Ready to unlock the world with your Marriott Bonvoy points? You've earned them, now let's use them for some incredible stays! Redeeming your hard-earned Marriott Bonvoy points for a hotel room is one of the most rewarding aspects of the program. It allows you to enjoy luxurious getaways, explore new destinations, and create unforgettable memories, all without spending a dime in cash on the room rate. Let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process like a pro.
Your Ultimate Guide: Booking a Marriott Room with Points
Step 1: Are you ready to travel the world for free? First, Log In to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account
Before you can even dream of your next points-funded adventure, you need to access your Marriott Bonvoy account.
Sub-heading: Accessing Your Digital Passport
Via the Marriott Website:
Open your web browser and navigate to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (Marriott.com).
Look for the "Sign In" or "Join" option, usually located in the top right corner of the homepage.
Enter your email address or Marriott Bonvoy member number and your password.
Click "Sign In."
Via the Marriott Bonvoy Mobile App:
Download and open the Marriott Bonvoy app on your smartphone (available for iOS and Android).
Tap on the "Account" or "Sign In" icon.
Enter your login credentials.
Tap "Sign In."
Once logged in, you'll be able to see your current points balance, any Free Night Awards you might have, and your elite status. This is your starting point for booking!
Step 2: Initiate Your Search for a Hotel Stay
Now for the exciting part – finding your dream destination!
Sub-heading: Setting Your Search Parameters
On the Website:
On the Marriott.com homepage (after logging in), you'll find a search bar prominently displayed.
Enter your Destination (city, specific hotel name, or even a country for broader searches).
Select your Check-in and Check-out Dates.
Crucially, check the box that says "Use Points / Awards." This is paramount to ensure your search results display prices in points instead of cash.
Specify the Number of Rooms and Number of Guests.
Click "Find Hotels."
On the Mobile App:
From the home screen, tap the "Where can we take you?" field.
Enter your desired Destination.
Select your Travel Dates.
Important: Look for a toggle or option that says "Use Points / Awards" or "Book with Points" and turn it ON.
Adjust the number of Rooms, Guests, and Pets if needed.
Tap "Find Hotels" or "Check Availability."
Step 3: Refine Your Search and Explore Options
You've got your initial results, but now it's time to fine-tune your selection.
Sub-heading: Smart Browse for the Best Value
Sorting and Filtering:
The results page will display a list of Marriott properties that match your criteria.
Pro Tip: To find the best point values, sort the results by "Rewards Points (lowest to highest)" if that option is available. This can reveal hotels that offer great value for your points.
Utilize filters for Brand, Hotel Class, Amenities (pool, free breakfast, etc.), and Guest Rating to narrow down your choices.
Consider using the map view to see the location of hotels relative to attractions or specific areas you want to visit. This is incredibly helpful for visualizing your stay.
Understanding Dynamic Pricing:
Marriott Bonvoy uses dynamic pricing for award nights. This means the number of points required for a stay can fluctuate based on demand, seasonality, and the specific hotel.
Be flexible with your dates! If your travel dates are somewhat flexible, select the "Flexible Dates" option during your initial search (often found below the date selection). This will display a calendar showing point requirements for different days, allowing you to identify "off-peak" dates where fewer points are needed. This can save you a significant amount of points!
Look out for PointSavers deals, which offer discounted rates on select hotels for specific dates. These are automatically factored into your search if available.
Step 4: Select Your Hotel and Room Type
Once you've found a hotel that fits your fancy and your point balance, it's time to choose your room.
Sub-heading: Making Your Selection
Click on your desired Hotel from the search results.
On the hotel's page, you'll see different room types listed, along with the points required per night.
Click "View Rates" or "Select Room" next to the room type you wish to book.
You may see options for "Use Only Points" or "Cash + Points." If you want a fully free night, ensure "Use Only Points" is selected. "Cash + Points" allows you to combine a smaller number of points with a cash payment.
Step 5: Review and Confirm Your Reservation
This is the final checkpoint before your points transform into a hotel stay!
Sub-heading: Double-Checking the Details
You'll be directed to a "Complete Your Booking" or "Review Reservation" page.
Carefully review all the details:
Hotel Name and Address
Check-in and Check-out Dates
Room Type
Total Points Required
Guest Information (your name, contact details)
Free Night Awards (Certificates): If you have any Marriott Bonvoy Free Night Awards (often earned through co-branded credit cards or elite choice benefits), the system will typically pre-select them if they are applicable to your chosen stay.
Important Note: You can often top up a Free Night Award with up to 15,000 points if the desired room requires more points than the certificate's value. The system will prompt you for this if applicable.
Fifth Night Free Benefit: If you're booking a stay of five consecutive nights or longer using only points, Marriott Bonvoy automatically offers the least expensive night free. This is a fantastic way to stretch your points further! Make sure your booking reflects this if you're eligible.
Taxes and Resort Fees: While the room rate is covered by points, some hotels may still charge resort fees or local taxes that are not covered by points and must be paid in cash at check-in. This will usually be clearly stated in the booking summary.
Enter any additional guest names if applicable.
Provide a credit card for incidentals and any applicable resort fees, even if the room itself is free.
Read and agree to the Terms and Conditions.
Click "Book Now" or "Complete Booking" to finalize your reservation.
Step 6: Receive Your Confirmation
Congratulations! You've successfully booked a room with your Marriott points.
Sub-heading: Your Digital Key to Relaxation
You should immediately see a confirmation page with your reservation number.
An email confirmation will also be sent to the email address associated with your Marriott Bonvoy account. Keep this email safe as it contains all your booking details.
Your reservation will also appear under "My Trips" within your Marriott Bonvoy account online and in the mobile app.
10 Related FAQ Questions and Quick Answers
Here are some common questions about using your Marriott Bonvoy points:
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance? You can check your points balance by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your balance is prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to find hotels that offer the best value for my Marriott points? Search for flexible dates and sort results by "Rewards Points (lowest to highest)". Also, look for "PointSavers" deals and consider the "Fifth Night Free" benefit when booking stays of five consecutive nights or more.
How to use a Marriott Free Night Award Certificate? When searching for a stay on Marriott.com or the app, ensure "Use Points / Awards" is selected. If a Free Night Award is applicable to your chosen hotel and dates, it will automatically be pre-selected during the booking review process. You can also top up with up to 15,000 points.
How to combine Marriott points from different accounts? Marriott Bonvoy allows you to transfer points to another member's account. Both accounts must be active for a certain period (e.g., 30 days with activity or 90 days without). You'll typically need to call Marriott customer service to initiate a point transfer.
How to cancel a Marriott points reservation? You can usually cancel a points reservation online or through the mobile app under "My Trips." Be sure to check the hotel's cancellation policy as it varies, but points reservations often have a flexible cancellation window. Your points will be credited back to your account.
How to upgrade my room using Marriott points? Marriott sometimes offers the option to upgrade your room with additional points (Point Upgrades) or cash. This option may appear during the booking process or can sometimes be requested directly with the hotel. Elite members may also have "Nightly Upgrade Awards" as a benefit.
How to use Marriott points for things other than hotel stays? While hotel stays offer the best value, you can also redeem points for Marriott Bonvoy Moments (experiences), flights, car rentals, merchandise, and gift cards, though the value per point is generally lower for these options.
How to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points quickly? You can earn points through hotel stays, co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit cards, transferring points from partners (like Chase Ultimate Rewards), and participating in promotions.
How to find out if a hotel has resort fees when booking with points? Any mandatory resort fees or taxes not covered by points will be clearly disclosed in the "Summary of Charges" or "Reservation Details" section before you finalize your booking.
How to get help if I encounter issues booking with Marriott points? If you have problems, contact Marriott Bonvoy Customer Service. Their contact information can usually be found on the Marriott.com website under "Help" or "Contact Us."
