Is Marriott Bonvoy Cash + Points a Good Deal?

Marriott Bonvoy offers members the opportunity to earn and redeem points at 8,000 properties and 30+ brands globally.

While Bonvoy points are one of the easiest hotel currencies to earn in Canada and the US, you might still find yourself a bit short on points for an upcoming stay.

In such cases, Marriott Bonvoy offers the option for you to pay for the stay with a combination of Bonvoy points and cash through the Cash + Points feature.

What Is Marriott Bonvoy Cash + Points?

Marriott Bonvoy’s Cash + Points feature is an option for you to pay with a combination of points and cash.

In fact, you don’t have to be short of points to be offered this option, as you may consider it if you’re trying to ration your points for future redemptions.

There are actually two versions of Marriott Bonvoy’s Cash + Points feature: the default Cash + Points option, and the build-your-own Cash + Points option.

The default Cash + Points option lets you pay for a stay based on a pre-set number of points and amount of cash determined by the program.

Usually, the option given is to pay half with points and half with cash.

Meanwhile, the build-your-own Cash + Points option only works on multiple-night bookings. This option allows you to customize which nights you want to cover entirely with cash, and which nights you want to pay entirely with points.

When making a Cash + Points booking, make sure to select “Use Points/Awards” on the website, or “Use Points” on the app, as you won’t otherwise be shown these options.

If you want to build your own Cash + Points combo, you’ll have to toggle the “Use Cash + Points” option on the website. The box lets you choose the nights for which you want to redeem points, and the nights for which you want to pay with cash.

There are a few things to keep in mind with Cash + Points bookings.

Importantly, not all properties offer the Cash + Points feature. If it’s available for your stay, you should be able to see it during the booking process, as long as you include points in your search criteria.

With all Cash + Points bookings, you’re still on the hook for applicable taxes and fees on the cash component of the stay, unlike points-only bookings.

Furthermore, the “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” benefit that you’d normally get with a points-only booking is voided with build-your-own Cash + Points bookings, as long as:

• You’re not paying for at least four…