Are you looking to stretch your travel budget further and unlock incredible stays with Marriott Bonvoy? Then understanding Marriott's point sales is absolutely key! It's like finding a hidden treasure map to discounted luxury. Let's dive deep into how often Marriott runs these sales, what they look like, and how you can maximize their value.
Step 1: Get Ready to Save – Are You a Marriott Bonvoy Member?
First things first, before we even talk about buying points, you need to be a Marriott Bonvoy member. If you're not, don't worry, it's quick, easy, and free to join!
Why does this matter? Because Marriott Bonvoy point sales, promotions, and exclusive offers are only available to members. Think of it as your passport to a world of discounted travel.
Engage with me here: Have you joined Marriott Bonvoy yet? If not, head over to the Marriott website right now and sign up! It takes just a few minutes. Once you're done, come back here, and let's continue this journey to smarter travel.
Step 2: Understanding the Rhythm – How Often Do Marriott Point Sales Occur?
Marriott Bonvoy is known for offering point sales with impressive frequency. While there isn't a strict, publicly released calendar, based on historical data and observed patterns, you can generally expect Marriott to run point sales multiple times a year, often with a 30% to 50% discount or a 100% bonus.
Sub-heading: The Typical Sale Pattern
Quarterly or Bi-Monthly: Marriott tends to have sales active for a few weeks every quarter, and sometimes even more frequently, nearly bi-monthly. This means you're rarely too far away from an opportunity to buy points at a reduced rate.
Major Holiday Seasons: Keep a close eye out around major holiday periods or traditional travel planning seasons (e.g., early spring for summer travel, fall for winter holidays). These are often prime times for sales.
Targeted vs. Public Offers: While many sales are broadly advertised to all members, some offers can be targeted. Always log into your Marriott Bonvoy account and check the "Special Offers" or "Buy Points" section to see if you have a personalized deal.
Sub-heading: What Kind of Sales to Expect
The most common and sought-after promotions are:
Bonus Points: You buy a certain number of points and receive an additional percentage as a bonus. For example, "Buy 50,000 points, get a 40% bonus." This effectively lowers your per-point cost.
Discounted Price: A direct percentage off the standard purchase price. For instance, "Save 30% on all point purchases."
The 100% bonus promotions are the most lucrative, effectively cutting the cost per point in half from the standard rate of 1.25 cents per point to around 0.625 cents per point.
Step 3: Calculating the Value – Is Buying Points Worth It?
This is the million-dollar question! Buying points is not always a good idea, and it requires some strategic thinking.
Sub-heading: When Buying Points Makes Sense
To Top Up for a Specific Redemption: If you're just a few thousand points short of a fantastic redemption (especially for a high-value stay or a "fifth night free" booking), buying points during a sale can be incredibly cost-effective compared to paying cash for those last few nights.
For High-Value Redemptions: Sometimes, the cash price of a luxury Marriott property is exorbitantly high. In these cases, buying points during a good sale (especially a 40-50% bonus/discount) can result in a significant saving. Compare the cash cost of your desired stay with the cost of purchasing the points needed for that same stay.
To Unlock the Fifth Night Free Perk: Marriott Bonvoy offers a fantastic perk: when you book five consecutive nights on points, the lowest-point night is free! This further amplifies the value of your points, making a purchase even more appealing for longer stays.
To Meet Minimum Spend Requirements: For some, buying points can be a way to quickly meet the minimum spending requirements on a new credit card to unlock a sign-up bonus. However, always prioritize organic spending first if possible.
Sub-heading: When to Exercise Caution
Speculative Buying: Never buy points just because there's a sale with no immediate redemption in mind. Points can devalue over time, and your travel plans might change. Only buy when you have a concrete use for them.
Lower-Tier Properties: For many lower-tier or mid-range Marriott properties, the cash price might still be cheaper than the effective cost of purchased points, even with a bonus. Always do the math!
Points Expiration: Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 months of inactivity. While purchasing points counts as activity, ensure you're aware of the expiration policy if you don't plan to use them immediately.
Step 4: The Purchase Process – A Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to buy? Here's how it generally works:
Step 4.1: Log In to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account.
Navigate to the official Marriott Bonvoy website and securely log in with your credentials. This is crucial as offers can sometimes be targeted.
Step 4.2: Find the "Buy Points" Section.
Once logged in, look for a link related to "Buy Points," "Purchase Points," or "Manage Points." This is often found under your Bonvoy account dashboard or in the "Use Points" section.
Step 4.3: Review the Current Offer.
The purchase page, typically powered by Points.com (Marriott's partner for point sales), will display the current promotion. This is where you'll see the bonus percentage or discount applied. Double-check that the offer is active and matches what you expect.
Step 4.4: Select Your Desired Points Quantity.
You'll be presented with options to buy specific amounts of points. The bonus or discount often kicks in at a minimum purchase threshold (e.g., 2,000 points).
Consider your redemption goal carefully when choosing the quantity. Don't overbuy!
Step 4.5: Understand the Annual Purchase Limit.
Marriott usually has an annual limit on the number of points you can purchase per calendar year. This limit is typically 100,000 base points, but it is often temporarily increased to 150,000 points (pre-bonus) during popular sales. The bonus points you receive do not count towards this annual limit.
For example: If the limit is 150,000 points and you buy 150,000 points with a 40% bonus, you'll receive a total of 210,000 points (150,000 base + 60,000 bonus).
Step 4.6: Enter Payment Information.
Proceed to the payment section. Points.com processes these transactions.
Pro Tip: Consider using a credit card that offers bonus points on travel purchases or one with a good general spending category if you're not specifically looking for bonus points on "everyday purchases." Purchases through Points.com are often coded as "Business Services Not Elsewhere Classified" (MCC 7399), so check your card's bonus categories carefully.
Step 4.7: Confirm Your Purchase.
Review all the details one last time – the number of points, the total cost, and the bonus applied.
Once confirmed, complete the transaction.
Step 4.8: Wait for Points to Post.
Purchased points typically post to your Marriott Bonvoy account within 24 to 72 hours. In some cases, it can take up to 5 business days. Plan accordingly if you have an urgent redemption.
Step 5: Maximizing Your Purchased Points
Buying points is just the first step! Here's how to make the most of them:
Step 5.1: Research Award Nights Carefully.
Marriott uses dynamic pricing for award nights, meaning the points required can fluctuate. Be flexible with your dates if possible, as off-peak dates can offer significant savings.
Use Marriott's flexible date search tool to see the point requirements over a range of dates.
Step 5.2: Always Look for the Fifth Night Free.
As mentioned, this perk is a game-changer. If your stay is 5 nights or longer, ensure you're booking it all on points to get that free night.
Step 5.3: Consider Point Transfers.
Marriott Bonvoy allows members to transfer points to other members (up to 100,000 points per year sent, 500,000 received). This is useful if you or a family member need to combine balances for a specific redemption.
You can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to airline miles with over 40 airline partners, generally at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred. While often not the best value for buying points to convert to miles, it's an option.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 common questions about buying Marriott points, with quick answers:
How to find out about the next Marriott point sale?
The best way is to regularly check the official Marriott Bonvoy "Buy Points" page, as promotions are advertised there. You can also subscribe to Marriott's email newsletters and follow travel hacking blogs.
How to know if I'm eligible for a Marriott point sale?
Most sales are open to all Marriott Bonvoy members. However, new members typically need to be enrolled for at least 30-90 days (and sometimes have a qualifying activity like a stay) before they can purchase points. Some offers can also be targeted to specific accounts, so always log in to confirm.
How to calculate the true cost per point during a sale?
Divide the total cost of your purchase by the total number of points received (including any bonus). For example, if you buy 10,000 points for $125 with a 40% bonus (totaling 14,000 points), the cost per point is $125 / 14,000 = $0.0089 (0.89 cents per point).
How to determine if a specific Marriott redemption is a good value with purchased points?
Compare the cash cost of the room for your desired dates to the cost of purchasing the points needed for that room at the sale price. If the cost of purchased points is significantly lower than the cash rate, it's a good value.
How to ensure my purchased points don't expire?
Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 months of inactivity. Purchasing points counts as qualifying activity, resetting the 24-month clock. You can also extend their validity through stays, credit card activity, or transferring points.
How to pay for Marriott point purchases?
Payments are processed through Points.com using a credit card. Ensure your credit card has sufficient credit and consider cards that offer bonus points on travel or general spending categories.
How to combine Marriott points with another member?
Marriott Bonvoy allows you to transfer points to another member's account. Both members must be in good standing, and there's a limit of 100,000 points you can send and 500,000 points you can receive per calendar year. This can be done online or by calling Marriott Bonvoy customer service.
How to use purchased points for a "fifth night free" stay?
Simply book a stay of five or more consecutive nights using points. The Marriott Bonvoy system will automatically deduct the points for four nights, with the fifth (lowest-point) night being free.
How to track my annual point purchase limit?
Marriott Bonvoy tracks your annual purchase limit automatically. The "Buy Points" page will usually inform you of how many points you have remaining to purchase within the calendar year.
How to get the best value from Marriott Bonvoy points in general?
Beyond point sales, aim for aspirational redemptions (luxury hotels where cash rates are very high), utilize the fifth night free perk, and consider transferring points to airline partners only if you have a specific, high-value flight redemption in mind.
