Do you have Marriott Bonvoy points burning a hole in your pocket? Fantastic! You're about to unlock a world of travel and experiences, transforming those hard-earned points into memorable moments. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about paying with Marriott points, ensuring you get the absolute best value.
How to Pay with Marriott Points: Your Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International's award-winning loyalty program, offers incredible flexibility when it comes to redeeming points. From free nights at luxurious resorts to unique experiences, flights, and even merchandise, your points are a valuable currency. Let's dive into the detailed steps!
 |
| How To Pay With Marriott Points |
Step 1: Discover Your Marriott Bonvoy Point Power! (Engage the User)
Before you embark on your redemption journey, the very first thing you need to do is know your balance! Are you sitting on a mountain of points or just enough for a quick getaway?
-
Head over to the Marriott Bonvoy website or open the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app.
-
Log in to your account.
-
Your current point balance will be prominently displayed. Take a moment to appreciate those numbers! This balance is your key to unlocking exciting possibilities. Imagine the possibilities – where could these points take you?
Knowing your balance is crucial for planning your redemption strategy. Keep in mind that Marriott Bonvoy points generally have a value of around 0.7 to 0.9 cents per point when redeemed for hotel stays, but this can vary significantly based on the redemption option.
Step 2: Choosing Your Redemption Path: Hotels, Experiences, or More?
Marriott Bonvoy offers a diverse range of redemption options. The best use of your points often depends on your travel goals and personal preferences. Let's explore the main avenues:
Sub-heading: The Quintessential: Free Hotel Nights
This is, by far, the most popular and often the most valuable way to use your Marriott Bonvoy points. Marriott's vast portfolio includes over 30 brands, from budget-friendly options to ultra-luxury resorts.
-
Understanding Dynamic Pricing: Unlike some older loyalty programs with fixed award charts, Marriott Bonvoy uses dynamic pricing for hotel redemptions. This means the number of points required for a free night can fluctuate based on demand, seasonality, and the specific hotel. Flexibility with your dates can significantly reduce the points needed.
-
The 5th Night Free Benefit: This is a game-changer for longer stays! When you redeem points for four nights at a participating hotel, Marriott Bonvoy gives you the fifth night free. This effectively gives you a 20% discount on your points for a five-night stay. Always keep this in mind when planning a trip!
-
PointSavers: Keep an eye out for PointSavers deals, which offer discounted rates on specific dates or at particular hotels. These can be a fantastic way to stretch your points even further.
-
Cash + Points: If you don't have enough points for a full free night, or if you want to conserve some points, the Cash + Points option allows you to combine a smaller number of points with a cash payment. This can be useful for customizing your stay.
-
Free Night Certificates: Many Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards offer annual Free Night Certificates. These certificates are typically valid for a one-night stay at a hotel up to a certain point value (e.g., 35,000 or 50,000 points). You can often top off these certificates with up to 15,000 additional points from your account to book a higher-category hotel.
QuickTip: Highlight useful points as you read.
Sub-heading: Unleash Unique Adventures: Marriott Bonvoy Moments™
If you're looking for something beyond a standard hotel stay, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™ offers unforgettable, curated experiences. These can range from VIP access to major sporting events and concerts, culinary masterclasses with renowned chefs, or exclusive cultural excursions.
-
Auction vs. Fixed Price: Marriott Bonvoy Moments often work on an auction basis, where you bid your points against other members. Some experiences may also be available at a fixed point price.
-
Value Proposition: The value you get from Moments can be harder to quantify, as many experiences aren't available for cash purchase. However, they often offer incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
Sub-heading: Travel Beyond Hotels: Flights, Car Rentals, and Cruises
While generally not the best value for your points, Marriott Bonvoy does offer the option to redeem points for other travel components:
-
Flights: You can use your points to book flights with various airline partners through the Marriott Bonvoy Air + Car portal. The transfer ratio to airline miles is typically 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 airline mile, with a bonus of 5,000 miles for every 60,000 points transferred.
-
Car Rentals: Similarly, car rentals can be booked through the Air + Car portal using your points.
-
Cruises: You can also redeem points for cruise certificates, often providing a dollar amount off your cruise booking.
Sub-heading: Retail Therapy: Merchandise and Gift Cards
Marriott Bonvoy allows you to redeem points for merchandise from their online store or for various gift cards (including Uber, Bose, etc.). Warning: This typically offers the lowest value for your points (often around 0.25-0.33 cents per point). We generally recommend avoiding this option unless absolutely necessary.
Step 3: The Practical Steps: How to Book Your Redemption
Now that you've decided how you want to use your points, let's walk through the booking process.
Sub-heading: Booking a Free Night Stay (The Most Common)
-
Go to Marriott.com or the Marriott Bonvoy App: Begin your search for your desired hotel.
-
Enter Your Destination and Dates: Crucially, select the "Use Points / Awards" checkbox or toggle the "Use Points" option.
-
Search and Browse: The results will display hotels and the corresponding points required per night.
-
Tip: If your dates are flexible, use the "Flexible Dates" option to see an award calendar and find the lowest point rates.
-
-
Select Your Hotel and Room Type: Once you find a suitable option, click on it.
-
Review Reservation Details:
-
Here, you'll see the total points required for your stay.
-
If you have Free Night Certificates, they will often be pre-selected for eligible nights. You can deselect them if you wish to use points instead.
-
If you're using a Free Night Certificate and the hotel requires more points than the certificate covers, you'll be prompted to use additional points from your account (up to 15,000).
-
-
Confirm and Book: Double-check all details, including dates, room type, and the total points being redeemed. Click "Book Now" or "Confirm Reservation" to finalize.
-
Confirmation: You'll receive a confirmation email with your booking details.
QuickTip: Pause to connect ideas in your mind.
Sub-heading: Redeeming for Marriott Bonvoy Moments™
-
Visit the Marriott Bonvoy Moments Website: Go to moments.marriottbonvoy.com.
-
Browse Experiences: Explore the various categories like Sports, Culinary, Arts & Lifestyle, and Entertainment.
-
Select an Experience: Click on the Moment that piques your interest.
-
Bid or Redeem:
-
For auctions, you'll enter your bid amount (in points) and monitor the auction's progress.
-
For fixed-price experiences, you'll simply click to redeem the stated number of points.
-
-
Confirm: Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your points redemption.
-
Confirmation: You'll receive a confirmation email with all the details for your experience.
Sub-heading: Booking Flights or Car Rentals
-
Go to the Marriott Bonvoy Air + Car Portal: This is a separate portal, typically accessible via a link on the Marriott Bonvoy website's "Use Points" section or by searching for "Marriott Bonvoy Air + Car."
-
Log In: You'll likely need to log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
-
Search for Flights or Cars: Enter your travel details (destination, dates, etc.).
-
Select Your Option: Choose the flight or car rental that meets your needs.
-
Pay with Points: The portal will display the cost in points. You'll typically have the option to use only points or a combination of points and cash.
-
Review and Confirm: Verify all the booking details before finalizing your redemption.
Step 4: Maximizing Your Point Value: Smart Strategies
Getting the most out of your Marriott Bonvoy points requires a bit of strategy.
-
Be Flexible with Dates: As mentioned, dynamic pricing means off-peak dates or less popular times often require fewer points.
-
Utilize the 5th Night Free: Always aim for a five-night stay if you can to unlock this incredible benefit.
-
Look for PointSavers: Regularly check the Marriott website for these discounted redemptions.
-
Consider Point Transfers to Airlines (Carefully): While it's generally not the best value for hotel stays, if you have a specific airline redemption in mind and a transfer bonus is offered, it might be worth considering. However, always compare the value you'd get from a hotel stay versus the airline redemption.
-
Combine Free Night Certificates with Points: Don't let those free night certificates go to waste! Use them strategically and top them off with points if needed.
-
Pool Points with Family/Friends: Marriott Bonvoy allows members to transfer points to another member's account. This can be beneficial if one person has a low balance and another has a surplus, allowing you to combine them for a larger redemption. (Note: There are limits to how many points you can transfer annually, and both accounts must be active for a certain period.)
-
Avoid Merchandise/Gift Card Redemptions: Unless you have no other use for your points, these options offer significantly less value.
Step 5: Post-Redemption: What to Expect
Once your booking is confirmed, you'll receive a confirmation email. It's always a good idea to:
-
Review Your Confirmation: Double-check all the details to ensure accuracy.
-
Add to Your Calendar: Mark your travel dates clearly.
-
Keep an Eye on Your Account: Ensure your point balance reflects the redemption.
Congratulations! You've successfully navigated the world of Marriott Bonvoy point redemption. Enjoy your well-deserved free night, unforgettable experience, or travel adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common "How to" questions about Marriott Bonvoy point redemption, with quick answers:
Tip: Context builds as you keep reading.
How to Check My Marriott Bonvoy Point Balance?
You can check your point balance by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the official website (Marriott.com) or via the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your current points will be displayed prominently on your account dashboard.
How to Find Hotels That Accept Marriott Points?
When searching for a hotel on Marriott.com or the app, simply select the "Use Points / Awards" checkbox or toggle the "Use Points" option before initiating your search. The results will then show properties available for point redemption.
How to Book a Free Night with Marriott Points?
Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account, search for your desired destination and dates, selecting the "Use Points / Awards" option. Choose your hotel and room, review the point cost, and confirm your booking.
How to Use Marriott Bonvoy Free Night Certificates?
When booking a stay, if you have an eligible Free Night Certificate, it will often be automatically applied to a qualifying night during the review step of the booking process. You can also manually select or deselect certificates.
How to Combine Cash and Marriott Points for a Stay?
During the booking process for a hotel stay, if you don't have enough points for a full free night, or if you prefer to use fewer points, the system may offer a "Cash + Points" option, allowing you to pay a portion with points and the remainder with cash.
Tip: Note one practical point from this post.
How to Transfer Marriott Points to Another Member?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another member's account by calling Marriott Bonvoy customer service. Both accounts must be active for a certain period, and there are annual limits on the number of points that can be transferred.
How to Use Marriott Points for Flights?
Visit the Marriott Bonvoy Air + Car portal (accessible via Marriott.com) and log in. Search for your desired flights, and the system will show the point cost for various itineraries. You can then use your points to book the flight.
How to Redeem Marriott Points for Experiences?
Go to the Marriott Bonvoy Moments website (moments.marriottbonvoy.com). Browse the available experiences, and either bid your points in an auction or redeem a fixed number of points for the experience you desire.
How to Find the Best Value for My Marriott Points?
The best value typically comes from redeeming points for hotel nights, especially when utilizing the "5th Night Free" benefit or taking advantage of "PointSavers" rates. Avoid redeeming for merchandise or gift cards, as these offer significantly lower value.
How to Earn More Marriott Bonvoy Points for Future Redemptions?
You can earn more Marriott Bonvoy points by staying at Marriott properties, using Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards for everyday spending, participating in promotions, and earning points through partners like Hertz and Uber.
 |
