Ah, the age-old question for every travel enthusiast: how much are Marriott points worth to buy? It's a fantastic question, and one that requires a deep dive to truly understand. As someone who loves maximizing travel value, I'm thrilled to guide you through the intricacies of buying Marriott Bonvoy points. Let's embark on this journey together!
Understanding the Value Proposition of Marriott Bonvoy Points
Before we even consider buying, it's crucial to understand the inherent value of Marriott Bonvoy points. Think of them as a form of currency within the Marriott ecosystem. While their exact worth can fluctuate based on how and when you redeem them, a widely accepted baseline valuation is approximately 0.7 to 0.9 cents per point. This means 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points might be worth around $7 to $9 when redeemed for hotel stays.
But here's the catch: You can often achieve much higher value than this average if you're strategic with your redemptions. Conversely, you can also get a terrible value if you're not careful. This dynamic nature is precisely why buying points requires a thoughtful approach.
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| How Much Are Marriott Points Worth To Buy |
Step 1: Are You Even in the Market to Buy Marriott Points? (Engage!)
Before we go any further, ask yourself this: Why are you considering buying Marriott Bonvoy points?
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Are you just a few thousand points short of a dream redemption at a luxurious resort?
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Did you find an incredible deal on a hotel stay that costs significantly less in points than in cash, but you don't have enough?
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Are you looking to top up your account to take advantage of the "fifth night free" benefit?
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Or are you just generally curious about the process?
Your "why" is the most important factor in determining if buying points is a sensible move for you. If your reason isn't compelling, it's often better to earn points through other means, such as credit card sign-up bonuses or actual hotel stays.
Step 2: Deciphering the Standard Cost of Buying Marriott Points
Marriott Bonvoy has a set standard rate for purchasing points. This is your baseline, and it's generally not the ideal price to pay.
Sub-heading: The Standard Price Tag
Typically, Marriott Bonvoy points are sold at a rate of $12.50 per 1,000 points.
Let's do the math:
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If you buy 1,000 points for $12.50, you are effectively paying 1.25 cents per point.
Now, compare this to the average redemption value of 0.7 to 0.9 cents per point. As you can see, buying points at the standard rate means you're generally paying more for the points than what you'll typically get back in value when you redeem them. This is why buying points at the standard rate is rarely a good idea.
Step 3: Timing is Everything – The Power of Point Sales and Promotions
QuickTip: If you skimmed, go back for detail.
This is where the game changes! Marriott frequently offers promotions for buying points, which can significantly reduce the effective cost per point. These sales are when buying points can become a viable strategy.
Sub-heading: Spotting the Sweet Deals
Marriott Bonvoy typically offers promotions that include:
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Bonus Points: You might get a 25%, 30%, 40%, or even a 50% bonus on the points you purchase. For example, if you buy 10,000 points with a 50% bonus, you'd receive 15,000 points for the price of 10,000.
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Discounts: Less common, but sometimes Marriott offers a direct discount on the purchase price.
Sub-heading: Calculating the "Real" Cost During a Sale
Let's consider a common promotion: a 40% bonus.
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Standard cost for 10,000 points: $125
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With a 40% bonus, you'd receive: 10,000 + 4,000 (40% of 10,000) = 14,000 points
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Your cost for 14,000 points: $125
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Effective cost per point: $125 / 14,000 points 0.89 cents per point
This 0.89 cents per point is closer to, or sometimes even better than, the average redemption value. If you can consistently redeem points for more than 0.89 cents per point, then buying during such a sale could be a good move.
Keep an eye out for these promotions! They usually run for a limited time and are often advertised directly on the Marriott Bonvoy "Buy Points" page or through email newsletters.
Sub-heading: Annual Purchase Limits
It's important to note that Marriott generally has an annual limit on how many points you can purchase. Typically, you can buy up to 100,000 or 150,000 points per calendar year, excluding any bonus points received through promotions. This means if there's a 50% bonus on a 100,000-point purchase, you'd receive 150,000 points, but only 100,000 of those count towards your annual limit.
Step 4: When Does Buying Points Make Sense? (The Strategic Angle)
Even with a sale, buying points isn't always the right answer. Here are the scenarios where it can be highly beneficial:
Sub-heading: Topping Off for a Specific Redemption
This is perhaps the most common and smart reason to buy points. Imagine you need 75,000 points for a luxurious two-night stay, but you only have 68,000. Buying the remaining 7,000 points during a sale to complete your redemption is a no-brainer if the cash cost of that stay is significantly higher than the effective cost of your purchased points.
QuickTip: Pause to connect ideas in your mind.
Sub-heading: Maximizing the "Fifth Night Free" Benefit
Marriott Bonvoy offers an excellent perk: when you redeem points for five consecutive nights, you get the least expensive night free. This effectively gives you a 20% discount on your point redemption for a five-night stay.
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If you're booking a five-night stay that requires, say, 100,000 points, you'll only pay for 80,000 points (effectively). If you can buy points during a 50% bonus sale at 0.83 cents per point, and then effectively get another 20% off with the fifth-night-free, your cost per point for that redemption drops even further! This can result in phenomenal value.
Sub-heading: High-Value Redemptions at Luxury Properties
Sometimes, the cash rate for a high-end Marriott property (like a St. Regis or Ritz-Carlton) can be astronomically high. In these cases, even if you buy points at a slightly elevated rate (say, 0.89 cents per point), the cash equivalent of that points redemption can be much, much higher. This is where you can truly "arbitrage" the system and get outsized value. Always compare the cash price of your desired stay to the total cost of buying the necessary points.
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Example: A night at a Ritz-Carlton might cost $1,000, or 80,000 points. If you can buy those 80,000 points for $712 (at 0.89 cents per point during a sale), you're saving almost $300! That's a fantastic deal.
Sub-heading: Last-Minute Bookings
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Cash rates for hotels tend to skyrocket for last-minute bookings. Point redemption rates, while subject to dynamic pricing, might not inflate as drastically. If you need to book something urgently, buying points (especially if a promotion is running) could be cheaper than the cash rate.
Step 5: When NOT to Buy Marriott Points (The Pitfalls)
Just as there are good times to buy, there are definitely times to avoid it.
Sub-heading: Without a Specific Redemption in Mind
Never buy Marriott points speculatively. The value of points can devalue over time (as has happened with Marriott Bonvoy in the past with the removal of its fixed award chart), and promotions aren't always available. Only buy if you have a concrete, high-value redemption planned in the near future.
Sub-heading: When No Promotion is Active
As established in Step 2, buying points at the standard rate of 1.25 cents per point is almost always a losing proposition. You're simply paying too much.
QuickTip: Don’t ignore the small print.
Sub-heading: For Low-Value Redemptions (Merchandise, Gift Cards)
Marriott allows you to redeem points for things like merchandise, gift cards, or even car rentals and flights through their portal. However, these redemption options typically offer a very poor value for your points (often well below 0.5 cents per point). If your intention is to buy points to then redeem them for these low-value options, you are effectively throwing money away.
Sub-heading: If You Can Earn Points More Easily
If you're eligible for a lucrative Marriott Bonvoy credit card sign-up bonus, or if you have significant upcoming Marriott stays, earning points through these methods will almost always be more cost-effective than buying them. Credit card welcome offers can provide tens of thousands of points for a fraction of the cost of buying them outright.
Step 6: The Mechanics of Buying Marriott Points
If you've decided that buying points is the right move for you, the process is straightforward.
Sub-heading: Accessing the "Buy Points" Portal
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Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on the official Marriott website.
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Navigate to the "Marriott Bonvoy" section, and look for an option like "Buy Points" or "Purchase Points." It's usually found under "Use Points and Awards" or "Manage Points."
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You'll be redirected to a portal, typically operated by Points.com, which handles the actual transaction.
Sub-heading: Completing the Purchase
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Enter the quantity of points you wish to purchase. If a promotion is active, the bonus points will usually be displayed automatically.
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Review the total cost and ensure you're comfortable with the effective price per point.
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Enter your payment information.
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Confirm the purchase.
Important Note: Purchases made through Points.com generally do not count as a travel or hotel category bonus for your credit card. Use a credit card that offers a good return on everyday spending, or one where you're trying to meet a minimum spend requirement.
Step 7: Post-Purchase Considerations and Maximizing Value
Once you've bought your points, don't just let them sit there!
Tip: Highlight what feels important.
Sub-heading: Instant Redemption vs. Waiting
Points typically post to your account almost instantly or within a few hours. This means you can often buy points and immediately proceed with your desired redemption.
Sub-heading: Combine with Free Night Awards
If you have Free Night Awards (FNAs) from Marriott Bonvoy credit cards, you can often "top off" these certificates with points from your account to book a higher-category hotel. This is another excellent way to combine your earned and purchased points for maximum value.
Sub-heading: Monitor Redemption Values
Keep an eye on the redemption rates for your desired properties. Since Marriott uses dynamic pricing, the point cost for a room can change. If you have flexible dates, you might find better deals during off-peak seasons or on weekdays.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions, starting with "How to," regarding buying Marriott Bonvoy points:
1. How to determine if buying Marriott points is worth it for my specific trip? Quick Answer: Compare the cash cost of your desired hotel stay to the total cost of buying the required points (especially during a sale). If the cost of buying points is significantly less than the cash price, it's likely worth it.
2. How to find out if there's a current Marriott Bonvoy points sale? Quick Answer: Check the official Marriott Bonvoy "Buy Points" page on their website. Current promotions are usually displayed prominently there. You may also receive email notifications if you are subscribed to Marriott Bonvoy communications.
3. How to calculate the effective cost per point when there's a bonus? Quick Answer: Divide the total amount paid by the total number of points received (original points + bonus points). For example, if you pay $125 for 10,000 points and get a 4,000 point bonus, it's $125 / 14,000 points = ~0.89 cents per point.
4. How to ensure I get the "fifth night free" benefit when redeeming points? Quick Answer: Book a consecutive stay of five nights or longer entirely with points. The discount for the least expensive night will be automatically applied at checkout.
5. How to use a Free Night Award certificate with purchased points? Quick Answer: When booking a room with a Free Night Award, if the room's point value exceeds your certificate's limit, you will be given the option to "top off" the certificate with additional points from your Marriott Bonvoy account.
6. How to transfer purchased Marriott points to another member? Quick Answer: Marriott Bonvoy allows members to transfer points to other members. You can initiate this by contacting Marriott Bonvoy customer service. There are generally limits to how many points you can transfer and receive per year.
7. How to avoid wasting money when buying Marriott points? Quick Answer: Only buy points when there's a significant bonus or discount, and only if you have a specific, high-value redemption in mind that makes the purchase cheaper than paying cash. Avoid buying points for merchandise or low-value redemptions.
8. How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points without buying them? Quick Answer: The primary ways are staying at Marriott properties, using Marriott co-branded credit cards (especially for sign-up bonuses and everyday spending), transferring points from credit card loyalty programs (like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards), and participating in promotions.
9. How to know if the value I'm getting from a points redemption is good? Quick Answer: Compare the cash price of the room to the number of points required. Divide the cash price by the points required to get your "cents per point" (CPP) value. If your CPP is higher than the effective cost per point you paid (or higher than the general average of 0.7-0.9 cents), you're doing well.
10. How to maximize the value of Marriott Bonvoy points I've purchased? Quick Answer: Target high-category hotels where cash rates are expensive, utilize the "fifth night free" benefit for longer stays, look for "PointSavers" rates, and be flexible with your travel dates to find off-peak pricing.
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