How to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for maximum value
Editor's Note
Are you looking to maximize your Marriott Bonvoy points? Aside from redeeming these valuable hotel points for a "free" award stay at one of the program's many properties around the world, it can also sometimes make sense to transfer Marriott points to airline programs.
This article explores the various ways to use Marriott points, including hotel reservations, airline transfers and purchases through shopping portals.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Apply now to earn up to 135,000 bonus points: 85,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus an additional 50,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases (for a total of $7,000) in the first six months of card membership.
How to use Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel stays
You can use your Marriott Bonvoy points to book rooms at Marriott properties worldwide. However, the number of points required will vary because hotel nights are priced dynamically according to demand.
For example, you can book a stay at a SpringHill Suites in Denver from only $208 or 24,800 points per night, which works out to about 0.84 cents per point. At The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, some dates cost $2,185 or 186,000 points per night, which is 1.17 cents per point.
Both options will give you more than TPG's May 2026 valuation of 0.8 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point. To get the best value, we usually recommend redeeming points for a low-end or luxury hotel.
In addition to standard redemptions, Marriott offers Cash + Points awards, which let you combine cash and points, so you don't have to cover the entire stay with points.
Finally, you can use your points in conjunction with free night certificates offered by specific Marriott credit cards. These awards are typically granted as part of a welcome offer or on your account anniversary (after paying the annual fee), and they cover award stays up to a set number of points, typically ranging from 35,000 to 85,000. However, you can combine these certificates with additional Marriott Bonvoy points to book higher-priced rooms. Previously, members could top off a certificate with up to 15,000 points, but Marriott has increased that limit to 25,000 points, giving travelers more flexibility when redeeming certificates.
Related: An overview of the 37 Marriott hotel brands
One card that offers a free night award each year is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, which is currently offering new cardholders the ability to earn up to 150,000 bonus points: 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus an additional 50,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases (for a total of $8,000) in the first six months of card membership. (Note that certain hotels have resort fees.)
Get a fifth night free
One great perk of the Marriott Bonvoy program is that if you book five consecutive nights on one reservation using points, the least expensive night is free. This free night is automatically reflected when you book online; it applies to all of Marriott's participating brands, excluding Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy and the Ritz‑Carlton Yacht Collection.
However, this gets tricky if you use Cash + Points awards or free night certificates. To get a fifth night free, you must book at least five nights of your stay with points. If you redeem points for four nights and use cash or certificates for additional nights, you won't qualify for the fifth-night-free perk.
How to transfer Marriott points to airline partners
Marriott members can transfer points to more than 35 airline programs, including exclusive partnerships not available with other loyalty programs.
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to most airline partners at a 3:1 ratio, meaning 3 Marriott Bonvoy points yield 1 airline mile. You'll also receive 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred, which boosts your effective transfer ratio to 12:5. There are a few exceptions to this rule, though:
- Points transfer to Air New Zealand at a 200:1 ratio, with 75 bonus Airpoints Dollars for every 60,000 points you transfer.
- United Airlines provides 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points you transfer.
- American Airlines, Avianca and Delta Air Lines do not offer 5,000 bonus miles after you transfer 60,000 Bonvoy points.
Transferring your Bonvoy points can come in handy if you need to top up your airline program balance, don't have a need to use your Bonvoy points, or want to leverage more obscure points and miles that are harder to earn.
You can transfer up to 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to airlines daily; the minimum transfer amount is 3,000 points. Additionally, the name on your frequent flyer account typically needs to match the first and last name on your Marriott account.
Related: How I plan to redeem more than 800,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
How to use points for Marriott Bonvoy Moments
Marriott Bonvoy Moments offers a range of destination-specific activities, such as concerts, sporting events and culinary experiences, in cities where Marriott hotels are located.
You can book these experiences using Marriott Bonvoy points. Some activities may not be available for cash purchase, making it hard to pinpoint their value.
Keep in mind that certain experiences have a fixed point cost, while others have auctions. Review the terms and conditions before purchasing, as most are nonrefundable.
Related: The best Marriott all-inclusive resorts to book with points
How to use Marriott points for flights, car rentals and cruises
You can use Marriott Bonvoy points to book flights, car rentals and cruises as well as to pay for TSA PreCheck through Marriott's travel redemption page. However, these redemptions will typically not yield the best value for your points.
You can also use Marriott points to book a trip using the Cruise with Points program or to book a voyage with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
For most sailings, you can redeem points toward a cruise certificate for a dollar amount off your cruise booking. The minimum redemption is 63,000 points, which equates to a $250 certificate. If your points don't cover the entire cost, you can pay out of pocket for the rest and earn 3 Marriott points per dollar spent. You'll only get around 0.4 cents per point in value this way.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection requires at least 180,000 points, which you can redeem for $1,000 off your cruise fare. This provides a slightly better value of 0.55 cents per point, but you can still get far more value from your points by redeeming them for hotel stays.
Redeeming your Marriott points for flights, rental cars and cruises typically won't maximize your points. But, if you are sitting on a chunk of rewards and don't plan to redeem them at a Marriott property, this could be a good way to save yourself money on other travel plans.
How to buy merchandise with Marriott Shopping
Finally, you can use your Marriott Bonvoy points for merchandise and gift cards.
Marriott offers a wide range of products on its web store, from Uber gift cards to Bose headphones and Bluetooth speakers. Note that redemption values vary, but redeeming Marriott points through the online store will usually yield a low redemption value.
However, if you don't plan on redeeming your points for travel-related purchases, using your Bonvoy points to buy gift cards and other products is a great way to save money.
Best credit cards for earning Marriott points
It's easy to earn enough Bonvoy points for your next redemption with a great range of cobranded credit cards packed with features. Here are some of our favorites, along with their current welcome offers:
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees): 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. Plus, earn an additional free night award (up to 50,000 points) after spending a total of $4,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening. Additionally, earn up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within three months of account opening
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn up to 150,000 bonus points: 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus an additional 50,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases (for a total of $8,000) in the first six months of card membership.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn 150,000 bonus points and a $125 statement credit after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Earn up to 135,000 bonus points: 85,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus an additional 50,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases (for a total of $7,000) in the first six months of card membership.
Don't forget you can transfer points to Marriott from three credit card programs: Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Bottom line
While Marriott Bonvoy points have lost some value in recent years, there are still plenty of great ways to maximize your points, whether at a luxurious all-inclusive resort or on a budget-friendly family trip (or both).
We recommend focusing on hotel stays or transferring points to airline partners. These options provide the best value for your points and allow you to explore the world affordably.
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