Dreaming of that luxurious Marriott stay, a unique Marriott Bonvoy Moment, or maybe you're just a few points shy of a fantastic redemption? Don't worry, you're in the right place! Buying Marriott Bonvoy points can be a smart move, especially when there's a promotion on. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring you maximize your points and enjoy your next adventure sooner.
The Ultimate Guide: How to Buy More Marriott Bonvoy Points
Buying Marriott Bonvoy points is a straightforward process, but knowing the nuances can save you money and ensure a smooth transaction. Let's dive in!
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| How Do I Buy More Marriott Points |
Step 1: First things first, why do you want to buy points?
Before you even think about hitting that "buy" button, it's crucial to assess why you need more Marriott Bonvoy points. Are you:
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Topping off an existing balance for a specific award stay?
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Looking to take advantage of a limited-time promotion to get a better value?
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Trying to prevent your existing points from expiring (though there are often better ways to do this)?
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Planning a last-minute trip where cash rates are exorbitantly high?
Understanding your motivation will help you determine the best approach and whether buying points is truly the most economical option for your situation. Remember, Marriott points are generally valued around 0.9 cents per point, so you want to ensure your purchase makes financial sense.
Step 2: Understanding Marriott Bonvoy Point Purchase Limits and Costs
Marriott Bonvoy has specific rules regarding buying points. Knowing these beforehand will prevent any surprises.
Sub-heading 2.1: Annual Purchase Limits
As of 2025, Marriott Bonvoy members can purchase or receive points as a gift for a combined maximum of 150,000 points per calendar year through the "Buy Points" or "Gift Points" storefronts. Additionally, you can purchase up to an extra 100,000 points annually when you're actively booking a hotel stay through the reservation path on Marriott.com if you don't have enough points. This means a potential total of 250,000 points in a year, though the second scenario is specifically tied to a booking.
Sub-heading 2.2: The Cost of Points
The standard cost to buy Marriott Bonvoy points is usually $12.50 per 1,000 points, which translates to 1.25 cents per point. However, this is rarely the best price to pay. This is where promotions come in!
QuickTip: Pay attention to first and last sentences.
Step 3: Timing is Everything! Look for Promotions
This is arguably the most important step for getting the best value. Marriott Bonvoy frequently runs promotions on point purchases, offering significant bonuses.
Sub-heading 3.1: Identifying Active Promotions
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Keep an eye on the official Marriott Bonvoy website's "Buy Points" section.
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Subscribe to Marriott Bonvoy email newsletters – they often announce promotions there.
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Follow popular travel blogs and points/miles websites; they are excellent sources for news on ongoing and upcoming point sales.
As of July 2025, there might be a promotion offering a 40% bonus on Marriott Bonvoy points purchases until July 16, 2025, if you buy at least 2,000 points. This kind of promotion can reduce your effective cost per point significantly (e.g., a 40% bonus could bring the cost down to approximately 0.89 cents per point, which is closer to NerdWallet's valuation).
Sub-heading 3.2: Calculating Your Value with Promotions
Always do the math! If there's a 40% bonus, for example:
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You pay $125 for 10,000 points.
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With a 40% bonus, you receive an additional 4,000 points, totaling 14,000 points.
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Your effective cost is $125 / 14,000 points = approximately $0.0089 per point, or 0.89 cents per point. This is a much better deal!
Step 4: The Step-by-Step Purchase Process
Once you've decided to buy and found a good promotion, here's how to execute the purchase:
Sub-heading 4.1: Accessing the "Buy Points" Portal
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Go to the Official Marriott Bonvoy Website: Navigate to Marriott.com.
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Log In to Your Account: You'll need to be logged into your Marriott Bonvoy account to purchase points. If you're a new member, you typically need to wait 30 days after enrollment before you can purchase points.
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Find the "Buy Points" Section: Look for a link in the main navigation, often under "Marriott Bonvoy" or "Member Benefits." There's usually a direct link to "Buy Points" or "Purchase Points." This will redirect you to a separate, secure portal (often run by Points.com on behalf of Marriott).
Sub-heading 4.2: Selecting Your Desired Quantity
QuickTip: Read step by step, not all at once.
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Enter the Amount: On the purchase portal, you'll see options to buy points in increments, usually starting from 1,000 points.
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Observe the Bonus: If a promotion is active, the system will automatically show you the bonus points you'll receive for your selected quantity. Make sure the bonus is applied correctly before proceeding.
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Review the Total Cost: The portal will display the total cost in your local currency. Double-check this amount.
Sub-heading 4.3: Payment and Confirmation
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Enter Payment Information: Provide your credit card details.
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Review and Confirm: Carefully review all the details – the number of points, the bonus, and the total cost.
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Complete the Transaction: Click the "Buy" or "Confirm" button.
Sub-heading 4.4: Receiving Your Points
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Marriott Bonvoy points purchased typically post to your account within 72 hours after the transaction is complete. While it's often much faster, allow for this timeframe, especially if you're buying for an immediate redemption.
Step 5: Consider Alternatives Before and After Buying Points
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Buying points is one way to boost your balance, but it's not the only one.
Sub-heading 5.1: Earning Points Organically
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Hotel Stays: The most obvious way! Earn points on eligible stays at Marriott properties.
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Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards: Co-branded credit cards from American Express and Chase offer generous sign-up bonuses and ongoing earning rates on everyday spending. This is often the most lucrative way to earn a large number of points quickly.
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Transferring Points from Other Programs: If you have American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can transfer them to Marriott Bonvoy, often at a 1:1 ratio.
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Refer a Friend: If you have a Marriott credit card, refer friends and earn bonus points when they get approved.
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Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities/Eat Around Town: Earn points for dining at participating restaurants or booking local experiences.
Sub-heading 5.2: Gifting and Transferring Points
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Gifting Points: You can purchase points as a gift for another Marriott Bonvoy member through the "Gift Points" storefront. The same annual limits apply for the recipient.
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Transferring Points: Marriott Bonvoy allows members to transfer points to another member for free. Both accounts must be in good standing and open for at least 30 days with qualifying activity (or 90 days without). You can transfer up to 100,000 points per calendar year to other accounts, and a member can receive up to 500,000 points per calendar year from other accounts. This is a fantastic option if you're traveling with family or friends who have points they're willing to share. However, be aware that gifting or receiving points does not count as a qualifying activity to extend the expiration date of points.
Sub-heading 5.3: Using Points for Stays and Beyond
Once you have your desired points balance, you can redeem them for:
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Free Night Stays: The most popular redemption. Remember Marriott uses dynamic pricing, so prices fluctuate. Always look for the "fifth night free" benefit when booking award stays of five nights or more.
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Marriott Bonvoy Moments: Unique, curated experiences like VIP access to concerts, sporting events, or culinary workshops. These can offer incredible value.
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Flights and Car Rentals: You can transfer Marriott points to over 40 airline loyalty programs, usually at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred to most partners. You can also book flights and car rentals directly through the Marriott portal, though this often offers less value.
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Gift Cards and Shopping: While generally not the best value, these are options if you have a surplus of points.
Step 6: Monitoring Your Points and Expiration
QuickTip: Pause before scrolling further.
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Marriott Bonvoy points generally expire if your account goes 24 months without any qualifying activity.
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Buying points is considered a qualifying activity and will reset the 24-month clock, thereby extending the validity of all your points.
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You can check your points balance and activity history by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account and navigating to the "Activity" section.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - How to Get More Marriott Points
Here are 10 common questions about buying and acquiring Marriott Bonvoy points, with quick answers:
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on the Marriott website or mobile app. Your points balance will be prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to find out when my Marriott Bonvoy points expire?
After logging in, go to your "Activity" section. You should see a record of your points earnings and redemptions, and often an indication of your points' expiration date. Points expire after 24 months of inactivity.
How to buy Marriott Bonvoy points with a bonus?
Look for promotional offers directly on the Marriott Bonvoy "Buy Points" page or through travel blogs and newsletters. These promotions offer a percentage bonus on your purchase, effectively reducing the cost per point.
How to gift Marriott Bonvoy points to another member?
Visit the "Gift Points" storefront on the Marriott Bonvoy website. You'll need the recipient's Marriott Bonvoy member number and name. Both accounts must be in good standing.
Tip: Focus on clarity, not speed.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another member for free?
Use the online Points Transfer tool on the Marriott Bonvoy website. You can transfer up to 100,000 points per calendar year, and the recipient can receive up to 500,000 points. Both accounts need to meet certain age/activity requirements.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points without hotel stays?
You can earn points through co-branded Marriott credit cards, transferring points from partners like American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards, dining at participating "Eat Around Town" restaurants, or booking activities through Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities.
How to use Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel stays?
When searching for a hotel on Marriott.com, select the "Use Points/Awards" option. You'll see the point cost for various rooms and dates. Remember the "fifth night free" benefit for award stays of five nights or more.
How to use Marriott Bonvoy points for flights?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to over 40 airline partners, typically at a 3:1 ratio, with a bonus of 5,000 miles for every 60,000 points transferred to most airlines. You can also book flights directly through the Marriott website, though value may vary.
How to combine multiple Marriott Bonvoy accounts under my name?
If you have duplicate accounts, you can request to combine them through a form on the Marriott website. The names on the accounts must match.
How to prevent my Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring?
Engage in any qualifying activity at least once every 24 months. This includes earning points from a stay, credit card spending, transferring points in, or purchasing points. Receiving points as a gift or transfer does not count.
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