Do you dream of luxurious getaways but find the cash price a bit steep? Or perhaps you have a stash of Marriott Bonvoy points sitting idle, waiting for the perfect redemption, but not quite enough for that aspirational stay? If so, then Marriott's "Cash + Points" option might just be your new best friend! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about combining cash and points for your Marriott stays, helping you unlock incredible value and make those dream vacations a reality.
Step 1: Are You Ready to Unlock Smart Travel?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's confirm you're on the right track! Have you ever found yourself wishing you could use some of your Marriott Bonvoy points for a stay, even if you don't have enough for a "free" night? Or maybe you're sitting on a decent chunk of points, but you want to stretch them further or save them for a truly high-value redemption down the line?
If you answered yes to either of those questions, then you're exactly the kind of traveler who can benefit immensely from Marriott's Cash + Points strategy. It's a fantastic way to bridge the gap between pure points redemptions and pure cash bookings, offering flexibility and potentially significant savings.
Step 2: Understanding the Essence of Cash + Points
Marriott Bonvoy's Cash + Points option allows you to combine a cash co-pay with a reduced number of points to book a hotel stay. It's not a fixed ratio, nor is it always available. It's dynamically priced, meaning the specific combination of cash and points will vary based on factors like:
Hotel brand and location
Time of year (peak vs. off-peak)
Demand for the specific dates
Room type availability
Important Note: Historically, Marriott offered a "mixed currency" booking option online where you could pay for certain nights with points and others with cash within a single reservation. As of early 2025, this specific online functionality has been removed. While the "Cash + Points" option (where each night is a combination of both) still exists, if you want to mix pure points nights with pure cash nights within one reservation, you will likely need to call Marriott Bonvoy customer service.
Step 3: Navigating the Booking Process (The "Call-In" Era)
Since the online functionality for mixing pure cash and pure points nights has been limited, and even for Cash + Points, direct comparison can be tricky, the most reliable method often involves a phone call.
Sub-heading 3.1: Gathering Your Information
Before you pick up the phone, have the following ready:
Your Marriott Bonvoy Member Number
Your desired travel dates
Your preferred hotel(s) (or destination)
An idea of how many points you have available
A credit card for the cash portion of the booking
Sub-heading 3.2: Making the Call to Marriott Bonvoy Customer Service
This is where the magic happens (or at least, where you initiate it!).
Dial the Marriott Bonvoy Customer Service Number: You can find the relevant number for your region on the Marriott Bonvoy website under the "Help" or "Contact Us" sections. For India, the toll-free number is +18002582527.
Clearly State Your Intent: When you connect with an agent, state that you'd like to book a stay using "Cash + Points." Be specific about your desired dates and hotel.
Inquire About Availability and Options: The agent will then check for Cash + Points availability for your chosen dates and hotel. They will provide you with the specific points and cash combination required per night. Be prepared for the possibility that Cash + Points may not be available for all dates or hotels.
Compare and Evaluate: This is a crucial step! The agent might give you several options. Carefully compare the Cash + Points rate to:
The full cash rate: Is the discount significant enough to justify using your points?
The full points rate: Are you getting a good "value per point" compared to what your points are typically worth (generally aimed for 0.7-1 cent per point or higher for good value)?
Example: If a night costs 50,000 points or $300, your points are worth $300/50,000 = 0.6 cents per point. If a Cash + Points option is 25,000 points + $100, you're essentially "buying" 25,000 points for $200 (the difference in cash), meaning 0.8 cents per point. This could be a better value!
Confirm and Book: Once you've found a Cash + Points option that makes sense for you, confirm all the details with the agent, provide your credit card information for the cash portion, and complete the booking.
Step 4: Maximizing Your Value with Cash + Points
While the dynamic pricing means there's no single "best" way to use Cash + Points, here are some strategies to get the most out of your redemption:
When Points Are Scarce: If you're a bit short on points for a full award night, Cash + Points can be a lifesaver. It allows you to leverage your existing points without having to earn a massive amount more or resort to buying them (unless there's a strong promotion).
High Cash Rates, Moderate Point Rates: Look for situations where the cash rate is exceptionally high, but the points rate is relatively moderate. This is often where you can extract excellent value from your points.
Avoiding Peak Surcharges: While Marriott has moved to dynamic pricing, some periods will still be significantly more expensive in terms of points. Cash + Points might offer a more palatable option during these times, allowing you to pay a manageable cash amount and fewer points.
Stretching Free Night Certificates: If you have Marriott Free Night Certificates (often awarded with co-branded credit cards), you can sometimes add up to 15,000 points to them to book a higher-category hotel than the certificate alone would cover. While this isn't strictly "Cash + Points," it's a similar principle of combining different currencies. However, note that this is for Free Night Certificates and not a direct Cash + Points option.
Consider the "Fifth Night Free" Benefit: Remember that if you book five consecutive nights using only points, the least expensive night is free. If you use Cash + Points for any part of your stay, you typically forfeit this benefit for that specific stay. Weigh whether the Cash + Points savings outweigh losing the fifth night free.
Step 5: What to Keep in Mind (The Finer Print)
No Points Earning on Cash Portion (Generally): For most Cash + Points bookings, you generally do not earn points on the cash portion of your stay. You only earn points on qualifying incidentals charged to your room. This is a crucial distinction from a pure cash booking where you would earn points on the entire room rate.
Taxes and Fees on Cash Portion: You will be responsible for taxes and fees on the cash portion of your Cash + Points redemption. This is unlike a pure points redemption where taxes are typically waived (with the exception of some resort fees).
Elite Night Credits: You will earn Elite Night Credits for Cash + Points stays, which count towards your Marriott Bonvoy elite status qualification.
Elite Benefits: All your regular Marriott Bonvoy Elite benefits (like complimentary upgrades, late checkout, lounge access, welcome amenities) should apply to Cash + Points stays, just as they would for a full points redemption or a paid stay. Always confirm with the hotel upon arrival if you have any doubts.
Availability is Dynamic: As mentioned, Cash + Points options are not always available and can change frequently. Don't be discouraged if you don't see it for your first search. Try different dates or different properties.
Step 6: Reaping the Rewards of Your Savvy Booking!
Once your Cash + Points booking is confirmed, you've successfully leveraged your Marriott Bonvoy points and cash to secure a stay that likely offers better value than either method alone. Now, all that's left is to enjoy your well-deserved trip!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - How to Do Cash & Points Marriott
Here are 10 related FAQs to help you further understand and utilize Marriott Bonvoy's Cash + Points option:
How to find Cash + Points availability on the Marriott website?
Currently, the ability to directly select a "Cash + Points" option for each night online is not consistently available on the Marriott website as it once was for multi-night stays. You'll likely see a points rate and a cash rate, and occasionally a pre-determined Cash + Points package. For the most comprehensive search for true Cash + Points options, it's best to call Marriott Bonvoy customer service directly and inquire about these rates for your desired dates and hotel. When searching online, ensure you have the "Use Points/Awards" toggle selected.
How to determine if Cash + Points is a good value?
To determine value, compare the cost of the Cash + Points option to the pure cash rate and the pure points rate. Calculate the "value per point" you're getting. Divide the amount of cash you're saving by using points by the number of points you're using. For example, if a room is $200 or 25,000 points, and the Cash + Points option is $100 + 10,000 points, you're saving $100 by using 10,000 points, giving you a value of $0.01 per point (1 cent per point), which is generally considered a good redemption.
How to get the "Fifth Night Free" with Cash + Points?
You generally cannot get the "Fifth Night Free" benefit when booking with Cash + Points for any part of your stay. The "Fifth Night Free" benefit only applies to stays booked entirely with points for five consecutive nights.
How to earn points on Cash + Points stays?
You typically do not earn Marriott Bonvoy points on the cash portion of a Cash + Points redemption. You will earn points on any qualifying incidental charges (like dining, spa services) that you charge to your room during the stay.
How to use Free Night Certificates with Cash + Points?
While not a direct "Cash + Points" booking, you can add up to 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to a Free Night Award certificate to book a hotel that costs more points than your certificate's value. This is done during the regular award booking process, not through a separate Cash + Points interface.
How to change or cancel a Cash + Points reservation?
Changes or cancellations to Cash + Points reservations are subject to the hotel's cancellation policy. You can typically manage these reservations online or by calling Marriott Bonvoy customer service. Be aware of any deadlines to avoid forfeiture of your cash payment or points.
How to get elite benefits on Cash + Points stays?
Yes, your Marriott Bonvoy elite status benefits (such as complimentary upgrades, late checkout, lounge access, and welcome amenities) apply to Cash + Points stays just as they would for a paid stay or a full points redemption.
How to know if a specific hotel offers Cash + Points?
The availability of Cash + Points is dynamic and varies by hotel, dates, and demand. The best way to check if a specific hotel offers this option for your desired dates is to either select "Use Points/Awards" on the Marriott website (though full options may not show) or, more reliably, by calling Marriott Bonvoy customer service directly.
How to combine Cash + Points with other promotions?
This depends on the specific promotion. Generally, if a promotion requires a "paid stay" or a "points stay," a Cash + Points booking might not qualify. Always read the terms and conditions of any promotion carefully to see if Cash + Points redemptions are eligible.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for Cash + Points bookings?
You can find the customer service contact numbers on the Marriott Bonvoy website under the "Help" or "Contact Us" sections. For general Marriott Bonvoy inquiries, the main number in the US & Canada is +1 (800) 627-7468. For India, it is +18002582527. When calling, specify that you are inquiring about "Cash + Points" options.
