You've accumulated a fantastic stash of Marriott Bonvoy points, and now you're wondering, "How do I turn these into something tangible? Can I really cash them in?" Well, buckle up, because while you can't literally walk into a bank and exchange your points for crisp bills, there are certainly ways to extract cash value from your Marriott Bonvoy points. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various avenues, helping you make the most of your loyalty!
How to Cash in Marriott Points: Your Ultimate Guide to Maximizing Value
Marriott Bonvoy points are a powerful currency in the world of travel. While they are primarily designed for hotel stays, understanding their true "cash in" potential involves exploring a range of redemption options that can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for travel and even everyday needs. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Understand the "Cash Value" Concept – It's Not Always Direct!
Before we jump into the "how-to," it's crucial to grasp that Marriott Bonvoy points do not have a direct cash equivalent you can withdraw from an ATM. Instead, "cashing in" refers to maximizing the monetary value you get from your points by offsetting expenses you would otherwise pay for with cash.
Engage with me right now: Have you ever thought about how much your points are truly worth? Share in the comments below if you've ever tried to calculate their value! This guide will help you understand that better.
Generally, NerdWallet values Marriott Bonvoy points at around 0.9 cents per point ($0.009) when redeemed for award stays. This is a good baseline to aim for or exceed when making your redemption choices. If you're getting more than 0.9 cents per point, you're doing well!
Step 2: The Best Way to "Cash In" - Free Hotel Nights (and the 5th Night Free Benefit!)
This is hands down the most straightforward and often most valuable way to "cash in" your Marriott points. Using your points for free hotel nights directly replaces a cash expense.
Sub-heading 2.1: Booking a Free Night Stay
Locating Hotels: Go to the Marriott Bonvoy website (Marriott.com) or use the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app.
Searching with Points: When searching for a hotel, make sure to select the option to "Use Points / Awards" in the search box. This will display the points required for each night.
Choosing Your Dates and Hotel: Browse through the available hotels and select the one that best suits your travel plans and point balance.
Confirming Your Booking: Review the reservation details, ensuring the points deduction is correct, and then confirm your booking.
Sub-heading 2.2: Maximizing Value with the 5th Night Free Benefit
Marriott Bonvoy offers an incredible perk: when you book four consecutive nights using points, the fifth night is free! This significantly boosts the value of your points, effectively getting you 20% off your points redemption for longer stays.
Plan Longer Stays: To take advantage, plan your trips to be at least five nights at the same Marriott property.
Automatic Application: When you search for a five-night stay using points, the system automatically applies the free fifth night. You won't see a specific "free night" deduction, but the total points required will be for only four nights.
Pro Tip: This benefit applies to all Marriott Bonvoy brands and is a cornerstone of getting maximum value from your points. Always aim for 5-night stays when possible!
Step 3: Converting Points to Airline Miles for Travel Savings
While not direct cash, converting Marriott Bonvoy points to airline miles can be a highly effective way to save money on flights you would otherwise pay for. Marriott has dozens of airline partners.
Sub-heading 3.1: Understanding the Transfer Ratio
The standard transfer ratio for most airline partners is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 airline mile.
Bonus Opportunity: For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer, you'll receive an additional 5,000 bonus miles from Marriott. This means if you transfer 60,000 Marriott points, you'll get 20,000 airline miles + 5,000 bonus miles = 25,000 airline miles. This effectively improves the ratio to 2.4 Marriott points to 1 airline mile on transfers of 60,000 points.
Sub-heading 3.2: The Transfer Process
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy Account: Go to the Marriott Bonvoy website and log in to your account.
Navigate to Transfer Points: Look for the "Use Points / Awards" or "Redeem Points" section, and then find the option for "Transfer Points to Miles" or "Airline Partners."
Select Airline Partner: Choose from the extensive list of airline loyalty programs.
Enter Details and Amount: Input your airline frequent flyer number and the number of Marriott points you wish to transfer (in increments of 1,000 points, with a minimum of 3,000 points).
Confirm Transfer: Review the details and confirm the transfer. Be aware that transfers are typically irreversible.
Sub-heading 3.3: Best Uses for Airline Transfers
High-Value Redemptions: Look for instances where airline miles provide exceptional value, such as business or first-class international flights, where cash prices are astronomically high.
Filling Mileage Gaps: If you're just short of enough miles for a flight redemption with a specific airline, transferring Marriott points can bridge that gap.
United Airlines RewardsPlus: If you fly United, consider their RewardsPlus partnership with Marriott. When you redeem points for a United package, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred, making it an even better deal.
Step 4: Instant Redemption for On-Property Charges
This is the closest you'll get to "cashing in" your points directly for immediate needs during a stay. Marriott offers an "Instant Redemption" option at participating hotels.
Sub-heading 4.1: How Instant Redemption Works
During Your Stay: While you are staying at a Marriott property, you can request to use your points to cover charges on your hotel folio. This can include anything from dining and spa services to gift shop purchases.
Points to Dollar Conversion: Marriott provides a fixed conversion rate for this. For example, 250 points might be worth $1 USD, 2,500 points worth $10 USD, and so on, up to 125,000 points for $500 USD.
Request at Front Desk: Simply inform the front desk or a hotel staff member that you wish to use Instant Redemption for your charges. They will process it and deduct the corresponding points from your account.
Sub-heading 4.2: Is It Good Value?
Generally, Instant Redemption offers a lower per-point value compared to using points for free nights. For example, 250 points for $1 USD gives you a value of 0.4 cents per point, which is significantly less than the 0.9 cents per point typical for free nights.
Use this option for convenience or small incidentals when you have surplus points and want to avoid using cash, but don't rely on it for major "cash-in" strategies.
Step 5: Marriott Bonvoy Moments - Unique Experiences
While not directly "cash," Marriott Bonvoy Moments allow you to redeem your points for exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that often have a high cash value. These can range from VIP access to concerts and sporting events to culinary masterclasses with renowned chefs.
Sub-heading 5.1: How to Access Marriott Bonvoy Moments
Visit the Moments Website: Go to the dedicated Marriott Bonvoy Moments website (moments.marriottbonvoy.com).
Browse Categories: Explore experiences categorized by sports, culinary, arts & lifestyle, and entertainment.
Bid or Redeem: Some Moments are available through auctions where you bid points, while others are fixed-price redemptions.
Sub-heading 5.2: The "Cash In" Angle
The "cash in" here is indirect. You're using points to acquire experiences that would otherwise be extremely expensive or unavailable for cash purchase. The value is subjective but can be immense for unique opportunities.
Step 6: Shopping with Points (Least Recommended for Cash Value)
Marriott Bonvoy allows you to redeem points for merchandise and gift cards through their online shopping portal.
Sub-heading 6.1: How to Shop with Points
Visit the Shopping Portal: Access the "Shop with Points" section on the Marriott Bonvoy website.
Browse Products: You'll find a variety of items, including electronics, fashion, and home goods.
Gift Cards: You can also redeem points for gift cards to various retailers.
Sub-heading 6.2: Why This Isn't Ideal for "Cashing In"
This option typically offers the lowest per-point value compared to hotel stays or even airline transfers. The conversion rate is often quite poor, meaning you'll need a large number of points for a relatively small cash equivalent.
Only consider this if you have an abundance of points and no immediate travel plans, or if you simply prefer tangible goods over travel. However, if your goal is to maximize the "cash value" of your points, it's generally best to avoid this option.
Step 7: Selling Your Marriott Points (Unofficial but Possible)
While Marriott's terms and conditions generally prohibit the selling of points, a secondary market exists through various online brokers. This is the closest you can get to literally "cashing in" your points.
Sub-heading 7.1: How it Works (and the Risks)
Brokerage Services: Websites like MilesBuyer operate by buying your Marriott points for cash. You provide them with your account details, and they typically pay you via PayPal before using your points to book travel for their clients.
Process: You fill out a form, receive a quote, and if you agree, the transaction is processed.
Risks: This method comes with inherent risks. It's against Marriott's terms of service, and if discovered, your account could be suspended or points forfeited. The per-point value you receive is also significantly lower than what you'd get for hotel redemptions.
Sub-heading 7.2: When Might You Consider It?
Emergency Needs: In a dire financial situation where you absolutely need cash and have exhausted other options.
Points Expiring: If your points are about to expire and you have no immediate use for them.
Disclaimer: We highly recommend exploring all official Marriott redemption methods before considering selling your points due to the associated risks.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
To check your points balance, simply log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on the Marriott website or via the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your points total will be prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to use Marriott points for free nights?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account, search for a hotel, and select the "Use Points / Awards" option. The search results will show the points required per night for available hotels.
How to transfer Marriott points to another member?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another Marriott Bonvoy member through the "Points Transfer" tool on the Marriott website. Both accounts must be in good standing and open for a certain period (e.g., 30 days with activity, or 90 days without). There's no fee for member-to-member transfers.
How to transfer Marriott points to airline miles?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account, navigate to the "Transfer Points to Miles" section, select your desired airline partner, enter your frequent flyer number and the number of points to transfer. Remember the 3:1 ratio and the 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred.
How to use Marriott points for flights and car rentals?
Marriott Bonvoy has a dedicated "Air + Car" portal (https://www.google.com/search?q=airandcar.marriottbonvoy.com) where you can redeem your points for airline tickets and car rentals directly. Bookings must be made at least 72 hours in advance.
How to know the value of my Marriott Bonvoy points?
While the exact value varies, a general guideline is that Marriott Bonvoy points are worth approximately 0.9 cents per point ($0.009) when redeemed for hotel stays. You can compare the cash cost of a hotel night to the points required for that same night to calculate the per-point value for specific redemptions.
How to avoid Marriott Bonvoy points expiration?
Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 consecutive months of inactivity. To keep your points active, simply have qualifying activity in your account, such as earning or redeeming points, at least once every 24 months.
How to combine Marriott Bonvoy accounts?
If you have multiple Marriott Bonvoy accounts, you can contact Marriott Bonvoy Member Support to request a combination of your accounts. This is usually allowed if you accidentally created duplicate accounts.
How to get more Marriott Bonvoy points?
You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points by staying at Marriott properties, using Marriott co-branded credit cards, transferring points from other loyalty programs (like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards), dining at participating restaurants through the Marriott Bonvoy Eat Around Town program, and through various promotions and partnerships.
How to use Marriott Bonvoy points for experiences?
Visit the Marriott Bonvoy Moments website (moments.marriottbonvoy.com) to explore and bid on or redeem points for unique, curated experiences such as concerts, sporting events, and culinary adventures.
