Are you eager to know if you have a coveted free night at a Marriott property waiting for you? Fantastic! There's nothing quite like the thrill of a complimentary stay, whether it's for a spontaneous getaway or a planned vacation. Marriott Bonvoy, their renowned loyalty program, offers various ways to earn these valuable free night awards. Let's embark on a step-by-step journey to uncover any hidden free nights in your account!
Step 1: Get Ready to Log In and Discover Your Rewards!
Before we dive in, make sure you have your Marriott Bonvoy account details handy. This usually means your email address or member number and your password. If you've forgotten them, don't worry, there are easy recovery options available on the Marriott website.
Ready? Let's go find those free nights!
Step 2: Accessing Your Marriott Bonvoy Account
There are two primary ways to check for your free night awards: through the Marriott Bonvoy website or via their mobile app. Both are user-friendly, but we'll cover both for your convenience.
Sub-heading 2.1: Checking via the Marriott Bonvoy Website
Open Your Web Browser: Head to the official Marriott Bonvoy website. You can typically find it by searching "Marriott Bonvoy" or directly going to
www.marriott.com/loyalty.mi.Sign In: Look for the "Sign In" or "Sign In or Join" button, usually located in the top right corner of the homepage. Click on it.
Enter Your Credentials: Input your email address or member number and your password into the designated fields. Then, click the "Sign In" button.
Navigate to Your Account Activity: Once logged in, you'll be taken to your Marriott Bonvoy dashboard or a similar overview page. Look for a link or menu option that says "My Account," "Activity," "Account Activity," or "Overview." This is where all your points, stays, and awards are listed.
Locate "Earned Awards" or "Free Night Awards": Within your account activity, you'll usually find a section specifically for your awards. This section is often labeled "Earned Awards" or "Free Night Awards." This is the treasure trove we're looking for!
If you don't see this section, it might mean you don't currently have any active free night awards. Don't despair, we'll cover how you might earn them in the FAQs.
Review Your Free Night Awards: Here, you'll see a list of any available Free Night Awards. Each award will typically display:
The point value cap: This is the maximum number of points the award can be used for (e.g., 35,000 points, 50,000 points, 85,000 points).
The expiration date: This is crucial! Free Night Awards have an expiration date, and they generally cannot be extended indefinitely. Make a note of this date.
The source of the award: It might indicate if it's from a credit card anniversary, a promotional offer, or achieving elite status.
Sub-heading 2.2: Checking via the Marriott Bonvoy Mobile App
Download and Open the App: If you don't already have it, download the Marriott Bonvoy app from your smartphone's app store (Google Play Store for Android or Apple App Store for iOS).
Sign In: Open the app and tap "Sign In."
Enter Your Credentials: Just like on the website, enter your email or member number and password.
Go to Your Account Section: Once logged in, tap on the "Account" icon, usually located at the bottom of the screen.
Find "Free Night Awards": Within your account section, you'll see an option titled "Free Night Awards." Tap on this to view your available certificates.
View Details: Similar to the website, the app will show you the point value and expiration date for each Free Night Award.
Step 3: Understanding Your Free Night Award Details
Now that you've found your free night awards, let's understand what they mean and how to maximize their value.
Sub-heading 3.1: Point Value and Redemption
Each Free Night Award comes with a specific point value cap. For example, you might have a 35,000-point award or a 50,000-point award. This means you can use it for a standard room night at any participating Marriott Bonvoy hotel where the standard redemption rate is at or below that point value.
Can you combine points with a Free Night Award? Yes! Marriott allows you to add up to 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to a Free Night Award. This is incredibly useful if you find a hotel you love that's just slightly above your certificate's value. For instance, a 35,000-point award could be used for a hotel costing up to 50,000 points by adding 15,000 of your own points.
Sub-heading 3.2: Expiration Dates – Don't Let Them Go to Waste!
Free Night Awards have a strict expiration date, typically one year from issuance. Unlike Marriott Bonvoy points, which can often be extended with account activity, Free Night Awards generally cannot be extended beyond a short grace period, if at all. This is why it's so important to be aware of them and plan your redemption accordingly.
Tip: Consider setting a reminder on your calendar a few months before the expiration date to ensure you have ample time to plan a trip and use your award.
Sub-heading 3.3: Booking Your Free Night Stay
Once you know you have a free night and its value, you can start searching for hotels!
On the Marriott Website: When searching for hotels, make sure you select "Use Points/Certificates" as your rate preference. When you find a hotel and dates that work, and the point value is within your certificate's limit (or with the points you intend to top up), your Free Night Award will typically be an option to apply during the checkout process.
On the Marriott App: The process is similar. When searching for a hotel, ensure you select the "Use Points/Certificates" option. The app will then show you properties where your award can be applied.
Important Note: Free Night Awards are generally for standard guest rooms only. While you might get an upgrade based on your elite status, the initial redemption is for a standard room. Also, remember that resort fees are often paid in cash and cannot be covered by your Free Night Award or points.
Step 4: Maximizing the Value of Your Free Night Award
You've found it, you know its worth, now let's make sure you get the most bang for your buck!
Match the Point Value: Try to use your Free Night Award at a property that's close to its maximum point value. For example, if you have a 50,000-point certificate, aim for a hotel that would cost close to 50,000 points (or 65,000 with the 15,000 point top-up) rather than a 15,000-point property, as any unused value is forfeited.
Off-Peak vs. Peak: Marriott uses dynamic pricing, meaning the point cost of a room can vary. Check different dates (off-peak usually requires fewer points) to see if you can find a more expensive hotel that falls within your certificate's range during certain times.
Consider a "Staycation": If travel plans are uncertain, a local staycation can be a great way to use an expiring Free Night Award. Discover a hidden gem in your own city!
Avoid Combining with "Fifth Night Free": If you're planning a longer points stay (5+ nights), remember that Free Night Awards typically do not count towards Marriott's "Stay for 5, Pay for 4" benefit. If you book four nights with points and one with a certificate, you won't get the fifth night free. It's often better to use points for all five nights in such cases to maximize that benefit.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some common questions about Marriott Bonvoy Free Night Awards:
How to earn Free Night Awards at Marriott?
Free Night Awards are primarily earned through Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards (as an annual anniversary benefit or spending bonus), specific Marriott Bonvoy promotions, or by achieving certain elite status milestones.
How to check the expiration date of my Marriott Free Night Award?
You can check the expiration date by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the Marriott website under "My Account" > "Activity" > "Earned Awards" or within the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app under the "Account" section, then "Free Night Awards."
How to extend the expiration date of a Marriott Free Night Award?
Generally, Free Night Awards cannot be extended beyond their stated expiration date. In rare cases, Marriott customer service might offer a short, one-time extension, but this is not guaranteed and highly dependent on circumstances.
How to combine Marriott Free Night Awards with points?
Yes, you can combine a Free Night Award with up to 15,000 additional Marriott Bonvoy points to book a higher-value room. This option will typically appear during the booking process when you select "Use Points/Certificates."
How to book a reservation using a Marriott Free Night Award?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account, search for hotels, and select "Use Points/Certificates" as your rate type. When a suitable hotel and room are found, the Free Night Award will be available to apply during the checkout process.
How to transfer or gift a Marriott Free Night Award?
Marriott Bonvoy Free Night Awards are generally non-transferable and cannot be gifted to another member. They are tied to the account that earned them.
How to cancel a reservation made with a Free Night Award?
If you cancel a reservation made with a Free Night Award within the cancellation policy, the award will typically be re-deposited into your account with its original expiration date.
How to find hotels that accept my specific Free Night Award value?
When searching for hotels on the Marriott website or app, ensure you've selected "Use Points/Certificates." The search results will then display the point cost for rooms, allowing you to filter or identify hotels within your award's value (e.g., up to 35,000 points). Some third-party tools also exist (like Rooms.aero) that can help identify availability for specific certificate values.
How to know if my Free Night Award covers resort fees?
No, Marriott Free Night Awards typically do not cover mandatory resort fees. These fees are usually paid separately in cash at the hotel.
How to get more Free Night Awards with Marriott Bonvoy?
To earn more Free Night Awards, consider applying for Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards that offer annual free night certificates, or look out for special promotions and spending bonuses offered by Marriott or their credit card partners. Accumulating elite night credits through stays can also lead to Free Night Awards as part of annual Choice Benefits at Platinum Elite status and above.
