Marriott Bonvoy is the largest hotel loyalty program in the world, with more than 9.000 + properties across 139 countries and 30+ brands. It may not deliver the highest cents-per-point value, but what it lacks in pure efficiency, it makes up for in scale, flexibility, and variety. Whether you’re planning a quick road trip, a business conference, or a luxury resort stay, Bonvoy points can take you there.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Marriott Bonvoy — Frequently Asked Questions
How much are Marriott Bonvoy points worth?
Generally around 0.6–0.8 cents per point.
Do Bonvoy points expire?
Yes, after 24 months of inactivity.
What’s the best use of points?
Luxury resorts, expensive city hotels, and longer stays where the “Fifth Night Free” applies.
Can I transfer points to others?
Yes, up to 100,000 points per year to friends or family.
Does Marriott waive resort fees on award stays?
No, fees usually still apply.
Can I buy Bonvoy points?
Yes, often with promotional bonuses.
Bonvoy points aren’t the most valuable, but with the right redemption—especially luxury resorts or multi-night stays—you can unlock strong value.
Why Marriott Bonvoy is Great
So why stick with Bonvoy when other programs sometimes offer higher point values? It comes down to a few key strengths that Marriott has built into its loyalty program.
- Global Reach: With the biggest footprint in the industry, you’ll almost always find a Marriott wherever you travel.
- Elite Benefits: Higher tiers (Platinum, Titanium, Ambassador) deliver perks like suite upgrades, lounge access, and guaranteed late checkout.
- Fifth Night Free: On award stays, every fifth night is free, which stretches your balance further.
- Airline Transfer Partners: Points transfer to more than 40 airlines, usually at a 3:1 ratio.
- Brand Variety: From Ritz-Carlton to Moxy, there’s a property for every type of traveler.
These features make Bonvoy a program of convenience and consistency—ideal if you want recognition and benefits across a wide network rather than chasing niche redemptions.
What are Marriott Points worth?
Generally 0.5 cents/points. You can find better redemption if you know the sweet spots (see below).
Discover the Many Brands of Marriott
One of the most appealing aspects of Bonvoy is the variety of brands under its umbrella. Marriott doesn’t just focus on luxury or budget; it spans the entire travel spectrum.
| Brand | Travel Style | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis | Ultra-luxury | Honeymoons, resorts, once-in-a-lifetime trips |
| JW Marriott, W Hotels | Premium luxury & lifestyle | Stylish travelers, high-end city stays |
| Marriott Hotels, Sheraton | Full-service | Conferences, business trips |
| Westin, Renaissance, Le Méridien | Upscale lifestyle | Wellness retreats, weekend escapes |
| Courtyard, Four Points, AC Hotels | Mid-range | Road warriors, budget-conscious travelers |
| Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Element | Extended stay | Families, long work trips |
| Moxy, Aloft | Trendy & affordable | Young travelers, nightlife |
| Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Luxury Collection | Boutique & unique | Distinctive, design-forward properties |
| Homes & Villas by Marriott | Private rentals | Families, groups, vacation stays |
This spread means you can earn and redeem points in just about any type of accommodation—from business hotels to boutique villas.
Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points
Marriott points are very easy to earn. Co-branded credit cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless (Chase), Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant (Amex), and Marriott Bonvoy Business (Amex) not only boost your earnings but also provide free night certificates and annual elite night credits.
Points can also be transferred in from major credit card currencies—American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Bilt Rewards all partner with Marriott. In addition, you can earn through event bookings, seasonal promotions, and buying points outright (usually best when Marriott runs a 30–50% bonus sale).
Most members will earn points by staying at Marriott hotels, where you get 10 points per dollar at most brands. Extended-stay and budget brands earn fewer. Elite members receive an additional 10–75% bonus.
Points Earning
| Brand Category | Brands | Points Earned | Elite Night Credit Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury & Premium | EDITION, The Ritz-Carlton, The Luxury Collection, St. Regis, W Hotels, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Marriott Vacation Club, Delta Hotels, Westin, Le Méridien, Renaissance, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels, Gaylord Hotels, MGM Collection, Sonder (Hotels) | 10 points per $1 | 1 Elite Night Credit per night |
| Select Service | Courtyard, Four Points, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield, AC Hotels, Aloft, Moxy | 10 points per $1 | 1 Elite Night Credit per night |
| Extended Stay | Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Element, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, Sonder (Apartments) | 5 points per $1 | 1 Elite Night Credit per night |
| Regional Chains (Special Rules) | Protea Hotels, City Express, Four Points Express | 5 points per $1 | 1 Elite Night Credit for every 2 nights |
| Specialty Extended Stay | StudioRes | 4 points per $1 | 1 Elite Night Credit per night |
| Executive Apartments | Marriott Executive Apartments | 2.5 points per $1 | 1 Elite Night Credit for every 3 nights |
| Credit Card | Earn Rates | Key Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant (Amex) | 6x Marriott, 3x dining & flights, 2x other | Platinum Elite status, 85k free night, $300 dining credit |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bevy (Amex) | 6x Marriott, 4x dining & U.S. supermarkets (up to $15k/yr), 2x other | Gold Elite status, free night after $15k spend |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless (Chase) | 6x Marriott, 3x dining/groceries/gas, 2x other | Silver Elite status, 35k free night |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold (Chase) | 3x Marriott, 2x dining/groceries/gas, 1x other | Silver Elite status, no annual fee |
| Marriott Bonvoy Business (Amex) | 6x Marriott, 4x dining/gas/wireless/shipping (up to $50k/yr), 2x other | Gold Elite status, 35k free night, 15 elite nights |
Redeeming Marriott Bonvoy Points
Once you’ve built a balance, the question becomes: how do you spend them wisely? Marriott uses dynamic pricing, so award rates aren’t tied to a strict chart. This makes planning a little trickier, but it also means there are bargains if you’re flexible.
In general, budget hotels cost 5,000–20,000 points per night, mid-range hotels run 20,000–50,000, and luxury resorts or peak properties can top 120,000 points per night. Still, Marriott’s “Fifth Night Free” policy softens the blow.
Other redemption options exist as well. You can use points for upgrades to better rooms or suites, combine points and cash for more flexibility, or redeem through Marriott’s Experiences Marketplace for concerts and sports events. Marriott also has one of the strongest airline transfer setups of any hotel program: points transfer at 3:1, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 transferred. Finally, Homes & Villas by Marriott allows you to redeem for private rental properties, expanding your options beyond hotels.
The key here is to aim for redemptions where the cash price is disproportionately high – luxury resorts, expensive cities, or long vacations.
Marriott Bonvoy Sweet Spots
Marriott doesn’t have as many clear “sweet spots” as it used to. Most redemptions sit around 0.6–0.8 cents per point. Still, in some situations, you can stretch them further.
Five Nights for the Price of Four
If you’re booking with points, Marriott automatically gives you the fifth night free. For example, someone planning a week in Cancun can book four nights on points and get the fifth added at no cost. It’s a straightforward way to reduce the average nightly rate without doing anything extra.
Expensive City Hotels
In places like New York, San Diego, or Rome, hotel prices can hit $400 or more per night. Travelers have found Marriott properties, such as the AC Hotel Downtown NYC, for about 30,000 points when cash rates were that high. In those cases, points return closer to 1 cent each instead of the usual 0.7.
Luxury Resorts
Some of the highest values come from booking resorts where the cash rates are extreme. The St. Regis Maldives, for instance, can run $2,000+ per night. A five-night stay using points has been reported at around 480,000 points total, which works out to more than 3 cents per point. Similar opportunities sometimes show up at Ritz-Carlton properties in Kyoto or Arizona.
Regional Sweet Spot Examples
Outside of the big names, there are smaller sweet spots. In Canada, points redemptions often come out ahead because cash rates are higher. Some Protea Hotels in Africa can be booked for relatively few points compared to their cash cost. In the U.S., Gaylord Hotels — large resorts popular for conferences and families — offer better-than-average value.
Homes & Villas
Marriott’s rental program, Homes & Villas, can also be a good use of points. In some cases, two-bedroom residences or chalets have cost fewer points than a standard room at a nearby luxury hotel. It’s not always the cheapest option, but for families or groups, it can be more practical.
Free Nights from Marriott Credit Cards
Several Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards come with an annual free night certificate. These certificates are often the most reliable way to get outsized value from Marriott points.
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® (Amex): One free night each year, valid for properties costing up to 85,000 points.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless (Chase): One free night each year, valid for up to 35,000 points.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold (Chase): No free night benefit.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business (Amex): One free night each year, valid for up to 35,000 points.
Topping Off Free Night Certificates
Marriott lets you add up to 15,000 points to a certificate if the hotel costs more than the cap. For example, if you have a 35k certificate and want to book a 45k property, you can cover the difference with points.
Using with Fifth Night Free
Free night certificates can also be part of a five-night award booking. If you redeem four certificates or points for four nights, Marriott will still add the fifth night free. This combination can stretch the certificates further, especially in higher-priced destinations.
Key Things to Know
Before diving in, it’s worth highlighting a few rules of the Marriott Bonvoy program.
| Feature | What You Should Know |
|---|---|
| Point Expiration | After 24 months of inactivity |
| Blackout Dates | None—if a standard room is available, you can book with points |
| Resort/Destination Fees | Still charged on award stays |
| Free Night Certificates | 35k–85k certificates available from credit cards |
| Transfer to Friends | Up to 100,000 points per year allowed |
| Award Stays Count Toward Status | Yes |
| Fifth Night Free | Applies automatically to 5+ night award bookings |
Summary
Marriott Bonvoy isn’t the most generous program in terms of pure point value, but it makes up for it in reach, flexibility, and elite benefits. The global footprint is unmatched, meaning you’ll almost always have a Marriott option. Elite recognition at the higher levels brings meaningful perks, while the “Fifth Night Free” policy and airline transfer partnerships add depth.
If you want a loyalty program where you’ll always find a hotel, earn status recognition, and have multiple redemption paths—from resorts to homes to flights—Marriott Bonvoy is a dependable choice.
