Regardless of latest modifications, Marriott Bonvoy factors nonetheless maintain worth for lodge stays and in some circumstances, it could actually even make sense to switch Marriott factors to overseas airline currencies.
On this article, we are going to discover the varied methods to make use of and maximize your Marriott factors, together with lodge reservations, airline transfers and different redemption choices.
Utilizing Marriott Bonvoy factors for lodge stays
You should use your Marriott Bonvoy factors to e book rooms at Marriott properties worldwide, however the variety of factors required can differ. Marriott eliminated its Class 1-8 award chart final 12 months, so it is develop into harder to foretell the factors wanted for a selected lodge.
Marriott’s new dynamic pricing has its upsides, as some properties now provide higher worth. Nevertheless, many properties now require extra factors than earlier than.
Along with commonplace redemptions, Marriott gives Money + Factors awards, which allow you to mix money and factors for discounted stays. Money + Factors additionally means that you can customise your keep by redeeming factors for one evening and paying money for the following, which is helpful when charges differ all through your keep.
Get a fifth evening free
One nice perk of the Marriott Bonvoy program is that in case you e book 5 consecutive nights on one reservation utilizing factors, the least costly evening is free. This free evening will robotically be mirrored while you e book on-line and applies to stays throughout all of Marriott’s collaborating manufacturers.
Nevertheless, this will get a bit tough in case you use the Money + Factors choice to redeem factors for some nights and pay money for others. You have to e book a complete of 5 (or extra) award nights to get the fifth evening free. In the event you e book a seven-night keep and pay money for 3 of them, you may have to redeem factors for all 4 of the opposite nights.
The identical logic holds true for utilizing free-night certificates from choose Marriott bank cards. In the event you go to e book a five-night keep utilizing your factors and apply a certificates to a type of nights, it will negate the fifth-night-free perk — because you’re solely utilizing factors for 4 of the nights.
Associated: Do fifth-night-free awards apply to suites or solely to straightforward rooms?
Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day publication
Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists.
Transferring Marriott factors to airline companions
Marriott permits Marriott Bonvoy members to switch factors to 39 completely different airline packages, together with some unique partnerships not out there with different loyalty packages.
You may switch Marriott Bonvoy factors to most airline companions at a 3:1 ratio, that means that 3 Marriott Bonvoy factors yield 1 airline mile. You may additionally obtain 5,000 bonus miles for each 60,000 factors transferred, which boosts your efficient switch ratio to 2.4:1. There are a number of exceptions to this rule, although:
- Air New Zealand Airpoints switch at a 200:1 ratio.
- United MileagePlus offers 10,000 bonus miles for each 60,000 factors you switch.
- American, Avianca, Delta and Korean Air now not provide 5,000 bonus miles.
Whereas airline transfers might not provide you with nearly as good a deal as lodge stays, they will turn out to be useful if it’s essential prime up your factors stability or leverage a extra obscure forex that could be onerous to earn. Simply word that you could solely switch 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors to airways per day and the minimal switch quantity is 3,000 factors.
Associated: This is what it’s best to know earlier than transferring Marriott factors to airline miles
Use factors for Marriott Bonvoy Moments
Marriott Bonvoy Moments gives a spread of destination-specific actions, comparable to concert events, sporting occasions and culinary experiences, in cities the place Marriott accommodations are positioned. These experiences may be booked utilizing Marriott Bonvoy factors. Some actions is probably not out there for money buy. To discover these choices, go to the Marriott Bonvoy Moments web site and select the class you are serious about.
Take into account that sure experiences have a set level value, whereas others are auction-based. Be sure that to assessment the phrases and circumstances earlier than making a purchase order, as most are nonrefundable.
Associated: Dwelling out my ‘Quick & Livid’ fantasy in LA with Marriott Bonvoy Moments
Use Marriott factors for flights, automotive leases and cruises
You may also use Marriott factors to e book flights, automotive leases and cruises; nevertheless, this would possibly not provide the greatest return.
For instance, we priced out a one-way flight from San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO) to Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX) on United Airways, and it value $76.01 or 20,000 Marriott factors. That is a return of simply 0.38 cents per Marriott level — which isn’t even half our 0.84 cent valuation of Marriott factors.
Redemptions on rental automobiles present an identical return, with a pattern rental automotive in Los Angeles coming in at $338.56 or 85,000 factors.
Lastly, you should use Marriott factors to e book a visit utilizing the Cruise With Factors program or for a voyage with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment. You should use 180,000 factors towards a $1,000 financial savings on The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment. After that, members can redeem factors in increments of 90,000 towards $500 financial savings. Full factors redemption of the cruise fare could also be out there, however factors redeemed don’t cowl taxes, charges and port bills. In any case, that is solely 0.55 cents per level, removed from an excellent worth.
Associated: Methods to e book a cruise utilizing factors and miles
Purchase merchandise with Marriott Procuring
Lastly, you should use your Marriott Bonvoy factors for merchandise and present playing cards.
Marriott gives a variety of merchandise on its internet retailer, from Uber present playing cards to Bose headphones and Bluetooth audio system. Nevertheless, these redemptions aren’t normally the very best use of your miles.
For instance, a $25 Apple present card prices 10,000 factors. This provides you simply 0.25 cents per level in worth, which is effectively beneath our Marriott Bonvoy valuation.
Associated: Your information to maximizing procuring portals in your on-line purchases
Backside line
Whereas latest modifications have affected the Bonvoy program, there are nonetheless methods to maximise the worth of your Marriott Bonvoy factors. We advise specializing in lodge stays or transferring factors to airline companions. These choices present the very best worth in your factors and help you discover the world affordably.
Further reporting by Andrew Kunesh.
