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Some of the best points and miles redemptions are the ones that don't break the bank. Thankfully, there are many great Marriott redemptions for budget-savvy travelers.
Marriott has a lengthy list of budget-friendly hotels dotted across the world. Even if you don't have a large balance of Marriott Bonvoy points to work with, there's still a property out there for you that's within reach. Here are some great ways budget-minded travelers can redeem Marriott points.
How We Calculate the Value of Marriott Stays
In the search for hidden value across Marriott properties worldwide, we looked at tens of thousands of award stays tracked by AwardWallet users to uncover where users routinely enjoy the best returns on their Bonvoy points. We compared the number of points paid to the cash costs for those same nights, took the averages, and curated a list of 12 budget-friendly properties that offer fantastic value on a cent-per-point basis.
Marriott employs a dynamic pricing model for its award stays, so the actual rate for any of these properties may differ depending on several factors, such as demand and nightly cash prices. But, here's a look at some of the best Marriott redemptions for budget-savvy travelers.
Best Marriott Redemptions for Budget-Savvy Travelers
By the numbers, the 12 properties in the list below range between an average cost of 5,595 and 15,833 Marriott Bonvoy points per night while offering substantially higher value than the 0.95¢ per point AwardWallet users typically get on Marriott award stays. Comparatively, these 12 properties have offered users an average of 1.96 cents per point in value — an amazing return on Marriott Bonvoy points.
Without further ado, here are the 12 best Marriott redemptions for budget-savvy travelers ranked in order of highest to lowest cent-per-point value.
Four Points by Sheraton Bakersfield
The best Marriott redemption for budget-savvy travelers, the Four Points by Sheraton Bakersfield, offers outstanding value for good reason. Located outside the city's business district, this hotel continuously rewards those who pay with points instead of cash. On your next trip to Bakersfield, California, you can't go wrong by booking this property.
AwardWallet tracked 27 reservations for a total of 63 nights:
- $159.51 average cash price per night
- 6,224 average points per night
- 2.56 cents per point
The average redemption rate at this hotel was buoyed by AwardWallet users scoring six free nights via Marriott's fifth-night free perk. For example, one AwardWallet user redeemed just 47,600 Bonvoy points for ten nights — paying an average of 5,950 Bonvoy points for eight nights plus getting two free nights. And yes, you get the Marriott fifth-night free benefit on longer stays.
If you're looking to book a single night, you can still find several nights costing 6,500 Bonvoy points or $141 per night — yielding over 2.1 cents per Bonvoy point.
Sheraton Salta Hotel
One of a couple of value-haven Argentinian hotels on this list, the Sheraton Salta Hotel is a hidden gem in the mountainous northwestern part of the country. Saving money by booking an inexpensive award stay means there's plenty more time to check out the beautiful natural landscape, take in the sights of small-town Salta, and enjoy some of Argentina's best red wine.
AwardWallet tracked 11 reservations for a total of 33 nights:
- $252.39 average cash price per night
- 11,212 average points per night
- 2.25 cents per point
Many dates are available at this hotel for 11,500 points per night now through September 2024.
Sheraton Istanbul Ataköy Hotel
If you're planning a trip to Türkiye (the country formerly known as Turkey), check out the Sheraton Istanbul Ataköy Hotel. Although it sits outside Istanbul proper, this Marriott property is a brief walk from Bakirköy station. It'll only take a quick train ride before you're staring up at the majestic Hagia Sophia.
AwardWallet tracked 3 reservations for a total of 11 nights:
- $301.64 average cash price per night
- 14,818 average points per night
- 2.04 cents per point
This hotel is a great example of how timing is critical. Award nights currently start as low as 15,000 points per night vs. ~$200 per night for a modest redemption rate of ~1.3 cents per point. However, one AwardWallet user scored a redemption rate of 3.2 cents per point. How? By booking a fifth-night free award stay during the 2023 UEFA Champions League Final in Istanbul when room rates were over $500 per night!
Courtyard Houston Sugar Land/Stafford
Southwest of Houston, Texas, and an hour's drive from the beach in Galveston is the Courtyard Houston Sugar Land/Stafford. There's much to love about Texas, including the award rates and value this Courtyard offers. Enjoy some BBQ and Texas hospitality while resting easy, knowing your Bonvoy points went a long way.
AwardWallet tracked 19 reservations for a total of 54 nights:
- $116.65 average cash price per night
- 5,796 average points per night
- 2.01 cents per point
Of the 54 nights redeemed at this property by AwardWallet users, seven cost zero points thanks to Marriott's fifth-night free perk. Excluding these nights, the average nightly award rate was around 6,500 points — which is the price you can find on several nights. String together five of those nights to pay just 26,000 Bonvoy points for five nights:
TownePlace Suites Knoxville Oak Ridge
Outside of Knoxville proper, the TownePlace Suites Knoxville Oak Ridge is a compellingly cost-effective option for those looking for a hotel near one of Tennessee's ever-growing cities. There's a lot to explore near this hotel, and you'll be incredibly close to many parks, lakes, and other attractions that showcase the state's natural beauty.
AwardWallet tracked 8 reservations for a total of 18 nights:
- $188.06 average cash price per night
- 9,889 average points per night
- 1.90 cents per point
Depending on the season, you can find award nights for as few as 10,000 points per night:
Courtyard by Marriott Birmingham Homewood
Marriott's best-value hotel for budget travelers in the southern United States calls Homewood, Alabama, home. Whether you're just passing through, there for business, or an Alabama fan looking for somewhere to stay that's a stone's throw away from Tuscaloosa, you'll get great value out of your Marriott points at the Courtyard by Marriott Birmingham Homewood.
AwardWallet tracked 3 reservations for a total of 11 nights:
- $210.27 average cash price per night
- 10,159 average points per night + $26.18 average out-of-pocket
- 1.81 cents per point
Marriott points inflation seems to have hit this property — or perhaps this property was previously on PointSavers. The cheapest award rate we can find now is 15,000 points per night. However, that's a respectable redemption rate, considering the $200+ per night cash rate.
AC Hotel Palacio de Santa Ana by Marriott
The AC Hotel Palacio de Santa Ana sits on the shores of Spain's Pisuerga River. While staying in this historic area, you'll be a short drive away from Valladolid, which is famous for iconic cathedrals and medieval architecture. The award rates alone make this hotel worth a visit on your next trip through Spain's northwest interior.
AwardWallet tracked 5 reservations for a total of 18 nights:
- $108.11 average cash price per night
- 6,111 average points per night
- 1.77 cents per point
You can currently book award nights from 6,500 Marriott points per night. However, you'll score a better redemption by booking during peak seasons for just a few more Marriott points.
AC Hotel by Marriott Guadalajara Mexico
Nestled between the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Zapopan and the Catedral de Guadalajara, the AC Hotel by Marriott Guadalajara Mexico offers hard-to-beat value in one of Mexico's most vibrant cities. Budget-friendly award rates might push you to stay longer to continue enjoying a one-of-a-kind culture while exploring the city's eye-catching architecture.
AwardWallet tracked 7 reservations for a total of 14 nights:
- $187.93 average cash price per night
- 8,768 average points per night + $34 average out-of-pocket
- 1.76 cents per point
Award nights at this property start at 10,000 Bonvoy points per night. So, how did AwardWallet users average less than 9k points per night? By taking advantage of Marriott Cash + Points bookings. Take the following example. You can pay 10,000 points per night for a night costing $161. That's a reasonable 1.61 cents per point redemption rate.
However, you can opt to pay 5,000 points + $50 cash. Doing so means you'd save $111 out-of-pocket by paying just 5,000 points. That boosts your redemption rate to over 2.2 cents per point!
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Winnipeg
Just outside the approach path to Winnipeg Richardson International Airport is the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Winnipeg. While not the flashiest hotel out of all the budget options on the list, the Fairfield Inn & Suites isn't one to overlook. An attractive average award rate will easily take the sting off a mildly expensive cash rate.
AwardWallet tracked 7 reservations for a total of 13 nights:
- $144.00 average cash price per night
- 8,231 average points per night
- 1.75 cents per point
Sheraton Mendoza Hotel
Centrally located hotels in the heart of any city that don't break the bank can be challenging to come by. The Sheraton Mendoza Hotel is an exception. Whether you're in Mendoza, Argentina, for a food and wine tour or looking for a place to relax before a trek up one of the high-altitude peaks in the Andes is one of the best budget Marriott redemption options in the country.
AwardWallet tracked 5 reservations for a total of 21 nights:
- $271.33 average cash price per night
- 15,833 average points per night
- 1.71 cents per point
AwardWallet users seem to love their fifth-night free stays at this property. The average redemption rate is boosted — and the average points cost lowered — by three free nights. However, depending on the season, you can find award nights as cheap as 15,000 points per night:
The Hermitage, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Jakarta
One of the best budget-friendly options in Indonesia is Jakarta's The Hermitage. Although it's one of the more expensive uses of Marriott Bonvoy points on the list, this Tribute Portfolio hotel is a gorgeous property adjacent to Central Jakarta. You'll get great mileage out of your points here — opening up your budget to explore all of what Jakarta has to offer.
AwardWallet tracked 20 reservations for a total of 36 nights:
- $224.06 average cash price per night
- 13,425 average points per night
- 1.67 cents per point
Related: Best Marriott Points Redemptions for Luxury Stays
Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton South
Rounding out our list of Marriott properties is the Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton South. Although it's a half-hour trek from Edmonton City Centre, this hotel is an attractive budget option for travelers looking to explore one of Canada's western provinces. There's lots to do between the hotel and downtown — you won't be bored here.
AwardWallet tracked 9 reservations for a total of 37 nights:
- $92.32 average cash price per night
- 5,595 average points per night
- 1.65 cents per point
Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points
Marriott Bonvoy points are easy to earn, which means you can be well on your way to your next redemption in no time. Here are the top ways you can earn Marriott points:
- Earn points on paid Marriott stays. You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points by staying at Marriott properties worldwide. Depending on your Marriott elite status level, you can earn upwards of 17.5 points per dollar spent on most stays. General members will earn 10 points per dollar spent.
- Earn a welcome bonus on a Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card. There are many Marriott Bonvoy credit card options, and earning a welcome bonus from one of these cards means a lot of Bonvoy points. You could also earn automatic elite status or free night certificates depending on the card you apply for or carry. Here are all the cards that earn Marriott points.
- Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy. You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio. Earning transferable points and moving them to the rewards program of your choice when you eye a specific redemption is one of the best practices in points and miles.
- Buy Marriott Bonvoy points with a bonus. One of the simplest ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points is to buy them — and sometimes, you can do so with a bonus. Buying Marriott points is only advisable if you need to top off your account for a specific redemption or when the price to buy points for a redemption is cheaper than paying for the hotel outright.
- Convert airline miles to Marriott Bonvoy points. Although it's typically a poor use of miles, you can convert miles from a handful of airlines into Marriott Bonvoy points. Most conversions happen at a 2:1 miles-to-points ratio. You can find the complete list of airlines that offer this transfer opportunity here.
Related: Do Marriott Bonvoy Points Expire?
Final Thoughts
No matter where you are in the world or where you want to go, odds are there's a budget-friendly Marriott hotel not far away. Attractive award rates and a 5th-night free benefit make vacations incredibly affordable, even if you don't have many Marriott Bonvoy points to work with. It's possible to see the world without breaking the bank, and Marriott helps make this a reality.
What was your favorite Marriott redemption for budget-savvy travelers? Let us know in the comments.
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
After being member of Marriott since 1999 along with member of MVCI (with 5 time shares) I became a LIFETIME Titanium Elite last year with over 3 Million Rewards points in Marriott Bonvoy acct ( ******179) Now, MVCI is forcing to sell (send back deeds of my 5 time(3 in Hilton Head and 2 in Orlando) shares,(for which I had spent 75K+) back to MCVI WITHOUT any compemsation. There were errors in registration (of names) of those in deeds bought in or around Sept 1999 via resale froma Marriott agent (Wayne Williams).). They added my children as tenants in common instead of my directed SPECIFIC request under ‘joint survivor ownership clause
Now I am supposed to sign the deeds back to MVCI (WITHOUT any compensation to me!) they are demanding that my children (now grown in different cities/Countries) also sign with a notary, which is logistical nightmare for me. They are all over the country+ in foreign country. I told them to confiscate my time shares on their own and leave me alone! They keep harrasing, hounding and lately a blackmailed by putting a freeze (now removed!after I paid the fees) ) over my Marriott Bonvoy Rewards account. Early this year (NOT NOW!) they (MVCI & Marriott Bonvoy) tried /trying to harass and blackmail me, by putting AUDIT LOCK on my Marriott Bonvoy (marriott rewards) Rewards account containing more than a 3 Million (yes M) points.
Audit Lock means I CANNOT REDEEM my points for ANYTHING – hotel rooms, airmiles etc. Essentially it is frozen until I have to pay pending fee of over 8K+( which I paid using Marriott VISA cc) for timeshares I never used! The resale office in Orlando FL, apparently headed by Mr. Alphonso Petty is involved from the very beginning. They could have CONFISCATED my 5 times shares ( 3 in Hilton Head and 2 in Orlando) at any time last year, even without compensationg me for those timeshares (paid close to 75K to Marriott agent Mr. Wayne Williams in Sept of of 1999. I sent all the documents to resale office. Instead I was forced pay additional 8K+ to remove the FREEZE aka AUDIT LOCK on my Marriott Bonvoy rewads account. This is a nightmare a bitter experience, unexpected from a well known global Corp like Marriott! This also has affected my emotional and physical health! I have told/emailed them to confiscate my ALL 5 time shares and leave me alone
Being a life time(long time over 20yrs!) Titanium Elite member means NOTHING to them. Imagine what they do to others!? BUYER BEWARE!
Sundar – this sounds like a nightmare. I’d definitely contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on this, maybe a news outlet or even a lawyer.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card with 100,000 mile bonus good deal if you like Marriott and Sheraton hotels…annual voucher on anniversary covers the annual fee