Welcome to the world of Marriott Bonvoy, where over 8,000 properties worldwide open up incredible opportunities to book stays using points and miles! Here’s everything you need to know to maximize this program, from elite status to redeeming points and free night awards.
Marriott Elite Status
Joining the Marriott Bonvoy program is free and offers perks right from the start, such as mobile check-in, free Wi-Fi, and the ability to earn points toward elite status. Marriott Bonvoy has five elite levels: Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador. The higher your tier, the more perks you unlock—ranging from bonus points, late checkout, and room upgrades to more premium benefits like 48-hour room guarantees and airline award status matching. Silver status, for example, requires just 10 nights per year, while Titanium demands 75 nights, though Marriott credit cards can also help you earn status faster. For those who stay frequently, Marriott Bonvoy offers lifetime status, rewarding loyal members with permanent perks.
Earning Marriott Points
Transfer from Credit Cards: Marriott Bonvoy is a transfer partner of Chase, American Express, and Bilt, making it easy to top up your points. While Marriott also has over 40 airline partners for point transfers, be mindful as these transfers are usually at a less favorable 3:1 ratio.
Earn by Staying: Staying at Marriott properties is the simplest way to rack up points. Most properties offer 10 points per dollar spent, with extra bonuses for higher elite tiers. For example, Titanium members earn a 75% bonus on points, leading to 17+ points per dollar on stays, including dining and other expenses on-property.
Dining Rewards: With Marriott’s Eat Around Town dining program, you can earn points at participating restaurants, even without elite status. Members earn 4 points per dollar, while Silver members or above earn 6 points per dollar. This stacks with credit card rewards, providing an easy way to boost your points balance.
Marriott Credit Cards
Marriott offers several co-branded credit cards, from no-annual-fee options like the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card to premium cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Each card has benefits like elite night credits, which help you climb to higher status tiers. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold offers 15 elite nights toward Silver status, reducing the nights you need to earn Gold. Combining multiple Marriott cards can also accelerate progress toward higher elite levels, allowing for perks that might otherwise take years to earn.
Redeeming Marriott Points
Dynamic Award Pricing: Marriott now uses dynamic award pricing, meaning points required per night vary based on factors like the cash price of the room. While fixed award charts offer more predictability, dynamic pricing still allows great redemptions, especially when taking advantage of certain benefits.
Fifth Night Free: Marriott offers a fifth-night-free benefit on award bookings, so if you book a five-night stay, one night is free. This perk also applies in multiples, so a 10-night stay would include two free nights—an easy way to stretch your points further.
Free Night Awards: Many Marriott credit cards come with free night awards worth between 35,000 to 85,000 points. Some cards offer free night certificates as a welcome bonus or annual benefit, allowing you to redeem for a free stay each year. Marriott also allows “topping up” these awards with an additional 15,000 points, so if a room costs 39,000 points, for instance, you can use a 35,000-point certificate and cover the extra 4,000 points, making these certificates even more versatile.
Final Thoughts
With the largest global footprint of any hotel brand, learning how to leverage Marriott Bonvoy can open up fantastic travel experiences. Whether you’re aiming for elite status, earning points on everyday expenses, or redeeming them for unforgettable stays, Marriott Bonvoy offers numerous ways to maximize your rewards. Dive into this program, and start planning your next trip!
