Should you take advantage of Marriott’s 40% bonus on point purchases ?

Marriott Bonvoy just rolled out a new points purchase promotion—and the timing makes this one worth a closer look. If you’re exploring ways to top up your balance for a redemption, this may be one of the better offers in recent memory. But, as always in the loyalty world, “worth it” depends heavily on your situation.

Here’s what’s happening, what to watch out for, and when it might make sense to pull the trigger.

🔍 What the Current Promotion Looks Like

• Marriott is offering a bonus on purchased points, with bonus rates of up to 40% for certain members.
• To qualify for the full bonus, you typically must buy a minimum number of points (for example, 2,000 points or more) in one transaction.
• The effective cost of acquiring points, after applying the bonus, drops—making the per-point price lower than the standard rate.
• Normally, Marriott sells points at 1.25 cents per point (USD) before any discounts or promotions. Under this bonus, the effective cost can drop closer to 0.89 cents per point or similar.

📊 How Much Value Can You Get?

Let’s run through a sample scenario to see how this plays out:

• Suppose you buy 40,000 points under the promotion, and receive a 40% bonus.
• That gives you 56,000 points total.
• If you paid $500 for those 40,000 points (i.e. at 1.25¢/pt), your cost per point, after bonus, becomes about 0.89¢.
• Compare that to how much value you can extract when using those points—that’s where the decision gets interesting.

If you can redeem those 56,000 points for a hotel stay that would otherwise cost, say, $350–$500, then your effective “return” on that point purchase is strong.

✅ When Buying Points Makes Sense

Here are scenarios in which purchasing Marriott Bonvoy points during this promotion could be a smart move:

1. You’re just shy of a target redemption
   Maybe you’re 5,000 or 10,000 points short of booking a fantastic hotel—this gives you a shortcut.
2. The cash rate is extreme
   For dates or properties with high cash prices, buying points becomes more attractive if the “discounted” rate is much cheaper than paying cash.
3. You have travel plans locked in
   If you’re already committed to a trip or property months away, this removes risk. You know exactly what you’re getting and when you’ll use it.
4. You can maximize a 5th-night benefit or free night credit
   Because Marriott offers a free fifth night on award stays, your additional points go further.

⚠ When to Hold Off / Caveats

Don’t rush just because there’s a bonus. There are several risks:

• Overpaying for points: Even a discounted rate might still exceed the value you get when redeeming.
• Lack of award availability: If the hotel or date you want doesn’t open up for awards, your purchased points are less useful.
• Annual purchase caps: Marriott caps how many points you can buy in a calendar year (before bonus). These caps are sometimes loosened during promotions, but that may not always be the case.
• Points don’t earn interest or dividends: They won’t grow or compound—if they sit unused, you lose opportunity cost.
• Credit card rewards rules: Buying points may be processed via “points.com” or a similar partner, which could mean you don’t earn bonus category points or travel multipliers on that spend.

🧾 Quick Decision Guide

Question	If “Yes”	If “No”
Are you short of points for a booking you actually plan to make?	Consider buying	Probably skip it
Is the cash cost of the hotel disproportionately high?	More justification	Stick with earned points
Is award availability confirmed for your dates?	Lower risk	Don’t gamble
Have you already hit your purchase cap?	Check limits first	Not possible to buy more
Does the math show cost per point < expected redemption value?	Go for it	Wait or hold off

✨ Final Take

Marriott’s latest bonus on purchased Bonvoy points is a useful tool—especially when executed with care. For travelers who already have a redemption in mind, being just short on points, or looking to take advantage of high cash rates, this may be one of the better deals we see.

Just don’t treat this as a magic shortcut. Treat it like a tool—one that works best when thoughtfully integrated into your broader points strategy.