Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information about any information on any advertiser product, please visit their website. We have business relationships with certain partners mentioned in our communication channels. While we may receive compensation if you sign up to a product or service through our affiliate links, our analyses and content are based on objective evaluation. †Terms and conditions apply.
The Marriott Bonvoy free night certificate is the best benefit offered by American Express Marriott Bonvoy credit cards. It allows cardholders to stay for free at a participating Marriott Bonvoy hotel, typically for a night worth up to 35,000 points. To take advantage of it, simply log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account and apply it when booking the most expensive night of your stay. With this certificate, you can save over $300 per night at participating hotels.
In this detailed guide, find out how to obtain and maximize this certificate worth 35,000 points, which can save you over $300 for a night at participating hotels.
The annual Marriott Bonvoy certificate is a benefit offered to American Express Marriott Bonvoy cardholders. Worth 35,000 points, this free night certificate allows you to stay one night at no cost in participating hotels.
Two American Express cards give you access to this valuable advantage in Canada:
This annual benefit more than offsets the cost of the card, especially if you use it in hotels where nights can cost upwards of $300. This benefit can also allow you to earn Marriott Bonvoy points.
This annual certificate is worth 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Since May 2022, you have the option to top it up by adding up to 15,000 points from your Marriott Bonvoy account, allowing you to book nights worth up to 50,000 points.
For example, here is a use at the Sheraton Tribeca New York Hotel, where we stayed in 2019. The cost per night at this hotel was US$314, which is three times the card’s annual fee!
To get the best possible value, focus on stays in major cities such as New York, London or Paris, especially in high season when rates are highest.
Hotels that were previously in Category 5 of the Marriott Bonvoy program often offer the best value for these certificates.
You’ll need to wait between 8 and 10 weeks after the annual renewal to obtain the one-night free certificate worth 35,000 points directly into your Marriott Bonvoy account.
This certificate can be found in the Activity section of your Marriott Bonvoy account.
The 35,000-point free night award certificate is valid for 12 months. In addition, the stay must take place before the expiry date of the certificate.
During the pandemic, it was possible to extend the period of validity of the certificate. Marriott Bonvoy now refuses to do so.
Reservations with your free night certificate can be made directly on the Marriott Bonvoy website. When searching, select the desired hotel and check that the rate does not exceed 35,000 points (or 50,000 points if you intend to add points).
For example, at the Residence Inn New York Downtown Manhattan/World Trade Center Area, a night’s stay worth USD 319 + tax is available for 35,000 points.
At the time of payment, Marriott Bonvoy will ask you to use the certificate.
If you stay between two and four nights in the same hotel, you can combine the certificate with points to pay for the remaining nights.
For example, here is a two-night stay at the same hotel:
The certificate will be used for the most expensive night
34,000 points will be deducted for the other night
However, if you’re staying 5 nights or more, read on!
If you stay 5 nights or more in the same hotel, be careful!
If you use a free night certificate worth 35,000 points, you won’t be able to benefit from the Stay 5 nights for the price of 4.
For example, here is a 5-night stay at the same hotel:
You’ll pay 136,000 points, but you’ll have used up your Free Night Award Certificate.
Whereas if you choose to use your points without using the certificate, you can benefit from the Stay for 5 nights, pay for 4 advantage.
For example, here is a 5-night stay at this same hotel:
You’ll also pay 136,000 points and keep your Free Night Award certificate for future use.
Before canceling a reservation made with a certificate, check the hotel’s cancellation policy carefully. Cancellation policies vary according to the hotel, the period of stay and the type of rate. Some hotels require cancellation 24 hours before arrival, others up to 7 days in advance.
If you respect the hotel’s free cancellation period, your Free Night Award Certificate will be automatically returned to your Marriott Bonvoy account a few minutes after cancellation. The original expiration date of your certificate remains unchanged.
If you have any problems with the automatic return of your certificate, please contact Marriott Bonvoy Customer Service. Agents can quickly reactivate your account.
The Marriott Bonvoy Free Award Night Certificate is the most attractive benefit of the American Express Marriott Bonvoy credit cards. With nights that can be worth over $300, you’ll easily earn back your annual card fee. You can even add up to 15,000 points for access to even more luxurious hotels in the Marriott network.
And if you have both cards, you get two free nights per year!
For ideas on where to stay for free with your free night certificate, take inspiration from our guides:
The free night certificate is a benefit offered by certain American Express Marriott Bonvoy cards. To use it:
Tip: Free nights used with the certificate do not count toward Silver Elite or Gold Elite status, but nights paid with points can help earn status credits.
No, the certificate must be used for a reservation in your name. However, you can add other people to your booking so that they can stay with you.
To redeem your Amex Marriott free night certificate:
Note: Each certificate has an expiration date, so be sure to use it before it expires.
Unlike in previous years, Marriott no longer grants extensions. Plan to use your certificate before it expires, even if you need to book a stay several months in advance.
No, you can only use one certificate per night and up to 15,000 additional points.
When searching on the Marriott website, look at the rate in points per night. If it doesn’t exceed 35,000 points (or 50,000 with the addition of points), you’ll be able to use your certificate.
Once your reservation has been confirmed with the certificate, it is guaranteed even if rates increase. If rates go down, you can cancel and rebook if the cancellation policy allows.
The certificate is deposited in your Marriott Bonvoy account between 8 and 10 weeks after your card renewal date.
No, once issued, the certificate remains valid until its expiry date, even if you cancel your card.
Savings are here (if you don’t see the sign-up form, please click here):
You can change your preferences or opt out at any time by clicking on one of the hyperlinks available at the bottom of each newsletter.
If you are already a subscriber and would like to unsubscribe, you can click on the link at the bottom of any of our e-mails.
