Marriott Bonvoy

As the hotel mega-giant, Marriott Bonvoy stands out in the competitive hospitality landscape with a travel-friendly loyalty program that offers valuable points, reasonable redemptions and exceptional elite perks.

Marriott Bonvoy members can earn points for hotel stays in various ways, including eligible room rates, dining at hotel restaurants and utilizing hotel services. Additionally, members can earn points by transferring credit card points into their Marriott Bonvoy account or through cobranded credit cards designed to help you earn points.

Today, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about Marriott Bonvoy.

Marriott Bonvoy overview

Launched in 2018 as a rebranding of the previous Marriott Rewards program, Marriott Bonvoy is free to join and allows members to earn points on stays at Marriott hotels and various other outlets. Members can also earn points through the loyalty program’s cobranded credit cards.

Members can redeem points for various rewards, including free hotel nights, room upgrades and unique experiences through the Moments program for activities and excursions. The program features a tiered elite status system (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium, Ambassador) based on qualifying nights (and qualifying spend in the case of Ambassador Elite) you earn. Benefits of Marriott Bonvoy elite status include room upgrades, late checkout and access to lounges.

Marriott Bonvoy uses a dynamic pricing model for award nights, meaning the points required for free nights can fluctuate based on demand for certain properties. However, the program often features competitive redemption rates and valuable promotions, making it a favorite among savvy travelers.

I’ve been an Ambassador Elite member with Marriott Bonvoy since 2019. I’ve earned and redeemed over 5,000,000 Marriott Bonvoy points and have discovered how to maximize rewards by timing bookings strategically and leveraging elite status perks.

Marriott Bonvoy brands

Marriott boasts an impressive portfolio of around 9,000 hotels across roughly 140 countries. Its global presence is truly unparalleled.

As the largest hotel chain in the world by the number of countries served, Marriott’s scale is undeniably massive. It’s also one of the top hotel chains globally in terms of total properties,

With a diverse collection of 38 unique brands, Marriott offers something for every type of traveler. These brands range from luxurious, globally recognized hotels to budget-friendly, extended-stay options primarily found in North America. Whether you’re seeking a lavish escape or a practical stay that accommodates pets, Marriott has you covered. Here’s a look at Marriott’s 39 brands:

Marriott Bonvoy elite status

You can earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status through qualifying nights. The program offers five elite status tiers beyond the basic membership level:

Here are a few key features of the Marriott Bonvoy elite status program:

Here’s a closer look at the main benefits you can expect at each tier:

Silver Elite:
– 10% bonus points on eligible purchases.
– Priority late checkout when available.
– Member rates and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Gold Elite (additional benefits):
– 25% bonus points on eligible purchases.
– Enhanced room upgrades based on availability.
– 2 p.m. late checkout upon availability.

Platinum Elite (additional benefits):
– 50% bonus points on eligible purchases.
– Enhanced room upgrades (including select suites) based on availability.
– 4 p.m. late checkout upon availability.
– Welcome gift of points, breakfast offering or amenity — varies by brand.
– 50-night annual choice benefit.

Titanium Elite (additional benefits):
– 75% bonus points on eligible purchases.
– Guaranteed room availability within 48 hours of check-in.
– 75-night annual choice benefit.

Ambassador Elite (additional benefits):
– Personalized service from a dedicated ambassador.
– Your24 for flexible check-in and check-out.

How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points

Marriott Bonvoy offers several ways to earn points through hotel stays and various non-hotel activities. Here are the primary methods to earn points:

Stay at Marriott hotels and resorts

The most straightforward way to earn points is by staying at Marriott properties. Members earn points based on their spending and elite status level:

You can earn points on eligible room rates, dining, spa services and other incidental charges.

Just note that certain brands offer fewer points per dollar spent than others. Specifically, members earn only 5 base points per dollar at some select brands, which include Element, Protea Hotels, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites and Homes & Villas by Marriott. These brands are typically categorized as extended-stay or budget-friendly options, which may explain the lower earning rate.

Meanwhile, at Marriott Executive Apartments, members can earn 2.5 points per dollar and 1 elite night credit per 3 qualifying nights.

Earn with Marriott Bonvoy credit cards

Marriott’s cobranded credit cards help members earn points faster. Here are the five Marriott Bonvoy credit cards from Chase and American Express:

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Unlock Premium Hotel Benefits with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Limited-Time Offer: Earn up to 4 Free Night Awards + $100 Airline Credit after qualifying purchases!

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card delivers exceptional value for frequent hotel guests. With this hotel-focused rewards card, you’ll enjoy:

• 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
• 1X points per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to 17X total points per $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy® hotels
• 1 Elite Night Credit for every $5,000 you spend

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card includes valuable hotel benefits:

• 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) annually after account anniversary
• 15 Elite Night Credits annually
• Automatic Silver Elite status
• Path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 annually
• No foreign transaction fees

Your Marriott Bonvoy® points don’t expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months, giving you flexibility to save for future stays at thousands of participating hotels worldwide.

Apply now to secure this valuable hotel rewards offer!

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

Unlock Hotel Rewards with No Annual Fee – Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

Limited-Time Offer: Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after qualifying purchases with no annual fee!

The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase® delivers exceptional value for hotel enthusiasts without the burden of an annual fee. With this no-fee rewards card, you’ll enjoy:

• Up to 14X total points per $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy® hotels
• 2X points per $1 spent at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable, and phone services
• 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• No annual fee ever

The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Card includes valuable financial flexibility features:

• Travel now, pay later – Break up purchases into equal monthly payments with no interest plus no plan fees on qualifying travel purchases
• Pay Yourself Back® – Redeem Marriott Bonvoy® points for statement credits on qualifying travel purchases, up to $750 total per year

Perfect for travelers who want to earn valuable Marriott Bonvoy® points without paying an annual fee, this card offers solid earning rates on everyday categories plus enhanced earning at Marriott properties.

Apply now to secure this no annual fee hotel rewards offer!

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card

Experience Luxury Benefits with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

• Earn 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• 6X points per $1 at Marriott Bonvoy hotels; 3X points at restaurants & on flights; 2X points on all other purchases
• $300 annual dining credit ($25 per month)
• 1 free night award each year (up to 85,000 points)
• $100 property credit on qualifying Ritz‑Carlton & St. Regis stays
• Complimentary Platinum Elite status with upgrades & free breakfast
• Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® credit every 4 years
• Robust travel & purchase protections including trip delay, baggage coverage & cell phone protection
• $650 annual fee

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or an extended luxury stay, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Card delivers top‑tier perks that help you earn and redeem points faster, offset costs with valuable credits, and travel with confidence thanks to elite status and comprehensive protections.

Terms apply. Welcome offer and benefits require qualifying spend and enrollment. See issuer for complete details.

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card

Elevate Your Travel Experience with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card

Limited-Time Offer: Earn 175,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. That’s enough for several free nights at amazing hotels!

Earn Big with Every Purchase:

• 6X points at participating Marriott Bonvoy® hotels
• 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2X)
• 2X points on all other eligible purchases
• 1,000 bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott

Enjoy Gold Elite Status Perks: Get complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, including a 25% points bonus on stays, late checkout, and enhanced room upgrades.

Free Night Award: Earn a free night award (up to 50,000 points) after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases annually.

Fast Track to Higher Status: Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually to accelerate your progress toward Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador status.

Flexible Payment Options: Split up large purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with Plan It®.

$250 Annual Fee.

Apply Now & Discover the Benefits: See if you’re pre-approved with no impact to your credit score.

Terms apply. See issuer for complete details.

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

Boost Your Business Travel with the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card – Limited-Time Offer!

Get up to 5 Free Night Award certificates after spending a total of at least $9,000 in the first six months. You earn the first 3 Free Night Awards when you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months as a card member, and you can earn the next 2 if you spend an additional $3,000 within the same timeframe.

Here’s why this card is a must-have for business travelers:

• Big Rewards: Earn 6x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy® hotels, 4x points at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, on U.S. wireless telephone services, and on U.S. shipping purchases, and 2x points on all other spending.
• Save on Stays: Enjoy a 7% discount on eligible bookings at participating properties when you book directly with Marriott.
• Valuable Free Nights: Get one Free Night Award every year after your card renewal month, plus another after spending $60,000 annually (redemption level up to 35,000 points; resort fees may apply).
• Gold Elite Status: Enjoy automatic Gold Elite status with perks like bonus points on stays, late checkout, and room upgrades.

Apply Now and Elevate Your Business Travel! Terms apply.

Transfer points from Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards

Marriott Bonvoy partners with American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards to transfer points at a 1:1 ratio.

Here are some Chase and Amex cards with current sign-up bonuses that can be transferred to Marriott Bonvoy:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Unlock Travel Rewards with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card

• 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
• 5X points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
• 3X points on dining, select streaming services and online grocery purchases
• 2X points on all other travel
• 1X point on all other purchases
• $50 annual hotel credit through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary points boost on prior year’s spend
• No foreign transaction fees
• $95 annual fee

Make every trip count with flexible redemption options—transfer points 1:1 to top airline and hotel partners or boost their value when booking through Chase. Enjoy built‑in travel protections like trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary rental car coverage and lost luggage reimbursement, plus seamless account management via the Chase mobile app. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or planning your next getaway, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® delivers premium perks at an approachable price.

Terms apply. Bonus offer requires minimum spend. Annual fee applies. See Chase for full details.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Experience Luxury Travel with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card

• 125,000 bonus points after $6,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
• 8X points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠; 4X points on direct airline and hotel bookings
• 3X points on dining and eligible delivery services; 1X point on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit automatically applied to travel purchases
• Complimentary lounge access with Priority Pass™ Select and Chase Sapphire Lounges for you +2 guests
• Up to $300 in annual credits for dining at Exclusive Tables and stays with The Edit
• $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® credit every four years
• No foreign transaction fees
• $795 annual fee

From premium lounge retreats to robust trip protections—cancellation, interruption, auto rental and baggage insurance—this card lets you travel with confidence. Manage your account seamlessly in the Chase app, tap to pay with contactless security, and let automatic credits offset the annual fee for high‑value perks all year long.

Terms apply. See issuer for complete details and eligibility.

American Express® Gold Card

Experience Dining & Travel Rewards with the American Express® Gold Card

• Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months
• 4X points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per year, then 1X)
• 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1X)
• 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmEx Travel
• 1X point on all other purchases
• No foreign transaction fees
• $120 annual dining credit ($10 monthly) at select partners like Grubhub & The Cheesecake Factory
• Up to $120 Uber Cash ($10 monthly) for U.S. Uber rides & Uber Eats
• Up to $100 Resy credit ($50 semi‑annually) on eligible restaurant bookings
• Up to $84 Dunkin’ credit ($7 monthly) at U.S. Dunkin’ locations
• Transfer points to leading airline & hotel partners for maximum value

Whether you’re indulging in chef‑crafted meals, stocking up on groceries or flying across the globe, the AmEx Gold Card turns everyday spend into premium rewards. Use your monthly credits, earn accelerated points on dining and travel, and redeem points for statement credits or transfer to top loyalty programs—all while enjoying no foreign transaction fees.

Terms apply. Welcome offer and credits require enrollment and qualifying purchases. See issuer for full details.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Unlock Premium Travel & Lifestyle Benefits with The Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome Offer: 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

The Platinum Card® from American Express delivers exceptional value for travelers and lifestyle enthusiasts. With this premium card, you’ll enjoy:

• 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel®
• Global Lounge Collection® access to over 1,550 airport lounges including Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs®
• $600 Hotel Credit annually on Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings
• $400 Resy Credit plus exclusive Platinum Nights by Resy restaurant reservations
• $320 Uber benefits ($200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One membership credits)
• $300 Digital Entertainment Credit ($25 monthly for eligible streaming services)
• $300 lululemon Credit ($75 quarterly)
• $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit annually
• $200 Airline Fee Credit with your selected qualifying airline
• $155 Walmart+ Credit for monthly membership
• $100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit ($50 semi-annually)

The Platinum Card® offers premium early check-in and guaranteed 4PM late checkout at Fine Hotels + Resorts® properties, helping you maximize your vacation time.

With dedicated 24/7 Member Services support and a suite of benefits that deliver over $2,500 in potential annual value, The Platinum Card® stands apart as a premium travel and lifestyle companion.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Maximize Business Travel Rewards with the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

• 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first 3 months
• 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories annually
• 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
• 1:1 transfers to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Primary rental car coverage and trip cancellation/interruption protection
• $95 annual fee
• No foreign transaction fees

Reward everyday business spend—from shipping and advertising to telecom and travel—with elevated earning rates and seamless redemptions. Combine points across your Chase portfolio, redeem them for 1.25¢ each toward travel booked through Chase Travel℠, or transfer them to more than a dozen top loyalty partners. Stay in control with an intuitive dashboard, real‑time alerts and powerful digital tools built for busy entrepreneurs.

Terms apply. Bonus points require $8,000 spend in 3 months. Rewards cap at 150,000 bonus-category points per anniversary year. See issuer for full details.

Host meetings and events

If you host a meeting and event, you can earn up to 60,000 points per event (or 105,000 points for Titanium and Ambassador Elite members) on eligible room, food, beverage and audio/visual charges. Alternatively, you can choose to earn up to 20,000 airline miles per event. Plus, you can receive one elite night for every 20 room nights booked, with a maximum of 20 credits per event.

Other ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points

Members can also earn points by booking with Marriott’s car rental partners or purchasing gift cards. Additionally, you can buy Marriott Bonvoy points directly. However, this is typically not the most cost-effective method unless there’s a promotional offer when you can buy points for under 0.8 cents apiece.

You can also earn points with restaurants participating in Marriott Bonvoy Eat Around Town. By linking your credit card to the dining program, you can earn extra points at participating restaurants.

With numerous opportunities to earn points through various activities, Marriott Bonvoy makes it easy for members to accumulate rewards for their travels.

How to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points

Marriott Bonvoy offers various redemption options, with award nights typically providing the best value. Here are the main ways to use your Marriott Bonvoy points:

Stay at Marriott hotels and resorts

The most valuable way to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points is for award nights at participating hotels. You can book award stays online through the Marriott Bonvoy website or mobile app.

Unlike the previous eight-category fixed award chart, which was phased out in 2022, Marriott now employs a dynamic pricing model, meaning that the points required for free nights can vary based on the destination, room type, time of year and demand. For example, lower-tier properties may require fewer points, while luxury hotels will typically demand more. You should also be aware that they will need to cover any resort fees or destination charges associated with their stay, even if you have elite status.

A given night at The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas costs just under 45,000 INR (around $520).



Meanwhile, you could use 29,000 points to book this room.


By using points in this case, you would be getting nearly 1.8 cents per point, which is a fantastic use of Marriott points.

Meanwhile, a sample night at the Renaissance Paris Republique Hotel costs €373,38 (around $385).



You can book this room for 80,000 points plus €11,83 (around $12).



When you use points for this reservation, you’d only be getting around 0.47 points apiece. This gives you an idea about the massive range in value from Marriott redemptions. When possible, we recommend trying to get at least 0.8 cents per Marriott point when you redeem.

Here’s another tip — you can effectively stretch your points by 20% with Marriott’s fifth-night free benefit. For every five consecutive nights you pay with Marriott Bonvoy points, you receive the lowest point-value night free.

Here’s an example of a five-night stay at the St. Regis Houston where the least expensive of the five nights is “free.”

Redeem Mariott points for upgrades

When you book your room on the Marriott website or app, there may be options to redeem points for upgraded rooms.

For instance, at the New York Marriott Marquis, a standard room costs 78,000 points, while a Premier room requires 108,000 points or 78,000 points plus $150.



Before redeeming points, it’s always wise to compare cash and award rates. In this example, the same Premier room can be booked for $665 plus a $40 destination fee. Redeeming 108,000 points (also subject to the $40 destination fee) for this stay would yield a value of just 0.62 cents per point — below our recommended minimum value of 0.8 cents per Marriott point, making it a less favorable redemption.

Cash + Points

On some reservations, you can combine cash and points for your bookings through the Cash + Points option. This allows you to pay partially with points and partially with cash. This can be a good option if you don’t have enough points to cover your room entirely on points.

Book Experiences

Marriott Bonvoy also allows members to redeem points for unique experiences through its Moments program. While these experiences may not always provide the best value per point compared to hotel stays, they offer an opportunity to use points for memorable activities.

Transfer points

Members can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to dozens of airline partners at a ratio of 3:1, with bonuses available for larger transfers to most airlines. However, transferring points typically yields less value than redeeming them for hotel stays.

But of course, just remember that the best redemption is one that aligns with your travel goals and preferences.

Other ways to redeem Marriott points

In addition to hotel stays and experiences, members can redeem points for gift cards or merchandise through the Marriott Bonvoy shopping portal. However, these options often provide lower value per point compared to traditional travel redemptions.

Overall, Marriott Bonvoy provides numerous ways to redeem points, but members should aim for redemptions that align with their travel goals and offer competitive value.

Do Marriott points expire?

Yes, Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 months of inactivity.

To prevent your points from expiring, engage in activities such as staying at Marriott properties, using a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, purchasing points or transferring points from programs like American Express Membership Rewards. Gifting or combining points with another member also resets the expiration clock.

Bottom line

Marriott Bonvoy delivers exceptional value for travelers with flexible earning and redemption options, along with great elite perks that enhance every stay. Whether you’re accumulating points through hotel stays, credit card usage or partner activities or redeeming them for award nights, upgrades or unique experiences, this loyalty program is a favorite for good reason.

With its competitive award rates, valuable points and high footprint, Marriott Bonvoy is a must-consider program for savvy travelers. The diverse range of brands and properties ensures that members can find suitable accommodations while maximizing their reward potential.

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