Here's a Q&A topic I'll throw out there, and maybe it's also an idea for a future blog post. At the moment, some Marriott Bonvoy credit cards have increased welcome bonuses. The topic of special offers on Marriott cards often leads to (largely warranted) shade about the value of the Bonvoy program, etc.
There's no denying that there are many aspects of the Bonvoy program that can be frustrating. Personally, I value Bonvoy points at 0.7 cents each, and despite my frustration with devaluations over the years, I still do pretty regularly get outsized value with my points.
For example, I recently booked a night at the St. Regis Venice for 132,000 Bonvoy points (worth $924 by my valuation), while the cash price was an offensive $3,200. Admittedly I would never pay that much cash to stay there, but still, it was quite a redemption. Or looking less high end properties, I also recently had a stay at the AC Hotel Innsbruck, where peak season rates were $400, and I redeemed just 30,000 Bonvoy points (worth $210 by my valuation).
With that in mind, I'd love to hear from others about some of the best uses of Bonvoy points that you've found in recent times? And even better, any particularly good uses of free night awards, whether 35K, 50K, or 85K?
Just as a reminder, here are the current offers:
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card offer
- Marriott Bonvoy Business Card offer
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card offer
My best was 5 nights at Mandapa for 414,000 points last year (buy 4, get 1 free obviously). Around $6,500 cash value for the 5 nights. Amazing stay!
Best 85k cert redemptions were W South Beach (RIP :() with a suite upgrade, and NY Edition
I don't look a lot for sweet spots in themselves but rather when I want or need to go somewhere and I find a useful value for me. I took the family to Ritz in Laguna Niguel over 4th of July weekend, rates were starting at $1200 a night and I booked a redemption rate at 90 000 points a night. The NUAs got me a suite to boot. Steep in pure points terms if you have been around for a while, on the other hand the family got to experience an amazing property, great service, top notch beach and amenities. I value those kinds of redemptions.
My last two redemptions were both in Chicago, at the Ritz-Carlton in 2025 (using 2 FNCs), and The St. Regis (2 FNCs w/ top-up + points for 3rd night) last week. Both were good “value” (the RC was $750/night, the St. Regis $1100/night), but I wouldn’t pay nearly that much to stay at either place. I did like them both though and would stay at either again (though I liked the St. Regis more).
None of my prior redemptions were memorable enough to mention here.
I have two hotels in my radar:
- the cheap Moxy in Tromso (5 nigths in December: 1500€ or 96k for the stay)
- Leopard Sands in Kruger Park, South Africa (5 nights in April 4000€ or 416k for the stay)
I really enjoyed my stay at Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain in February 2024. Used 50k FNC plus 5-11k points per night top up. Can't remember the cash price specifically but somewhere in the $700-800 nightly range I think. Was a great property then, but looks like it's up to 83k points a night now for winter weekends.
I was looking for a hotel in NOLA for the Taylor Swift concert back in October 2024. I checked daily for rates to drop with cash or become available on points. I got very lucky after constant checking and scored the Ritz Carlton for 90k points about 30 days before the Eras Tour. By far my best deal after getting the tickets a little late. I want to say the cash rate was around $4k/night for the room I got. Always checking in the morning hours certainly helped! (And 30 days out seems to work well too)
Most of my 'best' Marriott redemptions have been in the Maldives, leveraging the 5th Night Free, including: Ritz-Carlton at Fari (400K), St. Regis at Volmmuli (340K), JW Marriott at Vagaru (280K), each entry-level overwater bungalow or beach villa (received a few 'upgrades,' as a mere Platinum, and the complimentary breakfasts were helpful); I think the rates have dramatically increased since I've been there; rest assured, you still pay plenty out-of-pocket (many thousands of dollars) due to the seaplane/boat transfers, meals, spa, etc. Oh, and getting there has become more complicated due to the war (most of the best flights from N. America to the Indian Ocean route via ME; think QR, EK, etc.)