The Core Question Answered: How Much Does 10,000 Marriott Points Really Cost?
When it comes to buying Marriott Bonvoy points, there are two key prices to be aware of: the standard rate and the promotional rate. The difference between the two can be substantial, making it almost always worthwhile to wait for a promotion.
Understanding the Base Price
Marriott Bonvoy typically sells its points at a standard rate of $12.50 USD per 1,000 points. This means that without any special offers, buying 10,000 Marriott Bonvoy points would cost you:
$12.50 USD (per 1,000 points) * 10 (for 10,000 points) = $125.00 USD
At this rate, each point costs you 1.25 cents (USD). While this might seem straightforward, it's generally not the ideal price to pay, as you can almost always do better.
The Power of Promotions: Your Best Bet!
Marriott Bonvoy frequently runs promotions for buying points, often offering bonuses ranging from 25% to 50% (and sometimes even higher). These bonuses significantly reduce the effective cost per point.
For instance, a common and strong promotion is a 40% or 45% bonus. Let's calculate the cost of 10,000 points with a 45% bonus:
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You purchase 10,000 points.
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You receive a 45% bonus, which is 10,000 * 0.45 = 4,500 bonus points.
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Total points received: 10,000 + 4,500 = 14,500 points.
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The cost remains the same for the purchased portion: $125.00 USD.
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Now, calculate the effective cost per point: $125.00 USD / 14,500 points = approximately $0.0086 USD per point (or 0.86 cents per point).
As you can see, buying 10,000 points with a 45% bonus effectively gets you 14,500 points for $125, drastically reducing your per-point cost and making it a much better deal. Always aim to buy points when a promotion is active! These promotions are seasonal, so it pays to keep an eye out.
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| How Much Does It Cost To Buy 10 000 Marriott Points |
Step 1: Are You Eligible to Buy? Check These Essentials!
Before you even think about hitting that "buy" button, it's crucial to ensure you meet the basic eligibility requirements set by Marriott Bonvoy and Points.com (the official partner for point sales).
Marriott Bonvoy Membership is Key
Tip: Summarize each section in your own words.
To purchase Marriott Bonvoy points, you must be a Marriott Bonvoy member. If you're not already, don't worry – signing up is free and easy!
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Action: Head over to the Marriott Bonvoy website and click "Join Now" if you're not already a member.
Account Status and Waiting Period
Your Marriott Bonvoy account needs to be in good standing. Furthermore, new members typically have a waiting period before they can purchase points.
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New Members: Generally, you must be a Marriott Bonvoy member for at least 30 days before you are eligible to purchase points. This is to prevent fraudulent activity.
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Existing Members: As long as your account is active and in good standing, you should be able to proceed.
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Important Note on Limits: Marriott Bonvoy has an annual limit on the number of points you can purchase. Typically, this limit is 100,000 points per calendar year. However, during promotions, this limit is often increased to 150,000 or even 200,000 points, allowing you to stock up more significantly. This limit includes points you buy for yourself and points you receive as a gift from others.
Step 2: Navigating the Purchase Portal
Once you've confirmed your eligibility, the actual process of buying points is quite straightforward. Marriott partners with Points.com for these transactions.
Finding the "Buy Points" Page
The easiest way to access the official purchase portal is directly through the Marriott Bonvoy website.
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Visit the Marriott Bonvoy Website: Go to Marriott.com or Bonvoy.com.
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Navigate to "Buy Points": Look for a "Buy Points" or "Earn & Redeem" section. Often, there's a direct link in the footer or under the "Marriott Bonvoy" menu. The direct link is usually
storefront.points.com/marriott/en-US/buy.
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Pro Tip: Always ensure you are on the official Marriott or Points.com domain to avoid scams.
Logging In
You'll be prompted to log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account. This links your purchase directly to your membership.
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Action: Enter your Marriott Bonvoy member number or email address and password.
Choosing Your Quantity (and Spotting the Deals!)
Once logged in, you'll see the interface for purchasing points. This is where you'll select the quantity of points you wish to buy.
QuickTip: Look for patterns as you read.
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Select 10,000 Points: There will be a dropdown or input field where you can choose or type in "10,000" (or the increment that gets you close to 10,000 if exact numbers aren't options, then adjust for the bonus).
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Look for Promotions: This is the most critical step for value. The page will clearly display if a promotion is active (e.g., "Get a 45% bonus!"). The total number of points you'll receive, including any bonus, and the final price will be calculated for you.
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Example Display: You might select 10,000 points, and the system shows: "You will receive 14,500 points (10,000 purchased + 4,500 bonus) for $125.00 USD."
Step 3: Reviewing Your Purchase & Making Payment
After selecting your desired quantity, you'll proceed to the payment section.
Confirming the Price and Bonus
Carefully review all the details on the summary page:
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The number of points you are purchasing.
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The bonus points you are receiving (if any).
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The total number of points that will be deposited into your account.
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The final price in USD.
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Double-check this information thoroughly before proceeding. Purchased points are generally non-refundable.
Payment Methods
You'll need a valid credit or debit card to complete the transaction.
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Action: Enter your payment card details (card number, expiry date, CVV, billing address).
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Consider a Travel Rewards Credit Card: If you have a credit card that offers bonus points on travel purchases or general spending, use that! While the purchase is through Points.com, some credit card companies categorize it as a travel-related expense, which could earn you additional rewards.
Step 4: The Waiting Game (It's Short!)
Once your payment is processed, the points won't appear instantly in your Marriott Bonvoy account.
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Posting Time: Purchased Marriott Bonvoy points typically post to your account within 72 hours (3 business days) after the transaction is complete. In many cases, they appear much faster, sometimes within minutes or a few hours.
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Confirmation: You will usually receive an email confirmation from Points.com (and sometimes Marriott Bonvoy) once the purchase is successful and another email when the points have been deposited into your account.
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Action: Check your Marriott Bonvoy account online or via the mobile app after 72 hours if you don't see them sooner. If they haven't appeared, check your purchase confirmation and contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service.
When Does Buying Points Make Sense?
While the cost of 10,000 Marriott points can be as low as $86-$89 during a good promotion, it's essential to understand when buying points is a strategic move.
Tip: Don’t just scroll to the end — the middle counts too.
To Top Up for a Specific Redemption
This is perhaps the most common and often best reason to buy points. If you're just a few thousand points shy of booking that dream free night at a high-value property, buying the needed amount during a sale can be much cheaper than paying the cash rate for the room.
During a Lucrative Promotion
If you anticipate future Marriott stays and a significant "buy points" promotion (like a 40-50% bonus) is running, it can be a good time to stock up, especially if your effective cost per point is below what you typically value them at (NerdWallet values Marriott points at around 0.9 cents each). If you can buy them for 0.86 cents per point, you're already ahead!
For High-Value Redemptions
Sometimes, the cash price of a hotel stay is disproportionately high compared to the points required. This is often true for luxury properties or during peak seasons. If the "cents per point" value you're getting from your redemption significantly exceeds your "cost per point" from buying, then buying points can save you a substantial amount of money. Always do the math: (Cash Price / Points Required) * 100 = Cents Per Point Value. Compare this to your purchase cost per point.
When Should You Not Buy Points?
Just as important as knowing when to buy is knowing when not to.
Without a Specific Use in Mind
Hoarding points without a clear redemption plan is generally not advisable. Loyalty program points can be devalued over time, meaning their worth for a particular redemption might decrease.
Outside of Promotions
Note: Skipping ahead? Don’t miss the middle sections.
Paying the standard rate of 1.25 cents per point is rarely a good deal. You can almost always earn points through stays, credit card spending, or wait for a promotion to buy them at a lower rate.
If You Have Better Earning Options
If you have a Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card, travel frequently for work, or participate in other loyalty programs, you might have more efficient ways to earn points than buying them. For example, earning 3x, 5x, or even 6x points per dollar spent on certain categories or hotel stays is often a better "cost" for points.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions about buying and using Marriott Bonvoy points:
How to find the current buy points promotion?
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Visit the official Marriott Bonvoy "Buy Points" page (typically
storefront.points.com/marriott/en-US/buy). Any active promotions will be prominently displayed there.
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
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Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your point balance will be visible on your account dashboard.
How to ensure I'm getting the best value when redeeming points?
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Compare the cash price of a hotel room to the points required for the same room on the same date. Divide the cash price by the points required, then multiply by 100 to get the "cents per point" value. Aim for redemptions that give you 0.9 cents per point or higher. Look for "PointSavers" deals for even better value.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points without buying them?
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Earn points by staying at Marriott Bonvoy participating hotels, using Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards, participating in promotions, referring friends, earning through partners like Uber/Eat Around Town, and hosting events.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another member?
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You can transfer points to another Marriott Bonvoy member by calling Marriott Bonvoy customer service. There are generally limits (e.g., up to 100,000 points per year, and you can receive up to 500,000 points per year). Both accounts must be in good standing and open for at least 30 days (or 90 days if there's no activity).
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to airline miles?
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Marriott Bonvoy has numerous airline partners. You can transfer points at a general 3:1 ratio (3 Marriott points to 1 airline mile). For every 60,000 points you transfer, you often receive an additional 5,000 bonus airline miles.
How to know if buying points is cheaper than paying cash for a stay?
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Calculate the cash cost of the stay vs. the cost to buy the points needed for that stay (especially during a promotion). If the cost to buy the points is less than the cash price of the room, then buying points makes sense.
How to understand Marriott Bonvoy's dynamic pricing?
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Marriott Bonvoy uses dynamic pricing, meaning point redemption rates fluctuate based on factors like demand, season, and hotel category. This means the same room might cost more or fewer points on different dates, or even change in price closer to your travel date.
How to avoid points expiry?
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Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 consecutive months of inactivity. To keep them active, simply have qualifying activity on your account, such as staying at a Marriott hotel, earning points with a credit card, redeeming points, or buying points.
How to use Marriott Bonvoy points for experiences?
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Marriott Bonvoy Moments allows members to redeem points for unique experiences, including concerts, culinary events, sporting events, and cultural activities. Visit the Marriott Bonvoy Moments website to explore available options.
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