Marriott Bonvoy has just launched its newest promotion on purchased points. This could represent a good deal, especially for aspirational redemptions, so let’s go over all the details.
In this post:
Promotion on purchased Marriott Bonvoy points
Through Sunday, July 2, 2023, Marriott Bonvoy is offering a bonus on purchased points. This is being marketed as a mystery bonus, so different accounts may be eligible for different offers. All the accounts I manage show a bonus of up to 50%, which can be triggered by purchasing at least 2,000 points in one transaction.
How much does it cost to buy Marriott Bonvoy points?
Ordinarily you can buy Marriott Bonvoy points for 1.25 cents each, before any discounts or bonuses. If you were eligible for the 50% bonus and maxed out the offer, you could purchase 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at a cost of $1,250. That’s a rate of 0.83 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point.
How many Marriott Bonvoy points can you buy?
Marriott Bonvoy lets you buy up to 100,000 points per calendar year, before any bonuses. Do note that Marriott Bonvoy lets you share up to 100,000 points per year with another member, which could be an opportunity to potentially acquire even more points.
The terms suggest that it could take up to seven business days for purchased points to post. Furthermore, there are some eligibility restrictions to be aware of:
- A new member may purchase points 30 days after enrollment if they have some qualifying activity
- Without qualifying activity, a new member may purchase points only one year after enrollment
Which credit card should you buy Marriott Bonvoy points with?
Marriott Bonvoy points purchases are processed by points.com, meaning they don’t count as a hotel purchase for the purposes of credit card spending.
I’d recommend using a card with which you’re trying to reach a minimum spending requirement, or a credit card that maximizes your return on everyday spending, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (review), Citi® Double Cash Card (review), or Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (review).
When in doubt, review which credit cards are best for buying points and miles.
- Earn 1% cash back when you make a purchase, earn 1% cash back when you pay for that purchase
- $0
- Earn 3% Cash Back on Dining
- Earn 3% Cash Back at Drugstores
- Earn 1.5% Cash Back On All Other Purchases
- $0
- Earn 2x Venture miles on every purchase
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
- $395
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Global Entry/TSA Pre-Check Credit
- $95
- 2x points on purchases up to $50k then 1x
- Access to Amex Offers
- No annual fee
Is buying Marriott Bonvoy points worth it?
While I’m not particularly loyal to Marriott as such, there’s no denying that Marriott Bonvoy has some phenomenal hotels around the world. At an acquisition cost of 0.83 cents per Bonvoy point, there are situations where you can get outsized value for your points, especially if you’re topping off an account for a redemption.
As of March 2022, Marriott Bonvoy introduced dynamic award pricing, so there’s no longer an award chart that redemptions follow. However, there are still all kinds of properties where you can get a ton of value, ranging from the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, to many of the Luxury Collection properties in the Mediterranean in summer.
How many points do you need for a free night with Marriott?
In the past Marriott Bonvoy had an award chart, and hotels cost anywhere from 5,000 to 100,000 points per night, not factoring in a fifth night free when redeeming for five nights. Nowadays there are no longer maximum amounts that can be charged, though you will find that a vast majority of properties don’t charge more than what was previously in the pricing range.
Do Marriott Bonvoy points expire?
Marriott Bonvoy points don’t expire as long as you have at least some account activity once every 24 months. This could include any activity whereby you earn or redeem points.
How much are Marriott Bonvoy points worth?
Everyone will value points differently, but personally I value Marriott Bonvoy points at ~0.7 cents each, and I tend to value points pretty conservatively. The purchase price is a bit higher than what I value the points, though like I said, there are ways to get much more value.
Does Marriott Bonvoy have blackout dates?
Marriott Bonvoy doesn’t have blackout dates on award nights, but the program does have capacity controls on a limited number of dates. While on most dates all standard rooms will be available for redemptions, on some dates hotels can limit the number of standard rooms that they make available using points.
How else can you earn Marriott Bonvoy points?
Aside from outright buying points or staying at a Marriott, the best way to earn Bonvoy points is with a co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit card. These cards offer big welcome bonuses and in some cases a decent return on spending.
Marriott Bonvoy is also transfer partners with Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards, though I tend to think there are better ways to redeem those points, given the amount of flexibility they offer.
Bottom line
Marriott Bonvoy is offering a promotion on purchased points. Marriott is offering a mystery bonus on purchased points, and I was targeted for a 50% bonus. This is an opportunity to acquire points for 0.83 cents each. While this isn’t a rate at which I’d speculatively pick up Bonvoy points, there are some redemptions where the math here would check out.
Do you plan on purchasing Marriott points with a bonus?
Its the same for me. I only got 30%. Not sure what is the eligibility, but I fall under platinum member
My wife and I were got the 50% offer and both took advantage. I’m a lifetime platinum but only have about 5 paid Marriott nights last year and this year so definitely not a lot of activity. We both purchased May 4 and the points were in our accounts May 5. I then did a transfer May 5 to my wife’s account and this morning (May 6) the points were there.
We were able to...
My wife and I were got the 50% offer and both took advantage. I’m a lifetime platinum but only have about 5 paid Marriott nights last year and this year so definitely not a lot of activity. We both purchased May 4 and the points were in our accounts May 5. I then did a transfer May 5 to my wife’s account and this morning (May 6) the points were there.
We were able to lock in a 5 night points saver trip for spring break next year. Normal paid rates would have been over €1k so we’re able to save 50%. Not too shabby.
This is the first time I recall ever purchasing Marriott points but didn’t have many left so figure this was a good opp.
50% for me. Never brought points but have transferred 1,000,000 plus from amex new zealand over the years. maybe since I do not want any I recieved the good offer.
30% for me
forget it. It's not going to happen
40% for me. This variable bonus stuff is so random and dumb.
30%.
Womp womp sad trombone.
30% for me also (Lifetime Titanium)
Tried yesterday to use free night award valued at 85'000 points and was told that it can be used only on basic room type. Has anyone ever heard of this?
It's always been the case.
You had a "free night award" valued **UP TO** 85000 points.
What you don't have is a "free night" award valued "at" 85000 points.
What you're trying to book is actually called “Point Upgrade Award”.
T&C is very very clear.
30% for me as well
My bonus was 30%... I was prepared to buy at 50%, not sure now.
Yesterday there was a nice offer to earn 40k Marriott with any 4d stay in hones & villas...