Marriott Bonvoy is a loyalty program that offers a wide range of benefits to its members, including the ability to earn and redeem points for hotel stays, upgrades, and more. One of the key features of the program is the ability to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to over 40 airline partners, allowing members to maximize their points and travel options.
While transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to airline partners can be a great way to use your points, I prefer to redeem Marriott points for hotel stays. In this article, I will discuss some of my favorite ways to maximize Marriott award night redemptions and get the most value out of my points.
Stay for 5, Pay for 4
One of the easiest ways to maximize Marriott Bonvoy award redemptions is to take advantage of the program’s Stay for 5, Pay for 4 offer. This offer allows Marriott Bonvoy members to enjoy a free night every time they redeem points for four nights on a stay of five consecutive nights or longer. This means that you can effectively get a fifth night free when you redeem points for a longer stay.
The great thing about the Stay for 5, Pay for 4 offer is that you can enjoy it more than once on a single Marriott award stay. For example, if you redeem Marriott points for a 10-night stay, you will get the two least expensive nights free. This can help you save even more points and get more value out of your redemptions.
However, it’s important to note that you will only get the standard cost covered on your free night if you book an upgraded room using Marriott points. So, you may want to consider booking a standard room to maximize your savings.
Combine points and cash
Another way to maximize Marriott award redemptions is to use the Cash + Points combination feature. This feature allows you to choose which nights to pay cash for and which to book with points, giving you more flexibility and control over your redemptions.
With Marriott’s Cash + Points combination feature, you can compare the rates for each night of your stay and choose the most cost-effective option. This can help you get the most value out of your points and save money on your hotel stays.
You can even use Marriott’s Cash + Points combination feature on a stay where you get a fifth night free. However, you must use points for at least five nights. This means that you can book a longer stay with a combination of cash and points, allowing you to stretch your points even further.
Use the award calendar
If you have flexible dates for your travel, you can use Marriott Bonvoy’s award calendar to find less expensive award dates for your desired property. The award calendar allows you to view month by month and compare award rates for different dates, helping you find the best value for your points.
By using the award calendar, you can identify the most cost-effective dates for your stay and maximize your points. This can help you save points and get more value out of your redemptions, allowing you to stretch your points even further.
Plan a trip around an exceptional redemption
Another way to maximize Marriott award night redemptions is to plan a trip around a specific redemption. By identifying properties with exceptional redemption rates, you can maximize the value of your points and enjoy a luxurious stay for less.
For example, you can book a stay at a luxury property like Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai, and get a redemption value of 1.6 cents per point. This can help you get more value out of your points and enjoy a unique and memorable experience.
By planning a trip around an exceptional redemption, you can make the most of your points and enjoy a luxurious stay without breaking the bank. This can help you get the most value out of your redemptions and make your points go further.
Use your free night awards strategically
Finally, you can maximize Marriott award night redemptions by using your free night awards strategically. If you have a free night award from your Marriott credit card or elite status, you can use it to book a one-night stay and save points on your redemption.
By strategically using your free night awards, you can save points and get more value out of your redemptions. This can help you stretch your points even further and enjoy more hotel stays for less.
In conclusion, there are many ways to maximize Marriott award night redemptions and get the most value out of your points. By taking advantage of the Stay for 5, Pay for 4 offer, combining points and cash, using the award calendar, planning a trip around an exceptional redemption, and using your free night awards strategically, you can make the most of your points and enjoy luxurious hotel stays for less. With a bit of planning and strategy, you can get the most out of the Marriott Bonvoy program and make your points go further.