Dreaming of that perfect Marriott stay but a few points short? Or perhaps you're strategizing your next big redemption and looking to top up your Marriott Bonvoy account? Well, you've landed in the right place! Today, we're going to dive deep into the ins and outs of buying Marriott Bonvoy points, with a special focus on that magic number: 1,000 points.
Ready to unravel the mystery of point purchasing? Let's get started!
Step 1: Understand the Basics – Why Buy Marriott Points?
Before we even talk about the price, let's address the fundamental question: Why would you buy Marriott points in the first place?
It might seem counterintuitive to spend money on something you typically earn through travel or credit card spending. However, there are several compelling reasons:
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To Top Off an Award Stay: This is perhaps the most common reason. You've found an amazing Marriott hotel, and you're just a few thousand points shy of booking that dream night. Buying a small increment can be significantly cheaper than paying the cash rate for the entire stay.
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To Take Advantage of a Great Redemption: Sometimes, the cash rate for a hotel is astronomically high, but the points redemption is a fantastic deal, offering a value far greater than the cost of buying the points. This is where buying points can be a strategic move.
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To Keep Your Points from Expiring: Marriott Bonvoy points generally expire after 24 months of inactivity. A small points purchase can reset this clock, protecting your hard-earned points.
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During a Promotion: Marriott frequently offers bonuses when you buy points. These promotions can drastically reduce the cost per point, making a purchase much more appealing.
Think about your current points balance and your travel goals. Is buying points the most efficient way to achieve your next Marriott adventure?
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| How Much Does It Cost To Buy 1000 Marriott Points |
Step 2: The Standard Cost of 1,000 Marriott Points
Let's get straight to the numbers. Marriott Bonvoy points are typically sold in increments of 1,000.
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The standard price to buy 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points is $12.50 USD.
This means that each point, at the standard rate, costs 1.25 cents ($0.0125) per point.
Breaking Down the Cost:
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For 1,000 points: $12.50
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For 2,000 points: $25.00
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For 5,000 points: $62.50
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And so on...
It's important to note that this is the standard rate. As we'll discuss in the next step, this price can fluctuate significantly.
Step 3: Hunting for Deals – Buying Points During Promotions
This is where buying points becomes truly interesting! Marriott frequently runs promotions that offer a bonus on purchased points. These bonuses can significantly reduce your effective cost per point.
Tip: Focus more on ideas, less on words.
Sub-heading: Common Promotion Types
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Percentage Bonus: You might see offers like "Buy points and get a 30%, 40%, or even 50% bonus!" This is the most common and often the best type of promotion.
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Tiered Bonus: Sometimes the bonus percentage increases as you buy more points. For example, a 25% bonus for 5,000-9,999 points, and a 40% bonus for 10,000+ points.
Sub-heading: How a Promotion Impacts the Cost of 1,000 Points
Let's imagine Marriott is running a 40% bonus promotion.
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Normally, for $12.50, you'd get 1,000 points.
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With a 40% bonus, for that same $12.50, you'd effectively receive 1,000 points + 400 bonus points = 1,400 points.
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To figure out the cost of exactly 1,000 points during this promotion, you'd do the calculation: ($12.50 / 1,400 points) * 1,000 points = ~$8.93.
So, during a 40% bonus promotion, 1,000 points would effectively cost you approximately $8.93 instead of $12.50. That's a significant saving!
Sub-heading: When to Expect Promotions
Marriott promotions for buying points don't have a fixed schedule, but they tend to pop up several times a year. Keep an eye on:
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Major holidays
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End-of-quarter or end-of-year periods
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Specific travel seasons
Pro-tip: Sign up for Marriott Bonvoy email alerts to be notified directly when these promotions go live!
Step 4: The Purchase Process – A Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to buy those points? Here's how to do it:
Sub-heading: Step 4.1: Access the Marriott Points Purchase Page
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Go to the Official Marriott Bonvoy Website: Navigate to marriott.com.
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Log In to Your Account: You'll need your Marriott Bonvoy member number and password to proceed. If you're not a member, you'll need to join first (it's free!).
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Find the "Buy Points" Section: This is usually found under the "Use Points" or "Marriott Bonvoy" section of the website. You can often find a direct link on the Marriott Bonvoy homepage or by searching "buy points Marriott" in their search bar. The direct purchase page is typically hosted by Points.com, Marriott's third-party partner for point sales.
QuickTip: Don’t rush through examples.
Sub-heading: Step 4.2: Select Your Purchase Amount
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Choose the Increment: You'll see options to select the number of points you wish to purchase, usually starting from 1,000 and going up to the annual maximum (which is typically 100,000 points per calendar year, before any bonus points are added).
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Verify the Price: The system will display the total cost in USD for the selected amount of points. If there's a promotion running, it will often show the bonus points you'll receive and the effective price per point.
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Make sure the amount and price displayed are what you expect.
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Sub-heading: Step 4.3: Enter Payment Information
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Provide Payment Details: You'll need a valid credit or debit card. Fill in all the required fields, including card number, expiry date, and CVV.
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Review Order Summary: Double-check all the details: number of points, total cost, and any applicable terms and conditions.
Sub-heading: Step 4.4: Complete the Purchase
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Confirm Your Order: Click the "Buy" or "Confirm Purchase" button.
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Receive Confirmation: You should receive an immediate on-screen confirmation, followed by an email confirmation of your purchase.
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Points Posting Time: Marriott Bonvoy points typically post to your account within 72 hours of the transaction. In many cases, they appear much sooner, but it's good to be aware of the potential delay.
Step 5: Is Buying 1,000 Marriott Points Worth It? – A Value Proposition
While we've established the cost, the more critical question is: Is it a good value for you?
Sub-heading: Calculating Your Point Value
To determine if buying points is a good deal, compare the cost of the points to the cash price of the redemption you have in mind.
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NerdWallet's valuation: NerdWallet currently values Marriott Bonvoy points at approximately 0.9 cents per point ($0.009) when redeemed for award stays. This is a common benchmark used by many travel experts.
Let's do some quick math:
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If you buy 1,000 points at the standard rate of $12.50 (1.25 cents/point), you are paying more than the average redemption value of 0.9 cents/point. In this scenario, it's generally not a good idea to buy points unless you're topping off for a specific, high-value redemption.
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If you buy 1,000 points during a 40% bonus promotion for ~$8.93 (effectively 0.893 cents/point), you are paying less than or very close to the average redemption value. This makes the purchase much more attractive.
Sub-heading: When to Buy vs. When to Earn
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Buy if: You have an immediate need for a small number of points to complete a high-value redemption, especially during a bonus promotion where the effective cost per point is low.
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Earn if: You have no immediate need, and you can accrue points through other means such as:
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Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards: These cards offer significant welcome bonuses and ongoing earning rates for everyday spending.
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Hotel Stays: Earn points on paid stays at Marriott properties.
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Partnerships: Earn points through various Marriott Bonvoy partners (e.g., dining programs, car rentals).
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Ultimately, the "worth" of buying 1,000 Marriott points depends on your specific travel plans and how you intend to use them. Do your research, compare cash prices to point redemptions, and always consider any ongoing promotions.
QuickTip: Slow down when you hit numbers or data.
Frequently Asked Questions about Buying Marriott Bonvoy Points
Here are 10 common questions related to buying Marriott points, with quick answers:
How to buy Marriott Bonvoy points?
You can buy Marriott Bonvoy points directly on the official Marriott website by logging into your account and navigating to the "Buy Points" section, which is typically powered by Points.com.
How to find out if there's a Marriott points purchase promotion?
Check the "Buy Points" section on the Marriott Bonvoy website, subscribe to Marriott Bonvoy email newsletters, or follow popular travel hacking blogs that track such promotions.
How much does Marriott charge per point normally?
Marriott charges $12.50 USD for every 1,000 points purchased at the standard rate, which equates to 1.25 cents per point.
How many Marriott points can I buy in a year?
Marriott Bonvoy members can typically purchase up to 100,000 points per calendar year, excluding any bonus points received during a promotion. This limit can sometimes be increased during special offers.
How long does it take for purchased Marriott points to show up?
Tip: Look for small cues in wording.
Purchased points usually post to your Marriott Bonvoy account within 72 hours, though they often appear much faster.
How to determine if buying Marriott points is a good value?
Compare the effective cost per point (total cost divided by total points received, including any bonus) to the value you'd get from a specific redemption (cash price of a stay divided by the points required). Aim for a redemption value higher than your purchase price per point.
How to use purchased Marriott points?
Once the points are in your account, you can use them just like any other Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments experiences, flights, car rentals, and more.
How to gift Marriott Bonvoy points to someone else?
You can gift Marriott Bonvoy points through the same "Buy Points" portal on the Marriott website. There will be an option to "Gift Points."
How to avoid Marriott Bonvoy points expiration?
Engage in any qualifying activity on your Marriott Bonvoy account at least once every 24 months. Purchasing points is considered a qualifying activity and will reset your points expiration clock.
How to get Marriott points without buying them?
You can earn Marriott points by staying at Marriott properties, using Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards for everyday spending, transferring points from partners (like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards if applicable to your region), participating in promotions, or through the Marriott Bonvoy dining program.
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