Hey there, fellow travel hacker! Ever dreamt of staying at a luxurious Marriott property but balked at the cash price? Or maybe you're just a few points shy of that dream redemption? You've landed in the right place! Buying Marriott Bonvoy points can be a strategic move to unlock incredible travel experiences for less, especially if you know the tricks of the trade. And yes, a lot of those tricks are often whispered about on Reddit's savvy travel communities.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about buying Marriott points cheaply, inspired by the collective wisdom of Reddit's frequent travelers.
The Art of the Deal: How to Buy Marriott Points Cheaply
The goal isn't just to buy points, it's to buy them smart. This means getting the most points for your dollar. Let's dive into the steps.
Step 1: Are You Ready to Play the Points Game? (Self-Assessment)
Before we even talk about where to click "buy," let's be honest with ourselves. Are you sure buying points is the right move for you?
Do you have a specific, high-value redemption in mind? This is crucial. Buying points without a plan is like buying a lottery ticket without knowing the prize. The best deals come when you can compare the cost of points to the cash rate for a specific hotel stay and find an "outsized" value (where your points are worth significantly more than the price you paid for them).
Are you just a few points short? Sometimes, you've got most of the points for a fantastic stay, but you're just shy. Topping up your account by buying a small amount of points during a sale can be a no-brainer.
Are you comfortable with the concept of "points inflation"? Marriott, like many loyalty programs, has moved to dynamic pricing, meaning point costs can fluctuate. This makes it even more important to have a specific redemption in mind to ensure good value. Reddit users often lament how points values have changed, so go in with your eyes open.
If you answered yes to the first two, and you understand the third, then let's proceed!
Step 2: Timing is Everything – Wait for the Promotions!
This is perhaps the most important step. Never, ever buy Marriott points at their standard rate unless it's an absolute emergency. Marriott regularly offers promotions, often in the form of a bonus on purchased points.
Sub-heading: Understanding the Bonus Structure
Typical Promotions: You'll often see bonuses ranging from 25% to 50%. A 40% to 50% bonus is generally considered a good deal by the Reddit community. For example, a 40% bonus means if you buy 10,000 points, you get an additional 4,000 points, totaling 14,000 points.
When do they happen? Marriott typically runs these sales several times a year. Keep an eye on the official Marriott Bonvoy "Buy Points" page, but more importantly, follow popular points and miles blogs and the travel hacking subreddits (like r/marriott, r/awardtravel, r/churning) – they'll often announce these promotions as soon as they drop. Reddit threads often highlight current or recently expired deals, like a "40% bonus until July 16, 2025" as seen in recent posts.
Maximum Purchase Limits: Be aware that Marriott usually has an annual cap on how many points you can purchase. This limit is often 100,000 points per calendar year, before any bonus. However, during promotions, this limit can sometimes be increased (e.g., to 150,000 points plus bonus).
Step 3: Crunch the Numbers – Calculate Your "Cost Per Point" (CPP)
This is where the math comes in, and it's essential to determining if a deal is truly cheap.
Sub-heading: How to Calculate CPP
The formula is simple:
Let's say Marriott is offering a 40% bonus on points, and the standard rate is $12.50 per 1,000 points. If you buy 10,000 points:
Cost: $12.50 * 10 = $125
Bonus: 10,000 * 0.40 = 4,000 points
Total Points: 10,000 + 4,000 = 14,000 points
CPP: $125 / 14,000 points per point, or cents per point (cpp).
Sub-heading: What's a Good CPP for Marriott?
General consensus among points and miles enthusiasts (and often discussed on Reddit) is that Marriott Bonvoy points are typically valued around 0.7 to 0.9 cents per point (cpp).
If you can buy points for less than this valuation, especially around or cpp or lower, you're likely getting a good deal.
Anything above 1 cpp for buying points is generally considered a poor value.
The real "cheap" comes when you can redeem your purchased points for significantly more than what you paid for them. This is often referred to as "outsized value" or "outsize redemption." For example, if you buy points at cpp and redeem them for a stay that would have cost you cpp (i.e., the cash rate divided by the point rate for that specific stay), you've made a great play!
Step 4: Leverage Credit Card Bonuses and Transfers (The Indirect Route)
While directly buying points on promotion is one way, often the cheapest points come from other sources. Reddit is full of discussions about these strategies.
Sub-heading: Credit Card Welcome Bonuses
The Mother Lode: This is arguably the fastest and cheapest way to accumulate a large sum of Marriott Bonvoy points. Many co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit cards (issued by Chase and American Express in the U.S.) offer substantial welcome bonuses (e.g., 75,000 to 100,000+ points) after meeting a minimum spending requirement. The effective cost per point here is usually just the annual fee (if any) and the opportunity cost of spending on this card instead of another.
Earning on Spending: These cards also offer accelerated earning rates on Marriott stays and often on everyday categories like dining, groceries, and gas.
Sub-heading: Transferring Points from Flexible Currencies
Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR): If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred card, you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio. While often not the best use of UR points (which can be more valuable for other airline/hotel transfers), it can be a good option if you need to top off your Marriott account for a specific redemption. Keep an eye out for transfer bonuses from Chase to Marriott, though these are less common.
Amex Membership Rewards (MR): Similarly, American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to Marriott Bonvoy, typically at a 1:1 ratio. Again, other transfer partners might offer better value, but for specific Marriott needs, it's an option.
Bilt Rewards: Bilt Rewards is another program that transfers to Marriott Bonvoy at 1:1. This is especially interesting as Bilt allows you to earn points on rent payments without transaction fees.
Step 5: Consider Point Transfers Between Members
Marriott allows members to transfer points to other Bonvoy members.
Annual Limits: You can transfer up to 100,000 points out of your account and receive up to 500,000 points from other members per calendar year.
Strategic Use: If a friend or family member has points they don't need, or you can "buy" them from someone at a better rate than Marriott's direct sale (e.g., on a trusted online forum, though exercise extreme caution here as unofficial transfers carry risk), this can be a way to acquire points cheaply. Be very wary of any unofficial "selling" of points outside of direct transfers between known individuals, as this can violate program terms and lead to account closure.
Step 6: The "Fifth Night Free" Redemption
This isn't about buying points, but it's crucial for maximizing the value of your points once you have them. When you book five consecutive nights on points, Marriott offers the lowest-priced night free. This effectively gives you a 20% discount on a five-night award stay, making your purchased points go even further. Always aim for five-night stays if your travel plans allow!
Step 7: The Reddit Research Deep Dive
Now that you understand the strategies, it's time to hit Reddit.
r/marriott: This is the primary subreddit for all things Marriott Bonvoy. Search for "buy points," "points sale," "points value," etc. You'll find active discussions on current promotions, data points on redemption values, and advice from experienced members.
r/awardtravel: A broader community for maximizing travel rewards. Members here often discuss the best strategies for accumulating all types of points, including Marriott, and frequently share optimal redemption opportunities.
r/churning: This subreddit focuses on maximizing credit card rewards, including welcome bonuses. If you're looking to open new credit cards for Marriott points, this is a valuable resource.
When you're on Reddit, pay attention to:
Recent Posts: Look for threads discussing current points sales and their perceived value.
Data Points (DPs): Users often share their specific redemptions and the "cents per point" value they achieved. This helps you understand what's truly possible.
Community Sentiment: While not always scientific, a general consensus on whether a promotion is "good" or "bad" can be a quick indicator.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Buying points without a plan: As mentioned, this is a recipe for regret.
Assuming all redemptions are equal: The value you get for your points varies wildly by property, date, and demand. Always compare to the cash rate.
Falling for FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out): Don't buy points just because there's a sale. Only buy if it makes financial sense for your planned travel.
Ignoring the dynamic pricing: Marriott no longer has a fixed award chart, so point prices can change. Book your desired redemption as soon as you have the points if you find a good value.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to calculate the value of my Marriott Bonvoy points for a specific redemption?
To calculate the value of your Marriott Bonvoy points for a specific redemption, divide the cash price of the hotel stay (excluding taxes and fees you'd pay with cash, but not with points) by the number of points required for that same stay. For example, if a room costs $300 or 50,000 points, your value is $300 / 50,000 = $0.006 per point, or 0.6 cents per point.
How to know when Marriott Bonvoy points sales are happening?
Marriott Bonvoy points sales are typically announced on the official Marriott Bonvoy website's "Buy Points" section, but for real-time alerts, follow popular points and miles blogs (like The Points Guy, One Mile at a Time) and subreddits such as r/marriott and r/awardtravel. These communities are quick to share new promotions.
How to combine Marriott Bonvoy points with another member?
You can combine Marriott Bonvoy points with another member by initiating a points transfer through the Marriott Bonvoy customer service or online (though often easier via phone). Both accounts must be in good standing, and there are annual limits: you can transfer out up to 100,000 points and receive up to 500,000 points per calendar year.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points quickly without staying at hotels?
The fastest way to earn a large number of Marriott Bonvoy points without staying at hotels is by signing up for co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit cards and earning their welcome bonuses. Transferring points from flexible reward programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, or Bilt Rewards can also quickly boost your balance.
How to tell if a Marriott points purchase promotion is a good deal?
A Marriott points purchase promotion is generally considered a good deal if it allows you to buy points at 0.8 cents per point (cpp) or less. Always calculate the cost per point (total cost / total points received, including bonus) and compare it to the typical valuation of Marriott points (around 0.7-0.9 cpp) and your target redemption value.
How to use the "Fifth Night Free" benefit with Marriott Bonvoy points?
To use the "Fifth Night Free" benefit, simply book a stay of exactly five consecutive nights using Marriott Bonvoy points. The system will automatically deduct the points for the lowest-priced night, effectively giving you one night free. This benefit is applied automatically during the booking process on the Marriott website or app.
How to maximize the value of Marriott Bonvoy points for luxury stays?
Maximize the value of Marriott Bonvoy points for luxury stays by targeting properties where the cash rate is disproportionately high compared to the points rate (i.e., you get a high cents per point value). This often occurs at aspirational properties in expensive destinations. Also, aim for 5-night stays to get the "Fifth Night Free" benefit.
How to avoid common mistakes when buying Marriott points?
Avoid common mistakes by having a specific redemption in mind before purchasing points, always waiting for a bonus promotion (at least 25-30% or higher), calculating your effective cost per point, and comparing it to the cash rate of your desired stay. Never buy points at the standard rate, and be wary of unofficial point selling.
How to use flexible points (Chase, Amex) to get Marriott points?
To use flexible points like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards for Marriott points, simply log into your respective credit card portal, navigate to the "Transfer Points" section, select Marriott Bonvoy as the transfer partner, and enter the desired number of points. Transfers are typically 1:1 and usually instant or within 24-48 hours.
How to find out the current purchase limit for Marriott Bonvoy points?
The current purchase limit for Marriott Bonvoy points is typically displayed on the official Marriott Bonvoy "Buy Points" page. While the standard annual limit is often 100,000 points, it can be increased to 150,000 points (before bonus) during specific promotions. Always check the terms and conditions of the current offer.
