Are you seeking to unlock the full potential of your Marriott Bonvoy points? While redeeming these valuable rewards for complimentary award stays at Marriott’s extensive global portfolio of hotels is a popular choice, strategically transferring points to partner airline programs can be a good option in certain scenarios.
This article will guide you through the various ways to leverage and maximize your Marriott points, including hotel reservations, airline transfers, special events, and other redemption opportunities.
Redeeming Marriott Points for Hotel Stays
The best way to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points is by booking a hotel stay at one of Marriott’s hotel brands.
Marriott eliminated its award chart, and now the number of points required for a booking can vary based on the location, how far in advance you book, demand for specific dates, and the time of year you are staying.
We value Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.82 cents per point based on our data study. It is generally best to use points if you can find a hotel above this average, but if you find a hotel much lower than our value, then it’s best to use cash.
Additionally, you can take advantage of the Cash + Points option, which allows you to book stays by combining points and cash. This option is ideal for those who do not have enough points to cover the full cost of the stay or who prefer to save some points for future use.
Marriott Fifth Night Free
One of the best perks of the Marriott Bonvoy program is that you can get the fifth night free when you redeem your Marriott points.
If the nightly points rate varies, Marriott will apply the free night to the lowest points level of your stay.
It also works for every fifth night (i.e. 10, 15, 20 nights), which can be a great way to save points on longer stays.
Marriott’s fifth night free also works with free night certificates you get from Marriott credit cards:
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
You can also use a combination of points and cash for part of the stay as long as you redeem points for five of the nights.
In the six night stay below, I am redeeming points for five nights and cash for one night.
But if I tried to redeem cash for two nights and points for four nights, the fifth night free would not work.
To unlock this points and cash option, click “Customize Payment” on the room choice screen.
PointSavers
Marriott PointSavers is a program that allows you to book hotel stays at select properties for fewer points than normally required. Depending on availability and the property, this can result in savings of up to 20% off the regular points redemption rates.
The PointSavers program features a rotating list of hotels and resorts worldwide, allowing you to stretch your points further. To take advantage of these deals, you should check the PointSavers page regularly and be flexible with travel dates, as the best points deals are often available on select dates.
Marriott Airline Transfer Partners
Another option to use your Marriott points is to transfer to airline points programs. Marriott has the most transfer partners of any transferrable points program, which allows you to transfer to many unique programs.
The transfer rate is three (3) Marriott points to one (1) airline mile for most programs. There is also a transfer bonus of 5,000 airline miles when you transfer 60,000 Marriott points.
You should always try to transfer in increments of 60,000 Marriott points to take advantage of the bonus. If you do, the effective transfer rate is 2.4 Marriott points to 1 airline mile instead of 3 to 1. Below are all of Marriott’s airline transfer partners:
Marriott Bonvoy Moments
Marriott Bonvoy Moments is an exclusive program for Marriott Bonvoy members, offering the chance to redeem points for unique experiences beyond hotel stays. These experiences range from VIP access to concerts, culinary events, and premier sporting events, to intimate meet-and-greets with celebrities and athletes.
The program allows members to create memorable moments that might be otherwise inaccessible. By leveraging the points earned through hotel stays, credit card spending, and other Marriott partnerships, members can enjoy these one-of-a-kind experiences.
Marriott Bonvoy Moments is continually updated with new and exciting opportunities, making it a dynamic benefit for members looking to use their points for more than travel.
Marriott’s Air and Car Program
You can book a flight or rental car with Marriott’s Air and Car Program and redeem points at around 0.38 cents per point, which is far below our points value when redeeming points for hotel stays.
Cruises with Marriott Points
You can redeem Marriott points for certificates toward a cruise, but you only receive 0.4 cents per point in value when using your points.
You will still earn 3 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar on the cash portion of the cruise when using your points.
To book a cruise with points:
- Visit Marriott’s Cruise With Points website.
- Search for your preferred cruise.
- Call 800-596-0452 Monday-Friday from 8 am to 8 pm EST to make a reservation with your Marriott points.
Shop for Merchandise
You can redeem your Marriott points for merchandise such as electronics, kitchen items, sports equipment, and fashion items.
However, the points cost is generally way too high to justify the item.
For example, the Apple AirPods Pro retail for $199. If you were to redeem 85,000 points, you would only receive 0.23 cents per point in value.
Donate Marriot Points
Another option is to donate your Marriott points to one of the many charities that Marriott has a partnership with.
You can donate between $10 (2,500 points) and $500 (125,000 points), which is at 0.4 cents per point.
Best Credit Cards to Earn Marriott Points
Credit cards are among the best ways to earn lots of Marriott Bonvoy points. Here are all the Marriott’s co-branded credit cards:
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- bonus_miles_full
- 6X Points at Marriott Hotels & Resorts
- Up to a $300 Statement Credit for Eligible Purchases at Restaurants Worldwide Each Year ($25 Per Month)
- Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Status
- 25 Elite Night Credits Each Year
- Free Anniversary Night Award (Up to 85,000 Points)
- Priority Pass Airport Lounge Access
- $650 Annual Fee and No Foreign Transaction Fees (Rates and Fees)
Learn More
Our Review
American Express is a Deals Points advertiser. Terms Apply; Enrollment is Required for Some Benefits
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (review) is Marriott’s top-tier credit card offering automatic Platinum Elite status, an annual free night up to 85,000 points, and up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your card at eligible restaurants worldwide.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earning Points: 6x points on purchases at Marriott Hotels & Resorts; 3x points on restaurants and flights booked directly with airlines; and 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
Benefits: Marriott Platinum elite status, 25 elite night credits, $300 dining credit (up to $25 per month) at restaurants worldwide, free anniversary free night award (up to 85,000 points), Priority Pass airport lounge access, Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Credit, cell phone protection, travel insurance (trip delay, trip cancellation, baggage insurance, and secondary rental car), and return protection.
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Marriott Gold Status
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
- bonus_miles_full
- 6X Points at Marriott Hotels & Resorts
- 4X Points at Restaurants Worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, U.S. Phone Service Providers, and on U.S. Shipping Purchases.
- Annual Free Night Award (up to 35,000 Points)
- 15 Elite Night Credits and Gold Elite Status
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- $125 Annual Fee (Rates and Fees)
Learn More
Our Review
American Express is a Deals Points advertiser. Terms Apply
The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card is a good option for travelers who stay at least a few times per year in a Marriott.
The card comes with Marriott Bonvoy elite status, a free night award (up to 35,000 points), a 7% room rate discount, and 15 elite night credits.
For rewards, the Marriott Bonvoy Business earns 6x points at Marriott Hotels, 4x points at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, and U.S. shipping purchases.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Earn 5 Free Night Awards valued up to 250,000 Points (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months.
- 6x Points at Marriott Hotels & Resorts
- One Annual Free Night Award (Up to 35,000 Points Every Year After Account Anniversary)
- Automatic Silver Elite Status + 15 Elite Credits
- $95 Annual Fee
Learn More
Our Review
Non-Affiliate Link
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (review) is a mid-tier Marriott card offering a free anniversary night certificate up to 35,000 points, Marriott Silver elite status, and 6x points at Marriott Hotels & Resorts.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 5 Free Night Awards valued up to 250,000 Points (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months.
Annual Fee: $95.
Earning Rewards: 6x points at Marriott Hotels; 3x points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year at grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants; 2x points on all other purchases.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
- bonus_miles_full
- 6x Points at Marriott Hotels and Resorts
- 1,000 Bonus Points Per Paid Stay
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status
- $250 Annual Fee and No Foreign Transaction Fees (Rates and Fees)
Learn More
Our Review
American Express is a Deals Points advertiser. Terms Apply
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card is a mid-tier card offering extra rewards at Marriott and on everyday expenses like dining, shopping, and groceries.
Here’s a summary of the card’s rewards categories:
- 6x points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide, including take-out and delivery in the U.S.
- 4x points at U.S. Supermarkets
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases
There is a cap of $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and supermarkets for 4x points. After that cap, you will earn 2x points.
Additionally, the card also comes with several travel benefits such as Free Night Awards, Gold Elite status, elite night credits, travel and buyer protection benefits, and car rental insurance.
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™
- Earn 85,000 Bonus Points After Spending $4,000 in Purchases in the First Three Months.
- 6x Points at Marriott Hotels and Resorts.
- 4x Points on Groceries on Dining (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year)
- 2x Points on all other purchases
- Automatic Marriott Gold Elite Status
- 1,000 Bonus Points per Eligible Marriott Stay
- $250 Annual Fee
The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ allows cardholders to earn up to 6x points towards Marriott purchases, 4x points on dining and groceries on the first $15,000 in combined purchases each year, and 2x points on all other purchases.
The card also comes with solid travel perks and benefits such as a complimentary Marriott Gold Elite status, annual free night awards via spending, elite night credits, travel protection, buyer protection, and car rental insurance.
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
No Annual Fee
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
- Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening.
- 3X Points at Marriott and 2X Points on Other Travel Purchases
- Silver Elite Status + 15 Elite Night Credits
- Trip Delay Insurance
- 120-Day Purchase Protection
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- $0 Annual Fee
Learn More
Our Review
Referral Link; Terms Apply
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (review) is a no annual fee card that offers Silver elite status and 15 elite night credits, plus 3x points at Marriott Hotels.
The Verdict
In summary, the best way to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points is for hotel stays or for transferring to airline partners. Staying at Marriott properties can provide exceptional value, particularly when leveraging PointSavers deals or securing a fifth night free during longer stays. For those looking to fly, transferring points to one of Marriott’s numerous airline partners can unlock travel to destinations around the globe
For the rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
For the rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
