Oh, planning your next adventure with Marriott Bonvoy points? Excellent choice! It's a fantastic program that can truly elevate your travel experiences. Let's dive deep into how Marriott Rewards points (now known as Marriott Bonvoy points) work, from earning them to redeeming them for incredible stays and much more.
Demystifying Marriott Bonvoy Points: Your Ultimate Guide
Marriott Bonvoy is one of the largest and most rewarding hotel loyalty programs in the world, boasting an incredible portfolio of brands ranging from luxury resorts to extended-stay options. Understanding how their points work can unlock a world of travel possibilities and significant savings.
Step 1: Engage and Join the Marriott Bonvoy Program
First things first, are you already a Marriott Bonvoy member? If not, your journey begins here! Joining is absolutely free and takes just a few moments. Without being a member, you won't earn points or enjoy any of the fantastic benefits.
How to Join:
Online: Visit the official Marriott Bonvoy website (
marriott.com/loyalty Through the App: Download the Marriott Bonvoy app on your smartphone and follow the sign-up prompts.
At a Hotel: Simply ask the front desk at any Marriott-participating hotel to sign you up during check-in.
Once you're a member, you'll immediately start enjoying perks like free standard Wi-Fi and exclusive member rates. This is your gateway to a rewarding travel experience!
Step 2: Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points – Building Your Travel Bank
Now that you're in, let's talk about how to accumulate those valuable points. There are numerous ways to build up your Marriott Bonvoy balance, turning everyday spending and travel into future adventures.
Sub-heading 2.1: Earning Points Through Hotel Stays
This is the most direct and common way to earn points. When you book directly with Marriott (via their website, app, or by calling reservations) and complete an eligible stay at any of their participating brands, you'll earn points.
Base Earning Rate: At most Marriott Bonvoy brands, you'll earn 10 points per US dollar spent on eligible charges. This includes your room rate and other incidentals like dining, spa services, and more, if charged to your room.
Exceptions to the Rule:
5 points per dollar: At brands like Element, Protea Hotels, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, and Homes & Villas by Marriott.
4 points per dollar: At StudioRes properties.
2.5 points per dollar: At Marriott Executive Apartments.
Important Note: Bookings made through third-party online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia or Booking.com generally do not earn Marriott Bonvoy points or elite night credits. Always book directly with Marriott to ensure you receive your points and benefits.
Sub-heading 2.2: Maximizing Points with Elite Status
The more you stay with Marriott, the higher your elite status, and the more bonus points you'll earn on your stays! Marriott Bonvoy has six membership levels, including the basic "Member" tier, and five Elite status tiers.
Silver Elite (10-24 qualifying nights/year): 10% bonus points on eligible purchases.
Gold Elite (25-49 qualifying nights/year): 25% bonus points on eligible purchases.
Platinum Elite (50-74 qualifying nights/year): 50% bonus points on eligible purchases. This is a fantastic tier to aim for, offering significant perks.
Titanium Elite (75-99 qualifying nights/year): 75% bonus points on eligible purchases.
Ambassador Elite (100+ qualifying nights/year + $23,000+ USD qualifying spend/year): 75% bonus points, plus a dedicated Ambassador service and "Your24" flexible check-in/check-out.
As you can see, higher status means your points multiply much faster!
Sub-heading 2.3: Supercharging Your Earnings with Co-Branded Credit Cards
This is arguably one of the fastest and most efficient ways to earn a large number of Marriott Bonvoy points, especially if you're not a frequent traveler. Marriott partners with various financial institutions to offer co-branded credit cards.
Welcome Bonuses: These cards often come with generous welcome bonuses after meeting a certain spending requirement, providing tens of thousands of points upfront.
Bonus Categories: Many Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offer accelerated earning rates on Marriott purchases and often on everyday spending categories like dining and groceries.
Annual Free Night Awards: Several cards offer an annual Free Night Award certificate, which can be incredibly valuable for a complimentary stay.
Elite Night Credits: Some cards provide a certain number of elite night credits annually, helping you achieve or maintain elite status more easily.
Research is key here! Look into the various Marriott Bonvoy credit cards available in your region to find one that best suits your spending habits and travel goals.
Sub-heading 2.4: Diverse Ways to Earn Points
Beyond stays and credit cards, Marriott Bonvoy offers several other avenues to earn points:
Marriott Bonvoy Events: Planning a meeting, conference, or even a wedding at a Marriott property? You can earn points for eligible event spending.
Dining and Spa Services: Even if you're not staying overnight, you can often earn points by dining at restaurants or using spa services at participating Marriott hotels.
Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities: Book tours, activities, and experiences through Marriott's platform and earn points.
Car Rentals: Earn points on car rentals with partners like Hertz.
Cruise Bookings: Earn points when booking cruises through "Cruise with Points."
Transferring Points from Partners: You can sometimes transfer points from other loyalty programs, like American Express Membership Rewards, to Marriott Bonvoy. Keep an eye out for transfer bonuses!
Marriott Bonvoy Eat Around Town: Enroll your credit cards and earn points when dining at participating restaurants.
Buying Points: While generally not recommended as the best value, you can purchase Marriott Bonvoy points if you need a top-up for a specific redemption. Only do this if it makes sense for a planned stay.
Step 3: Redeeming Marriott Bonvoy Points – Unlocking Your Rewards
Earning points is only half the fun! The true value of the Marriott Bonvoy program lies in its redemption options.
Sub-heading 3.1: Free Night Stays – The Sweet Spot
Redeeming points for free nights at Marriott properties is often where you'll get the most value. Marriott uses dynamic pricing, meaning the number of points required for a free night can fluctuate based on demand, season, and hotel category.
How to Book a Free Night:
Go to the Marriott website or app.
Enter your destination and dates.
Crucially, toggle on the "Use Points / Awards" option in the search bar.
The search results will display the point cost for each hotel.
Select your desired hotel and room type, then proceed with the booking.
The "Stay for 5, Pay for 4" Benefit: This is a fantastic perk for all Marriott Bonvoy members. When you book five consecutive nights on points, the least expensive night is automatically free! This effectively gives you a 20% discount on a five-night award stay. Remember, this only applies to stays booked entirely with points.
Cash + Points: If you don't have enough points for a full free night, or if you want to optimize your point usage, the "Cash + Points" option allows you to combine points and cash for a stay.
Free Night Awards Certificates: If you have a Free Night Award certificate from a co-branded credit card, you can redeem it for a one-night stay up to a certain point value (e.g., 35,000, 50,000, or 85,000 points). You can often top up these certificates with up to 15,000 additional points from your account to book a higher-value hotel.
Sub-heading 3.2: Marriott Bonvoy Moments – Unique Experiences
Marriott Bonvoy Moments allows you to redeem points for exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. These can range from:
Concerts and Sporting Events: VIP access, meet-and-greets, and prime seating.
Culinary Experiences: Cooking classes with renowned chefs, private dining, or food festivals.
Cultural Events: Access to art exhibits, fashion shows, or unique local tours.
Some Moments are available at a fixed point price, while others are offered via auction, allowing you to bid with your points.
Sub-heading 3.3: Other Redemption Options (Generally Lower Value)
While not always the best value, Marriott Bonvoy points can also be redeemed for:
Flights and Car Rentals: You can use points to book flights or car rentals through Marriott's travel redemption page. The value here is typically lower compared to hotel stays.
Transferring to Airline Partners: You can transfer your Marriott Bonvoy points to over 40 airline loyalty programs, generally at a 3:1 ratio (3 Marriott points = 1 airline mile). You also receive a 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred, making the effective ratio 3:1.25. This can be useful for topping up an airline account for a specific flight redemption.
Gift Cards and Merchandise: You can redeem points for gift cards from various retailers or for merchandise through their online shop. The value for these redemptions is usually significantly lower than hotel stays.
Charitable Donations: Donate your points to a good cause.
Step 4: Understanding Elite Status Benefits – Beyond Points
Marriott Bonvoy elite status isn't just about earning more points; it comes with a host of valuable perks that can make your stays more comfortable and enjoyable.
Member (0-9 nights): Free standard Wi-Fi, Member Rates, Mobile Check-in/Key.
Silver Elite (10-24 nights): All Member benefits, 10% bonus points, Priority Late Checkout (subject to availability).
Gold Elite (25-49 nights): All Silver benefits, 25% bonus points, Enhanced Room Upgrade (subject to availability, no suites), 2 p.m. Late Checkout (subject to availability), Welcome Gift of Points.
Platinum Elite (50-74 nights): All Gold benefits, 50% bonus points, Enhanced Room Upgrade (including select suites, subject to availability), Guaranteed 4 p.m. Late Checkout (not at resorts/convention hotels), Lounge Access at brands with lounges (and complimentary breakfast), Welcome Gift choice (points, breakfast, or amenity), Annual Choice Benefit (at 50 nights).
Titanium Elite (75-99 nights): All Platinum benefits, 75% bonus points, 48-Hour Guarantee for room availability, second Annual Choice Benefit (at 75 nights), complimentary Hertz Five Star status, United MileagePlus Premier Silver status.
Ambassador Elite (100+ nights + $23,000+ USD qualifying spend): All Titanium benefits, Ambassador Service (dedicated personal concierge), Your24 (choose your check-in and check-out time within a 24-hour window, subject to availability).
These benefits can save you real money and enhance your travel considerably! Imagine getting a complimentary breakfast every morning or a free upgrade to a suite – these add up quickly.
Step 5: Managing Your Account and Keeping Points Active
Keeping track of your points and understanding the program rules will ensure you don't miss out on any benefits.
Online Account & App: Regularly check your Marriott Bonvoy account online or through the mobile app. You can view your points balance, elite status progress, past stays, and upcoming reservations.
Points Expiration: Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 months of inactivity. To keep your points active, you need to have qualifying activity at least once every 24 months. This can include:
Earning points from a hotel stay.
Earning points from a co-branded credit card.
Redeeming points for a stay or other option.
Transferring points to an airline partner.
Buying points.
Receiving points as a gift.
Any other earning or redemption activity.
Stay Informed: Sign up for Marriott Bonvoy emails to receive updates on promotions, bonus point offers, and new hotel openings.
By diligently following these steps and staying engaged with the Marriott Bonvoy program, you'll be well on your way to maximizing your travel rewards and enjoying fantastic stays around the globe. Happy travels!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about how Marriott Rewards points work, with quick answers:
How to calculate the value of Marriott Bonvoy points?
You can estimate the value by dividing the cash price of a hotel room (including taxes and fees) by the number of points required for that same room. While the general consensus values Marriott Bonvoy points at around 0.7 cents per point, the actual value you get can vary significantly based on the redemption, often being higher for hotel stays.
How to prevent Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring?
To prevent your Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring, you need to have any qualifying activity (earning or redeeming points) at least once every 24 months.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points without staying at a hotel?
You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points without a hotel stay by using a co-branded Marriott credit card for everyday spending, dining at participating restaurants through Eat Around Town, booking tours and activities, or transferring points from partners like American Express.
How to use Marriott Bonvoy Free Night Awards?
Free Night Awards are deposited into your account and can be redeemed for a one-night stay at participating hotels up to the certificate's specified point value. You can combine it with up to 15,000 of your own points to expand its value. Simply select "Use Points / Awards" when searching for a hotel stay.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to airline miles?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to over 40 airline partners at a general ratio of 3 Marriott points to 1 airline mile. You also get a 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred, boosting the effective ratio. Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account and navigate to the "Transfer Points" section.
How to book a "Stay for 5, Pay for 4" free night stay?
When booking five consecutive nights entirely with points on the Marriott website or app, the least expensive night will automatically be deducted, making it free. This benefit applies to all Marriott Bonvoy members.
How to achieve Marriott Bonvoy elite status faster?
You can achieve elite status faster by obtaining a co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit card that offers annual elite night credits, taking advantage of promotions that offer bonus elite night credits, or by leveraging business travel to accumulate nights.
How to find the best value for Marriott Bonvoy point redemptions?
The best value for Marriott Bonvoy point redemptions is typically found by booking hotel stays, especially during off-peak times or when cash rates are high. Look for opportunities to utilize the "Stay for 5, Pay for 4" benefit or redeem for high-value Marriott Bonvoy Moments experiences.
How to combine cash and points for a Marriott Bonvoy stay?
When searching for a hotel on the Marriott website or app, if you select the "Use Points / Awards" option, you will often see a "Cash + Points" option if available. This allows you to pay a portion of the stay with points and the remainder with cash.
How to get lounge access with Marriott Bonvoy points?
Lounge access is a benefit typically offered to Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite members at participating Marriott brands that have lounges. You cannot directly "pay" for lounge access with points, but achieving these elite statuses through earning points and stays will grant you this perk.
