Planning a Marriott stay and wondering how to make your points work harder? The "Points + Cash" option can be a fantastic way to stretch your Marriott Bonvoy points and secure that dream vacation, even if your points balance isn't quite enough for a full award night. It's a flexible redemption method that allows you to combine your hard-earned points with a cash co-pay, offering a balance between saving money and maximizing your rewards.
So, are you ready to unlock more travel possibilities? Let's dive in and explore exactly how to pay with points and cash at Marriott!
Understanding Marriott Bonvoy Points + Cash
Marriott Bonvoy's Points + Cash program offers a hybrid approach to booking hotel stays. Instead of paying entirely with points for a "free" night or entirely with cash, you use a combination of both. This can be incredibly beneficial in several scenarios:
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You're a little short on points for a full award night.
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You want to save some of your points for future redemptions.
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The cash rate for a particular night is very high, but the Points + Cash option offers a better value.
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You're looking for greater flexibility in your redemption options.
It's important to note that Marriott uses dynamic pricing for award nights, meaning the points required for a stay can fluctuate based on factors like demand, season, and hotel category. The Points + Cash option also reflects this dynamic pricing, and its availability can vary from hotel to hotel and date to date.
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| How To Pay With Points And Cash Marriott |
Step 1: Log In and Start Your Search – Let's Get Started!
First things first, let's get you logged in and ready to find your perfect stay.
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Access the Marriott Website or Mobile App: Open your web browser and go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (Marriott.com) or launch the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app on your smartphone.
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Sign In to Your Account: Look for the "Sign In" or "My Account" option, usually located in the top right corner of the website or within the app's menu. Enter your Marriott Bonvoy member number or email address and your password. It's crucial to be logged in to see Points + Cash options. If you're not a member yet, don't worry! Joining Marriott Bonvoy is free and quick, and you'll need an account to redeem points.
Sub-heading: Entering Your Destination and Dates
Once logged in, you'll see the main search bar.
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Enter Your Destination: Type in the city, region, or specific hotel name where you wish to stay.
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Select Your Dates: Choose your desired check-in and check-out dates. Pro Tip: If your travel dates are flexible, consider using the "Flexible Dates" option (if available) as this can sometimes reveal better points or Points + Cash deals.
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Specify Number of Guests: Indicate the number of adults and children.
QuickTip: Every section builds on the last.
Step 2: Activating the "Use Points / Awards" Filter
This is a critical step to ensure you see all available redemption options.
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Locate the Redemption Filter: Before hitting "Find Hotels" or "Search," look for a checkbox or toggle that says "Use Points / Awards" or something similar. It's usually near the date selection.
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Check the Box/Toggle On: Make sure this option is selected. This tells the Marriott system that you are interested in viewing rates that can be paid with points, including the Points + Cash option.
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Initiate Search: Click the "Find Hotels" or "Search" button to proceed.
Step 3: Browse Search Results and Identifying Points + Cash Options
Now, the fun begins – seeing what's available!
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Review Hotel Listings: The search results page will display a list of hotels in your chosen destination. For each hotel, you'll typically see various rate options.
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Look for "View Rates": Click on "View Rates" next to the hotel you're interested in. This will expand to show the different payment options for that specific hotel and your chosen dates.
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Spot "Cash + Points" or "Customize Payment": Within the expanded rates, you will often see options for "Points," "Cash," and if available, "Cash + Points" or a "Customize Payment" button. This "Customize Payment" option is where the Points + Cash redemption truly shines!
Sub-heading: Understanding the Value Proposition
When you see the Points + Cash options, take a moment to evaluate the value.
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Compare Different Combinations: Marriott may offer several Points + Cash combinations for the same room. For example, one option might be lower points + higher cash, while another is higher points + lower cash.
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Calculate Points Value: A quick calculation can help you determine if a Points + Cash rate is a good deal. Divide the cash saved (difference between the cash rate and the cash portion of Points + Cash) by the number of points used for that saving. For instance, if a room is $300 cash or 30,000 points + $100 cash, you're essentially "buying" $200 of value with 30,000 points. This gives you a per-point value of roughly $0.0066 or 0.66 cents. Generally, aim for a value of at least 0.7 cents per point, but this can vary based on your personal travel goals and the specific redemption.
Step 4: Selecting Your Preferred Points + Cash Option
Once you've found an appealing Points + Cash rate, it's time to choose.
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Click on the Desired Option: Select the specific Points + Cash combination that best suits your needs and points balance.
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Proceed to Booking: The system will typically guide you through the reservation process, similar to a regular cash booking.
QuickTip: Slow down when you hit numbers or data.
Sub-heading: Important Considerations Before Confirming
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Taxes and Fees: Unlike full points redemptions (where taxes are usually covered), you will typically be responsible for paying taxes and fees on the cash portion of a Points + Cash booking. Be sure to review the total cost before confirming.
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Fifth Night Free: Remember the fantastic Marriott Bonvoy benefit: when you book five consecutive nights using only points, the lowest-priced night is free. This benefit does not apply to Points + Cash bookings. If your stay is exactly five nights, sometimes booking with full points (and getting the fifth night free) can offer better value than Points + Cash, so do the math!
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Cancellation Policy: Always review the cancellation policy for your chosen rate. Points + Cash bookings typically follow the standard cancellation policies of the hotel.
Step 5: Completing Your Booking
The final steps are straightforward.
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Review Reservation Details: Double-check all the details: hotel name, dates, room type, Points + Cash breakdown, and total cash payment.
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Enter Payment Information: Provide your credit card details for the cash portion of the payment.
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Confirm Booking: Click the "Book Now" or "Confirm Reservation" button. You'll receive a confirmation email shortly after.
Step 6: Managing Your Reservation
After booking, you can always review or modify your reservation.
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Access "My Trips": Log back into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the website or app and navigate to "My Trips" or "Upcoming Stays."
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View Details: Here you can see your confirmed reservation, including the Points + Cash breakdown.
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Modifications/Cancellations: If needed, you can typically modify or cancel your reservation according to the stated policy.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
You can easily check your Marriott Bonvoy points balance by logging into your account on the Marriott website (Marriott.com) or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your current points total will be displayed prominently on your account dashboard.
QuickTip: Check if a section answers your question.
How to find hotels that offer Points + Cash?
To find hotels offering Points + Cash, search for your desired destination and dates on the Marriott website or app, ensuring the "Use Points / Awards" filter is selected. Once you view the rates for individual hotels, available Points + Cash options will be displayed if offered by that property for your selected dates.
How to determine if Points + Cash is a good value?
To determine if Points + Cash is a good value, compare the cash savings you get for the points you're using. Divide the difference between the full cash rate and the cash portion of the Points + Cash rate by the number of points required. Aim for a value of at least 0.7 cents per point, but ideal value can vary based on your personal travel goals.
How to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points?
You can earn more Marriott Bonvoy points through hotel stays at participating Marriott properties, by using Marriott co-branded credit cards for everyday spending, by transferring points from partner programs (like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards), and through various Marriott Bonvoy promotions and offers.
How to use Free Night Awards with Points + Cash?
Marriott Bonvoy Free Night Awards generally cannot be combined with cash for a single night's redemption. However, you can often "top off" a Free Night Award with up to 15,000 points to book a higher-category hotel than your certificate's value.
QuickTip: Focus on one paragraph at a time.
How to cancel a Marriott Points + Cash reservation?
To cancel a Marriott Points + Cash reservation, log into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the website or app, navigate to "My Trips" or "Upcoming Stays," and select the reservation you wish to cancel. Follow the prompts to cancel, ensuring you adhere to the cancellation policy to avoid penalties.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another member?
Marriott Bonvoy allows members to transfer points to another member's account. Both accounts must be active for at least 30 days with qualifying activity or 90 days without it. You'll typically need to contact Marriott customer service to initiate the transfer, with a maximum transfer limit of 100,000 points per year.
How to get the "fifth night free" benefit with Points + Cash?
The "fifth night free" benefit for Marriott Bonvoy applies only to award stays booked entirely with points for five consecutive nights. This benefit does not apply to Points + Cash bookings.
How to find off-peak or PointSavers rates for Marriott stays?
While Marriott no longer has a fixed award chart, searching with "Flexible Dates" on the Marriott website can help you identify dates with lower point requirements, including what might have previously been considered "off-peak" or "PointSavers" rates.
How to use Points + Cash for multi-night stays?
For multi-night stays, when selecting the "Cash + Points" or "Customize Payment" option, Marriott may allow you to choose which individual nights are paid with points and which are paid with cash. This offers flexibility to optimize your redemption.
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