Hotel Promotions Marriott - buy points with a bonus or discount

[Dr Ralph]

Semi frequent opportunity to buy some Marriott points with a bonus appears to have just started. Current 50% offer ends March 25.

"Hurry - get a 50% bonus when you buy 2,000+ Marriott Bonvoy points, now through March 25.

Plus, you can double your limit. The annual maximum for purchased points will be raised from 50,000 points to 100,000 points between February 18, 2020, and March 25, 2020. You can purchase up to 50,000 points per transaction. To purchase up to an annual limit of 100,000 points as part of this promotion, an additional transaction is required. Annual limit includes points previously purchased in 2020, but does not include the bonus points earned with this promotion."

Do people use these offers regularly?

Svelte app

storefront.points.com

 

[LadyC]

I will only buy if I have a specific redemption in mind - I have bought in the past but only small amounts (2,000 points). The exchange rate certainly makes it a lot less appealing.

 

[Bell21]

As per LadyC, I have only bought with a specific redemption in mind - this is the best purchase offer they've had since the Marriott-SPG takeover as I purchased for 30% discount (not bonus) at XMAS 2019 for a specific redemption.

There is an upcoming Marriott devaluation on March 4 which appears to really reduce the value of the program, so if you have a specific redemption in mind, it's worth checking whether it's better than 'paying cash' before then, although the intro of peak/off-peak pricing has hurt the value of the program in any case.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Just purchased 50,000 points. Info on their website suggests it can take up to 7 business days for the base points to post and then another 48 hours for the bonus points to post.

Anyone confirm the above is accurate?

 

[Bell21]

When I purchased points pre-XMAS, it didn't include bonus points, so I don't have a sense how long they'll take to post. Re base points - my recollection is that it was much quicker than 7 days - I think it might've been 1 to 2 days max.

 

[dajop]

How many (US) cents per point is the net cost?

 

[Dr Ralph]

How many (US) cents per point is the net cost?

1 Marriott point = USD$0.008333333333333

Based on the price just charged to my credit card I make the conversion 1 Marriott point = AUD $0.012613333333

Seriously thinking of buying more. I've got 90+ days in the US coming up between now and the end of 2020.

This example shows why I'm inclined to buy more:

5 nights at Residence Inn Tulsa = 32,500 points. Best price I can see for cash is AUD $921. Those points would cost me AUD $410.

 

[LadyC]

1 Marriott point = USD$0.008333333333333

Based on the price just charged to my credit card I make the conversion 1 Marriott point = AUD $0.012613333333

Seriously thinking of buying more. I've got 90+ days in the US coming up between now and the end of 2020.

This example shows why I'm inclined to buy more:

5 nights at Residence Inn Tulsa = 32,500 points. Best price I can see for cash is AUD $921. Those points would cost me AUD $410.

If the numbers work for you then I would do it. It's just going through the process of working out if it is better to pay cash or use points. If you are planning on staying at a few different Marriott Bonvoy properties, it might be worth registering for the platinum status challenge. 16 nights in 3 months will get you platinum and as I understand it, award redemptions count as qualifying nights.

 

[Dr Ralph]

If the numbers work for you then I would do it. It's just going through the process of working out if it is better to pay cash or use points. If you are planning on staying at a few different Marriott Bonvoy properties, it might be worth registering for the platinum status challenge. 16 nights in 3 months will get you platinum and as I understand it, award redemptions count as qualifying nights.

All the info I can find about the challenge indicates its only for paid stays.

 

[Jacques Vert]

All the info I can find about the challenge indicates its only for paid stays.

That's a shame.

Normally, award stays count towards Elite status but apparently not for the challenge.

 

[dajop]

1 Marriott point = USD$0.008333333333333
....

5 nights at Residence Inn Tulsa = 32,500 points. Best price I can see for cash is AUD $921. Those points would cost me AUD $410.

For specific redemptions in mind it makes sense. If you can get good value like that, worth going for it.

For a general pool, less so. I'm struggling (with my travel) to acheive value of $0.00667, which is the value I have used for a while (well before the merger it was $0.02 with SPG, the factor of 3 then came into it) , with some specific exceptions (major cities when heavily booked or low tier properties like you found).

 

[LadyC]

All the info I can find about the challenge indicates its only for paid stays.

That's a shame.

Normally, award stays count towards Elite status but apparently not for the challenge.

Ah, sorry for the misdirection! I did the platinum challenge last year and it is good for the free breakfast (if that is your thing).

 

[Dr Ralph]

I've just bought another 50,000 points. One place I want to stay in Dodge City works out at $72 worth of points or $200 cash.

I can't find any example of where I will be better off paying cash.

 

[opusman]

I was looking at the Sheraton on the Park in Sydney out of interest, for my dates in May a park view club room would have been about $2500 or 215,000 points (including fifth night free). The points would cost $2728.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I was looking at the Sheraton on the Park in Sydney out of interest, for my dates in May a park view club room would have been about $2500 or 215,000 points (including fifth night free). The points would cost $2728.

Interesting. Seems strange that I'm being so fortunate in the places that I'm comparing.

 

[opusman]

Interesting. Seems strange that I'm being so fortunate in the places that I'm comparing.

Maybe the new peak award pricing has something to do with it?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Maybe the new peak award pricing has something to do with it?

Not sure. But I'm making hay whilst the sun shines! Opportunities like this are rare. I will save $5,000+ on money I expected to spend (including Mrs Dr Ralph's account). Wish I could buy 500,000 points!

 

[LadyC]

Not sure. But I'm making hay whilst the sun shines! Opportunities like this are rare. I will save $5,000+ on money I expected to spend (including Mrs Dr Ralph's account). Wish I could buy 500,000 points!

Sounds like you have found some sweet spots! I'm looking at 4 nights at the Westin San Diego for 3 people and its 170,000 points plus $200USD versus cash of $940USD. Guess I'll have to keep looking!

 

[Dr Ralph]

Sounds like you have found some sweet spots! I'm looking at 4 nights at the Westin San Diego for 3 people and its 170,000 points plus $200USD versus cash of $940USD. Guess I'll have to keep looking!

Mostly cat 1, 2 and 3 for me. Can't believe my luck

 

[opusman]

Wish I could buy 500,000 points!

There's always family transfers...