Marriott Bonvoy, the loyalty program of Marriott Hotels, is known for offering promotional pricing to sell points occasionally. One of the current promotions that Marriott Bonvoy is offering is a 40% bonus on the purchase of Marriott Bonvoy points until March 31, 2024. This promotion requires customers to buy at least 2,000 Marriott Bonvoy points in a single transaction to trigger the bonus.
Additionally, Marriott Bonvoy has recently doubled its cap on the number of points that customers can buy in a year. Previously, the limit was 50,000 points, but now customers can purchase up to 100,000 points in a year. This means that customers can buy a total of 140,000 points for USD 1,250 (INR 1,03,769), with the cost per point being US Cent 0.89 (INR 0.74). It may take up to 72 hours for purchased points to be posted to the customer’s account.
New members of Marriott Bonvoy can purchase points 30 days after enrolling if they have engaged in some qualifying activity. Additionally, Marriott allows customers to share up to 100,000 points per year, meaning that if a customer needs more points, they can buy points in the name of their siblings, partner, parents, etc., and transfer them to their account.
The question arises, is it a good idea to buy Marriott Bonvoy points? The author of this article advocates for purchasing points as redemption stays are often exempt from additional taxes, making it cheaper to redeem points for premium properties than to pay cash for them. Additionally, Marriott Bonvoy offers the ability to convert points to airline miles at a 3:1 ratio, providing customers with further value.
The article provides an example of how purchasing points can lead to significant savings. For instance, a customer who purchased Marriott Bonvoy points at a 50% bonus sale was able to book a room at the New York Marriott Marquis for significantly less than the cash price. By leveraging points and bonuses, the customer was able to secure a substantial discount on their stay.
In conclusion, the article highlights that there are numerous situations where Marriott Bonvoy points can offer outsized value, especially during promotions like the current 40% bonus offer. Customers who have credit cards that offer bonuses on international purchases can further maximize their points earning potential. Ultimately, the decision to buy Marriott Bonvoy points with a bonus depends on individual travel preferences and the potential for savings on future stays.