Have you ever found yourself just shy of enough Marriott Bonvoy points for that dream vacation? Or perhaps you're looking to top up your account for an upcoming redemption, or even extend the life of your existing points? Whatever your reason, buying Marriott Bonvoy points can be a strategic move. But how do you do it, and what should you consider before you click "purchase"? Let's dive in!
Your Comprehensive Guide to Buying Marriott Bonvoy Points
Buying Marriott Bonvoy points is a straightforward process, but understanding the nuances can help you make the most of your purchase. Follow this step-by-step guide to navigate the world of Bonvoy point acquisition.
Step 1: Are You Ready to Buy Points? (Engage!)
Before we even get to the "how-to," let's start with you. Are you thinking about a specific redemption, like a luxurious stay at a St. Regis or a family trip to a vibrant Marriott resort? Or are you simply looking to keep your points from expiring? Consider your goal first! This will greatly influence whether buying points makes sense for you financially.
Think about it: Do you have a specific hotel in mind, or are you just accumulating? Knowing your purpose is key to a smart purchase.
Step 2: Accessing the Marriott Bonvoy "Buy Points" Portal
The primary way to buy Marriott Bonvoy points is directly through their official "Buy Points" storefront.
Sub-heading 2.1: Navigating to the Right Place
Go to the Official Marriott Website: Start by visiting the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com).
Log In to Your Account: You'll need to be a Marriott Bonvoy member and logged into your account. If you're not a member yet, it's free and easy to sign up! New members can purchase points 30 days after enrolling in the program.
Find the "Buy Points" Section:
Once logged in, look for a section related to "Points," "Redeem," or "Loyalty Program."
Often, there will be a direct link to "Buy Points" or "Purchase Points." You might find this under "Manage Points" or "Redeem Points" in your account dashboard.
Pro Tip: Sometimes, Marriott runs promotions for buying points, so keep an eye out for banners or special offers on their homepage!
Sub-heading 2.2: Understanding the Interface
Once you're on the "Buy Points" page, you'll typically see:
An option to select the number of points you wish to purchase.
The corresponding cost for those points.
Any current promotions or bonuses on offer.
Step 3: Deciding How Many Points to Purchase
This is where your initial goal from Step 1 comes into play.
Sub-heading 3.1: Minimums and Maximums
Minimum Purchase: You can usually buy points in increments, often starting from 1,000 points.
Annual Limit: Marriott Bonvoy has an annual purchase limit. Generally, members can purchase or receive as a gift a combined maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year through the general "Buy Points" storefront.
Reservation-Specific Purchases: Crucially, if you are making a reservation and don't have enough points, you might have the option to purchase an additional 100,000 points annually directly during the booking process. This is a separate limit! So, in total, you could potentially acquire up to 200,000 points in a year through a combination of direct purchase and reservation top-ups.
Sub-heading 3.2: Calculating Your Needs
For a Specific Stay: If you know exactly how many points you need for a specific hotel night, calculate the difference between your current balance and the required points. Only buy what you need (or slightly more if a bonus makes it worthwhile).
To Extend Point Expiration: If your main goal is to prevent points from expiring, buying a small amount (e.g., 1,000 points) will reset the 24-month activity clock. This can be a cost-effective way to keep a large balance active.
Step 4: Reviewing the Cost and Any Promotions
The standard cost for Marriott Bonvoy points is typically around $12.50 per 1,000 points, which translates to 1.25 cents per point. However, this price can fluctuate.
Sub-heading 4.1: The Value Proposition
Typical Redemption Value: Industry experts generally value Marriott Bonvoy points at around 0.9 cents per point when redeemed for hotel stays. This means if you're buying at 1.25 cents per point, you're usually buying above the typical redemption value.
When to Buy: It generally makes sense to buy points only when:
You can get a better redemption value than what you're paying (e.g., if a hotel night costs $200 cash but only 10,000 points, and you can buy 10,000 points for less than $200).
There's a promotion running (e.g., a 25% or 50% bonus on purchased points), bringing the effective cost per point down closer to or below the typical redemption value.
You need to top up a small amount for a specific award stay you absolutely want to book.
You need to reset your points expiration and buying a small amount is the easiest way.
Sub-heading 4.2: Spotting Promotions
Marriott frequently offers promotions on point purchases. These can be as high as a 50% bonus, making the effective cost around 0.83 cents per point. Always check for these offers before making a purchase. They are usually advertised prominently on the "Buy Points" page or via email to Bonvoy members.
Step 5: Completing Your Purchase
Once you've decided on the number of points and confirmed the cost, the final steps are similar to any online purchase.
Add to Cart/Proceed to Checkout: Select the desired quantity and proceed.
Payment Information: You'll be prompted to enter your credit card details. Ensure the billing information matches your account.
Review and Confirm: Double-check the total cost and the number of points you're purchasing. Points purchases are typically non-refundable.
Complete Transaction: Finalize your purchase. The points should usually appear in your account within a few minutes to a few hours, though it can sometimes take up to 24-48 hours.
Step 6: What Happens Next?
Sub-heading 6.1: Point Posting and Expiration Reset
Once the transaction is complete, the points will be credited to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
Important: Buying points is considered a "qualifying activity" and will reset the 24-month clock on your entire Marriott Bonvoy point balance, preventing them from expiring.
Sub-heading 6.2: Using Your Newly Acquired Points
You can now use your points for hotel stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments experiences, transferring to airline partners (though often not the best value), or other redemption options available through the Marriott Bonvoy program.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about buying Marriott Bonvoy points:
How to buy Marriott Bonvoy points as a gift for someone else?
Yes, you can purchase Marriott Bonvoy points as a gift for another member through the "Gift Points" storefront on the Marriott Bonvoy website. The recipient must be a Marriott Bonvoy member, and new members can receive gifted points 30 days after enrollment with qualifying activity, or 90 days without qualifying activity.
How to know if buying Marriott points is a good deal?
Compare the cost of the points to the cash price of the redemption you have in mind. If the value you get per point (cash price / number of points) is higher than the price you pay per point, it's a good deal. Look for promotions offering bonuses on purchased points, as these often improve the value significantly.
How to avoid Marriott Bonvoy points expiration?
Engage in a qualifying activity at least once every 24 months. This includes earning points (e.g., hotel stays, using a Marriott co-branded credit card, earning from partners), redeeming points, or buying points. Buying even a small amount (e.g., 1,000 points) will reset the expiration clock.
How to find Marriott Bonvoy points promotions?
Marriott typically advertises "Buy Points" promotions directly on their website's "Buy Points" page. You might also receive email notifications if you're subscribed to Marriott Bonvoy marketing communications. Travel blogs and points news websites are also great resources for tracking current offers.
How to calculate the value of Marriott Bonvoy points?
Divide the cash cost of a hotel night (or other redemption) by the number of points required for that same redemption. For example, if a room costs $180 or 20,000 points, the value is $180 / 20,000 = $0.009 per point, or 0.9 cents per point.
How to use purchased Marriott Bonvoy points?
Once the points are in your account, they function like any other Marriott Bonvoy points. You can use them to book free nights at participating hotels, bid on Marriott Bonvoy Moments experiences, transfer them to airline partners, or redeem them for other eligible rewards.
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance and activity?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on the official website. Your points balance is usually prominently displayed on your account dashboard. You can typically click on "Activity" or "My Account" to view a detailed history of your point earnings and redemptions, including any upcoming expiration dates.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another member?
Marriott Bonvoy allows members to transfer points to other members. You can transfer up to 100,000 points per calendar year to another member's account. This usually requires contacting Marriott Bonvoy customer service.
How to combine Marriott Bonvoy points from different accounts?
If you have multiple Marriott Bonvoy accounts (which is generally discouraged and against terms if they are for the same individual), you would need to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service to inquire about combining them.
How to ensure my credit card earns rewards when buying points?
When purchasing points directly from Marriott, use a credit card that offers bonus rewards on "travel" or "hotel" purchases, or a card where you're trying to meet a spending requirement for a sign-up bonus. Make sure the purchase codes as a qualifying category for your card.
