The Reddit-Approved Guide to Buying Marriott Bonvoy Points: Unlock Your Dream Stays!
Hey there, savvy traveler! Ever found yourself eyeing that luxurious Marriott resort, only to sigh at the cash price? What if I told you there's a way to make those dream stays a reality, often at a significant discount, by strategically buying Marriott Bonvoy points? You've come to the right place. Reddit's award travel communities are a treasure trove of insights, and we're going to distill that wisdom into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to buy Marriott points like a pro.
Let's dive in and unlock those amazing travel experiences!
 |
| How To Buy Marriott Points Reddit |
Step 1: Are You Ready to Buy? Understanding When Buying Points Makes Sense
Before you even think about hitting that "buy" button, the absolute first thing you need to ask yourself is: "Do I have a specific, high-value redemption in mind?" This is the golden rule echoed across Reddit forums. Speculative buying of Marriott points is almost never a good idea. Why? Because points can be devalued, and a good sale today might not be a good deal for an unknown future booking.
Sub-heading: When Buying Points is a Smart Move
To Top Off an Award Stay: This is the most common and often best use case. You've found an incredible Marriott property for a specific date, and you're just a few thousand points shy of booking that free night. Buying a small batch of points to bridge the gap can save you hundreds, even thousands, of dollars compared to paying the cash rate.
During a Promotional Sale: Marriott frequently offers bonuses when you buy points. These can range from 30% to 50% or even more. If you've done your research and identified a redemption that offers excellent value at the discounted point price, then buying during a sale can be highly advantageous. We'll delve into how to identify these "out-sized" values shortly.
For High-Value Stays (Luxury Properties): Reddit users often find the best value when redeeming points at high-end Marriott properties like St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton, and Luxury Collection hotels. The cash rates for these can be exorbitant, making even a seemingly high point redemption a fantastic deal by comparison.
To Avoid Resort Fees: A significant perk of using points for hotel stays is that you generally don't pay resort fees. This can add up to substantial savings, especially at resort destinations.
For the "Fifth Night Free" Benefit: When you book five consecutive nights using Marriott Bonvoy points, the least expensive night is free. If you're planning a longer stay, buying points to take advantage of this benefit can further enhance your value.
Sub-heading: When Buying Points is NOT Recommended
Speculative Buying: As mentioned, don't buy points just because there's a sale, hoping you'll use them someday. Marriott's dynamic pricing means point costs can fluctuate, and the value might decrease over time.
If Cash Rate is Cheaper/Similar: Always compare the cash price of a stay to the cost of buying the equivalent points. If the cash price is comparable or even lower, pay cash! You don't want to "buy" a more expensive stay.
For Low-Tier Properties: Generally, budget or mid-tier Marriott hotels don't offer as much value for points. You might find better cash deals or other loyalty programs are more rewarding for these types of stays.
If You Have Other Earning Opportunities: Consider if you can earn the points more cheaply through other means, such as Marriott co-branded credit card sign-up bonuses, everyday spending on those cards, or transferring points from flexible rewards programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards (especially during transfer bonuses).
Step 2: Scouting for Sales! Identifying Marriott Bonvoy Point Promotions
Marriott regularly runs promotions on buying points. These are crucial to getting good value. Reddit's award travel subreddits (like r/awardtravel and r/marriott) are excellent places to keep an eye out for these announcements. Users often post about new sales as soon as they drop.
Sub-heading: Where to Look for Sales
QuickTip: Note key words you want to remember.
Marriott's Official "Buy Points" Page: The most direct place is the official Marriott Bonvoy website. Navigate to the "Buy or Gift Points" section. Any current promotions will be clearly advertised there.
Award Travel Blogs & News Sites: Popular travel blogs and loyalty program news sites (e.g., The Points Guy, One Mile at a Time, Doctor of Credit) closely track these sales and often provide in-depth analysis of their value.
Reddit Communities: As mentioned, r/awardtravel and r/marriott are fantastic resources. Members are quick to share news of sales and discuss their pros and cons. Do a quick search for "Marriott points sale" on these subreddits.
Sub-heading: Understanding the Bonus Structure
Marriott sales typically offer a percentage bonus on your purchase. For example, you might see "Get a 45% Bonus when you buy points!" This means if you buy 10,000 points, you'll receive an additional 4,500 points, totaling 14,500 points for the price of 10,000.
Calculate the "Cost Per Point" (CPP): This is the most important metric. To figure out your true cost per point, take the total cash price you're paying and divide it by the total number of points you're receiving (including the bonus).
Example: If you buy 100,000 points for $1,250 with a 40% bonus (meaning you get 140,000 points), your CPP is $1,250 / 140,000 = $0.0089 per point, or 0.89 cents per point.
What's a "Good" CPP? General consensus among Reddit users and travel experts suggests that anything under 1 cent per point (0.01 USD) is a decent deal, and under 0.9 cents per point is often considered a very good deal. Some aspirational redemptions can yield values of 1.5 cents, 2 cents, or even more, so buying at 0.89 cents can be incredibly lucrative.
Step 3: The Math Matters! Calculating Your Redemption Value
This is where the rubber meets the road. You've identified a sale and a potential hotel stay. Now, you need to determine if buying points makes financial sense for your specific booking.
Sub-heading: Comparing Cash vs. Points
Find the Cash Rate: Go to Marriott's website and search for the specific hotel and dates you want to book. Note the total cash price for your stay, including taxes and fees.
Find the Points Rate: On the same search, toggle to "Use Points/Certificates" and see how many points are required for the same stay.
Calculate the "Effective Value" of Your Redemption: Divide the cash price (from step 1) by the number of points required (from step 2). This gives you the value you're getting from each point for that specific redemption.
Example: A hotel costs $500 (cash, including taxes) or 60,000 points. Your effective value is $500 / 60,000 points = $0.0083 per point, or 0.83 cents per point.
Compare Effective Value to Purchase Price: Now, compare the effective value you calculated (0.83 cents/point in the example above) to the cost per point you'd pay if you bought them during a sale (e.g., 0.89 cents/point).
In this example (buying at 0.89 cents to redeem at 0.83 cents), it doesn't make sense to buy the points. You'd be paying more for the points than the value you'd get from redeeming them.
However, if your effective value is HIGHER than your purchase price, then buying points IS a good deal. For instance, if you could redeem 60,000 points for a $700 stay (effective value of 1.16 cents/point), and you can buy those 60,000 points for 0.89 cents/point (total cost $534), you're saving $166!
Sub-heading: Pro-Tips from Reddit Users for Maximizing Value
Flexible Dates: Marriott's dynamic pricing means point redemption rates fluctuate. If your travel dates are flexible, play around with different dates to find periods with lower point requirements.
Fifth Night Free: Always factor in the "fifth night free" benefit if booking 5 or more nights. This significantly boosts your effective value.
Cash + Points Option: Sometimes, a "Cash + Points" booking can offer better value than a pure points redemption, especially if you're slightly short on points. Evaluate these options carefully on a case-by-case basis.
Consider Hotel Category: While Marriott no longer has a fixed award chart by category, generally, lower-category hotels might not provide the same "out-sized" value as luxury properties.
Step 4: The Purchase Process! How to Actually Buy Marriott Bonvoy Points
Once you've done your research, found a good sale, and confirmed that buying points makes sense for your specific redemption, the actual purchase is straightforward. Marriott partners with Points.com for point sales.
Sub-heading: Step-by-Step Purchase
Tip: Pause if your attention drifts.
Log In: Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy "Buy Points" page (usually accessible through your Marriott Bonvoy account under "Earn & Redeem" or directly via a search for "Marriott Bonvoy Buy Points"). Make sure you're logged into your Bonvoy account.
Select Quantity: Choose the amount of points you wish to purchase. The website will display the cost and any applicable bonus points you'll receive.
Review Total: Double-check the total cost and the total points you'll receive (including the bonus). Ensure it aligns with your calculations for a good cost per point.
Enter Payment Information: You'll be redirected to a secure payment portal (often powered by Points.com). Enter your credit card details.
Consider which credit card to use: While buying points through Points.com generally processes as a "travel" or "miscellaneous" purchase, it typically does not count as a direct Marriott purchase. Therefore, you usually won't earn bonus points from Marriott co-branded credit cards for this specific transaction. Use a card that offers a good general spending rewards rate, or one where you're working towards a sign-up bonus.
Confirm Purchase: Review all details one last time and confirm your purchase.
Points Posting Time: Points usually post to your account within 24-72 hours, though it can sometimes be almost instantaneous. Do not buy points for an immediate redemption if you are short on time. Always allow a buffer.
Sub-heading: Important Considerations During Purchase
Annual Purchase Limit: Marriott has an annual limit on the number of points you can purchase in a calendar year, typically 100,000 points (before any bonus). This limit can sometimes be increased during promotions.
Refund Policy: Be aware of the refund policy for purchased points. Generally, they are non-refundable. This further emphasizes the importance of having a specific redemption in mind.
Security: Always ensure you are on the official Marriott Bonvoy website or the legitimate Points.com portal when making your purchase to protect your personal and financial information.
Step 5: Redeem with Confidence! Booking Your Award Stay
Once the points hit your account, you're ready to book!
Sub-heading: The Redemption Process
Search for Your Hotel: Go back to the Marriott Bonvoy website and search for your desired hotel and dates.
Select "Use Points/Certificates": Ensure this option is selected to view the points required.
Choose Your Room: Select the room type you want to book.
Confirm Booking: Proceed through the booking process, confirming all details, and you're all set! You've successfully leveraged a points purchase to secure your stay.
Step 6: After the Purchase! What Else to Keep in Mind
Sub-heading: Points Expiration and Account Activity
Marriott Bonvoy points do expire if there's no qualifying activity on your account for 24 consecutive months. Buying points does count as a qualifying activity and will reset your 24-month clock. This is a handy way to keep your points active if they're nearing expiration.
Sub-heading: Documenting Your Experience (Optional, but Encouraged on Reddit)
Many Reddit users share their successful point purchases and redemptions, especially when they score an amazing deal. This helps the community learn and identify new opportunities. Consider sharing your experience (without revealing personal info, of course!).
Tip: Compare what you read here with other sources.
10 Related FAQ Questions (How to...)
Here are some quick answers to common questions often seen on Reddit regarding buying Marriott points:
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
You can check your Marriott Bonvoy points balance by logging into your account on the Marriott website or through the Marriott Bonvoy app. Your balance is usually displayed prominently on your dashboard.
How to know if a Marriott points sale is a good deal?
A Marriott points sale is generally considered a good deal if it brings the cost per point (CPP) below 1 cent USD, ideally closer to 0.8-0.9 cents per point. Compare this purchased CPP to the effective value you'd get from your desired redemption.
How to avoid Marriott points expiration?
To prevent Marriott points from expiring, ensure there's a qualifying activity on your account at least once every 24 months. This includes earning or redeeming points, staying at a Marriott property, or buying points.
How to transfer Marriott points to another member?
Marriott Bonvoy allows members to transfer up to 100,000 points per calendar year to another member for free. Both accounts must be in good standing, and the recipient must have been a Bonvoy member for at least 60 days. This can be done by calling Marriott Bonvoy customer service. Note that receiving or gifting points does not reset the 24-month expiration clock for either party.
Tip: Read at your own pace, not too fast.
How to use Marriott points for a fifth night free?
When booking a stay of five consecutive nights or more entirely with points, the lowest points-value night will automatically be deducted from your total. This benefit applies when you book through Marriott's official channels.
How to get Marriott points without buying them?
You can earn Marriott points through hotel stays, Marriott co-branded credit cards (sign-up bonuses and everyday spending), transferring points from flexible rewards programs (like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards), and through various promotions and partnerships.
How to value Marriott Bonvoy points for a specific hotel?
To value Marriott points for a specific hotel, divide the cash price of the room (including taxes and fees) by the number of points required for the same room. This calculation gives you the "cents per point" (CPP) value for that particular redemption.
How to book a Marriott stay with points and cash (Cash + Points)?
If available for your desired hotel and dates, you will see a "Cash + Points" option when searching for award stays on the Marriott website or app. Select this option to see the combination of cash and points required.
How to cancel a Marriott points booking?
Marriott points bookings can typically be canceled online or via the Marriott Bonvoy app, adhering to the hotel's cancellation policy. Points are usually redeposited immediately upon cancellation.
How to find out when the next Marriott points sale will be?
Marriott points sales typically occur several times a year, often with 30-50% bonuses. While there's no fixed schedule, keeping an eye on the official Marriott "Buy Points" page, major travel blogs, and Reddit's award travel communities will alert you to upcoming promotions.
 |
