Marriott Bonvoy is one of the most popular hotel loyalty programs in the world, offering a wide range of benefits and perks to its members. One of the key features of the program is the ability to buy Marriott Bonvoy points, which can be used not only to book award stays at Marriott hotels, but you can also convert them into airline miles with Star Alliance members.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the process of buying Marriott Bonvoy points, the costs involved, and some tips on how to get the most out of your purchase while they have their 40% bonus points offer running.
Marriott Bonvoy 40% Bonus Points Offer
Until 3rd April 2023 Marriott are offering an extra 40% bonus points when you buy at least 2,000 points. You can buy a maximum of 100,000 per annum, meaning that with this offer you would get 140,000 points for USD$1,250.00.
The price of one Bonvoy point is USD$0.89 under this campaign. Marriott has had some better offers in the past but it frequently has worse ones. The last campaign they only offered a measly 25% discount, however the best they have offered in the past has been up to 60%, although this is rare.
Personally I would only buy points with a specific purpose in mind, such as booking a certain property where you can definitely save money by buying points and paying with them instead of cash, or for transferring the Bonvoy points over to a Star Alliance airline if the airline doesn’t allow you to buy points (i.e. All Nippon Airways) or their points work out more expensive to buy.
Why Buy Marriott Bonvoy Points?
There are several reasons why you might want to buy Marriott Bonvoy points. Here are a few:
You need to top up your account for an award stay
If you don’t have enough Marriott Bonvoy points in your account to book an award stay, you can buy the necessary points to top up your balance. This can be a good option if you’re close to having enough points but don’t want to earn them through stays or credit card spending.
You want to take advantage of a promotion
Marriott occasionally offers promotions where you can earn bonus points when you buy points. For example, right now you can get a 40% bonus on your purchase, which can be a great way to get more value from your money.
You want to save money on hotel stays
By buying Marriott Bonvoy points, you can potentially save money on hotel stays. This is because award stays often cost fewer points than the cash rate for the same room, so if you can buy points for less than the cash rate, you could be getting a good deal.
You need extra airmiles and want to convert your Marriott Bonvoy points
Often, it can be more cost effective to convert Marriott Bonvoy points than buy points through your own airline’s loyalty programme, especially when Marriott has a bonus offer running like this current one. I frequently do this with my Singapore Airlines Krisflyer miles, and it’s how I’ve had reward flights like my Suites Class flight from Singapore to Frankfurt.
How to Buy Marriott Bonvoy Points
Buying Marriott Bonvoy points is a straightforward process, but to get the bonus a member’s account must have been open for a minimum of 90 days OR 30 if there has been any qualifying activity. Here’s what you need to do:
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account
To buy Marriott Bonvoy points, you’ll need to be a member of the program and have had an account for at least 90 days, or 30 if there’s been any qualifying activity. Log in to your account on the Marriott Bonvoy website.
Navigate to the “Buy Points” page
Once you’re logged in, navigate to the “Buy Points” page. You can find this by clicking on the “Points” tab at the top of the screen and selecting “Buy Points” from the dropdown menu.
Choose how many points you want to buy
On the “Buy Points” page, you’ll be able to choose how many points you want to buy. The minimum purchase is 2,000 points, and you can buy up to 100,000 points per transaction.
Enter your payment details
After you’ve selected how many points you want to buy, you’ll be asked to enter your payment details. You can pay with a credit or debit card.
Confirm your purchase
Review your purchase details and confirm your purchase. Your Marriott Bonvoy points should be credited to your account almost immediately.
How Much Do Marriott Bonvoy Points Cost?
The cost of Marriott Bonvoy points varies depending on how many you’re buying and whether there are any promotions running. However, with the current 40% bonus promotion each point costs $0.89.
Tips for Maximizing Your Marriott Bonvoy Points Purchase
If you’re considering buying Marriott Bonvoy points, here are some tips to help you get the most value from your purchase:
Use points for high-value redemption options
Marriott Bonvoy points can be used for a variety of redemption options, including hotel stays, travel packages, car rentals, and more. To get the most value from your points, consider using them for high-value redemption options, such as booking a stay at a luxury hotel or redeeming them for a travel package that includes both hotel and airfare.
Check the redemption rates before buying points
Before you buy Marriott Bonvoy points, make sure to check the redemption rates for the hotels you’re interested in. This will help you determine whether buying points is a good value compared to paying cash for the room.
Use a Marriott Bonvoy credit card to earn more points
If you have a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, you can earn more points on your purchases. Some cards also offer bonus points when you use them to buy Marriott Bonvoy points.
Pool points with friends or family
Marriott Bonvoy allows members to pool points with friends or family members. This can be a great way to combine points and book a higher-value redemption option that you might not be able to afford on your own.
Only buy points when there’s a promotion
As mentioned earlier, Marriott often runs promotions where you can buy points with a bonus or at a discount. Keep an eye out for these promotions and wait to buy points until you can get the best deal.
40% is a good value deal, but have a reason to buy them
Buying Marriott Bonvoy points can be a good option for topping up your account for an award stay, taking advantage of promotions, or saving money on hotel stays. Just make sure to do your research and I would have a reason to buy them rather than just buying them for the sake of the deal.
By following these tips, you can make the most of your Marriott Bonvoy bonus points purchase and enjoy all the benefits and perks of the program!