Marriott how cash & points option can help you save hundreds and thousands of points
If you read TFC often, you surely know how I always and always advise against the cash+points payment option when it comes to [...]
Marriott
If you read TFC often you surely know how I always and in any case advise against the cash+points payment option when it comes to airline tickets. In the case of ITA Airways, for example, Is because the part paid cash does not generate any points or benefit to the traveler, in other situations such as Emirates or British Airways is that they are not convenient at all.
In this article:
Today, however, I want to explain, with a Practical example of how in the case of the Bonvoy program of Marriott is a great option for saving money (and accumulating points).
Cash & Points for booking Marriott hotels
Until recently, the program Bonvoy allowed to go to "debt" When booking a stay using points, now this is no longer possible and therefore it is essential to have all the necessary points ready in the account If you want to make a reservation.
Here is where the option of using part points and part cash can be a viable alternative to save money by using all, or part, of the points in one's possession.
In the past few days I had to stay one night in Milan, room prices are now skyrocketing even in a week with no trade fairs or big games, rooms that used to be booked between 100 and 150 euros are now practically doubled, or almost.
Did you get your flight cancelled, miss your connection, land late?
You could get up to 600€ compensation per person
For example, two of my favorite facilities in the Marriott portfolio the Moxy at Linate and the Sheraton at San Siro They had a cost of almost €300 for one night, Out-of-market figure for the type of hotel, location and what they have to offer although I reiterate they are my two favorite Marriott facilities in Milan.
Having to travel towards Como the next morning, I preferred to aim for the Sheraton, a strategic location near the ring road and the highway.
Not only is the Sheraton two levels above the Moxy, but it is also The cheapest facility to book with points throughout Milan, and even when prices are skyrocketing, the cost of the room almost never exceeds 20k bonvoy points.
The beauty of cash & points bookings with Marriott is that they allow you to cut the cost of the room down significantly.
I turned 9,250 points into €193
In the end then between spending 278 euros, 18,500 points or 77 euros + 9250 points I chose the latter solution because it was the best in all respects.
By using only 9250 points, I was able to save over just under $200 , paying for the room a real "pittance." Also contrary to what happens with airline ticket reservations the night paid in this mode counts in all respects for qualifying points and nights.
Between base points, bonus points and active promotions this booking allowed me to accumulate XXXX points thanks to the fall promo I also triggered the extra bonus of 3500 Bonvoy points and on balance I got back almost all the points used for
In conclusion
Obviously this dynamic applies to all reservations and allows you to maximize the value of points, sometimes even beyond that of the reservation made solely and exclusively with points, so my advice is always to do the math well on which solution is the most suitable and cost-effective.
