Marriott Bonvoy Point Values & Sweet Spots
Discover the true value of Marriott Bonvoy points in 2024 with our comprehensive analysis of redemption rates, sweet spots, and valuation strategies. Learn how to maximize your points for luxury stays and get up to 2.5 cents per point in value.
What You'll Learn
Current Marriott Bonvoy Point Valuations
2024 Average Value
Marriott Bonvoy points are worth an average of 0.84 cents per point, but can range from 0.4 to 2.5+ cents depending on how you redeem them.
Understanding Marriott point values is crucial for maximizing your rewards. The value you get depends on several factors including the property category, location, season, and specific redemption type.
| Redemption Type | Value (CPP) | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury Hotels (Category 7-8) | 1.2-2.5¢ | Excellent |
| Mid-tier Hotels (Category 4-6) | 0.7-1.2¢ | Good |
| Budget Hotels (Category 1-3) | 0.6-1.0¢ | Fair |
| Airline Miles Transfer | 0.4-0.6¢ | Poor |
| Gift Cards/Merchandise | 0.3-0.5¢ | Avoid |
Factors That Increase Value
- ✓ Fifth night free on award stays
- ✓ Off-peak redemptions
- ✓ High-end properties in expensive cities
- ✓ Last-minute bookings at sold-out hotels
Factors That Decrease Value
- ✗ Peak season pricing
- ✗ Budget properties with low cash rates
- ✗ Non-hotel redemptions
- ✗ Properties with high resort fees
Marriott Point Values by Hotel Category
Marriott uses a category system from 1-8, with each category requiring different point amounts. Here's the complete breakdown for 2024:
Categories 1-2: Budget Properties
Off-Peak
5,000-10,000
Standard
7,500-12,500
Peak
10,000-15,000
Average Value: 0.6-0.8 cents per point
Best For: Road trips, quick overnight stays, maximizing elite night credits
Categories 3-4: Mid-Range Properties
Off-Peak
15,000-20,000
Standard
17,500-25,000
Peak
20,000-30,000
Average Value: 0.7-1.0 cents per point
Best For: City centers, business travel, solid value redemptions
Categories 5-6: Premium Properties
Off-Peak
30,000-40,000
Standard
35,000-50,000
Peak
40,000-60,000
Average Value: 0.9-1.3 cents per point
Best For: Popular destinations, upscale properties, special occasions
Categories 7-8: Luxury Properties
Off-Peak
50,000-70,000
Standard
60,000-85,000
Peak
70,000-100,000
Average Value: 1.2-2.5+ cents per point
Best For: Aspirational redemptions, honeymoons, bucket list properties
Maximizing Value with Peak vs Off-Peak Pricing
Marriott's dynamic pricing model means the same room can cost vastly different point amounts. Understanding these patterns is key to maximizing value:
Point Savings by Season
25-35%
Off-Peak Savings
Baseline
Standard Rates
20-40%
Peak Premium
Regional Patterns to Know
Caribbean & Mexico
Peak: December-April | Off-Peak: May-November (hurricane season)
Europe
Peak: June-August | Off-Peak: November-March
Asia-Pacific
Peak: October-April | Off-Peak: May-September (varies by country)
Ski Resorts
Peak: December-March | Off-Peak: April-November
Best Value Marriott Redemptions in 2024
These properties and redemption strategies consistently deliver exceptional value:
Top Sweet Spot Properties
Al Maha Desert Resort, Dubai
Category 8 (70,000-100,000 points) • Cash rates $1,500-2,500/night • Value: 2.0-2.5 CPP
St. Regis Maldives
Category 8 (85,000-100,000 points) • Cash rates $1,800-3,000/night • Value: 2.1-3.0 CPP
Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
Category 8 (70,000-100,000 points) • Cash rates $1,200-2,000/night • Value: 1.7-2.0 CPP
W Maldives
Category 7 (60,000-85,000 points) • Cash rates $800-1,500/night • Value: 1.3-1.8 CPP
Fifth Night Free Strategy
Book 5 nights using points and get the 5th night free - an automatic 20% discount. This works best at:
- High-category properties where you save 17,000-20,000 points
- Extended stays where you can book multiple 5-night blocks
- Properties with minimal price variation across your stay dates
Example: 5 nights at Category 7 property
Without benefit: 300,000 points
With 5th night free: 240,000 points (Save 60,000!)
Smart Marriott Point Earning Strategies
Credit Card Earnings
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Amex
6x at Marriott | 3x airlines & restaurants | 2x everything else
Marriott Bonvoy Bold®
3x at Marriott | 2x other travel | No annual fee
Chase Marriott Cards
Various earning rates | Often have better signup bonuses
Earning Multipliers
Point Purchase Strategy
Marriott regularly offers point purchase promotions with up to 50% bonus points:
With 50% bonus promotion:
- • Buy 100,000 points for $1,250 = 150,000 points total
- • Effective rate: 0.83 cents per point
- • Worth it when redeeming at 1.2+ cents per point
Transfer Partner Values
Key Insight
Transferring points TO Marriott often provides better value than transferring FROM Marriott to airlines.
Credit Card Transfer Partners
American Express Membership Rewards
Transfer ratio: 1:1 | Often has 30% transfer bonuses
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Transfer ratio: 1:1 | Instant transfers
Bilt Rewards
Transfer ratio: 1:1 | Monthly rent payments earn points
Airline Transfer Options
Marriott points transfer to airlines at poor ratios and should generally be avoided:
- • 3:1 ratio to most airlines (60,000 Marriott = 20,000 airline miles)
- • 5,000 mile bonus when transferring 60,000 points doesn't offset poor ratio
- • United Airlines at 3:1.1 ratio is slightly better but still poor value
- • Only consider for topping off airline accounts for specific redemptions
Track Marriott Point Values Automatically
Get real-time alerts when Marriott properties drop to sweet spot redemption values
Monitor unlimited properties • Price drop alerts • Free for 14 days