Name: American Express® Gold Card
Brand: American Express

Marriott Bonvoy has a broader global footprint than almost any other hotel loyalty program, with properties ranging from inexpensive roadside hotels and extended-stay brands to luxury resorts and overwater villas.

That scale is a major reason the program remains useful despite dynamic award pricing and some overly complicated policies. Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and redeem points across more than 30 brands, transfer points to dozens of airline programs and use cobranded Marriott credit cards to earn elite status and annual free night awards.

However, getting the most from Marriott Bonvoy requires understanding which stays qualify, how earnings vary by brand and which elite benefits you can expect at each property. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about earning and redeeming Marriott points, qualifying for elite status and maximizing the program.

What's new with Marriott Bonvoy?

Marriott Bonvoy has made several notable changes in 2026, including another round of award price increases and expanded airline partnerships.

Award prices increased at many popular hotels: In early July, Marriott appeared to raise award rates across many properties.
Marriott expanded its partnership with Japan Airlines: Early July also saw Marriott and Japan Airlines introduce new reciprocal benefits. Marriott members can receive annual Japan Airlines Mileage Bank Fly On points based on their Bonvoy status.
Marriott added and improved airline transfer options: Marriott added Ethiopian Airlines ShebaMiles as a transfer partner in March. Plus, the transfer ratio from Singapore KrisFlyer to Marriott improved from 2:1 to 4:3 in April.

What is Marriott Bonvoy?

Marriott Bonvoy launched in February 2019, following the 2018 combination of Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest and Ritz-Carlton Rewards. Marriott International has more than 9,900 properties across over 30 brands in 146 countries and territories, although participation and Marriott Bonvoy benefits vary at some properties and collections.

The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa in Malaysia. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

Here's a look at how Marriott Bonvoy classifies its brands:

Luxury: JW Marriott, St. Regis and The Ritz-Carlton
Distinctive luxury: Edition, The Luxury Collection, The Ritz-Carlton Reserve and W Hotels
Premium: Delta Hotels by Marriott, Gaylord Hotels, Le Meridien, Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, The Marriott Vacation Clubs, Renaissance Hotels and Westin
Select: AC Hotels, Aloft Hotels, CitizenM, City Express, Courtyard, Fairfield by Marriott, Four Points, Four Points Flex by Sheraton, Moxy Hotels, Protea Hotels, Series by Marriott and SpringHill Suites
Longer stays: Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, Element Hotels, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott Executive Apartments, Residence Inn, StudioRes and TownePlace Suites
Collections: Autograph Collection, Design Hotels, MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy and Tribute Portfolio

As of July 2026, TPG values Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.8 cents apiece. However, since Marriott uses dynamic award pricing, you may get more or less value when you redeem your points.

What are Marriott’s status levels?

Marriott Bonvoy offers five published levels of elite status: Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite. Here's a quick overview of these Marriott elite status tiers.

	Silver Elite	Gold Elite	Platinum Elite	Titanium Elite	Ambassador Elite
Qualification requirements	10 elite night credits per year	25 elite night credits per year	50 elite night credits per year	75 elite night credits per year	100 elite night credits per year plus $23,000 in spending per year
Points bonus	10% bonus	25% bonus	50% bonus	75% bonus	75% bonus
Late checkout benefit (available at most brands)	Late checkout based on availability on the morning of departure	2 p.m., based on availability on the morning of departure	4 p.m.	4 p.m.	4 p.m. plus Your24
Room upgrade benefit (based on availability upon arrival at participating properties)	None	Enhanced rooms, excluding suites	Enhanced rooms, including suites	Enhanced rooms, including suites	Enhanced rooms, including suites
Welcome gift (varies by brand and region)	None	Points	Points, breakfast offering or amenity	Points, breakfast offering or amenity	Points, breakfast offering or amenity

Of course, this table is just an overview; many of the specific benefits have exceptions and exclusions. And although each tier has stated qualification requirements, it's important to know that some Marriott credit cards can fast-track you to a higher status tier or provide status outright.

Welcome gift at Le Meridien Maldives — Elite welcome gift at Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

You can generally only enjoy elite status benefits when you book directly with Marriott (rather than through online travel agencies or credit card travel portals). However, there are some platforms where you can now book stays that are also considered qualifying by the hotel loyalty program. Such platforms include The Edit by Chase Travel℠ and American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, but select Chase Travel and Rove bookings that carry a loyalty-eligible flag are also eligible.

Now, here’s a high-level overview of what each Marriott elite status offers.

Member

Anyone who registers for a free Marriott Bonvoy account can access the following perks:

Free standard Wi-Fi
Discounted member rates
Mobile check-in
Points and elite night credits earned on eligible stays
A fifth night free on award stays
2,000 Fly On points each year with Japan Airlines Mileage Bank

Silver Elite

You’ll earn Marriott Silver Elite status after accruing 10 elite night credits in a calendar year. Benefits include:

A 10% points earning bonus on stays and eligible hotel purchases
Late checkout, based on availability
5,000 Fly On points each year with Japan Airlines Mileage Bank

Moxy Barcelona guest room — Moxy Barcelona. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

Travelers with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees) or the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (see rates and fees) enjoy complimentary Silver Elite status as a cardmember perk.

Gold Elite

You’ll reach the Gold Elite tier after accruing 25 elite night credits in a calendar year. Perks include all the benefits of Silver Elite status, plus:

A 25% points earning bonus on stays and eligible hotel purchases
2 p.m. late checkout, based on availability
Space-available upgrades to “enhanced rooms” (excluding suites)
A welcome gift of points each time you stay
Ability to earn Marriott points on Emirates flights after linking your accounts
10,000 Fly On points each year with Japan Airlines Mileage Bank

Travelers with the American Express Platinum Card®, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card enjoy complimentary Gold Elite status as a cardmember perk. Enrollment may be required.

Platinum Elite

Platinum Elite status requires at least 50 elite night credits in a calendar year. This level offers additional benefits beyond Gold Elite, including:

A 50% points earning bonus on stays and eligible hotel purchases
Space-available room upgrades (including select suites)
Lounge access at brands with lounges
Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, subject to availability at resort and convention hotels, Design Hotels and StudioRes
A choice of a welcome gift during each stay (varies by brand but often includes points, free breakfast or an amenity)
Access to a 24-hour dedicated support line
Access to select in-airport benefits when flying with Emirates, including priority check-in and boarding, once you link your accounts
A fast track to Five Star Hertz Gold+ status
20,000 Fly On points each year with Japan Airlines Mileage Bank

Travelers with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card enjoy complimentary Platinum Elite status as a cardmember perk.

Marriott Mena House, Cairo. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

Upon accruing 50 elite night credits, Platinum Elite members can choose one Annual Choice Benefit. Options include five elite night credits, five Nightly Upgrade Awards, $1,000 off a mattress, a $100 charitable donation and the ability to gift Silver Elite status to another member.

Titanium Elite

You’ll reach Titanium Elite status after accruing 75 elite night credits in a calendar year. The benefits are similar to those of Platinum Elite, with a few additions:

A 75% points earning bonus on stays and eligible hotel purchases
A 48-hour guarantee for room availability
United MileagePlus Premier Silver status
Complimentary Five Star Hertz Gold+ status
30,000 Fly On points each year with Japan Airlines Mileage Bank and a status match to Crystal status or higher

Titanium Elite members are also eligible for a second Annual Choice Benefit selection after completing 75 nights in a year.

Ambassador Elite

Marriott’s top published status tier is Ambassador Elite, which requires accruing 100 elite night credits and spending $23,000 on qualifying Marriott purchases in a calendar year. In addition to Titanium Elite benefits, Ambassador Elite members receive:

Dedicated Ambassador service to help with booking and managing stays
Ability to choose the 24-hour period you want to stay (e.g., if you arrive on a 10 p.m. flight for a one-night stay, you could check out the following night at 10 p.m.)
Complimentary President's Circle Hertz Gold+ status
40,000 Fly On points each year with Japan Airlines Mileage Bank and a status match to Crystal status or higher

If you earn Ambassador Elite status and reach at least $40,000 in annual qualifying spending, you may also be eligible for the Plus One benefit, which lets you gift Ambassador Elite status to an eligible spouse, significant other or companion who shares your address.

Cobalt program

You won’t find “Cobalt” in any official Marriott Bonvoy promotional materials, but TPG received leaked information about this secret Marriott status level in August 2019. Cobalt status is so exclusive that it’s reportedly only available through an invitation from Marriott International’s president and CEO.

Four Points Edinburgh — Four Points by Sheraton Edinburgh. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

The benefits are largely the same as Marriott Ambassador Elite status but with additional touches, such as a personalized note from the general manager, a meeting with the general manager and a “distinctive experience on-property” at luxury brands.

Which Marriott elite tier should you aim for?

The best Marriott elite status tier for most travelers is the one they can obtain from travel they'd book anyway. However, if you're eligible for a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, it's worth considering whether you can snag a higher tier simply by adding a card to your wallet.

For example, if you normally accrue 35 elite night credits with Marriott each calendar year, adding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card would give you 15 additional elite night credits each year. These additional elite night credits would be enough to get you to Platinum Elite status, which has much more valuable benefits than Gold Elite.

Pool at the Marriott Dead Sea — Indoor pool at the Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa in Jordan. KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Platinum Elite is the sweet spot status for Marriott Bonvoy, though. So, for most travelers, it won't be worth trying to secure Titanium Elite or Ambassador Elite status if they wouldn't earn it organically.

How to earn Marriott lifetime status

You can currently earn three tiers of Marriott lifetime status, each of which carries the following requirements:

Lifetime Silver Elite: 250 elite night credits and five years as Silver Elite or higher
Lifetime Gold Elite: 400 elite night credits and seven years as Gold Elite or higher
Lifetime Platinum Elite: 600 elite night credits and 10 years as Platinum Elite or higher

These are some of the most reasonable lifetime status requirements offered by any hotel loyalty program. TPG's Nick Ewen already claimed lifetime Platinum Elite status, and Katie Genter is excited to be just a few years away from earning lifetime Platinum Elite status.

Elite night credit earnings by brand

On qualifying stays at participating Marriott properties, you'll earn elite night credits. However, you won't necessarily earn one elite night credit for every qualifying night stayed. Instead, here's how you'll earn elite night credits on qualifying stays based on brand:

No elite night credits: StudioRes
0.5 elite night credits per qualifying night: City Express, Four Points Flex, Protea Hotels and Series by Marriott locations outside the United States, Canada and Greater China (including mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan)
One elite night credit per qualifying night: Series by Marriott properties in the United States, Canada and Greater China, plus all other participating Marriott brands

Most Marriott Bonvoy cards give cardholders a set number of elite night credits per year, and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card lets you earn additional elite night credits when you meet specific spending thresholds.

Plus, you can earn one elite night credit per 20 rooms booked and actualized (up to 20 elite night credits per contract) when you hold a qualifying event at a participating Marriott Bonvoy property.

Guaranteed benefits

A great aspect of Marriott Bonvoy is that some elite status benefits are guaranteed to members with select elite status tiers. Specifically, Marriott offers guarantees for stays at select brands as follows:

Ultimate reservation guarantee: Silver Elite and higher members will get their accommodation for the night and additional compensation (starting at $50 but based on the brand you book and your elite status tier) if a Marriott property isn't able to honor their reservation.
Guaranteed welcome gift: Platinum Elite and higher members should be given the choice of an amenity gift or points when checking into participating hotels. This guarantee applies if you aren't given a choice when you're entitled to one.
Guaranteed room type: Platinum Elite and higher members are guaranteed their choice of bedding on stays in the U.S. and Canada when they book at least one day in advance.
Guaranteed lounge access: Platinum Elite and higher members are guaranteed lounge access for themselves and one guest at eligible properties within participating brands (numerous brand and property exclusions apply).
48-hour guaranteed availability: Titanium Elite and higher members can book a paid standard room at most participating properties as long as they book by 3 p.m. local time 48 hours prior to arrival.

However, for each type of guarantee, you'll find exclusions and limitations. Check out Marriott’s Elite Benefit Guarantees page to learn the specific guarantee details and how to request compensation.

When does Marriott status expire?

Once you earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status, it is valid for the rest of the calendar year in which you earned it and for an additional 14 months thereafter.

For example, if you earn status in 2026, you’ll enjoy benefits through the rest of this year, all of 2027 and the first two months of 2028. If you requalify for that status or a higher one based on activity in 2027, you'll keep it through February 2029. Otherwise, Marriott will give you a status one tier lower than your current level starting in March 2028.

How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points

There are several ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points, from hotel stays to spending on cobranded credit cards.

Hotel stays

Bonvoy members earn 10 points per dollar spent on qualifying charges at most Marriott hotel brands. However, there are a few exceptions, so here's the earnings you can expect on qualifying stays at each brand:

Earning rate	Brands
4 points per dollar spent	StudioRes
5 points per dollar spent	Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, City Express by Marriott, Element by Westin, Four Points Flex by Sheraton, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott Executive Apartments, Protea Hotels by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, Series by Marriott (locations that aren't in the United States, Canada and Greater China) and TownePlace Suites by Marriott
10 points per dollar spent	AC Hotels by Marriott, Aloft, Autograph Collection, CitizenM, Courtyard by Marriott, Delta Hotels by Marriott, Design Hotels, Edition, Fairfield by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, Gaylord Hotels, JW Marriott, Le Meridien, Marriott Hotels, Marriott Vacation Club, MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy, Moxy Hotels, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy, Renaissance Hotels, Series by Marriott (locations in the United States, Canada and Greater China), Sheraton, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, The Ritz-Carlton, Tribute Portfolio, W Hotels and Westin

You can often boost your earning rates on hotel stays by enrolling in promotions. Plus, elite members earn bonus points on stays as follows:

Silver Elite: 10%
Gold Elite: 25%
Platinum Elite: 50%
Titanium Elite and higher: 75%

When booking, don’t forget about Marriott’s Best Rate Guarantee. If you find a lower rate elsewhere and submit a claim within 24 hours of making your reservation on Marriott’s website, Marriott will match that rate and give you a 25% discount or 5,000-point bonus.

Beach villa at the Le Meridien Maldives — Beach villa at Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

Keep in mind that you’ll generally need to book directly with Marriott to earn points for a stay. Stays that don’t earn points include those booked through online travel agencies and most credit card travel portals (unless the booking is specifically marked as loyalty eligible), as part of an event, through a tour operator or as a comped stay. You also won’t earn points on stays where you redeem a free night certificate or Marriott Bonvoy points, though eligible on-property purchases can usually earn points.

Credit card bonuses and spending

There are several cards you can use to earn Marriott Bonvoy points.

Card	Welcome offer	Annual fee	Earning rates
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card	Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.	$650 (see rates and fees)	6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy 3 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines 2 points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card	Earn 100,000 bonus points and a free night award (valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Resort fees apply.	$125 (see rates and fees)	6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy 4 points per dollar spent on purchases made at restaurants worldwide and U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. purchases for shipping 2 points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card	Earn three free night awards (valued at up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. (Certain hotels have resort fees.) Plus, earn up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases (through June 30, 2027).	$95	6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy 3 points per dollar spent on the first $6,000 in annual combined grocery store, gas station and dining purchases 2 points per dollar spent on all other purchases
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card	Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.	$0	3 points per dollar spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy 2 points per dollar spent at grocery stores, on ride-hailing services, on select food delivery orders, on select streaming services and on internet, cable and phone services 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card	Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.	$250 (see )	6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2 points per dollar) 2 points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit Card	Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases within three months of account opening.	$250	6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy 4 points per dollar spent on dining and grocery store purchases (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2 points per dollar) 2 points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases

The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Marriott Bonvoy cards are often better used for perks than for spending. TPG's Katie Genter has two Marriott Bonvoy cards that she primarily uses for their annual free-night awards and elite night credits. However, if you need to earn more Marriott points for an upcoming trip, it could be worth spending on your Marriott card.

Organizing events

Event planners can earn 2 points per dollar spent on any qualifying event held at a Marriott property. Event earning is capped at 60,000 points per event, but elite members still get their standard elite bonus, meaning the effective earnings cap per event is as follows:

Member: 60,000
Silver Elite: 66,000
Gold Elite: 75,000
Platinum Elite: 90,000
Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite: 105,000

You’ll also earn an additional elite night credit for every 20 room nights you book for your event (up to 20 elite night credits per event).

Referring friends

Marriott Bonvoy rewards you for referring friends to the program. You can refer up to five new members each calendar year and earn 2,000 points per stay for up to five of their paid stays within 365 days of enrollment. Friends you refer also earn 2,000 bonus points per stay for up to five paid stays in their first year, for a maximum of 10,000 bonus points.

Dining out

Like many hotel brands and airlines, Marriott has a dining rewards program that lets you earn points when you dine at participating restaurants. To start earning, register for Eat Around Town, connect a credit card to your account and pay with the same card when you dine at participating restaurants.

Points earned through Eat Around Town are in addition to the rewards you’d otherwise earn on dining purchases, such as with credit cards and restaurants' in-house loyalty programs.

Earning points with partners

Marriott Bonvoy partners with a handful of programs, allowing members to earn points on other purchases. These include:

Car rentals: Earn up to 700 Marriott points per rental at Hertz or 500 points per rental at Dollar and Thrifty when you book through Marriott’s car rental page.
Cruises: Earn 3 points per dollar spent — or 5 points per dollar spent when you pay with a Chase Marriott Bonvoy card — on cruises booked through Cruise with Points.
Starbucks: Marriott launched a partnership with Starbucks in 2024. You can link your accounts to earn 100 Bonvoy points when you make three qualifying Starbucks purchases during any Marriott Bonvoy Week and earn double Stars at Starbucks on days of eligible stays at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
Uber and Uber Eats: Link your Marriott and Uber accounts to earn Bonvoy points on qualifying Uber rides and food orders. Plus, you get automatic Marriott Silver Elite status with an annual Uber One membership.

Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques

You can earn 5 points per dollar when buying items from your favorite Marriott brand, including robes, soaps, bedding and mattresses. Be sure to log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account before making a purchase to earn points. But note that the money you spent on taxes, shipping and select fees won't earn points.

Transferring points from other programs

You can transfer Bilt Points, Chase Ultimate Rewards points and American Express Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio. In our experience, points transfer almost instantly from all these programs.

Man wearing a knit cap listening to music through smart phone while standing against Manhattan skyline at sunset — THE GOOD BRIGADE/GETTY IMAGES

You can also transfer MGM Rewards points to Marriott at a 5:4 ratio. Additionally, you can transfer the following types of airline miles to Marriott Bonvoy:

Air Canada Aeroplan: 1:1 ratio
ANA Mileage Club: 1:1 ratio for the first and second transfer of 10,000 points each year between April 1 and March 31; subsequent transfers are at a 2:1 ratio
Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards: 1:1 ratio
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: 2:1 ratio
Emirates Skywards: 3:2 ratio
Ethiopian Airlines ShebaMiles: 2:1 ratio
Japan Airlines Mileage Bank: 4:3 ratio
Qatar Airways Privilege Club: 2:1 ratio
Singapore KrisFlyer: 4:3 ratio
United MileagePlus: 1:1 ratio

However, unless you are just topping off your account, there are usually higher-value ways to use your points and miles (and lower-cost ways to earn Marriott points).

Combining points with other members

A fantastic aspect of Marriott Bonvoy is the ability to transfer your points to other members. Best of all, you can do this online.

According to Marriott, both accounts must be in good standing and open for at least 30 days with qualifying activity or 90 days without qualifying activity. You must transfer in 1,000-point increments, with a limit of six transactions per year and two transactions per month. You can transfer up to 100,000 points total from your account per calendar year and receive up to 500,000 points per calendar year.

Buying points

You can buy up to 150,000 Marriott points each year. The purchase rate is generally $12.50 per 1,000 points, but Marriott sometimes runs promotions on buying points that lower the price. This isn’t generally the best way to earn Marriott points, but it might make sense if you’re short a few points for an upcoming redemption.

How to redeem Marriott points

You’ll typically get the most value from your Marriott points when you redeem them for hotel stays or transfer them to airline loyalty programs. Here’s an overview of the various ways to redeem Marriott points; see our complete guide to Marriott redemptions for more information.

Award nights

Marriott Bonvoy uses dynamic award pricing instead of award charts. This means you won’t know exactly how much your award stay will cost until you go to book. Thankfully, Marriott’s website has a useful calendar feature to help you see which dates have the lowest prices.

When booking a standard room, you can pay with cash, points or a combination of cash and points. Additionally, you’ll receive the lowest-priced night for free if you redeem points for five or more consecutive nights, thanks to Marriott’s “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” perk.

Marriott stay for five, pay for four award perk — MARRIOTT

You can also redeem Marriott points for upgraded rooms. This option isn’t available at every property, so you’ll need to search for award nights and see if upgraded rooms are bookable via “Redemption with Cash Upgrade” or “Redemption with Points Upgrade.”

Marriott Bonvoy Moments

If you’re looking for a different type of redemption, consider the Marriott Bonvoy Moments program. This lets you cash in your points for unique experiences like concert tickets, culinary events and tickets to see your favorite sports team. Packages change regularly; check out the current options here.

While most Moments are handled as auctions, others offer fixed-price redemptions, and some are available to a limited number of members for just 1 point. Some of these moments may provide extreme value to you, though it’s hard to put a price on most experiences since they're often not easily replicable with cash.

Room credits, merchandise and gift cards

If you don’t have enough points to book a free night, you can take what Marriott calls an “instant redemption.” This allows you to redeem your points for a specific dollar amount, which acts as a credit toward your total room bill. You can also redeem Marriott points for merchandise and gift cards.

Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance in California. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

However, the redemption rate for all the above options is only 0.4 cents per point, so this isn’t the best use of your points.

Travel redemptions and airline transfers

Marriott has around 40 airline partners; you can transfer your points to most of these at a rate of 3 Marriott points to 1 airline mile. Air New Zealand Airpoints is the only exception, with a 200:1 ratio.

You’ll also get 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points you transfer to most airline partners (75 bonus miles for Air New Zealand) and 10,000 bonus miles when you transfer 60,000 points to United Airlines. However, transfers to American Airlines AAdvantage, Avianca Lifemiles and Delta SkyMiles are not eligible for the 5,000-mile bonus.

You can also redeem points toward cruises via Cruise with Points or toward flights and rental cars through Marriott’s Air + Car program, but these redemptions have a value of less than 0.4 cents per point.

Bottom line

There are many ways to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points. Redeeming points for hotel stays has become less predictable with dynamic pricing, but this is still one of the best ways to get the most from your points. Despite the program’s devaluations, many TPG staffers remain loyal fans.

Marriott also offers several cobranded credit cards to help you earn elite status and get free nights faster. Adding the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card to your wallet could help you earn Marriott points and enjoy benefits on your upcoming stays.

For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, click (see here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex, click (see here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex, click (see here.

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

TPG editor's rating

at American Express's secure site.
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Rewards rate

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual fee

$325

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Recommended credit

Excellent to Good

Pros + cons

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

More details

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.