Are you a Marriott Bonvoy member wondering how to use your points for hotel bookings? Look no further.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Marriott Bonvoy members can use their points to book hotel stays at any of Marriott’s thousands of worldwide properties.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how to use Marriott points for hotel bookings, including the different redemption options, the value of Marriott points, and some tips for maximizing your rewards.
Understanding Marriott Bonvoy Points
Marriott Bonvoy is the loyalty program of Marriott International, which includes over 30 hotel brands such as Marriott, Sheraton, and W Hotels. Understanding Marriott Bonvoy points is the first step to using them for hotel bookings.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points: There are several ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points, including:
- Staying at Marriott hotels
- Using Marriott Bonvoy credit cards
- Booking through Marriott’s travel partners
- Participating in Marriott’s promotions and events
The different types of Marriott Bonvoy points: Marriott Bonvoy points come in two forms: base points and bonus points. Base points are earned through qualifying hotel stays, while bonus points are earned through promotions, credit card spending, and other activities. Marriott Bonvoy also offers Elite status points, which determine the member’s level of status in the program.
The value of Marriott Bonvoy points: The value of Marriott Bonvoy points varies depending on the redemption option. On average, Marriott Bonvoy points are worth around 0.8 cents each. However, their value can increase significantly when redeemed for luxury hotel stays or flights. It is worth mentioning that Marriott Bonvoy offers a fifth-night free benefit when booking a hotel stay with points, which can increase the value of the points even more.
| Redemption Option | Value per Point |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stays | 0.8 cents |
| Flights | 1.0 cent |
| Travel Packages | 1.0-1.5 cents |
Keep in mind that Marriott Bonvoy points have an expiration date, which is 24 months of inactivity in the member’s account. Unfortunately, once the points expire, they cannot be reinstated. Therefore, it is important to use the points before they expire.
Redeeming Marriott Bonvoy Points for Hotel Stays
Marriott Bonvoy points are a valuable currency for frequent travelers who want to save money on hotel bookings. Marriott’s website and mobile app make it easy to book hotel stays with points and enjoy the benefits of being a member of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.
When it comes to redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel stays, there are several options available. Members can choose to book a standard room with points, upgrade to a premium room or suite, or book a hotel and flight package. Keep in mind that the number of points required for each booking varies based on the hotel category, room type, and time of year.
Using Marriott’s website or mobile app to book with points is a straightforward process. Members can search for hotels by destination, select the dates of their stay, and choose the “Use Points” option to see how many points are required for the booking. Members can also use a combination of cash and points to book a stay if they don’t have enough points to cover the full cost.
It is worth mentioning that Marriott Bonvoy members can also transfer their points to airline partners or use them to book experiences, car rentals, and more. However, the most valuable redemption option for many members is booking hotel stays with points.
| Types of Marriott Bonvoy Hotel Bookings Available with Points | Points Required |
|---|---|
| Standard Room – Book a standard room with points | Varies based on hotel category |
| Premium Room or Suite – Upgrade to a premium room or suite with points | Varies based on hotel category and room type |
| Hotel and Flight Package – Book a hotel and flight package with points | Varies based on hotel category, room type, and airline partner |
To book a hotel stay with points, members should log in to their Marriott Bonvoy account on the website or mobile app and follow the steps to search for hotels and select the “Use Points” option. Members can view the number of points required for each booking and choose to pay with points, cash, or a combination of both.
Remember, Marriott Bonvoy points can expire if they are not used within 24 months, so it’s important to stay active in the program and redeem points regularly. Fortunately, there are many ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points, including staying at Marriott hotels, using Marriott credit cards, and taking advantage of promotions.
Maximizing Your Marriott Bonvoy Points
If you are a member of Marriott Bonvoy, it is worth mentioning that there are several ways to maximize your points for hotel bookings. Here are some tips:
Using Marriott’s PointSavers promotion
Marriott’s PointSavers promotion offers discounted redemption rates for select hotels. Keep in mind that the availability of PointSavers rates can be limited and they vary by property and date. However, if you are flexible with your travel dates and destinations, this promotion can save you a significant amount of points.
Transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to airline partners
If you are also a frequent flyer, you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to over 40 airline partners, including Delta, United, and British Airways. This can be a great way to use your points for flights or to top off your airline miles balance for an upcoming trip. However, keep in mind that the conversion rates vary by airline, so make sure to compare the rates before transferring your points.
Taking advantage of Marriott’s free night awards
Marriott offers free night awards for its members, which can be a great way to save points on hotel stays. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card offers an annual free night award worth up to 35,000 points. Additionally, Marriott offers free night awards as part of its loyalty program tiers, such as Gold Elite and Platinum Elite. Remember to check the expiration date of your free night awards and use them before they expire.
| Tip | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| PointSavers promotion | – Discounted redemption rates – Can save a significant amount of points |
– Availability can be limited – Varies by property and date |
| Transferring points to airline partners | – Can be used for flights – Can top off airline miles balance |
– Conversion rates vary by airline – Need to compare rates before transferring points |
| Free night awards | – Can save points on hotel stays – Available through credit card and loyalty program tiers |
– Expiration dates – Limited to specific hotels |
Other Ways to Use Marriott Bonvoy Points
While using Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel bookings is the most popular way to redeem points, there are other ways to utilize your points as well.
- Purchasing merchandise or gift cards with points: If you have extra points and aren’t planning on booking a hotel stay anytime soon, you can use your points to purchase merchandise or gift cards through Marriott’s online shopping portal. Keep in mind that the value of your points may be lower when used for merchandise or gift cards compared to hotel bookings.
- Donating points to charity: Another way to use your Marriott Bonvoy points is by donating them to a select group of charitable organizations. Marriott has partnered with a variety of non-profit organizations, such as the American Red Cross and UNICEF, where you can donate your points to support their causes.
- Using points for Marriott experiences: Marriott also offers unique experiences that can be purchased with your points, such as culinary tours, spa treatments, and VIP event access. These experiences can be a great way to use your points in a more creative way and create lasting memories.
It is worth mentioning that the value of your points may vary depending on how you choose to use them. However, if you are not planning on booking a hotel stay in the near future, using your points for merchandise, charity donations, or experiences can still be a great way to put your points to use.
Conclusion
Using Marriott points for hotel bookings is a great way to save money while enjoying luxurious accommodations. With the help of this guide, travelers can learn how to maximize their Marriott points and get the most out of their hotel stays. Keep in mind that Marriott frequently updates its rewards program, so be sure to check for any changes before booking.
Conclusion
Using Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel bookings can be a great way to save money on travel and get more value out of your rewards. By understanding the different redemption options, maximizing your points, and taking advantage of promotions and free night awards, you can make the most of your Marriott membership.
We hope this guide has helped you learn how to use Marriott points for hotel bookings. Happy travels!
