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You can now redeem Marriott points for private-island retreat in the Seychelles

Feb. 18, 2020
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3 min read
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You can now redeem Marriott points for private-island retreat in the Seychelles
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Back in November, we learned that an incredibly-exclusive resort — the North Island Resort in the Seychelles — would be joining the Marriott Bonvoy program under the Luxury Collection brand. This private-island paradise consists of just 11 villas, and with room rates of $6,000+ per night, there was rampant speculation of how this would fit into Marriott's award chart — especially when language was added to the program's terms and conditions that indicated it would be higher than the current top rate (100,000 points per peak night at Category 8 locations).

Well now we have our answer. As of today, you can now book award rooms at this incredible property, though it'll cost you. Each night will set you back 365,000 Marriott points, worth $2,920 based on TPG's most recent valuations — and that's before taking into account the required helicopter transfer to and from the resort, which will set you back another 1,628 Euros (~$1,760).

A Marriott spokesperson confirmed this information in an email to TPG this morning:



"We are excited to announce that North Island, a Luxury Collection Resort in the Seychelles will start participating in Marriott Bonvoy later today. As you know, this exclusive, 11 villa private island resort commands a very high average daily rate far in excess of all other participating properties. As a result, the nightly award rate will be 365,000 points per night ...The redemption rate includes breakfast, complimentary use of an island buggy, morning yoga, kids activities and more."

He went on to point out that this was just a starting price, and if the average daily rate changes "significantly" in the future, the rate may be recalibrated. However, he also stressed that this "would not be done dynamically," and after following up, he confirmed the property would have peak and off-peak dates, just like the rest of the Marriott portfolio. However, those rates are calibrated monthly as opposed to dynamically, but given the already-high award rate plus the required out-of-pocket cost for transfers, one would hope there wouldn't be notable increases.

He also stated the property will not participate in Points + Cash, nor would it be available as a PointSavers redemption.

Would you redeem 365,000 Marriott points for a free night here? (Photo courtesy of the North Island Resort)

There's no debating that this is a lot of Marriott points to spend on a single night. However, with base rates that start at 5,225 Euros (~$5,650 based on current exchange rates), it's nowhere near as bad as it could've been.

In searching availability online, it appears that award availability is now loaded, and I even see some dates falling slightly below the stated price.

Unfortunately, it appears that Marriott's fifth-night free benefit doesn't fully apply, as a five-night stay is pricing at 1,705,000 points — or an average of 341,000 points per night.

The rate details show you're technically still getting a benefit of 85,000 points off — which happens to be Marriott's standard nightly pricing for a Category 8 property. However, if you were hoping that a full night would be taken off, you're out of luck.

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Finally, I haven't been able to get the flexible search feature on Marriott's site to display award availability, so there's no easy way to quickly see award prices across dates at this point.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
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  • Intro Offer

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

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 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 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.