Are you eager to make the most of your Marriott Bonvoy points? Beyond redeeming these valuable hotel points for a complimentary award stay at one of the numerous locations within the program globally, you might also consider transferring Marriott points to airline frequent-flyer programs.
This article will delve into the diverse options for utilizing Marriott points, including booking hotel stays, transferring to airlines, and accessing purchases via shopping portals.
Related: A guide to the 37 Marriott hotel brands
Using Marriott Bonvoy Points for Hotel Stays
You can apply your Marriott Bonvoy points to reserve rooms at Marriott locations globally. However, the number of points required varies, as hotel prices fluctuate based on demand.
For instance, you might book a night at a TownePlace Suites in Columbus, Ohio, for as low as $115 or 13,000 points, equating to 0.88 cents per point. Conversely, a stay at The Ritz-Carlton in the Maldives may cost $2,441 or 202,000 points per night, which translates to 1.2 cents per point.
Both options exceed Flying Frugal’s September 2025 valuation of 0.7 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point. For the most value, we suggest redeeming points for either budget-friendly or luxury accommodations.
In addition to standard redemptions, Marriott provides Cash + Points awards, enabling you to mix cash and points to avoid using all your points for a stay.
Moreover, points can be combined with free night certificates offered by select Marriott credit cards. These awards, typically granted as part of a welcome bonus or on an anniversary (after the annual fee), cover stays up to a specific point threshold, generally ranging from 35,000 to 85,000 points. You can supplement these with up to 15,000 additional points to reserve higher-tier rooms.
Get a Fifth Night Free
A fantastic benefit of the Marriott Bonvoy program is that when you book five consecutive nights on a single reservation using points, the least expensive night’s stay is complimentary. This discount automatically applies when you book online, valid across all participating Marriott brands, excluding Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
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However, be mindful that using Cash + Points awards or free night certificates complicates matters. To qualify for the fifth night free, you must book a minimum of five nights entirely with points. If you use cash or certificates for any of the nights, the free-night benefit won’t apply.
Transferring Marriott Points to Airline Partners
Members of the Marriott program can transfer points to nearly 40 airline partners, including exclusive collaborations unavailable with other loyalty programs.
Bonvoy points transfer to most airline partners at a 3:1 ratio, meaning for every 3 Marriott points, you receive 1 airline mile. Additionally, you’ll earn 5,000 bonus miles for each 60,000 points transferred, effectively improving your transfer ratio to 12:5. There are notable exceptions:
- For Air New Zealand, points transfer at a rate of 200:1, with an additional 75 bonus Airpoints Dollars for every 60,000 points transitioned.
- United Airlines offers 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred.
- American Airlines, Avianca, and Delta Air Lines do not provide the 5,000 bonus miles after transferring 60,000 Bonvoy points.
Transferring your Bonvoy points is beneficial if you need to bolster your airline balance, don’t foresee using your Bonvoy points, or wish to leverage more exclusive miles that are usually harder to earn.
You can transfer a maximum of 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points daily to airlines, with a minimum transfer requirement of 3,000 points. Moreover, ensure the name on your frequent flyer account matches the first and last name on your Marriott account.
Related: My strategy to redeem over 800,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
Utilizing Points for Marriott Bonvoy Moments
Marriott Bonvoy Moments presents a variety of unique experiences based on specific destinations, including concerts, sports events, and culinary gatherings in cities hosting Marriott hotels.
You can redeem your Marriott Bonvoy points for these experiences. Some offerings may only be accessible through points, making their valuation ambiguous. To learn more, visit the Marriott Bonvoy Moments site.
Bear in mind that some experiences carry a fixed point cost, while others are auction-based. Be sure to check the terms before purchasing, as most experiences are nonrefundable.
Related: My ‘Fast & Furious’ experience in LA with Marriott Bonvoy Moments
Using Points for Flights, Car Rentals, and Cruises
Marriott Bonvoy points can also be redeemed for flights, car rentals, or cruises through Marriott’s travel redemption portal. However, these options usually do not provide the best value for your points.
You can also utilize points to book trips via the Cruise with Points program or for sailings with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
For most cruises, you can exchange points for a certificate representing a discount off the total fare. The minimum redemption is 63,000 points, worth $250. If your points fall short, you can cover the remaining cost out of pocket and earn 3 Marriott points for each dollar spent, which typically yields about 0.4 cents per point.
Conversely, booking with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection requires a minimum of 180,000 points, redeemable for a $1,000 discount on the cruise fare, offering slightly better value at 0.55 cents per point. However, hotel stays often yield greater returns on your points.
While redeeming points for flights, rentals, and cruises might not optimize their value, it can still provide savings if you have a substantial rewards balance and aren’t planning to redeem them at Marriott properties.
Purchasing Merchandise via Marriott Shopping
Lastly, you can utilize your Marriott Bonvoy points to acquire merchandise and gift cards.
The Marriott online store features a variety of products, from Uber gift cards to headphones and Bluetooth speakers. Keep in mind, redemption values may vary widely, with most purchases yielding relatively low returns.
However, if your intention isn’t to redeem points on travel-related items, using Bonvoy points for gift cards or other products is a worthwhile approach to conserve cash.
Best Credit Cards for Booking Marriott Hotels
Securing sufficient Bonvoy points for your next redemption is straightforward with a variety of cobranded credit cards loaded with benefits. Here are some of our top picks along with their current welcome offers:
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn three complimentary nights (each valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 within the first three months after account opening. Note: Certain hotels may charge resort fees.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 30,000 bonus points with a $1,000 purchase within the first three months of account opening.
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 185,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn 125,000 bonus points after a total of $8,000 in purchases within the first six months. Offer ends Oct. 22, 2025.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Earn 155,000 bonus points after a total of $5,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Remember, you can also transfer points from three credit card programs: Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, and Chase Ultimate Rewards. Moreover, enhance your Marriott points balance via the Eat Around Town dining program.
In Summary
Though Marriott Bonvoy points have seen a decline in value recently, numerous avenues still exist to maximize your points—whether it’s indulging at a luxury resort or planning a budget-friendly family getaway (or a mix of both).
We recommend focusing on hotel stays or transferring points to airline partners to garner the best value, allowing you to explore the globe economically.
