Marriott Bonvoy
The loyalty program for Marriott International, the world's largest hotel chain with over 30 brands and 8,000+ properties globally.
Program Basics
Earning Structure
10 points per dollar at most Marriott brands, with 5 points per dollar at Element, Residence Inn, and TownePlace Suites.
Points Expiration
Points expire after 24 months of inactivity, but any earning or redemption activity extends them.
Free Night Awards
Available through credit cards, status milestones, and promotional offers.
Credit Card Transfer Partners
You can transfer points to Marriott Bonvoy from these programs:
Current Transfer Bonuses
Valid until July 15, 2025. Transfer 1,000 MR points, get 1,300 Bonvoy points.
Elite Status Tiers
Status Level | Requirement | Key Benefits |
---|---|---|
Member | None | Mobile check-in, free Wi-Fi |
Silver Elite | 10 nights/year | 10% bonus points, priority late checkout |
Gold Elite | 25 nights/year | 25% bonus points, 2 PM late checkout, welcome gift |
Platinum Elite | 50 nights/year | 50% bonus points, 4 PM checkout, lounge access, room upgrades |
Titanium Elite | 75 nights/year | 75% bonus points, 48-hour room guarantee, United Silver status |
Ambassador Elite | 100 nights + $20k spend | Ambassador service, Your24 flexible check-in/out |
Maximizing Marriott Bonvoy Points
Best Ways to Earn Points
- 1
Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
Earn up to 6x points on Marriott stays and 2-3x points on everyday purchases.
- 2
Stay at Marriott Properties
Earn 10x points per dollar on most stays, plus elite status bonuses up to 75%.
- 3
Marriott Bonvoy Dining
Earn up to 6x points when dining at participating restaurants.
- 4
Marriott Bonvoy Shopping Portal
Earn bonus points for online purchases through their shopping portal.
High-Value Redemption Options
- 1
5th Night Free on Award Stays
Get every 5th night free when booking with points, a 20% discount on five-night stays.
- 2
Points + Cash Bookings
Combine points and cash for stays when you don't have enough points for a full redemption.
- 3
Airline Transfers
Transfer Bonvoy points to 40+ airline partners, most at a 3:1 ratio with a 5,000 mile bonus when transferring 60,000 points.
- 4
Suite Night Awards
Use Suite Night Awards from Choice Benefits to confirm suite upgrades in advance.
Sweet Spots and Strategy Tips
Off-Peak & Standard Award Sweet Spots
The Ritz-Carlton, Bali
Category 5 (Off-peak: 30,000 points)
Luxury beachfront resort with rates often exceeding $500/night.
JW Marriott Phu Quoc
Category 5 (Standard: 35,000 points)
Award-winning resort with unique design and excellent service.
Marriott Wailea Beach Resort
Category 6 (Off-peak: 40,000 points)
Stunning Hawaiian property with rates regularly over $700/night.
Strategic Tips
- ✓
Book During Point Breaks
Marriott occasionally offers PointSavers promotions with discounted award rates.
- ✓
Use Cash + Points Strategically
For the best value, use this option when cash rates are moderate and point rates are high.
- ✓
Book in Advance for Peak Seasons
Marriott uses dynamic pricing influenced by demand, so book early for high-demand periods.
Pro Tip: Status Matching
If you have elite status with another hotel chain, check for Marriott status match opportunities. These are occasionally offered and can fast-track you to valuable elite benefits.
Best Credit Cards for Marriott Points
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
- •Welcome Bonus: 75,000 points after spending $3,000 in first 3 months
- •Earning: 6x at Marriott hotels, 3x at restaurants and flights, 2x on everything else
- •Free Night Award (up to 50,000 points) annually after card renewal
- •Automatic Platinum Elite status
Annual fee: $450
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- •Welcome Bonus: 3 Free Night Awards (each up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 in first 3 months
- •Earning: 6x at Marriott hotels, 3x on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining, 2x on everything else
- •Free Night Award (up to 35,000 points) annually after card renewal
- •Automatic Silver Elite status
Annual fee: $95
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Marriott Bonvoy points expire?
Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 months of inactivity. Any qualifying activity (earning, redeeming, or purchasing points) will reset the 24-month clock.
Can I combine points with another member?
Yes, Marriott allows you to transfer up to 100,000 points per calendar year to another member. Both accounts must be in good standing and active for at least 30 days.
What are Marriott Bonvoy's airline transfer partners?
Marriott Bonvoy has over 40 airline transfer partners, including popular options like American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta, United, and many international carriers. Most transfers are at a 3:1 ratio (3 Marriott points = 1 airline mile).
How does the 5th night free benefit work?
When you book 5 consecutive nights at the same property using points, you only pay for 4 nights. The benefit applies automatically at checkout when you book online. You can get up to 5 free nights on a single redemption of up to 20 nights.