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| How Do I Get The Best Rate At Marriott |
Why Marriott Bonvoy is Your Best Friend:
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Member Rates: As a Bonvoy member, you gain access to exclusive, preferred rates ("Member Rates") that are often lower than publicly available rates. This is your baseline for savings.
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Free Wi-Fi: No more paying for internet in your room – a small but significant saving.
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Mobile Check-In & Mobile Key: Streamline your arrival and even use your phone as your room key.
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Earn Points: Every eligible stay earns you valuable Marriott Bonvoy points, which can be redeemed for free nights, experiences, and more. This indirectly lowers your overall travel costs.
How to Join: Simply visit the Marriott website (Marriott.com) or download the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app and sign up. It takes just a few minutes.
Step 2: Master the Art of Flexible Searching
Once you're a Bonvoy member, it's time to start searching. But don't just put in your exact dates and hit "search." Flexibility is key to uncovering hidden deals.
Sub-heading: Adjusting Your Dates and Days of the Week
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Mid-Week vs. Weekend: Hotels, especially those catering to business travelers, often have lower rates during weekends and higher rates during the week. Conversely, leisure-focused resorts might be cheaper on weekdays. Experiment with your travel dates.
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Shoulder Seasons: Consider traveling during shoulder seasons (just before or after peak season) when demand is lower, and rates are typically more competitive.
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Length of Stay Discounts: Some hotels offer discounts for longer stays (e.g., booking 3 or more nights). Always check if this applies to your chosen property.
Sub-heading: Exploring Nearby Locations
Don't be fixated on a single hotel or even a single neighborhood. Marriott has a vast footprint, and a hotel just a few miles away might offer a significantly better rate.
Tip: Reread if it feels confusing.
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Check Adjacent Areas: Use the map view on Marriott's website or app to see prices at nearby properties.
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Consider Different Marriott Brands: A full-service Marriott might be expensive, but a Fairfield Inn or a SpringHill Suites in the same area could offer a more budget-friendly option with comparable amenities for your needs.
Step 3: Uncover Special Rates and Promotions
Marriott frequently offers various special rates and promotions. It's crucial to know where to look and if you qualify.
Sub-heading: Member-Specific Deals
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Marriott Bonvoy Promotions: Keep an eye on the "Deals" or "Offers" section on the Marriott website and within your Bonvoy account. These often include bonus points, discounted rates for specific regions, or promotions for booking multiple nights.
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Targeted Offers: Marriott sometimes sends personalized offers via email to Bonvoy members. Make sure your email preferences are set to receive these.
Sub-heading: Leveraging Discount Codes (If Applicable)
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Corporate Codes: If you work for a company that has a corporate agreement with Marriott, you may be eligible for a discounted rate. Always check with your HR or travel department for your company's code. You'll usually need to show proof of employment at check-in.
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AAA/CAA Membership: If you're a member of AAA (American Automobile Association) or CAA (Canadian Automobile Association), you can often get 5% or more off the best available rate. This is a widely accepted discount.
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Senior Discounts: Travelers aged 62 and above are typically eligible for a senior discount. While it might vary by property, it's a consistent offering across many Marriott brands.
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Government/Military Rates: Active and retired government employees and military personnel can often access special government rates. Proof of eligibility is required at check-in.
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Group Rates: If you're traveling with a group (usually 10 or more rooms), you can often negotiate a favorable group rate directly with the hotel. Marriott's website also has a dedicated section for group bookings.
Sub-heading: The Power of Points and Certificates
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Redeem Marriott Bonvoy Points: Your accumulated points are essentially free nights! Always check the point redemption rates for your desired dates. Sometimes, a high cash rate might make a point redemption a fantastic value.
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Cash + Points Option: If you don't have enough points for a full free night, Marriott often offers a "Cash + Points" option, allowing you to combine a smaller number of points with a cash payment. This can often be a better value than paying full cash.
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Free Night Certificates: If you have a Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card, you might earn annual free night certificates. Be sure to utilize these before they expire!
Step 4: Implement the Best Rate Guarantee (BRG) Strategy
Marriott has a "Best Rate Guarantee" (BRG) policy, also known as "Look No Further." This is a powerful tool if you find a lower rate for the exact same room and conditions on a non-Marriott website.
Sub-heading: Understanding the BRG
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What it Is: If you find a lower rate on an eligible third-party website within 24 hours of booking your reservation directly with Marriott, and it's more than 24 hours before check-in, Marriott will not only match that lower rate but also give you an additional 25% discount on the room (or 5,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, your choice).
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Key Conditions: The comparison rate must be for the same hotel, same room type, same dates, same inclusions (e.g., breakfast), and same cancellation policy. Minor differences can invalidate the claim.
Tip: Don’t skip the details — they matter.
Sub-heading: Tips for a Successful BRG Claim
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Book Directly First: You must make a reservation directly on Marriott.com or the Marriott Bonvoy app before filing a claim.
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Act Quickly: You have a 24-hour window from the time of your Marriott booking to submit your BRG claim.
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Document Everything: Take screenshots of the lower rate, including the website, date, time, and all rate details. This evidence is crucial.
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Check Eligibility: Not all third-party websites are eligible. Avoid "opaque" sites where the hotel name isn't revealed until after booking (like Priceline Express Deals or Hotwire).
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Read the Fine Print: Familiarize yourself with Marriott's full BRG terms and conditions on their website to ensure your claim meets all criteria.
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Be Persistent (Politely): If your initial claim is denied, carefully review the reason and, if you believe you still qualify, respond with additional details or screenshots.
Step 5: Consider External Factors and Booking Habits
Beyond direct discounts, your general booking habits can also influence the rates you secure.
Sub-heading: Booking Timing
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Book in Advance, But Check Back: Often, booking well in advance can secure a good rate. However, hotel prices can fluctuate. It's a good practice to check back closer to your stay, especially if you booked a flexible/cancellable rate, as prices can sometimes drop.
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Last-Minute Deals: While not always reliable, sometimes hotels offer last-minute discounts to fill unsold rooms. This is riskier but can pay off for spontaneous trips.
Sub-heading: Loyalty Tier Status
While joining is Step 1, achieving higher elite status within Marriott Bonvoy can unlock even more benefits that enhance your stay and provide value.
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Bonus Points: Higher elite tiers (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium, Ambassador) earn increasingly higher bonus points on stays.
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Late Checkout: Guaranteed late checkout (up to 4 PM for Platinum Elite and higher) can save you money on day-use rates or extend your enjoyment of the hotel.
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Enhanced Room Upgrades: Elite members are eligible for complimentary room upgrades, which means getting a better room for the same price.
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Welcome Gifts: Platinum Elite and higher often receive a welcome gift, which can include points or complimentary breakfast, saving you on food costs.
Sub-heading: Credit Card Benefits
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Marriott Bonvoy Co-Branded Credit Cards: Many credit cards offer points on Marriott purchases, elite status benefits, and even annual free night certificates, making them a powerful tool for reducing your overall hotel expenses.
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Travel Credit Cards with Hotel Credits: Some premium travel credit cards offer annual hotel credits or other benefits that can be applied to Marriott stays.
Step 6: Avoid Common Pitfalls
Even with the best intentions, it's easy to make mistakes that cost you money.
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Don't Always Trust Third-Party Sites Blindly: While they can be useful for BRG claims, direct booking with Marriott often offers the most flexibility, direct access to your Bonvoy benefits, and easier customer service if issues arise.
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Be Wary of Non-Refundable Rates (Unless Certain): While non-refundable rates are often cheaper, they offer no flexibility if your plans change. Only book these if your travel is absolutely set in stone.
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Factor in All Costs: Remember to account for resort fees, parking fees, and taxes when comparing rates. A seemingly lower base rate might end up being more expensive after all charges are applied.
By diligently following these steps, you'll significantly increase your chances of securing the absolute best rate for your next Marriott stay, maximizing your value and enhancing your travel experience. Happy travels!
QuickTip: Repetition reinforces learning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions, all starting with "How to," with quick answers:
How to get a Marriott Bonvoy Member Rate?
Simply join the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program for free on Marriott.com or the app, and the Member Rate will be automatically displayed when you search for rooms.
How to use a corporate code for Marriott?
When searching for rooms on Marriott.com or the app, look for the "Special Rates" or "Corporate/Promo Code" field, enter your company's code, and click apply. Be prepared to show ID at check-in.
How to apply a senior discount at Marriott?
When booking online, select "Senior Discount" under the "Special Rates" option. You'll generally need to be 62 years or older and may be asked for ID at check-in.
How to find Marriott promotions and deals?
Visit the "Deals" or "Offers" section on Marriott.com, check your Marriott Bonvoy account for personalized offers, and subscribe to their email newsletters.
QuickTip: Read a little, pause, then continue.
How to make a Marriott Best Rate Guarantee (BRG) claim?
Book your room directly on Marriott.com, then within 24 hours of booking, if you find a lower, identical rate on an eligible third-party website, submit a claim form on Marriott's BRG page.
How to use Marriott Bonvoy points for a free night?
When searching for rooms on Marriott.com or the app, select "Use Points/Certificates" as your rate preference to see redemption options.
How to get an upgrade at Marriott?
Achieve Marriott Bonvoy Elite status (Gold, Platinum, Titanium, Ambassador) to become eligible for complimentary room upgrades based on availability at check-in.
How to save on Marriott stays with a credit card?
Consider applying for a Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card, which offers bonus points, elite status benefits, and often annual free night certificates.
How to book a group rate at Marriott?
For groups typically of 10 rooms or more, contact the hotel directly or use the "Group Travel" section on Marriott.com to inquire about special group rates.
How to cancel a Marriott reservation without penalty?
Check the cancellation policy of your specific reservation (usually found in your confirmation email or on your booking details page). Flexible rates typically allow free cancellation up to a certain time before check-in.
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