Ever found yourself just a few thousand points shy of that dream Marriott Bonvoy redemption? Maybe it's a luxurious stay at a St. Regis in paradise, or perhaps an extra night at a cozy Courtyard on a family road trip. Whatever the reason, if you're looking to top up your Marriott Bonvoy account, buying points can be a strategic move. But how exactly do you go about it, and what should you keep in mind to make the most of your purchase?
Let's dive in and walk through the process, step by exciting step!
How to Buy Points for Marriott Bonvoy: Your Comprehensive Guide
Buying Marriott Bonvoy points is a straightforward process, but understanding the nuances, especially around promotions and value, is key to making a smart decision. Here's a detailed guide to help you navigate it all.
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| How To Buy Points For Marriott |
Step 1: Are You Ready to Elevate Your Travel Game? Understanding Why You Might Buy Points
Before you even think about hitting that "buy" button, let's consider why you might want to purchase Marriott Bonvoy points. This isn't just about accumulating points; it's about unlocking experiences.
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Bridging the Gap for an Award Stay: This is the most common reason. You've found an amazing award availability, but you're just short of the required points. Buying the difference can be far more cost-effective than paying the cash rate for that night.
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Maximizing a Promotion: Marriott Bonvoy often runs promotions offering bonus points on purchases. If you can buy points at a significant discount and have a high-value redemption in mind, this can be incredibly lucrative.
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"Fifth Night Free" Benefit: When you redeem points for five consecutive nights, Marriott Bonvoy offers the fifth night free. If buying points helps you reach a 5-night stay, the effective cost per night decreases significantly.
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Avoiding Points Expiration: While not ideal, if your points are about to expire due to inactivity and you don't have other ways to keep them active, buying a small amount of points can reset the 24-month clock.
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Gifting Points: You can purchase points to gift to another Marriott Bonvoy member, helping friends or family achieve their travel goals.
However, it's crucial to remember that buying points generally costs more than earning them through stays or credit card spending. Always calculate the value you're getting from your redemption versus the cost of purchasing the points.
Step 2: Navigating to the Marriott Bonvoy "Buy Points" Page
Ready to explore your options? The first technical step is to reach the official Marriott Bonvoy "Buy Points" portal.
Tip: Reread sections you didn’t fully grasp.
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Option A: Direct Link: The simplest way is to go directly to the Marriott Bonvoy Buy Points storefront, which is typically powered by Points.com. A quick search for "Marriott Bonvoy buy points" will usually lead you there.
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Option B: Through Your Marriott Bonvoy Account:
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Log In: Visit the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com) and log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account. This ensures a personalized experience and that the points are added to your correct account.
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Access Account Overview: Once logged in, navigate to your account overview. You can usually find this by clicking on your name or profile icon.
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Find "Buy Points": Look for an option related to "Buy Points" or "Purchase Points." It's often found under a section like "Manage Points" or "Use Points and Awards." Click on this link, and you'll be redirected to the purchase portal.
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Step 3: Deciding How Many Points to Purchase
This is where the strategy comes in. The purchase portal will present you with options for the number of points you can buy.
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Understanding Purchase Increments: Marriott Bonvoy points are typically sold in increments of 1,000 points.
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Annual Purchase Limits:
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Generally, members can purchase or receive points as a gift for a combined maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points per calendar year when purchased through the Buy Points Storefront or Gift Points Storefront.
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However, if you're booking a hotel stay and don't have enough points, you might be able to purchase up to an additional 100,000 points annually through the reservation path on marriott.com to complete that specific booking. This means your total potential annual purchase could reach 200,000 points under certain conditions. Always verify the current limits on the Marriott website.
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Looking for Promotions: This is crucial! Before you select any amount, check for any ongoing promotions. Marriott Bonvoy frequently offers bonuses on purchased points, such as a 25% or 50% bonus. These promotions significantly reduce the effective cost per point. If a promotion is active, it will usually be prominently displayed on the purchase page. Always factor in the bonus points when deciding your purchase amount.
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Calculating Your Need:
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Identify your target redemption: What hotel, what dates, how many points are required?
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Check your current balance: How many points do you already have?
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Determine the deficit: Subtract your current balance from the required points. This is the minimum you need to buy.
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Consider the "5th Night Free" Bonus: If your redemption is for 5 nights, remember that you only pay for 4 nights with points. Factor this into your calculation.
Example: If a hotel costs 40,000 points per night and you need 5 nights (total 160,000 points with 5th night free), and you have 100,000 points, you'd need to buy 60,000 points. If there's a 50% bonus, you'd only need to purchase 40,000 points to receive 60,000 points (40,000 + 20,000 bonus).
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Step 4: Entering Your Payment Information
Once you've decided on the number of points, the next step is the payment.
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Personal Information: If you weren't already logged in, you'll be prompted to enter your name, email address, and Marriott Bonvoy account number. Double-check your account number to ensure the points go to the correct place!
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Payment Details: Provide your credit card information. Most major credit cards are accepted.
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Review and Confirm: Carefully review your order before finalizing. Check the number of points you're purchasing, the total cost, and any applicable taxes or fees.
Step 5: Completing the Transaction and Receiving Your Points
The final step is to process your payment and wait for your points to arrive.
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Process Payment: Click the "Pay Now" or "Complete Purchase" button.
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Confirmation: You should receive an immediate confirmation of your purchase on the screen and via email.
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Points Posting Time: Marriott Bonvoy states that purchased points will be posted to your account within 72 hours after the transaction is complete. While often quicker, it's wise to allow this full timeframe, especially if you have an imminent redemption in mind.
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Verify Points: Once the 72 hours have passed (or even sooner!), log back into your Marriott Bonvoy account and check your points balance to confirm that the purchased points have been added.
Important Considerations When Buying Marriott Bonvoy Points
Tip: Reread if it feels confusing.
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Cost Per Point: The standard cost is typically $12.50 per 1,000 points, which means 1.25 cents per point. However, during promotions, this effective cost can drop significantly. For example, with a 50% bonus, you'd effectively pay 0.83 cents per point ($12.50 / 1,500 points).
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Value of Marriott Bonvoy Points: Various travel experts have different valuations for Marriott Bonvoy points. NerdWallet, for instance, values them at approximately 0.9 cents per point. The Points Guy (TPG) values them around 0.7 cents per point. Your actual redemption value will vary greatly depending on the specific hotel, dates, and cash price. Aim to get a redemption value higher than your purchase price.
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"Cash + Points" Option: Remember that Marriott Bonvoy also offers a "Cash + Points" redemption option. Sometimes, a combination of your existing points and a cash co-pay can be a better deal than buying a large number of points outright.
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Alternative Ways to Earn Points: Before buying, consider if there are other, more cost-effective ways to get the points you need, such as:
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Co-branded Credit Cards: Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offer generous sign-up bonuses and accelerated earning on everyday spending.
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Hotel Stays: Earning points through paid stays at Marriott properties.
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Transferring Points: You can transfer points from other loyalty programs, like American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards, to Marriott Bonvoy (though transfer ratios might not always be optimal).
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Marriott Bonvoy Promotions: Keep an eye out for global or regional earning promotions that can boost your points balance from stays.
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No Refunds: Points purchases are generally non-refundable, so be certain about your need before you buy.
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New Member Restriction: New Marriott Bonvoy members typically need to wait 30 days after enrollment before they are eligible to purchase points.
By following these steps and keeping the considerations in mind, you can strategically purchase Marriott Bonvoy points to unlock incredible travel experiences. Happy travels!
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
To check your Marriott Bonvoy points balance, simply log in to your account on the Marriott Bonvoy website or mobile app. Your current points balance will be prominently displayed on your account dashboard or overview page.
How to find out when my Marriott Bonvoy points expire?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account, go to your "Activity" section, and you should see a history of your points earnings and redemptions. This section often indicates the date of your last qualifying activity, which determines when your points might expire (typically 24 months of inactivity).
How to keep my Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring?
Tip: Read at your own pace, not too fast.
To prevent your Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring, you need to have a qualifying activity on your account at least once every 24 months. This includes earning points (from stays, credit cards, partners), redeeming points, or purchasing points.
How to combine Marriott Bonvoy accounts?
You can combine two Marriott Bonvoy accounts into one. This process is typically done through the Marriott Bonvoy customer service or a specific online form on their website. You'll need to have both account numbers handy and verify your identity.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another member?
Marriott Bonvoy allows members to transfer points to another Marriott Bonvoy member's account, typically up to a certain limit per calendar year. This can often be done online through your account or by contacting Marriott Bonvoy customer service. Note that this generally does not count as a qualifying activity to reset point expiration for either the sender or receiver.
How to use Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel stays?
To use Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel stays, log in to your account on marriott.com, search for your desired destination and dates, and select the "Use Points/Certificates" option. The search results will then display the points required for each hotel.
QuickTip: A quick skim can reveal the main idea fast.
How to get the best value when redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points?
To get the best value, aim for redemptions where the cash price of the room is significantly higher than the effective cost of your points. Look for hotels that offer a "5th Night Free" on award stays, and consider using PointSavers awards if available, which offer discounted point rates.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points without staying at hotels?
You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points without hotel stays through various methods, including using Marriott co-branded credit cards, transferring points from partners like American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards, participating in dining programs, and taking advantage of shopping portal bonuses.
How to find Marriott Bonvoy points promotions?
Keep an eye on the official Marriott Bonvoy website's "Promotions" section, sign up for their email newsletters, and follow reputable travel blogs and points websites. These sources frequently announce new buy points promotions and other earning opportunities.
How to purchase additional points when booking a reservation?
If you're short on points while making a reservation on marriott.com, the booking path may offer you the option to purchase the necessary additional points to complete your booking. This is typically a separate annual limit from the general "Buy Points" storefront.
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