Congratulations! You've accumulated Marriott Bonvoy points, and now it's time to turn them into unforgettable travel experiences. Using your points to book a room is one of the most rewarding ways to leverage your Marriott Bonvoy membership. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, step by step, ensuring a smooth and successful redemption.
Let's dive in and unlock those free nights!
Your Ultimate Guide to Booking Marriott Rooms with Points
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| How Do You Use Marriott Points To Book A Room |
Step 1: Are You Ready to Redeem? Access Your Marriott Bonvoy Account
Before you even think about where you want to go, the very first thing you need to do is confirm your Marriott Bonvoy points balance and ensure your account is in good standing.
Log In: Head over to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (Marriott.com) or open the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. You'll need your member number or email address and your password to sign in.
Check Your Balance: Once logged in, your points balance will be prominently displayed on your dashboard. Take a moment to verify that the number matches your expectations.
Review Account Details: It's a good practice to quickly review your profile to ensure all your personal information, including your email address, is up to date. This is crucial for receiving booking confirmations and other important communications.
Feeling good about your points stash? Excellent! Let's move on to finding your dream stay.
Step 2: Finding Your Perfect Stay: Searching for Hotels with Points
Now for the exciting part – finding a hotel that fits your travel aspirations and points budget! Marriott offers a seamless way to search for properties using your points.
Sub-heading: Navigating the Search Interface
Tip: Take a sip of water, then continue fresh.
Start Your Search: On the Marriott homepage or within the app, locate the "Find & Reserve" section. You'll typically see options for "Find a Hotel."
Enter Your Destination & Dates: Input your desired destination (city, specific hotel name, or region) and your travel dates.
Crucial Step: Select "Use Points / Awards": This is the most important checkbox to tick! By checking "Use Points / Awards" (or "Book with Points" on the app), the search results will display the hotel rates in points instead of cash. Don't forget this!
Sub-heading: Refining Your Results for Point Redemption
Once you initiate your search with the "Use Points / Awards" option selected, you'll see a list of available hotels and the corresponding points required per night. Here are some tips to refine your search:
Sort by Points: You can often sort the results by "Rewards Points" (or "Points" on the app) to see the lowest point redemptions first. This is a great way to discover hidden gems or maximize your points.
Flexible Dates: If your travel dates are flexible, consider using the "Flexible Dates" option. This feature can show you a calendar view of point requirements over a month, helping you pinpoint dates with lower point redemption values (off-peak pricing). Sometimes, shifting your travel by just a day or two can save you thousands of points!
Filter by Brand, Category, or Amenities: Just like a cash booking, you can apply filters to narrow down your options by Marriott brand (e.g., The Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard, Moxy), hotel category, amenities (pool, free breakfast, pet-friendly), and more.
Step 3: The "Stay for 5, Pay for 4" Sweet Spot: Maximizing Your Redemption
Marriott Bonvoy offers an incredible benefit that can significantly stretch your points: the "Stay for 5, Pay for 4" award.
How it Works: When you book five consecutive nights at a Marriott Bonvoy participating hotel using only points, the night with the lowest point value will be automatically deducted, making it free! This effectively gives you a 20% discount on a five-night stay.
Look for the Savings: As you select your dates and proceed with a five-night points booking, you'll see the discount applied before final confirmation.
Important Note: This benefit only applies when booking entirely with points. If you use a combination of cash and points (Cash + Points), you will not be eligible for the fifth night free.
Step 4: Selecting Your Room & Rate: Points or Cash + Points
Once you've found a hotel that fits your criteria and point balance, it's time to select your room and rate.
Sub-heading: Choosing the Right Redemption Option
"Use Only Points": This is the ideal option if you have enough points for the entire stay and want to leverage the "Stay for 5, Pay for 4" benefit. The displayed point value will cover the room rate and applicable taxes.
"Cash + Points": If you don't have enough points for a full redemption or prefer to conserve some points, Marriott offers a "Cash + Points" option at participating hotels. This allows you to use a portion of your points and pay the remaining balance with cash. While flexible, remember you won't get the fifth night free with this option.
Free Night Awards: If you have any Free Night Award certificates (often earned through co-branded credit cards), you can apply them here. The certificate value can sometimes be combined with up to 15,000 points if the certificate's value isn't quite enough for your desired stay.
Tip: Avoid distractions — stay in the post.
Sub-heading: Reviewing Room Details and Policies
Room Type: Select your preferred room type. The point cost may vary based on the room size, view, or amenities.
Cancellation Policy: Always pay close attention to the cancellation policy for your points booking. Most points reservations offer flexible cancellation, but it's crucial to confirm to avoid any forfeiture of points.
Resort Fees and Incidentals: While the points usually cover the room rate and taxes, be aware that some hotels (especially resorts) may charge additional resort fees that are payable in cash upon arrival. Incidentals like mini-bar charges, spa treatments, or dining not included in the room rate will also need to be paid separately.
Step 5: Confirming Your Reservation: The Final Step
You're almost there! This is where you finalize your points booking.
Review All Details: Before clicking "Book Now," meticulously review all the reservation details: hotel name, dates, room type, number of guests, and the total points being redeemed.
Enter Guest Information: Ensure the guest names are correct. If you're booking for someone else, be aware of Marriott's gifting policy (you typically need to contact member support for award redemption stays for others).
Agree to Terms and Conditions: Read and accept the terms and conditions of the booking.
Click "Book Now" (or "Confirm Reservation"): Once everything looks good, click the confirmation button.
Confirmation Email: You will receive an email confirmation from Marriott Bonvoy within minutes, detailing your reservation. Keep this email safe as it contains your confirmation number and all the booking specifics.
And just like that, you've successfully used your Marriott Bonvoy points to book a room! Get ready for your next adventure.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
You can easily check your Marriott Bonvoy points balance by logging into your account on the Marriott Bonvoy website (Marriott.com) or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your balance will be displayed on your account dashboard.
How to find the best value for my Marriott Bonvoy points?
QuickTip: Treat each section as a mini-guide.
To find the best value, look for "off-peak" dates when fewer points are required. Utilize the "Flexible Dates" search option to see a calendar of point requirements. Also, aim for properties where the cash price is high relative to the points required, offering a higher "cents per point" value. Booking five consecutive nights to get the fifth night free is another excellent way to maximize value.
How to use Free Night Award certificates?
When searching for a room, ensure you have "Use Points / Awards" selected. If a Free Night Award is eligible for your chosen dates and hotel, it will appear as an option during the booking process. You may also be able to combine it with up to 15,000 points if the certificate's value is insufficient.
How to book a room for someone else using my Marriott Bonvoy points?
To book an award redemption stay for another guest, you typically need to contact Marriott Bonvoy Member Support after making the initial reservation. You cannot currently do this directly on the website or app for award stays. The recipient will need valid ID and a credit card for incidentals upon check-in.
How to combine cash and points for a booking?
When searching for a hotel, select "Use Points / Awards." On the rate selection page, if available, you will see an option for "Cash + Points." Select this option to see the combined cost and proceed with the booking.
How to know if a hotel has resort fees when booking with points?
QuickTip: Look for patterns as you read.
While points cover the room rate and taxes, resort fees are typically paid separately in cash at the hotel. Information about resort fees is usually disclosed during the booking process, on the hotel's individual page on Marriott.com, or within the reservation details. It's always a good idea to check directly with the hotel if you're unsure.
How to cancel a Marriott Bonvoy points booking?
You can cancel most points bookings directly through your Marriott Bonvoy account online or via the mobile app under your "My Trips" or "Reservations" section. Be sure to review the cancellation policy for your specific reservation to avoid any penalties or forfeiture of points.
How to change an existing Marriott Bonvoy points reservation?
Changes to existing points reservations can usually be made online through your Marriott Bonvoy account. However, date changes are subject to availability and may require an adjustment in the points redeemed. If you encounter issues, or if it's a gifted stay, you may need to contact Member Support.
How to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points?
You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points through hotel stays at participating properties, using Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards for everyday spending, participating in promotions, referring friends, and converting points from other loyalty programs.
How to buy additional Marriott Bonvoy points if I'm short?
If you don't have enough points for a desired redemption, you can often purchase additional points directly from Marriott. This option may be available during the booking process if you're short on points for a specific reservation, or you can buy them separately through the "Buy Points" section of the Marriott website. There are annual limits to how many points you can purchase.
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