Dreaming of that luxurious Marriott stay, but wondering how many points it will cost you? You're in the right place! While Marriott Bonvoy has moved to dynamic pricing, making it a bit less straightforward than a fixed chart, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to snag that "free" room with your hard-earned points.
Let's dive in and unlock the secrets to redeeming your Marriott Bonvoy points!
Step 1: Engage with Your Marriott Bonvoy Account
First things first, let's get you acquainted with your Marriott Bonvoy account. Have you already logged in? If not, take a moment to do so on the Marriott website or through their excellent mobile app. This is your command center for all things points-related. Familiarize yourself with your current point balance – this will be crucial as we explore redemption options.
Why this is important: Knowing your current point stash gives you a realistic starting point for your travel dreams. It also allows you to see if you have any Free Night Awards (FNAs) or Nightly Upgrade Awards (NUAs) that could reduce your out-of-pocket point cost.
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| How Many Marriott Points Do You Need To Book A Room |
Step 2: Understanding Marriott's Dynamic Pricing
Gone are the days of fixed award charts. Since March 2022, Marriott Bonvoy uses dynamic pricing for award nights. This means the number of points required for a room can fluctuate daily, much like cash rates.
2.1 What Dynamic Pricing Means for You
Flexibility is Key: The most significant takeaway is that the more flexible you are with your travel dates, the better your chances of finding a great point redemption value. Prices will vary based on demand, seasonality, specific dates (weekends vs. weekdays, holidays), and even local events.
No Fixed Categories: While Marriott still has internal hotel categories, these no longer directly dictate point prices. A Category 5 hotel, for instance, won't always cost the same number of points.
Check Frequently: Point values can change frequently, sometimes daily. If you have a specific hotel and dates in mind, it's worth checking the point price multiple times before booking.
Step 3: Searching for Your Award Stay
Now that you understand the pricing model, let's search for your desired room!
3.1 Using the Marriott Website/App
Go to Marriott.com or Open the Marriott Bonvoy App: Navigate to the main search bar for hotel bookings.
Enter Your Destination and Dates: Input where and when you want to travel.
Crucial Step: Select "Use Points/Awards": Before you hit search, make sure you tick the box or select the option that says "Use Points/Awards." This tells the system you want to see point redemption options, not cash rates.
Flexible Dates (Highly Recommended!): If your dates are flexible, look for the "Flexible Dates" option. This will show you a calendar view of point prices across a range of dates, often highlighting the cheapest nights. This is your secret weapon for finding great deals!
Filter and Sort: Once your search results appear, you can filter by brand, amenities, and crucially, sort by "Reward Points" to see the cheapest options first.
3.2 Interpreting the Point Results
Tip: Take mental snapshots of important details.
When you find a hotel, you'll see the number of points required per night. This can range from as low as 5,000 points for budget-friendly properties during off-peak times to 100,000 points or more for luxury hotels during peak season.
Remember: If you have a Free Night Award (FNA) certificate, the system will often show you rooms that are eligible for redemption with that certificate. You can even "top off" a Free Night Award with up to 15,000 additional points if the room costs more than your certificate's value.
Step 4: Maximizing Your Point Value
Getting a "free" room is great, but getting it for fewer points is even better! Here are some strategies to maximize your Marriott Bonvoy point value:
4.1 The "Stay for 5, Pay for 4" Benefit
This is a fantastic perk for all Marriott Bonvoy members. When you book an award stay of five consecutive nights or longer, you'll only pay for four nights – the lowest point-value night will be free! This effectively gives you a 20% discount on a five-night stay.
Example: If you book a 5-night stay where the nights cost 20k, 22k, 20k, 25k, and 23k points, you'll only be charged for four nights, and the 20k point night (the lowest) will be free.
4.2 PointSavers
Keep an eye out for "PointSavers" deals. These are promotional rates offered at participating hotels, allowing you to book rooms for up to 20% fewer points than the standard dynamic rate. They are usually available for specific dates or properties.
4.3 Off-Peak Travel
As mentioned, traveling during off-peak seasons or weekdays will almost always require fewer points than peak times, holidays, or weekends. If your schedule allows for flexibility, this is one of the easiest ways to save points.
4.4 Cash + Points
Marriott also offers a "Cash + Points" option. This allows you to combine a fixed cash amount with a smaller number of points to book a room. While the point portion may vary, this can be a good way to stretch your points if you're a bit short for a full redemption.
QuickTip: Reflect before moving to the next part.
Step 5: Earning More Marriott Bonvoy Points
If you don't have enough points for your desired stay, don't worry! There are many ways to accumulate them quickly.
5.1 Hotel Stays
The most direct way is by staying at Marriott Bonvoy properties. You earn 10 points per dollar spent at most brands (some, like Element, Residence Inn, and TownePlace Suites, earn 5 points per dollar, and Marriott Executive Apartments earn 2.5 points per dollar).
Elite Status Bonus: Marriott Bonvoy elite members earn bonus points on top of the base earning:
Silver Elite: 10% bonus
Gold Elite: 25% bonus
Platinum Elite: 50% bonus
Titanium Elite: 75% bonus
Ambassador Elite: 75% bonus
5.2 Co-Branded Credit Cards (Especially in India!)
For Indian residents, the Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card is an excellent way to earn points:
Welcome Benefits: Often includes a Free Night Award and Elite Night Credits.
Earning Rates:
8 Marriott Bonvoy points for every ₹150 spent on Marriott Bonvoy Website/Mobile App.
4 Marriott Bonvoy points for every ₹150 spent on entertainment and travel.
2 Marriott Bonvoy points for every ₹150 spent on all other eligible purchases.
Milestone Benefits: You can earn additional Free Night Awards by reaching certain spending thresholds annually.
Consider also: American Express Membership Rewards points can often be transferred to Marriott Bonvoy, sometimes with bonus promotions, making AmEx Platinum Travel a strong contender for point accumulation.
5.3 Other Earning Methods
Dining and Spa: You can earn points by dining or using spa services at participating Marriott hotels, even if you're not staying overnight.
Marriott Bonvoy Moments: While primarily a redemption option, participating in these exclusive experiences can sometimes offer opportunities to earn points.
Buying Points: You can purchase Marriott Bonvoy points directly from Marriott. This is generally not recommended unless you need a small number to top off a redemption, as the cost per point is usually higher than the value you'd get.
Transferring Points from Partners: Marriott Bonvoy has numerous airline partners where you can transfer your points to airline miles (usually at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred). While this is a redemption, it's good to know for overall point strategy.
Step 6: Understanding Point Value (and When to Use Them)
While point values are dynamic, it's helpful to have a general idea of what your points are "worth." Many travel experts value Marriott Bonvoy points at around 0.9 cents per point.
When to Redeem:
When the cash rate for a room is high, and the point redemption is relatively low, giving you a value higher than 0.9 cents per point.
When you have a Free Night Award certificate you want to use.
When you're trying to achieve or maintain elite status through award stays (which count towards elite nights).
When to Pay Cash:
When the cash rate is very low, and the point redemption is disproportionately high, giving you a value lower than 0.9 cents per point.
When you want to earn more points on a paid stay to save up for a more expensive redemption later.
Step 7: Finalizing Your Booking
QuickTip: Pay attention to first and last sentences.
Once you've found the perfect room for the right number of points:
Review Details: Double-check the dates, room type, and the total points required.
Confirm Booking: Proceed with the booking. Your points will be deducted immediately.
Cancellation Policy: Always note the cancellation policy. Marriott is generally flexible with point redemptions, often allowing free cancellation up to a certain point before check-in. If you cancel, your points are usually returned to your account instantly.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to find the cheapest Marriott rooms with points?
The best way is to use the "Flexible Dates" search option on the Marriott website or app and look for "PointSavers" deals, which offer reduced point rates.
How to use a Marriott Free Night Award (FNA)?
When searching for rooms, select "Use Points/Awards." If your desired room's point cost is at or below your FNA's value, it will automatically apply. You can also top off an FNA with up to 15,000 additional points.
How to know if my Marriott points will expire?
Marriott Bonvoy points expire if your account is inactive for 24 consecutive months. You can check your activity and expiration date in your Marriott Bonvoy account online.
How to prevent Marriott points from expiring?
To keep your points active, you need to have qualifying activity in your account at least once every 24 months. This includes earning points from stays or credit card spending, redeeming points, or even purchasing points.
Tip: The details are worth a second look.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points quickly in India?
The Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card is a primary way, offering bonus points on Marriott stays and everyday spending. Transferring American Express Membership Rewards points during promotional periods can also be very lucrative.
How to get a room upgrade using Marriott points?
You cannot directly use points for guaranteed room upgrades. However, if you are a Marriott Bonvoy elite member (Platinum Elite and above), you may receive complimentary upgrades, including suites, based on availability at check-in. Nightly Upgrade Awards (earned as an Annual Choice Benefit) can also be used to confirm upgrades in advance.
How to transfer Marriott points to an airline?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account, go to "Use Points" -> "Travel" -> "Points to Miles." You can transfer points to over 40 airline partners, usually at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred.
How to book a 5-night Marriott stay and get one night free?
Simply book a consecutive 5-night (or longer) award stay using points. The "Stay for 5, Pay for 4" benefit will automatically apply, making the lowest point-value night free.
How to find the cash value of my Marriott points?
While dynamic, a common valuation for Marriott Bonvoy points is around 0.9 cents per point. To calculate for a specific redemption, divide the cash price of the room by the number of points required.
How to use Marriott Bonvoy points for experiences?
Explore "Marriott Bonvoy Moments" on the Marriott website. Here, you can bid on or redeem points for exclusive experiences like VIP access to events, culinary classes, or concerts, often offering unique value.
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