Marriott Bonvoy credit cards and points

What Marriott Bonvoy is

Marriott Bonvoy is Marriott International’s loyalty program. You earn points on hotel stays and with co-branded credit cards, then spend them on award nights, upgrades, airline miles and experiences.

American Express Canada says points can be used for free nights with no blackout dates at over 30 hotel brands and more than 7,000 hotels. In Canada, two Amex cards earn Bonvoy points directly: the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card and the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card.

What Marriott Bonvoy points are worth

Marriott doesn’t publish a fixed value. Its terms say the points needed per night vary by hotel, room type and length of stay, and “are updated continuously and may change at any time.” So the value of a point is whatever the night you book would have cost in cash, divided by the points it costs.

We use 0.7 cents a point as a mid-range estimate. That’s the figure behind our card comparisons and the points value calculator. Your own redemptions can land well above or below it.

How you earn Marriott Bonvoy points

At the hotel, Marriott’s terms set base points per U.S. dollar of qualifying charges. Elite members earn bonus points on top.

With a card, you earn on everyday spending too. Marriott’s Canadian card page lists these rates:

At our 0.7 cent estimate, 2 points per dollar is a return of about 1.4%, and 5 points per dollar at Marriott hotels is about 3.5%, before the base points you earn as a member.

You can also move American Express Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy. Amex Canada lists the ratio as 5 Membership Rewards points to 6 Bonvoy points.

Booking award nights

Search with points on Marriott’s site or app and pick a points rate. Marriott’s redeem page says stays start at 12,000 points a night. A Standard Redemption Award covers the full cost of a standard room for one or more nights.

• PointSavers: Marriott says these rates save up to 20% on points at participating hotels, for limited periods.
• Cash + Points: a mix of cash and points for a standard room, where the hotel takes part.
• Stay for 5, Pay for 4: book five award nights in one stay and the night with the lowest points price is free.

Worked example: five nights at a hotel charging 35,000 points a night would list at 175,000 points. With the fifth night free, you pay 140,000. Free Night Awards don’t count toward this offer, so it only applies to nights you pay for in points.

The Free Night Award on the Amex cards

Both Canadian Marriott Bonvoy Amex cards give a Free Night Award after each card anniversary. Marriott’s Canadian card page says it can be used for one night at a redemption level at or under 35,000 points, at a participating hotel.

Marriott’s terms let you redeem or buy up to 25,000 more points to use the award on a pricier night. So with 25,000 of your own points, the award can cover a night priced at up to 60,000 points. If the night costs less than the award, the difference is lost, with no refund.

Transferring points to Aeroplan and other airlines

Marriott’s redeem page lists Aeroplan at 3 Bonvoy points to 1 Aeroplan point, with 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred.

At our 1.5 cent estimate for Aeroplan points, 25,000 Aeroplan points are worth about $375. That works out to about 0.63 cents per Bonvoy point, a little under our 0.7 cent hotel estimate. Transfers make most sense to top up an Aeroplan balance for a specific flight.

Marriott also lists MGM Rewards at 10 Bonvoy points to 8, and other airline partners on its site. Transfers to other members don’t count as activity for keeping your points.

Elite status and Elite Night Credits

Status comes from qualifying nights in a calendar year. Marriott’s terms set these levels:

Both Canadian cards give automatic Silver Elite and 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year. Add 10 qualifying paid nights and you reach 25, which is Gold. Marriott’s card page also offers Gold Elite after $30,000 in net card purchases a year.

Expiry and other rules

• Points and awards are forfeited after 24 consecutive months with no qualifying activity, and can’t be reinstated.
• Qualifying activity includes earning or redeeming points or miles, buying points or completing a stay. Gifting, transferring or receiving points doesn’t count.
• Card purchases earn points, so using a Bonvoy card keeps your balance active.
• An account inactive for five consecutive years may be closed.
• Free Night Awards have their own expiry dates, shown in your account.

Getting the most from Marriott Bonvoy

• Use the card’s free night every year. It’s the main reason the cards can cover their fee.
• Top up the free night with up to 25,000 points when a hotel you want prices above 35,000.
• Book five award nights together when you can, so the cheapest night is free.
• Compare the cash price on every booking and keep points for nights worth 0.7 cents or more.
• Transfer to Aeroplan only when you need miles for a particular flight, in blocks of 60,000 to get the bonus.
• Earn or redeem something at least once every 24 months.

Who Marriott Bonvoy suits

It suits people who already stay at Marriott hotels, or who will plan at least one hotel night a year around the card’s free night. The points are worth more on hotel nights than anywhere else.

If you rarely stay in hotels, a card that pays cash back or flexible points will usually return more on everyday spending. Compare with American Express Membership Rewards and Aeroplan before you choose.