Should You Buy Marriott Bonvoy Points at a 30% Discount?

Overview of the Marriott Bonvoy Points Promotion

Marriott Bonvoy has launched an exciting promotion for purchasing points with discounts of up to 30%, marking the second time this year that such an offer has been available. While not everyone may need Bonvoy points, if you're a fan of Marriott hotels, this could be a great opportunity to save a significant amount on your travels.

Promotion Period

This promotion runs from April 23 to June 23, 2026. Interestingly, it's being marketed as a "mystery promotion," meaning members will receive different offers. For instance, some accounts may see a 30% discount, while others might display an offer of up to 40% when purchasing at least 2,000 points in one transaction.

Cost of Buying Bonvoy Points

The standard price for purchasing Bonvoy points is 1.25 cents per point, but with the current promotion, if you qualify for the 30% discount, you can buy 150,000 points for approximately $1,312.50, which equates to about 0.875 cents per point. If your account qualifies for the 40% discount, you could acquire a total of 210,000 points for $1,875, translating to roughly 0.89 cents per point.

Point Purchase Limits

Marriott Bonvoy allows members to purchase a maximum of 150,000 points each calendar year, and you can also share up to 100,000 points with another member within the same year, making it easier to accumulate points quickly. Note that if you're a new member, you can purchase points after 30 days of registration if you have qualifying activity, or after one year if you don't.

Which Credit Card is Best for Buying Bonvoy Points?

Purchasing Bonvoy points is handled through points.com, so this transaction doesn’t count as hotel spending. If you’re trying to meet minimum spending requirements for a credit card or looking for a card to optimize your everyday spending, consider using the appropriate credit cards.

Is It Worth Buying Bonvoy Points?

While I’m not particularly loyal to Marriott, it’s undeniable that Marriott Bonvoy has many fantastic hotels worldwide. Particularly with the low cost of buying points, there are situations where you can derive significant value from Bonvoy points, especially during peak times when room rates are high.

How Many Points Are Needed for a Free Night?

Previously, Marriott Bonvoy had a fixed pricing chart, with costs ranging from 5,000 to 100,000 points per night. Now, there is no maximum, but most hotels still maintain prices within that range. Recently, many premium hotels have increased the points required, which should be considered if you plan to use points for your stay.

Do Bonvoy Points Expire?

Bonvoy points do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once within a 24-month period. This could be any activity, such as earning or redeeming points. This is a significant advantage for frequent travelers or those who regularly use Marriott services.

The Real Value of Bonvoy Points

Everyone values Bonvoy points differently, but I personally estimate the value of Bonvoy points to be around 0.7 cents each, which makes the current purchase price slightly higher than my valuation. However, if used correctly, you can achieve much greater value from these points.

Other Ways to Earn Bonvoy Points

Besides buying points, the best way to earn more Bonvoy points is by using co-branded credit cards with Marriott Bonvoy. These cards often offer significant bonuses for new sign-ups, and some provide benefits for everyday spending. Additionally, Marriott Bonvoy is a transfer partner with Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Conclusion

Marriott Bonvoy is currently running an attractive promotion for point purchases. This is a great opportunity to buy points at just 0.875 cents each. While I wouldn't recommend buying points without a specific usage plan, if you intend to use them, this is certainly a value worth considering.

Article referenced and edited from: One Mile at a Time