You can earn points for hotel stays, through Marriott partners, and credit card spending, but credit card signup bonuses through Bonvoy’s many branded credit cards are the fastest way to earn points and free nights towards stays for most of us.
Marriott points can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, travel experiences, and can be transferred to airline miles (at a low rate).
1. Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
- Most Marriott brands: 10 points per $1 spent
- Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Element: 5 points per $1 spent
- Marriott Executive Apartments & ExecuStay: 2.5 points per $1 spent
3. Transfer Credit Card Points
Marriott is a transfer partner for Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards, which means these points can be transferred to Marriott points. Generally, this isn't the best use of these valuable transferable currencies, even during their frequent transfer bonuses, but if you have a specific high-value Bonvoy redemption opportunity and need to top off some points, it could be worth it.
4. Other Ways to Earn Points
- Eat Around Town: Link any debit or credit card to earn Bonvoy points through Eat Around Town, it doesn't even need to be a Marriott card.
- Meetings & Events: Marriott offers double points when hosting events at their properties.
- Promotions: Frequent promotions allow members to earn bonus points on stays and purchases.
- Partnerships: Marriott partners with several programs, allowing members to earn Bonvoy points on other purchases such as car rentals, cruises, Starbucks, and Uber.
- Purchase Marriott Points: Marriott points can be purchased for 1.25 cents each. This is rarely worth it unless you're topping off for a high-value redemption or taking advantage of a purchase bonus.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card: Earn a Free Night Award valued up to 35,000 points after each account anniversary.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card: Earn a Free Night Award valued up to 50,000 points after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card: Earn a free Night Award (valued up to 85,000 points) every year after your account renewal month.
2. 75 Night Choice Benefit
Achieving a 75 night Choice Benefit selection gives Bonvoy members the opportunity to select a Free Night Award certificate (up to 40K Points).
3. Targeted Promotional Awards
BRAND
Status Level
Nights Required
Key Benefits
Silver Elite
10 nights
10% bonus points, priority late checkout
Gold Elite
25 nights
25% bonus points, room upgrades, 2PM late checkout
Platinum Elite
50 nights
50% bonus points, lounge access, welcome gift, suite upgrades, 4PM late checkout, Choice Benefit when you reach 50 nights
Titanium Elite
75 nights
All of the above, plus 75% bonus points, 48-hour guarantee, reciprocal status on select airlines, better upgrade priority, an additional Choice Benefit when you reach 75 nights
Ambassador Elite
100 nights + $23K spend
All of the above, plus personalized ambassador service, Your24 check-in
- Fifth Night Free: When booking five consecutive award nights, the fifth night is free.
- Cash + Points: Combine points with cash for stays when you're short on points.
2. Free Night Award Certificates
Free Night Award Certificates are issued as credit card perks, status benefits, and as promotional awards. Each free night certificate has a maximum value. For example, a 50K free night certificate can be used for a hotel night that costs 50,000 points or less.
- Bonvoy Free Night Certificates range from 25K-85K in value, earned from credit card benefits, spend, or status Choice Benefits.
- When using free night certificates, there is no fifth night free benefit like when using points.
- If a hotel costs more points than the max value of your free night certificate, Marriott lets you top off the certificates with up to 15,000 Bonvoy points for stays more expensive than the value of the award certificate. If you use the certificate for a less expensive stay, you forfeit the excess points.
3. Marriott Bonvoy Moments
4. Airline Transfers
5. Travel Packages