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Redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for best value
A widespread, if not somewhat modest, hotel rewards program.
While Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest members have seen an increase in average point gains thanks to the Bonvoy rebranding, little has changed with the reward structure. That, unfortunately, means the value of Marriott Bonvoy points is still fairly average compared to some of the other hotel reward programs out there.
That said, you’re sure to find a good use for your points no matter where you are as Marriott Bonvoy properties are quite ubiquitous.
How much are Marriott Bonvoy points worth?
On average, each Marriott Bonvoy point is worth between 0.6 and 0.7 cents as of February 2021. This is based on our calculations from the Marriott Bonvoy site, figuring in the cost of various stays in points versus cash, as well as the rough value of these points on other methods of redemption where applicable, such as room upgrades. We took the average cent value of this calculation and used that as our relative worth.
Since this is just the average value of a point, you might get more or less out of these points depending on how you redeem them.
Hotel award night requirements
After the Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest programs (SPG) merged, Marriott automatically converted SPG and Marriott Rewards points to the Bonvoy program and introduced a singular hotel awards chart for redemptions.
The chart below shows the number of points required for a single night at each hotel category during standard, peak and off-peak periods. There are three ways to book your hotel: with points, select PointSavers stays, and with a combination of points and cash.
| Hotel Category | Off Peak | Standard | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5,000 | 7,500 | 10,000 |
| 2 | 10,000 | 12,500 | 15,500 |
| 3 | 15,000 | 17,500 | 20,000 |
| 4 | 20,000 | 25,000 | 30,000 |
| 5 | 30,000 | 35,000 | 40,000 |
| 6 | 40,000 | 50,000 | 60,000 |
| 7 | 50,000 | 60,000 | 70,000 |
| 8 | 70,000 | 85,000 | 100,000 |
| Hotel Category | PointSavers | Points | Cash+Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4,000 | 6,000 | 8,500 |
| 2 | 8,000 | 11,000 | 13,000 |
| 3 | 12,000 | 16,000 | 18,000 |
| 4 | 17,500 | 22,500 | 27,500 |
| 5 | 27,500 | 32,500 | 37,500 |
| 6 | 35,000 | 45,000 | 55,000 |
| 7 | 45,000 | 55,000 | 65,000 |
| 8 | 65,000 | 80,000 | 90,000 |
| Hotel Category | PointSavers | Points | Cash+Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55 USD + 1,500 Points | 55 USD + 3,500 Points | 55 USD + 4,500 Points |
| 2 | 65 USD + 4,000 Points | 65 USD + 6,000 Points | 65 USD + 7,000 Points |
| 3 | 80 USD + 6,000 Points | 80 USD + 8,500 Points | 80 USD + 9,500 Points |
| 4 | 105 USD + 8,000 Points | 105 USD + 12,000 Points | 105 USD + 15,000 Points |
| 5 | 140 USD + 13,500 Points | 140 USD + 17,000 Points | 140 USD + 21,000 Points |
| 6 | 190 USD + 19,000 Points | 190 USD + 25,000 Points | 190 USD + 30,000 Points |
| 7 | 250 USD + 25,000 Points | 250 USD + 30,000 Points | 250 USD + 40,000 Points |
| 8 | 440 USD + 27,500 Points | 440 USD + 42,500 Points | 440 USD + 57,500 Points |
How to redeem points for maximum value
While the raw value of Marriott Bonvoy points isn’t the best on the market, there are still several ways to get the most bang for your buck.
Book a hotel during holidays
You can increase the value of your Bonvoy points by using them to book a hotel during an otherwise very expensive holiday season. There are no blackout dates for hotels, just be sure to book well in advance to reserve your nights. Just pay attention to the recently implemented peak and off-peak rates versus the standard rate to make sure you’re getting a solid deal.
Book for free nights
When you redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for four nights at an eligible hotel, you’ll receive a fifth night free. This is particularly valuable on a higher tier hotel like the Ritz Carlton.
If you’re Marriott Bonvoy cardholder, you can couple this reward night with the night earned on your card account anniversary to stretch your points even further. The caveat is you can only redeem your reward night earned through your card on hotels that cost 35,000 points or less per night.
Book off-peak
While not yet implemented as of this writing, booking a hotel stay during the off-peak season will soon cost fewer points per night than a standard or peak rate. If you don’t mind booking your hotel stay during less busy months, you can increase the value of your points.
Transfer your points to airlines
Marriott has a wealth of airline partners that allow you to transfer your Bonvoy points to their frequent flyer program at a 3:1 ratio. The cherry on top is Marriott currently provides a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points you transfer, meaning you’ll earn a cool 25,000 miles rather than 20,000.
Marriott is exclusive transfer partners with several popular airlines, including Korean Air, American Airlines and Alaska, making the Bonvoy program and credit cards a solid choice if you prefer flying with these airlines.
Other ways to redeem
There are other options for redeeming your Marriott Bonvoy points. These include options like:
- Marriott experiences, such as concerts
- Merchandise
- Car rentals
- Travel packages
- Gift cards
On average, these options aren’t the best value for your points compared to our picks above. However, you’ll occasionally find some good deals on experiences and travel packages, so it’s a good idea to occasionally peruse what’s available through the Marriott Bonvoy site.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points
Aside from booking stays at Marriott hotels, spending with eligible credit cards is the most effective way to build your Bonvoy points. Check out our guide to earning Bonvoy points for even more ways to earn.
Back to topCompare cards with Marriott Bonvoy points
Marriott’s newly rebranded line of credit cards offers a straightforward and effective way of earning points to your Bonvoy account. These cards provide a boost to point bonuses on eligible Marriott purchases as well as earning potential on all other purchases.
If you don’t want to fully invest in the Marriott Bonvoy program, there are other Chase and Amex cards that can help you earn and transfer points to your Bonvoy account. Points earned through these cards transfer to your Marriott Bonvoy account at a 1:1 ratio.
Back to top
Bottom line
The Marriott Bonvoy program offers several welcome offers, and ways to earn points. While the average redemption value isn’t the best on the market, Marriott’s large footprint means you’ll always have an attractive option for using your points.
If you’re looking for something else, compare travel credit cards and reward credit cards to find rewards program that best strikes your fancy and travel preferences.
Frequently asked questions
Pictures: Getty Images
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