Update: A reader has reported receiving a deeper 50% discount, bringing the price down to 0.83 cents. That would be the lowest price that Marriott has sold points at since 2021. Most folks most likely won’t be targeted for 50% (another reader reported only getting a 25% bonus) but it’s worth thinking about if you have it.
Marriott is running a “Mystery Bonus Sale” that offers up to a 45% 50% bonus on purchases of 2,000 or more points until July 24th. That means you can buy points for as low as 0.86 0.83 cents per point if you’re targeted for the largest bonus.
That’s more expensive than our Reasonable Redemption Value for Bonvoy points, but could be useful for topping off for a valuable redemption. Some folks could be targeted for an even higher bonus, but some folk are also targeted for a lower one.
Note that Marriott does these points sales fairly often and is also running a transfer bonus with Chase Ultimate Rewards. Don’t feel any need to jump on this unless you need the points within the next couple of months.
The Deal
- Marriott is offering up to a 50% bonus on purchases of points through July 24th, 2024 with its new “Mystery Bonus” sale.
- Must sign-in to see what bonus amount you’re targeted for.
- Bonus percentage is partially determined by the number of points purchased. Discounts start at 2,000 points and increase with the amount of points purchased.
- Direct link to offer (our affiliate link)
Key Terms
- Transactions must be completed between 12:00 a.m. ET May 23, 2024, and 11:59 p.m. ET July 24, 2024, to be eligible for the bonus Points purchase offer with a minimum purchase of 2,000 Points.
- The bonus Points earned with this promotion through the Buy Points or Gift Points pages are not included in the annual purchase limit of 100,000 Points.
- This offer is valid only for Points purchased through the promotion’s Buy Points and Gift Points pages.
Best uses
- Stay for 5, Pay for 4 - Use points to book 5 nights in order to get one night free. Unlike some hotel programs that require that you have status (Hilton) or their credit card (IHG) to take advantage of a similar benefit, Marriott's 5th night free benefit is available for all members.
- Cherry-pick good value awards. While we usually see an average value of about 0.8 cents per Marriott point, it's fairly easy to find award stays where points are worth more than 1 cent each. If the total cost of the stay, in cents, is more than the number of points required, then it's a good value award. For example, if a hotel you're interested in costs $500.00 in cash or 40,000 points, you can compare the cash amount in cents (50,000 cents) to the 40,000 points. Since the required points are less, that means that you'll get better than 1 cent per point value. That's good!
Things to know
- When you book nights with points, you will not earn points for the stay unless Marriott is running a promotion that awards bonus points per night/stay which includes award nights.
- Most hotel taxes are not charged on award stays. Unfortunately, unlike Hilton, Hyatt, and Wyndham, Marriott does charge resort fees on award stays.
- Marriott Bonvoy points purchases are made via Points.com. You can click through from a shopping portal to earn a little cashback on the purchase, thereby reducing your net cost for the points - you can find the current rates here.
- Points.com purchases don't code as travel, so it's best to pay with a card that earns at a higher rate for everyday spend or on a card where you're working on a minimum spend requirement.
Past Marriott Points Sales
- 40% bonus (Buy points for .89c each) from February 8, 2024 to March 31, 2024
- 30% bonus (Buy points for .96c each) from November 9, 2023 to December 20, 2023
- 40% bonus (Buy points for 0.89c each) from November 1, 2023 to November 8, 2023
- 35% bonus (Buy points for 0.93c each) from August 10th, 2023 to September 8th, 2023
- 50% bonus (Buy points for 0.83c each) from May 4th, 2023 to July 2nd, 2023
- 40% bonus (Buy points for 0.85c each) from February 16, 2023 to April 13, 2023
- 25% bonus (Buy points for 0.93c each) from November 2, 2022 to December 20, 2022
- 50% bonus (Buy points for 0.83c each) from October 6, 2022 to October 13, 2022
- 50% bonus (Buy points for 0.83 cents each). Valid through April 3, 2022
- 45% bonus (Buy points for 0.86 cents each). Valid through December 8, 2021
- 55% bonus (Buy points for 0.81 cents each). Valid through October 14, 2021
- 45% bonus (Buy points for 0.86 cents each). Valid through September 25, 2021
- 30% bonus (Buy points for 0.96 cents each). Valid through June 22, 2021
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I got 35% for 2k-10k points and 45% for 10k+
35%. Might have considered it at 50%, but pass at this level.
Mine is 35%. I don’t currently need any points so not a buyer.
My offer was only for 25%. I decided to check my husband’s, his was 50%, his account is rarely used except to use his yearly credit card nights, so I am guessing that is why.
My offer is for 50% FYi
My account only shows 35%
Mine shows 40% and in the fine print on the page to buy points it says “You qualified for the 40% bonus offer because of your qualifying stay made between October 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023.”
So if you didn’t stay during that window maybe that explains why you’re not seeing 40%.
The terms of this promotion include a this-promotion-only bump to the annual limit of 100,000 points a year to 150,000. Fairly common in the tail months of the year.
Some of the high-end properties can have point values exceeding $0.02, especially around the holidays, if you can find availability 10-12 months out.
Do they sell direct? Will it trigger Amex Sync?
no, it is sold through a third party. It will not trigger any Marriott related points offers. That’s pretty universally true for all hotel and airline programs that sell points (with a few small exceptions). You can assume all points sales are brokered by a third party.
Hey Nick I think you mentioned a while back publishing an in depth review of Resorts World Vegas is that coming some time soon?
40% from 40,000 to 100,000 points. Still a little pricy for me, but getting closer
I also have 40% for 40K – 100K points.
Is it worth it to buy points and get a gift to use at a resort for your bill.
I don’t think I understand your question.
I may be mis-remembering but I think the lowest price I’ve purchased points was for $0.78.
yup – https://pointsmilesandbling.com/buy-bonvoy-points-at-0-78-cents-per-point-with-marriott-bonvoy-60-bonus-promotion-one-week-only/
I updated the post to indicate that it is “up to 50%”
So strange. Using your affiliate link takes me to a Chinese language Marriott page.
Weird! Fixed.
40% off here