Marriott offers rewards points for each time you stay at one of its many hotels or resorts; these points can be redeemed for free hotel nights, hotel upgrades, airline miles and spent on other things such as transportation, travel packages, and shopping vouchers. Learn about the different ways you can redeem rewards, and how to maximize your Marriott Rewards points value.

What can I redeem with my Marriott Reward points?

Understanding the point system and the different rewards available is the first step to getting the most out of your Reward points. From hotel rooms to rental cars, spa packages to cruises, there’s quite a handful of reward options, for points accumulated from simply staying at a Marriott hotel, no extra costs.

Hotels

• Convert Points to Free Nights.
• PointSavers: In a handful of locations across the globe, you can redeem rooms using less Reward points. PointSaver locations change over time.
• Room Upgrades.
• Instant Redemption: You can redeem your points for cash value at participating Marriott hotels for cocktails, meals, spa experiences – anything that can be charged to your hotel room. You can visit the link to calculate your reward. For example, if you redeem 2,500 points, a $5 value will be deducted from your bill.

Airline Miles

• Convert your rewards points into airline miles.

Shopping

• Shop Popūlr Rewards: Marriott’s online mall; ships to U.S. and 200+ countries. Start shopping by logging in with your Rewards account.
• International Retail: Use points for shopping vouchers in Japan and China. Order online before use.

Travel & Unwind

• Marriott Rewards Air + Car: Points can be used and deducted from the cost of rental cars and plane tickets. There are no blackout dates with Air + Car Rewards. Airline tickets can only be cancelled in limited circumstances, there is a cancellation fee of $35 for a car rental,  and redeemed tickets or rentals cannot be transferred to someone else.
• Cruises: When you redeem Marriott Rewards points, there is no limit to how many points you redeem towards the cruise. You also earn 3 points for every dollar spent.
• Travel Packages: Exchange your points for a week of hotel accommodations with airline miles included. Point conversion is available online.

Buy, Transfer and Gift Points

• Buy, Gift, or Transfer Points: Not enough points? You can purchase up to 50,000 points a year for yourself or to gift to someone. You can also transfer points to another Rewards account.

Have any further questions or comments? Contact Marriott customer service.

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With PointSavers, you can redeem free nights for less. If a Category 1 Hotel costs 7,500 Reward points to redeem, then you can use 7,500 PointSavers to redeem a Category 2 Hotel. If a Category 2 Hotel costs 10,000 Reward points, then a Category 3 Hotel costs 10,000 PointSavers. Here is a table of the reward point conversions.

How do I book Marriott PointSavers?

• When searching for a hotel, check “Use Marriott Rewards points.”
• Enter your location and dates, then click “Find.”
• Select the hotel of your choice, and click “View Rates.”
• When PointSavers are available, it will display under room details.

Are your dates flexible?

• Go to Find & Reserve and check “Use Marriott Rewards points” and “My dates are flexible.”
• Enter your location and dates, then click “Find.”
• Select the hotel of your choice, and click “View Rates.”
• A calendar will display showing you when you can find the lowest points available.
• Lowest points are PointSavers deals!

Have any further questions or comments? Contact Marriott customer service.

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The Courtyard Milpitas Silicon Valley is a Category 3 hotel with a standard room rate starting $279/night. It takes 15,000 points to redeem, so each point is worth:

$279/15,000 = 0.0186, or 1.86 cents per point

Here is another example. TownePlace Suites Milpitas Silicon Valley is within the same neighborhood, and is a Category 4 hotel with a standard room rate starting at $299/night. It takes 20,000 points to redeem, so each point is worth:

$299/20,000 = 0.01495, or 1.5 cents per point

We can see that from these specific examples, when the category increased, the value of each point decreased. The per point value is higher for the category 3 hotel rather than the category 4 suite, in this particular comparison.

This is another Courtyard hotel, but category 5. The standard room rate starts at $289/night and takes 25,000 points to redeem, so each point is worth:

$289/25,000 = 0.01156, or 1.156 cents per point

Now let’s compare this category 5 Courtyard with the first category 3 Courtyard hotel. The point value went from 1.86 to 1.156, or decreased about 38% when the category went up 2 levels; these hotels are also within the same city, a few miles from each other.

When you redeem 4 nights with Marriott Rewards points, you get a 5th night free. So, the number of nights you redeem can change the point value as well. Let’s look at the details of our first hotel example:

• The Courtyard Milpitas Silicon Valley is a Category 3 hotel with a standard room rate starting $279/night. It takes 15,000 points to redeem, so each point is worth:$279/15,000 = 0.0186, or 1.86 cents per point
• If we stay 4 nights and get the 5th night free, the return value is ($279 x 5 nights)/(15,000 * 4 nights) = 0.02325, or 2.325 cents per point
• With the free night, the point value increases by 25%

Calculating reward earn rates cannot account for all factors that go into making a hotel decision, but browsing around and comparing will definitely help you spot the better redemption options. As a general rule, a rewards earn rate above 1 cent is considered pretty good.

Have any further questions or comments? Contact Marriott Rewards customer support.

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Here’s how the Marriott best rate guarantee works:

• Book a Marriott room using any Marriott reservation channel (Marriott.com, Marriott Hotel Telephone Reservations, or directly at a hotel).
• If within 24 hours of making your reservation, you find a lower hotel rate for the same hotel, room type and reservation dates, then submit a qualified claim form, Marriott will match the rate and give you an extra 25% discount on the room.
• If you found a lower rate through a Marriott Reservations Channel, a travel agency, or a travel management company, you must reserve the second reservation before completing the claim form. If you found your lower rate through a non-Marriott Internet site, you do not need to make a second reservation, but you will need to provide the Web address where you saw the lower rate.
• When submitting the form, you need to provide the information of the room rate reserved at an official Marriott source and the “Comparison Rate” information such as room rate, currency, where did you find the lower rate, and a completed Claim Form has to be submitted within 24 hours and must be for the same hotel, room type and reservation dates.

The Fine Print

• The Best Rate Guarantee does not apply to the following: Delta Hotels, Protea Hotels®, Ritz-Carlton Montreal, The Ritz London, Hotel Ritz Madrid, and Ritz-Carlton Residences.
• One reservation must be made through any Marriott reservation channel such as Marriott’s worldwide reservations centers, a Marriott hotel or an official Marriott website, for one of the following brands: JW Marriott®, Renaissance® Hotels, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, The Ritz-Carlton®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites® , TownePlace Suites®, Moxy Hotels®, Atlantis, BVLGARI®, and EDITION®.
• The “Comparison Rate” must be found, and a completed claim form submitted, within 24 hours of booking the reservation through the Marriott reservation channel and must be for the same hotel, room type and reservation dates. In addition, if the Comparison Rate is found on the day of arrival, the claim must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. of that day in the hotel’s time zone in order to ensure timely processing.
• Marriott will verify the Comparison Rate within 24 hours of receiving your claim and notify you of the results. For claims submitted on the day of arrival, the claim will be processed within approximately four hours.
• When multiple rates for the same hotel, reservation dates, and room type are available through a Marriott channel you must reserve the lowest rate to be eligible for the guarantee.
• The Comparison Rate must be reservable by the general public and be verifiable by Marriott. If the Comparison Rate is offered through a Marriott channel, you must reserve that rate to qualify for the guarantee. Marriott will not charge a cancellation fee. If the Comparison Rate is reserved through a non-Marriott channel, Marriott is not responsible for any fees or other costs incurred due to cancellation of a reservation.
• Rate comparison will be made net of any taxes, gratuities, or any other fees associated with the room rate, and the Comparison Rate must still be available at the time Marriott validates the claim. Rate disparities primarily attributable to fluctuations and/or differences in currency exchange rates are excluded from the guarantee. Marriott may deny claims where the difference between the comparison rate and the rate on the Marriott reservation channel is less than $1.
• Comparison Rates applicable to only a portion of your entire scheduled stay will not be honored. Comparison Rates applicable to a multi-day stay will not be honored if the total room cost of the stay is the same or greater than the total room cost through a Marriott channel.

Have any further questions or comments? Contact Marriott customer service.

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In addition to  redeem rewards points for hotel stays, room upgrades and airline miles, here are ways in which you can redeem your Marriott Reward points for gift cards, travel packages and merchandise.

Redeem for gift cards

When redeeming your Marriott rewards points for gift cards, you can redeem 30,000 points for a $100 gift card, or 17,000 points for a $50 gift card, or $10,000 for a $25 gift card.  Obviously, this is not a good way to redeem your points as each point only worth 0.0025 – 0.003 cents. Click here to see the participating brands and how you can redeem.

Redeem for travel expense and transportation

• Marriott Rewards Air + Car: Points can be used and deducted from the cost of rental cars and plane tickets. There are no blackout dates with Marriott Rewards Air + Car. Airline tickets can only be cancelled in limited circumstances, there is a cancellation fee of $35 for a car rental,  and redeemed tickets or rentals cannot be transferred to someone else.
• Cruises: When you redeem Marriott Rewards points, there is no limit to how many points you redeem towards the cruise. You also earn 3 points for every dollar spent.
• Travel Packages: Exchange your points for a week of hotel accommodations with airline miles included. Point conversion is available online.

Shopping and Dining Rewards

• Shop Popūlr Rewards: Marriott’s online mall; ships to U.S. and 200+ countries. Start shopping by logging in with your Rewards account.
• International Retail: Use points for shopping vouchers in Japan and China.For example, you can redeem 10,000 Marriott rewards points for 20,000 Ctrip points, or redeem 20,000 for ¥5000 Japanese Common Voucher. Order online before use.
• Instant Redemption: You can redeem your points for cash value at participating Marriott hotels for cocktails, meals, spa experiences – anything that can be charged to your hotel room. You can visit the link to calculate your reward. For example, if you redeem 2,500 points, a $5 value will be deducted from your bill.

Have any further questions or comments? Contact Marriott Rewards customer support.

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Marriott Rewards is the award-winning frequent traveler program that rewards you with points toward free vacations, or your choice of frequent flyer miles in your preferred airline programs, along with exclusive membership privileges. When join the Rewards Program, your earnings automatically default to points; to earn miles, select your favorite airline and provide your frequent flyer program number. You can enroll online for free.

How do I earn Marriott Rewards points?

The number of Rewards points you earn varies by Marriott hotel brands. As a basic member, you can earn 10 points for every dollar spent on all qualifying charges at Marriott hotels, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Marriott Vacation Club, and Autograph Collection; earn 10 points for your room rate only at Ritz-Carlton, Edition, Moxy, Springfield Suites, Protea Hotels, AC Hotels, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Gaylord Hotels, and Courtyard Marriott; earn 5 points on your room rate only at Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites properties. The qualifying charges may include room rates, room service food and beverage, in-room movies, phone calls and in-room minibar purchases, spa treatments, and dining at Marriott hotels.

When you reach Silver Elite status, you will receive a 20% bonus on points for stays. When you reach Gold Elite status, you will receive a 25% bonus on points for stays. When you reach Platinum Elite status, you receive a 50% bonus on points.

Read More: Earn Marriott rewards points – what you should know

How do I earn Airline Miles?

If you choose to earn miles when joining the Marriott Rewards membership, each dollar spent will earn you 1-2 airline miles. Different Marriott hotel brands may earn more or less miles.

For most of the participating airlines, you earn 2 airline miles per USD spent on all qualifying charges at: JW Marriott,  Autograph Collection^® Hotels, Renaissance^® Hotels, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Vacation Club. You earn 2 airline miles per USD spent on room rate only at: The Ritz-Carlton, EDITION, Gaylord Hotels.  You earn 1 airline mile per USD spent on room rate at: Courtyard by Marriott, AC Hotels by Marriott, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Marriott Executive Apartments, Moxy Hotels, Protea Hotels^® (limited participation).

Read More: Earn airline miles with Marriott rewards

Can I convert Marriott Rewards points into Airline Miles?

Yes. Your Marriott Rewards points can be converted into frequent flyer miles. The more Rewards points you convert, the higher the conversion rate, and thus the more miles you receive. Depending on the different airlines, you get 1,500 – 2,000 miles for 10,000 points, 3,500 – 5,000 miles for 20,000 points, and 7,000 – 10,000 miles for 50,000 points, and so on. You’ll receive a 20% discount when you convert your points to United Airline’s MileagePlus award miles.

Can I convert Airline Miles into Marriott Rewards points?

No. Airline miles generally cannot be converted back into Marriott Rewards points, with one exception: Marriott Platinum members have automatic Silver Premier status with United Airlines, and because United and Marriott are partners, all MileagePlus Premier members can convert their miles into Marriott Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio. Airline miles also cannot be converted into another participating frequent flyer program’s miles. Converting airline miles into Marriott points cannot be done within the Marriott site; just as with most loyalty programs, the request to convert is typically with the airline site.

Rewards Points vs. Airline Miles: Which is better?

Everyone has different lifestyles and travel tendencies, but choosing to earn miles might not be maximizing the value of your dollar.

Earning points and converting points is equivalent in value when your point total is low. For example, if a person spends $1,000 for a week at Marriott, he/she would earn 2,000 miles. If the person had chosen to earn points, he/she would earn 10,000 points, which convert to 2,000 miles. However, here are three reasons why we believe Reward points are better in the long run:

• Elites earn bonuses while earning points, but not while earning miles. While earning air miles, you earn about 2 miles per dollar, which is equivalent to 10 Rewards points. As a silver elite, you can receive a 20% bonus on Rewards points, earning you 12 points per dollar. This converts to about 2.4 miles per dollar. Gold members receive a 25% bonus and Platinum members receive a 50% bonus on all Rewards points. So, it makes sense to accumulate Rewards points and then redeem air miles later.
• Conversion rate gets better when you redeem higher amounts of Reward points. For example, 8,000 points can be converted to 2,000 United MileagePlus points, but with 24,000 points you receive 10,000 United MileagePlus points; the ratio goes from 4:1 to 2.4:1, and you earn 4,000 more points.
• Redeeming a travel package gives a much higher value for the points than redeeming for miles, if you have over 200,000 points saved up.

For people who do not frequently stay at the Marriott, or are about to fly somewhere and need a little more money to cover the ticket cost, then converting to miles might be of more immediate use and value. For those who frequently stay at Marriott, choosing to earn Marriott Rewards points will get you more value in the long run.

Have any further questions or comments? Contact Marriott customer service.

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The Ritz-Carlton Rewards program is in most aspects the same thing as Marriott Rewards, but with a different name and branding. Marriott Rewards can earn and spend points at Ritz-Carlton hotel properties, and Marriott elite members receive the same treatment at Ritz-Carlton hotels as Ritz-Carlton elite members of the same level, (i.e. Marriott Rewards Gold member = Ritz-Carlton Rewards Gold member). You are only allowed to be a member of one Rewards program.

There are two main differences

Promotions

A couple times a year, Marriott runs their MegaBonus offer, in which two stays earns a free night. For most members the free night is capped at a redemption for a category 4 hotel.

Ritz-Carlton also has the same promotion of stay two get one night (up to 2 free nights), but it is specific to earning for Ritz-Carlton stays, and allows redemption for a Ritz-Carlton night instead of a mid-tier Marriott night.

Co-branded credit cards

The Ritz-Carlton Rewards credit card offers Gold status free the first year, and then renews Gold after $10,000 in spending each year. There are annual travel credits and hotel credits to offset the $395 annual fee for the card. You also receive 2 complimentary nights at any participating Tier 1-4 Ritz Carlton hotel, after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from your account opening.

The Ritz-Carlton Rewards credit card details:

• Annual Points Premium: Receive a 10% Annual Points Premium on Ritz-Carlton Rewards points earned through card purchases made during the year.
• Points per $1 Spent at any Participating Ritz-Carlton Hotel or our Worldwide Partner Hotels: Earn 5 points per $1 at any participating Ritz-Carlton® hotel or our worldwide partner hotels including JW Marriott®, EDITION®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels and Marriott Hotels & Resorts®. Earn 2 points per $1 on airline tickets purchased directly with the airline, and at car rental agencies, and restaurants, and 1 point per $1 on all other card purchases.
• Upgrades to the Ritz-Carlton Club® Level Each Year: Enjoy complimentary upgrades to The Ritz-Carlton Club® Level 3 times annually on paid stays of up to 7 nights. Advanced reservations and e-certificate are required.
  Annual Travel Credit: $300 annual travel credit to use for baggage fees, Global Entry fees, seat upgrades, access to your preferred airport lounge and more.
• Hotel Credit on Paid Stays of 2 Nights or Longer: $100 hotel credit toward dining, spa, or other hotel recreational activities on paid stays of two nights or longer.

The Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card offers Silver Elite status right after account approval and every year after account anniversary. You receive one free night stay at category 1-5 hotels every year after your account anniversary.

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It takes time for hotel rewards points to accumulate, and you do not want to spend your points on small, frivolous purchases and exchanges. However, it is possible for points to expire if left unspent too long. It is important that you know the rules about your rewards program’s point expiration, in order to avoid losing those which you spent so much money and time gathering. After all, what is the point of joining the program if you do not get to use your points?

Marriott Rewards has a 24-month period during which members must be active in using points. If you do not take care and keep up with your points, and know the rules regarding expiration, you could end up with an unfortunate surprise the next time you decide to use your points.

Marriott’s Expiration Policy

According to the Marriott Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards recent policies, members must keep their points active in order to maintain them at the end of a two-year period. Generally, it is simply a matter of participants using their points at least once within the two years to keep them. Those who do not take action with their points within 24 months (beginning January 31, 2014) will lose everything they have accumulated. This will first occur on February 1, 2016.

How do I keep my Marriott Points

There are many ways to avoid losing your points at the conclusion of the 24-month period, and to continue earning them as you do so.

Obviously, redeeming your points for a stay at any of Marriott’s more than 4,000 hotels is a qualifying activity, as is turning points into airline miles and vice versa. You can also organize an eligible event with Marriott’s Rewarding Events program. Points may be used to purchase merchandise—from both Marriott and other allotted brands—and other offers. You can gather points through a Marriott program partner and purchase them.

There are actions that do not qualify as methods for maintaining your points, as well. Gifting and transferring points, including receiving them as gifts, does not count as activity that will help you keep your points at the end of 24 months. Points gained via social media promotions and programs, registering for promotions, and ownership stays by Marriott Vacation Club owners also do not count.

Keeping Your Marriott Points with Marriott Credit Cards

Making purchases with a Marriott Rewards, Ritz-Carlton Rewards, or a qualifying co-branded credit card is one of the better ways of gathering and keeping points. These cards offer points per purchase that can be turned into miles, purchases, stays at Marriott locations, and more. In addition, using these cards can yield other offers and benefits that make them worth owning.

All you need to do to gain and keep points is make a purchase with your card. If, for some reason, you are not in a position to use your credit card for some time, you can easily browse through Marriott-approved shopping sites and make a small, qualifying purchase in order to keep the points you have.

For more detailed information on Marriott Rewards and Ritz-Carlton Rewards points, how and when they expire, and how to prevent them from doing so, read the brand’s policies on memberships and rewards.

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To earn your free night, simply follow the 3 steps:

• Join Marriott Rewards for free. You will be automatically registered to earn your free night certificate.
• Stay twice at participating hotels during your earning period. Your earning period starts the day you enroll through the end of that month, plus an additional 120 days. Your electronic free night certificate will be automatically deposited into your Marriott Rewards account after completing two qualifying paid stays.
• Earn a free night at a category 1 – 5 hotel after your 2nd paid stay. A category 5 hotel is worth around $250 depending on the location.

The Fine Print

A stay is defined as consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/check-out activity.

Free night certificate must be redeemed within one year from the date of issue and is for a standard room type. You may use additional Marriott Rewards points to upgrade your room type. At participating Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites properties, Certificates are for a studio or one bedroom. Certificate is valid only in connection with individual travel and is not applicable to group travel, package tours, conventions or other special rates and/or package programs.

Participating Marriott hotels include the following brands: JW Marriott®, EDITION®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, AC Hotels by MarriottSM, Marriott Hotels & Resorts®, Courtyard by Marriott®, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott®, SpringHill Suites by Marriott®, Residence Inn by Marriott®, TownePlace Suites by Marriott®, Gaylord Hotels®, Marriott Vacation Club® brands, and Ritz-Carlton®.

Have any further questions or comments? Contact Marriott customer service.

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We all know that famous saying: “The way to a person’s heart is through their stomach”, and Marriott’s no stranger to it. Frequent travelers always look for free breakfast when they make hotel reservations. With over 4,000 properties in 80 countries and territories around the world, Marriott hotels make sure that their guests have a memorable stay, with breakfast to fuel each day’s adventures.

There are currently 2,148 Marriott hotels globally that offer free breakfast. Click here to find which hotels are in the list. In general, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, and TownePlace Suites provide customers with free breakfast daily.

For Marriott Rewards Gold and Platinum Elite members, they (plus one guest) will receive complimentary continental breakfast seven days a week at participating JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® , Renaissance® and Marriott Hotels in the U.S. and Canada. In Europe, any time the lounge is closed, Gold and Platinum Elite members will have a choice of continental breakfast for two in the hotels’ restaurant or 750 Reward points. Platinum Elite members will also get a new Platinum Arrival gift: your choice of either 500 points or a $10 food and beverage coupon to be used during your visit. As always, outside the U.S. and Canada, they will receive free continental breakfast daily at participating hotels. Click here for additional information on Marriott Elite Member benefits.

Have any further questions or comments? Contact Marriott customer service.

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