TPG readers' best Marriott Bonvoy redemptions
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
We recently asked our TPG Lounge members to share the best redemptions they’ve ever had with the Marriott Bonvoy program. Here’s a look at some of our favorite answers. (Some responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity).
Memorable Marriott stays around the U.S.
Several TPG Lounge members said they had cashed in their Marriott Bonvoy points for free nights in Hawaii, while others used them to save on hotel stays in New York City and Vail, Colorado, during ski season.
"A seven-night certificate for Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott, Maui; Southwest Companion passes for two years; another seven-night certificate for Kauai; plus 120,000 Alaska miles." — Derrick D.
"The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort for five nights for 140,000 Marriott points when the normal nightly price was $1,039. Those points saved me over $5,000!" — Mark F.
"40,000 Marriott points per night for The New York EDITION, with a double upgrade from status to a Madison Park view room worth about $1,300 a night." — Gavin D.
"Five nights at The St. Regis New York for 240,000 Marriott points." — Ramón V.
"Four nights at Vail Marriott Mountain Resort during ski season, booked before the August devaluation for 35,000 points a night." — A.J.A.
Epic trips to Europe, the Maldives, Asia and Australia
From canal-side upgrades in Venice to luxurious stays at a desert resort in Dubai, our well-traveled TPG Lounge readers definitely know how to make the most of their Marriott Bonvoy points when it comes to planning incredible vacations around the world.
"Hotel Danieli, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice. Used Marriott points for a basic room and was upgraded to a lovely suite with a balcony overlooking the Grand Canal." — Chris C.
"Five nights at the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa. We were upgraded from a standard room to a two-story loft suite!" — Ian B.
"Free nights at a hotel in Manchester. We also scored free box seats at the Manchester United vs Liverpool game because of the recent partnership between Marriott Bonvoy and the Manchester United Football Club." — Ian B.
"Five nights — the fifth night was free — at the Palazzo Naiadi, The Dedica Anthology, Autograph Collection for our honeymoon. Actually there right now!" — Kim A.
"Five nights at Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa, and just completed five nights at the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort with a complimentary upgrade to an overwater villa, both for 240,000 Marriott points." — Dayan Z.
"Seven nights and eight days at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort in a deluxe overwater bungalow for 360,000 Marriott points, including 130,000 United miles. Also seven nights and eight days at Hotel Punta Islita in Costa Rica for 100,000 Marriott points. Both were amazing properties with superior service. To the best of my knowledge, it’s really not possible to get that kind of deal at The St. Regis post-merger. We went in October 2018." — Evan F.
"Redeemed 390,000 Marriott points for a Category 8 stay at the JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong for seven nights and was upgraded to a suite due to my platinum status. I also chose Alaska Airlines miles from the package to use toward Cathay Pacific first class." — Tim L.
"35,000 Marriott points per night at The St. Regis Bangkok. 140,000 Marriott points for five nights at the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa in Vietnam." — Ken S.
"I was upgraded to the 3,000-square-foot Presidential Suite — the same room Presidents Obama and Trump have stayed in — at the JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi during a 17,500-point stay." — Alex M.
"I recently got two rooms for five nights at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas near the Great Barrier Reef for 160,000 Marriott points per room. We got upgraded to a swim-out suite and the breakfast buffet, included with status, was outstanding." — Dustin C.
More ways to maximize Marriott Bonvoy points
Some of our TPG Lounge members shared how they were able to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to airline partners like Cathay Pacific and JAL to fly first class to their destinations, while others used them to book vacation packages and special Marriott Bonvoy Moments.
"I bid the 127,500 Marriott points I earned from my welcome bonus and from spending in bonus categories on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card to get two tickets to the Aquaman movie premiere and after party. While that was a lot of points to use, it was well worth the cost because my boyfriend and I love superhero movies and he's a huge Aquaman and DC Comics fan. However, I think that experience will be topped by our upcoming five-night stay at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort for only 240,000 Marriott points." — Shana G.
"The best vacation package I ever booked was seven nights at Marriott's Aruba Ocean Club and 120,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points back when that immediately gave you a Companion Pass. My wife flew with me for free for two years and our room slept six people comfortably." — Mark G.
"An (old) Category 8 seven-night stay at the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino and 120,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles for 325,000 Marriott points. The stay was during New Year's so the cash price with resort fees was over $3,210 plus the value of the miles." — Grant G.
"Transferred about 250,000 Marriott points to Miles and More for two business-class seats on Lufthansa from Vienna to Washington, D.C." — Randy G.
"Transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan to book Cathay Pacific or JAL first class. It's only 70,000 miles to Asia! I was also able to transfer and book Cathay Pacific first and business class to Australia for 80,000 miles." — Albert G.
"It has to be almost four years of Southwest Companion Pass status while transferring at the key time and getting two- to seven-night travel certificates. One of them was good for seven nights at the Renaissance Paris Arc de Triomphe Hotel. Too bad Southwest changed what counted toward the Companion Pass." — Richard R.
"Far and away, it was the seven-night travel package I bought in 2017 for 330,000 Marriott points. I got a seven-night Category 7 (now Category 5) certificate I used this past April at the Residence Inn by Marriott Maui Wailea before it changed to Category 6 and 162,000 Aeroplan miles with a 35% bonus at the time for transferring hotel points to Aeroplan. We used that for two one-way business-class tickets from Koh Samui to Bangkok to Istanbul to Atlanta on Thai Airways and Turkish Airlines." — Paul S.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.