Marriott Bonvoy Raises Award Pricing Without Notice
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Marriott Bonvoy raised Marriott Bonvoy award pricing again in July 2026, and it did so without any advance notice to members. Award rates climbed across the chain’s roughly 10,000 properties, and the increase falls on top of an already dynamic pricing model. If you hold Marriott Bonvoy points, your balance now buys fewer free nights than it did before the July 2026 increase.
In this article, we break down what changed, share real examples of the higher rates, and explain why hotel points keep losing value over time. We also cover practical steps to protect your points and get more from each redemption. For a broader look at your options, see our guide to the best credit cards.
What Changed With Marriott Pricing
Marriott quietly increased award prices across most of its brands in early July 2026. Because Marriott uses dynamic pricing, award rates already move with cash prices and demand. However, this change pushed the baseline higher, so the average number of points needed per night rose even at properties that were not sold out. Marriott did not publish a chart or send a notice, so most members only noticed when they went to book.
The practical effect is simple. The same hotel now costs more points than it did before, and the value you get per point drops as a result. According to AwardWallet data, members value Marriott points at about 0.93 cents each. Several of the new rates fall well below that benchmark, which means you are paying more points for less value.
Real Examples of the Increase
To show the impact in practice, here are two properties where the higher rates land below the average value of a Marriott point. Both examples come from low-season dates, so peak pricing would push them even higher.
| Property | New Rate (per night) | Value Per Point | Vs. 0.93¢ Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC Hotel Scottsdale Old Town (low season) | 38,000 points | ~0.50¢ | Below average |
| The Phoenician, Scottsdale (luxury) | 67,000 points | ~0.65¢ | Below average |
At these rates, you spend more points for a redemption that returns less than the cash price justifies. In both cases, paying cash and saving your points for a stronger redemption would deliver better value. This is the core problem with hoarding points in a dynamic program.
Why Hotel Points Keep Losing Value
Loyalty programs rarely get more generous over time. Instead, they trend toward higher award prices as cash rates rise and as programs chase revenue. Marriott’s dynamic model ties award costs to cash prices, so hotel inflation flows straight into your points balance. In short, points are not immune to inflation, and the longer you hold them, the more devaluation risk you take on.
This increase also affects members who top off Free Night Certificates with points. Marriott lets you add points to bridge the gap between a certificate’s cap and a pricier property. As more hotels move above the old thresholds, that top-off now costs more points than before. As a result, a benefit that once stretched your certificates further has quietly become more expensive.
How to Protect Your Marriott Points
You cannot stop Marriott from adjusting its award chart. However, you can change how you earn and burn points to limit the damage. Here are the moves that make the biggest difference.
- Use points at regular intervals: Redeem when you find a stay that beats the cash price. Sitting on a large balance only increases your exposure to the next devaluation.
- Check value per point before booking: Divide the cash rate by the points cost. If you clear roughly 0.7 cents or more, the redemption is reasonable. Below that, consider paying cash.
- Book high-value stays first: Target expensive properties and peak dates where a free night saves the most cash. That is where points work hardest.
- Earn points close to when you redeem: Transfer flexible points or earn through spend near your booking, rather than stockpiling for years.
On the other hand, a few habits make devaluations hurt more. Avoid these if you want to keep your points working for you.
- Hoarding a large balance: The bigger your stash, the more value you lose each time Marriott raises rates.
- Redeeming below fair value: Cashing in points for stays worth less than 0.5 cents each wastes them. Pay cash instead and keep the points.
- Ignoring transferable points: Locking everything into one hotel program removes your flexibility when that program devalues.
Best Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
If you still value Marriott stays, the right card helps you earn points close to when you spend them and adds annual free night certificates. The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card both hand out a free night certificate each year, which can offset the sting of higher award rates when you use them on pricier properties.
Still, a flexible rewards card often beats a co-branded hotel card in a dynamic program. Points that transfer to several partners let you move value where it works best. Compare your choices in our best Marriott Bonvoy credit cards and best hotel credit cards guides.
Bottom Line
Marriott’s latest award increase is a reminder that hotel points lose value over time. The program raised rates with no notice, and several new prices fall below the average value of a Marriott point. That trend is unlikely to reverse, so the smart response is to spend points when you find a stay that beats the cash rate.
Treat your points like a currency that slowly loses purchasing power, because that is exactly what it is. Book high-value redemptions, keep some rewards in flexible programs, and avoid sitting on a huge balance. To stay on top of the latest program changes and card offers, subscribe to our newsletter.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $199 | |||
| $95 |
Marriott Bonvoy Award Pricing — Frequently Asked Questions
Did Marriott Bonvoy raise award prices in 2026?
Yes. Marriott increased award pricing across its network in early July 2026 without advance notice. The change raised the average points needed per night on top of the program’s existing dynamic pricing.
How much are Marriott Bonvoy points worth?
AwardWallet users value Marriott Bonvoy points at about 0.93 cents each. After the July 2026 increase, several redemptions fell below that mark, at roughly 0.50 to 0.65 cents per point. Always check the value per point before you book.
Why does Marriott keep raising award prices?
Marriott uses dynamic pricing, so award rates track cash prices and demand. As hotel cash rates rise, award costs rise with them. Programs also adjust their charts to manage costs, which pushes the baseline higher over time.
Are my booked Marriott award nights affected?
No. Award nights you already booked keep the rate you paid. The higher prices apply to new bookings only. If you have a stay in mind, book it before rates climb further.
Should I use my Marriott points now or save them?
Use them when you find a stay that beats the cash price. Because points lose value over time in a dynamic program, sitting on a large balance increases your risk. Focus on high-value redemptions where a free night saves the most cash.
What are the best Marriott Bonvoy credit cards?
The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card both include an annual free night certificate. See our best Marriott Bonvoy credit cards guide for the full comparison.
