Top destination ideas with Marriott Bonvoy points
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Did you take advantage of the current offer on the Marriott BonvoyTM American ExpressMD Card? Here are some destination ideas to maximize the use of your Marriott Bonvoy points!
Reminder of Marriott Bonvoy card offers
Currently, both Marriott Bonvoy cards offer an exceptional welcome bonus of 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points each.
These cards allow you to earn between 2 and 5 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar of purchase.
This means that once you have made $1,500 in purchases in 3 months to unlock the welcome bonus, you will have at least
- 53,000 Marriott Bonvoy points if you sign up for Marriott Bonvoy? American ExpressMD Card
- 53,000 Marriott Bonvoy points if you sign up for the Marriott Bonvoy? Corporate American ExpressMD Card
That’s 106,000 Marriott Bonvoy points with both cards in your pocket (the corporate version is also available to individuals in business/self-employed)!
And if you’re a couple, you could earn a minimum of 212,000 Marriott Bonvoy points since Marriott Bonvoy allows you to transfer points from one account to another (up to 100,000 points per year)!
And if you’re short on Marriott Bonvoy points, the American Express Cobalt? Card could be just what you need!
Membership Rewards points can be transferred to Marriott Bonvoy points at a very attractive 1:1.2 (or 5:6) rate.
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
- Annual fee
- $150
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$700Total$700$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $700
- Welcome offerAfter $5,000 in 3 months
- Up to 80,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
- Annual fee
- $191.88
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$255Total$255Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $255
- Welcome offerGet 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months
- Up to 15,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Reminder on the Stay 5 nights for the price of 4
One of the big advantages of using Marriott Bonvoy points to book hotels is that you can stay 5 nights for the price of 4 when you pay with points!
This allows you to save almost 20% on a 5-night stay, which is far from being negligible!
The stay must be for 5 consecutive nights, in the same hotel, which is perfect for visiting a destination.
Our top destination ideas with Marriott Bonvoy points
In this article you will find many ideas for destinations with Marriott Bonvoy points:
These have been drawn from our comprehensive map of Marriott Bonvoy hotels, selecting only category 1 to 3 hotels.
Mexico City
Mexico City has 6 Marriott Bonvoy hotels rated in categories 2 and 3:
- Four Points by Sheraton Mexico City, Colonia Roma
- Courtyard Mexico City Revolucion
- Courtyard Mexico City Airport
- Courtyard Mexico City Toreo
- Courtyard Mexico City Vallejo
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Mexico City Vallejo
Our 1st choice would be the Courtyard Mexico City Revolucion which is category 2 and therefore costs 12,500 points per night instead of 196 CA$ .
This hotel is perfectly located for exploring Mexico City.
Our 2nd choice would be the Four Points by Sheraton Mexico City, Colonia Roma which is category 2 and therefore costs 12,500 points per night instead of CA$ 196 .
A 5-night stay at any of these hotels would only cost 50,000 points thanks to the fifth night free!
Colombia
A dozen Marriott Bonvoy hotels are present in Colombia.
Here is our selection in 4 destinations:
Bogota
In Bogota, there are 6 Marriott Bonvoy hotels classified in categories 1 to 3:
- Courtyard by Marriott Bogota Airport
- Aloft Bogota Airport
- Four Points by Sheraton Bogota
- Sheraton Bogota Hotel
- Bogota Marriott Hotel
- The Artisan D.C. Hotel, Autograph Collection
Our first choice would be The Artisan D.C. Hotel, Autograph Collection which is in category 3 and therefore costs between 15,000 and 20,000 points per night instead of CA$ 253.
This is an extremely well-located hotel to explore Bogota. In addition, it is one of the “Autograph Collection” hotels that are well known establishments!
5 nights at this hotel would cost between 60,000 and 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy points taking into account the option“Stay 5 nights at the price of 4”!
If you want to spend a little less points, our 2nd choice would be the Sheraton Bogota Hotel which is Category 2 and therefore costs between 10,000 and 15,000 points per night instead of CA$ 176.
Medellin
In Medellin, there is a Marriott Bonvoy Hotel in Category 2: Four Points by Sheraton Medellin. This costs between 10,000 and 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Cali
In western Colombia, in Cali, there are 2 hotels in Category 1 and 2
The Four Points by Sheraton Cali is Category 1 and therefore costs between 5,000 and 10,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night instead of CA$136.
The Cali Marriott Hotel is a Category 2 hotel and therefore costs between 10,000 and 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night instead of CA$212.
Our choice would be the Cali Marriott Hotel of excellent value between them .
Santa Marta and Baranquilla
In northern Colombia, in Santa Marta and Baranquilla, there are 3 hotels classified in category 1 to 3.
The Four Points by Sheraton Barranquilla is Category 1 and therefore costs between 5,000 and 10,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night instead of CA$110.
TheAC Hotel Santa Marta is a Category 2 hotel and therefore costs between 10,000 and 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night instead of CA$134.
The Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida is a Category 3 and therefore costs between 15,000 and 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night instead of CA$165.
This hotel is brand new and waterfront!
A 5-night stay at the Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida would cost only between 60,000 and 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, taking into account the option“Stay 5 nights ata price of 4”!
Spain
It is the country with the most category 1 and 2 hotels in Europe.
We invite you to view the complete map of Marriott Bonvoy hotels if you plan to visit Spain! You can tour the country staying only in category 1-2 hotels! And really treat yourself by staying in categories 3 and 4.
For example, here’s what theAC Hotel Ciudad de Toledo looks like, a 4-star hotel available for only 12,500 points per night!
A small selection of hotels among about thirty available:
- Madrid: AC Hotel Aravaca – 7,500 points per night
- Toledo: AC Hotel Ciudad de Toledo – 12,500 points per night
- Cordoba: AC Hotel Cordoba – 12,500 points per night
- Seville: AC Hotel Sevilla Torneo – 12,500 points per night
- Huelva: AC Hotel Huelva – 7,500 points per night
- Gibraltar: AC Hotel La Linea – 7,500 points per night
- Almeria: AC Hotel Almeria – 7,500 points per night
- Alicante: AC Hotel Alicante – 12,500 points per night
- Barcelona: AC Hotel Som – 17,500 points per night
South Africa
We wrote a great article about Marriott Bonvoy hotels in South Africa.
It is one of the world’s top destinations for Category 1 hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy program!
Here is a reminder of the main hotels in different tourist regions.
In the South East of South Africa
Our choice would be the Protea Hotel Durban Edward. It is a category 1 hotel and costs only 7,500 points per night (instead of CA$159 + taxes!).
You could use it as a base to visit the area! A 5-night stay at this hotel would only cost you 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points(with the fifth night free) instead of more than CA$800!
In the South West of South Africa
Our choice would be the Protea Hotel Cape Town Mowbray, which looks quite “charming” and is very well rated! It is category 1 and costs only 7,500 points per night (instead of CA$104 + taxes!).
You could use it as a base to visit the area! A 5-night stay at this hotel would cost you only 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points(with the fifth night free) instead of over $550 CA$!
In the center of South Africa
The Protea Hotel Kimberley is the only Marriott Bonvoy hotel in the area. It is category 1 and costs only 7,500 points per night (instead of 137 CA$ + taxes!).
You could use it as a base to visit the area! A 5-night stay at this hotel would cost you only 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points(with the fifth night free) instead of over $750 CAD!
In the North-East of South Africa
In Johannesburg, we would go with the African Pride Melrose Arch, Autograph Collection. It is a category 2 hotel and costs only 12,500 points per night (instead of CA$277 + taxes!).
There are also many Category 1 hotels. But if you want to have “a little pleasure”, this hotel looks beautiful… and is only a Category 2!
Before your safari at Kruger Park, you could stay at the Protea Hotel Kruger Gate. It is located at the entrance to the park. Again, this is a category 2 hotel and costs only 12,500 points per night (instead of CA$212 + taxes!).
Kuala Lumpur
In Kuala Lumpur, there are several category 2 hotels:
- Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral
- Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel
- Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel
- Element Kuala Lumpur
Our 1st choice would be the Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral which is category 2 and therefore costs 12,500 points per night instead of CA$ 141 .
Bangkok
In the heart of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, there are 5 hotels of category 2 and 3:
- Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11
- Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok, Sukhumvit 15
- Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok
- Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers
- Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit
Our 1st choice would be the Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 hotel which is category 2 and therefore costs 12,500 points per night instead of CA$ 129.
Our 2nd choice would be the Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok which is category 3 and therefore costs 17,500 points per night instead of CA$144.
Otherwise, in category 3, there is the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers which costs 17,500 points per night instead of CA$176. Its big advantage is that it is located on the river.
China
Want to travel around China and save on accommodations with your Marriott Bonvoy points?
There are plenty of 1-2 hotels in different tourist areas of China!
Here is a small selection!
Shanghai
There are 5 category 2 hotels in the tourist area of Shanghai:
- Four Points by Sheraton Shanghai, Pudong
- Courtyard Shanghai-Pudong
- Fairfield by Marriott Shanghai Jingan
- Four Points by Sheraton Shanghai, Daning
- Courtyard Shanghai Changfeng Park
Because of its excellent location, our first choice would be the Courtyard Shanghai-Pudong which is category 2 and therefore costs 12,500 points per night instead of 166 CA$ .
Our 2nd choice would be the Four Points by Sheraton Shanghai, Pudong which is category 2 and therefore costs 12,500 points per night instead of CA$ 156 .
Beijing / Beijing
The two category 2 hotels in Beijing are located in close proximity to public transportation:
Our choice would be the Courtyard Beijing Northeast, a category 2 hotel that costs 12,500 points per night instead of CA$161.
If you want to be more in the “center of Beijing” (“center” being a big word), you will have to go for category 4 hotels that cost 25,000 points per night.
Our recommendations would then be:
Both are in close proximity to the Forbidden City.
Xi’an
In Xi’an, there are 4 hotels of category 1 and 2 located in the tourist areas:
Our 1st choice would be the Renaissance Xi’an Hotel which is category 2 and costs 12,500 points per night instead of CA$ 129.
Our 2nd choice would be the Courtyard Xi’an North which is category 1 and costs only 7,500 points per night instead of CA$100!
Bottom Line
We hope we’ve given you some ideas on how to use your Marriott Bonvoy points wisely! If you don’t already have one of the cards in your hands to earn Marriott Bonvoy points, here are the top 3 current offers:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 | |||
| $191.88 | |||
| $150 |
Go further with Marriott Bonvoy
To maximize your stays and points earning, check our complete Marriott Bonvoy program guide and our best Marriott Bonvoy credit cards ranking. For personal use, see the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. For business expenses, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card earns points on every business purchase. And if a points purchase promotion is running, take advantage via our Marriott Bonvoy points purchase guide.