Quick Points: Save big on last-minute stays with this 'secret sale' from Marriott

Although many major hotel chains have recurring sales throughout the year, they often aren't all that exciting. Hotels sometimes jack up their room rates right before a "sale," and there are sometimes major restrictions in the fine print. However, there are exceptions, and one of those is Marriott Bonvoy Escapes.

Marriott Bonvoy Escapes is a bi-weekly sale program that allows members to save up to 20% on last-minute stays. The discount only applies to cash stays — not award stays — but you'll still earn bonus points and enjoy your elite benefits.

Here's a quick overview of the program and how you can take advantage of it.

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Saving money with Marriott Bonvoy Escapes

Marriott Bonvoy Escapes is designed to save you money on weekend getaways, booked somewhat last minute. Bonvoy members can save 20% off the standard rate, while and non-members save up to 15%. Normally, you only save 2% to 5% when you book the "Member Rate."

The sale launches every other Wednesday and runs for five days at a time, through Sunday. The catch is that you can only book stays for the following four weekends (Thursday through Sunday stays at hotels, or any night of the week at resorts) and that there are typically only a limited number of discounted rooms available. The minimum stay is one night.

Related: Promotions that will make your next hotel stay more rewarding

Destinations and participating hotels vary each week. According to Marriott, though, there are usually over 1,000 discounted properties to pick from. Some properties we've seen discounted in the past include the Marina del Rey Marriott, Disney World Swan, W Punta de Mita and Moxy Washington D.C. Downtown, among others. The majority of properties are in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean and Latin America, though Marriott offers discounts for properties in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, as well.

To browse discounted properties and book, head to the dedicated Marriott Bonvoy Escapes landing page. Alternatively, search normally from the Marriott home page with the promo code QRI.

At the time of writing, the W Los Angeles-West Beverly Hills is among the hotels to offer discounted last-minute stays. Depending on your travel dates, you can save around $80 per night with this discount compared to the lowest standard rate.

Stays booked under this rate are prepaid, but may still include free cancellations depending on the hotel. To maximize your booking, pay with a card that offers bonus points on Marriott stays or extra points on general hotel spending.

Bottom line

Marriott Bonvoy Escapes won't always be available for the exact destination you are looking for. However, you may be able to score a great deal when a sale aligns with your travel plans.