What do you value Marriott points at today?

[dajop]

For some time we've valued Marriott Bonvoy point at around 0.667c (USD) per point. This sort of followed on from SPG, where we valued them at 2c per point (which was converted to Marriott at a factor of 3) (did this looking at a "basket" of hotels I'd typically stay at. If we get around that value or better we would use points in preference to paying cash.

Recently, we've just used 0.63-0.64c (USD) per point, which is 1c (AUD) per point. Makes it easy to compare, for example something that's $400 AUD, that's about 40,000 bonvoy points.

However now it seems that it's increasingly difficult to get that value. Usually at Residence Inn's, Fairfields or the like or certain locations (eg Downtown & Queens in NYC, around LHR in London etc) or at the very high end properties (not that we're the sort that would pay $2000/night, but that does seems to better use of 100,000 pts than spending 80,000 pts on a $500/night property).

Just wondered if others have a value they use, or just use their points regardless due to their constant devaluation?

 

[LadyC]

I use a fairly similar conversion rate but also keep in mind what travel I have on the horizon and when I could use the points. I don't tend to sit on hotel points, so sometimes even transfer them out to an airline program if I can't see a use for them in the short/medium term. Whether lucky or unlucky for me, I have been collecting Marriott points for an aspirational booking over New Year at a ski resort in the US, where the prices are eye watering, so feeling that I am getting value from them.

 

[levelnine]

Marriott points are trash in my opinion because they are subject to frequent, silent devaluations & there are very few sweet spots outside the very high end properties.

However, here is a fairly comprehensive and recent attempt to value them: What are Marriott points worth?

It suggests you should be able to get at least 0.7c (USD) per point at a fair range of properties.

 

[Jacques Vert]

I set a budget of what i'm prepared to pay in cash. If the hotel is more than that, I use points.

 

[NoName]

If I can’t get 1c per point value compared to the cash rate I will usually just pay cash. Generally plan to use them for 5 night stays to get the free 5th night and at high end properties or at peak periods. Aspirational stuff like our stay at Ritz Carlton in NYC for NYE. Realise they are using dynamic award pricing now which makes it a little harder but I have still been able to find value.

 

[sudoer]

If I can’t get 1c per point value compared to the cash rate I will usually just pay cash. Generally plan to use them for 5 night stays to get the free 5th night and at high end properties or at peak periods.

Agree with this, 1c per point is my absolute base and I'll usually aim for 1.3-1.4c per point.

I would say there's still good value at the lower end in certain markets also - I recently booked 5 nights at Aloft Ginza Tokyo over Christmas for 180k points. Cash equivalent a tad over $3k = 1.7c per point.

Mesm Tokyo was marginally better at 363k points for $6.3k cash (1.73c per point) but a far less convenient location.

Other options were Moxy Kinshicho at 146k points / 0.96c, Courtyard Tokyo at 200k points / 1.65c, Westin Yokohama at 225k points / 1.3c and Tokyo Marriott at 256k / 1.4c.