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Instead of free nights, Marriott is again offering a chance to use points for experiences

Caroline Tanner
Articles
Caroline Tanner covers news and travel for TPG. She is a journalism graduate of Mizzou and Northwestern.
Aug. 05, 2021
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3 min read
2021 British Grand Prix, Sunday - Steve Etherington
Instead of free nights, Marriott is again offering a chance to use points for experiences
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Marriott Bonvoy members can again use points for experiences that range from concerts to culinary and sporting events and beyond via its relaunched Marriott Bonvoy Moments program.

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The "pinch-yourself experiences" that you can't always unlock on your own include access to NFL Kickoff 2021, walking the red carpet at the MTV Video Music Awards and a custom wedding gown designed by Justin Alexander.

"Launching today, Marriott Bonvoy’s new offering of mind-expanding, money-can’t-buy Moments with both new and long-standing collaborators aims to serve as a vehicle for travelers to discover the world around them and be forever transformed by the places, experiences and people encountered along the way," the company said in a press release. "Marriott Bonvoy Moments span a wide variety of passions, from sports to culinary, and from music to professional development and more."

To participate in Moments, Bonvoy members can either redeem their points on fixed-price experiences or bid on experiences through auctions.

Read more: Ultimate guide to Marriott Bonvoy Moments

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The program will feature both virtual and in-person events, including:

  • Exclusive access to the NFL’s Kickoff celebrations, including the NFL’s Kickoff Eve Party and VIP Concert Viewing Party before the opening game on Sept. 9.
  • Tennis practice with Andy Roddick at the 2021 Laver Cup in Boston.
  • A VIP weekend pass to the Firefly Music Festival in Dover, Delaware, featuring access to the front row and artist lounges with private bars and complimentary snacks, along with a tent for glamping.
  • Reservations at sought-out restaurants, including Thomas Keller’s Per Se (New York City) and The French Laundry (Yountville, California), Enrique Olvera’s Pujol (Mexico City) and Stephanie Izard’s Girl & the Goat (Los Angeles). Some packages also include a private dinner with the chef.
  • An invitation to see Alice + Olivia's spring 2022 collection at New York Fashion Week.

Unlike in the past when there was usually a healthy mix of experiences available for bidding and some at a fixed points price, currently, the available experiences lean more into the variable bidding structure. That does make the program a bit harder to utilize in some ways, so we hope to see more fixed-price items return to the lineup in the future.

While some of these experiences may well be "priceless," TPG values Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.8 cents each, so keep in mind your own valuations as you decide whether or not a package is worth it for you.

Featured image by Daimler AG
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.