Factors and miles open up journey alternatives that, fairly frankly, could also be out of attain for a lot of. And whereas you might have considered trying your redemptions to at all times be luxurious, not all of them are going to be. There are occasions when utilizing factors for a sensible redemption, like on customary resort lodging, can prevent boatloads of cash.
I am an enormous faculty soccer fan and journey typically to see my group, the Oregon Geese, play. Specifically, I’ve one sport this season highlighted on my calendar that I am attending: the Oregon versus Penn State sport. I more than likely would not have been in a position to go with out the assistance of factors.
Here is how I saved over $1,500 through the use of factors to unlock the door on my subsequent resort keep.
I used factors to avoid wasting $1,500 on a university soccer weekend
The Oregon versus Penn State sport will happen in State School, Pennsylvania, a city with a inhabitants of simply barely over 40,000 individuals, however with a soccer stadium that seats over 106,000 individuals. This particular sport is a top-ten matchup and the well-known “White Out” sport. Penn State hosts a White Out sport yearly, often towards a ranked opponent, the place all the followers put on all white. It is without doubt one of the loudest sports activities atmospheres, and it sounds completely deafening inside Beaver Stadium, even when watching it on TV. I am ensuring to pack some earplugs. The stadium will likely be offered out.
State School is a small city, so resort selections are restricted, with most inns offered out months upfront for this massive sport.
As somebody who incessantly travels to attend faculty soccer video games, I knew resort costs have been going to be completely bonkers. Costs for that weekend, staying Friday via Sunday, have been completely absurd, operating upward of $750 per evening for fundamental inns like Hampton Inns or Hyatt Locations. Granted, it is a small faculty city, so I wasn’t anticipating any Ritz-Carlton or Conrad inns, however I did have some sticker shock after I noticed Courtyard by Marriotts costing upward of $1,100 per evening.
Chances are you’ll be considering, “There should be cheaper inns within the metropolis,” and there are. However fairly frankly, I did not really feel snug staying there or wish to pay upward of $500 an evening for a Motel 6.
Sometimes, throughout main occasions, factors availability at inns may be very restricted. I at all times have to look far and extensive and typically even cut up reservations up each day if I wish to get an excellent deal and use factors. I looked for inns with factors availability with Marriott and Hyatt. I solely searched with these two chains as a result of I’ve a stockpile of Marriott factors, and with Hyatt, I can switch Chase Final Rewards factors and get wonderful worth. Hyatt is the one resort accomplice that I’ll switch bank card factors to. I did not even trouble looking out with Hilton, as I did not have any Hilton factors and do not like transferring factors to Hilton, because it typically affords a really poor redemption worth attributable to its frequent devaluations.
There was no factors availability with Hyatt. I used to be fairly disillusioned as a result of there was a Hyatt Place throughout from the stadium that caught my eye. Sadly, inns are inclined to restrict award evening availability or considerably increase the factors worth throughout instances of excessive demand.
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I additionally checked the Marriott Bonvoy app each day, hoping to seek out award availability, however nothing was arising. I stored looking out as a result of I refused to spend over $1,500 for 2 nights at a mean resort. Ultimately, I received fortunate, and a Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott popped up for simply 25,000 Marriott factors per evening; I booked it instantly.
Since I’ve a wholesome stash of over half one million Marriott Bonvoy factors that I battle to make use of, I used to be ecstatic when I discovered this deal. TPG’s September 2025 valuations peg Marriott Bonvoy factors at 0.7 cents apiece, making 50,000 Bonvoy factors value simply $350. With the money costs over $1,500, I am getting a price of three cents per level, virtually 4 instances TPG’s valuation, which is sort of unparalleled with Marriott’s frequent devaluations.
And whereas the resort I am staying at is nothing fancy, it’s going to get the job accomplished; plus, I probably will not be spending a lot time within the room anyway.
Associated: 5 the reason why each sports activities fan ought to have the Chase Sapphire Reserve
How I earned my Marriott factors
I acquired all my Marriott factors simply from finishing stays and focused promotions. And I do know it could be stunning, however I haven’t got a Marriott cobranded bank card and nonetheless maintain top-tier Titanium Elite standing. I’ve gained a big chunk of those factors from Marriott’s (seemingly) annual bonus factors promotion, the place you earn an additional 1,000 factors per evening on eligible stays. This promotion has usually run from a part of February to a part of April yearly, and I at all times reap the benefits of it. I even have gained a good quantity of factors as compensation when points arose throughout my stays, like after I received 80,000 Bonvoy factors for the air-con being damaged throughout a Marriott keep in Paris final yr in the course of the Olympics.
TPG tip: I at all times add resort bar or restaurant costs to my room invoice so I can earn Marriott factors on these costs.
Easy methods to earn Marriott Bonvoy factors
Listed here are among the greatest methods to earn Marriott factors:
There are lots of methods to get Marriott factors, however I like to recommend solely the primary two choices (I will bounce into that later).
What playing cards earn Marriott Bonvoy factors?
The best option to earn Bonvoy factors is to carry a cobranded Marriott card. You may earn Bonvoy factors on all of your purchases. Listed here are some fashionable playing cards and their welcome affords:
Associated: 5 methods to maximise Marriott Bonvoy award evening redemptions
Transferring factors from bank card packages
Transferring factors from bank card packages to Marriott typically yields a poor return, even with a switch bonus, since Marriott factors are value lower than bank card factors, per our September 2025 valuations.
You’ll be able to switch factors from American Specific Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards and Chase Final Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy. Factors switch at a 1:1 ratio, however many instances these issuers will provide switch bonuses, the place you’ll obtain extra factors.
Plus, Bilt Rewards affords 5,000 bonus Bonvoy factors for each 20,000 Bilt Factors transferred to Marriott.
Normally, I am towards transferring bank card rewards to resort loyalty packages until it is World of Hyatt. World of Hyatt nonetheless makes use of a set award chart so you will get superb worth and maximize your bank card rewards. Nonetheless, transferring your bank card factors could make sense if you want to high off your account for a redemption or simply wish to lower your expenses by redeeming your rewards.
In the event you do wish to go the switch route, listed here are some fashionable playing cards with rewards you possibly can switch to Marriott and their welcome affords:
- American Specific® Gold Card: Discover out your provide and see in case you are eligible for as excessive as 100,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership. Welcome affords differ, and also you will not be eligible for a suggestion.
The Platinum Card® from American Specific: Discover out your provide and see in case you are eligible for as excessive as 175,000 bonus factors after spending $8,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership. Welcome affords differ, and also you will not be eligible for a suggestion.
Bilt Mastercard® (see charges and charges): There isn’t a welcome provide presently accessible. - Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card (see charges and charges): Earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and charges): Earn 125,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Associated: Why I am transferring my Marriott Bonvoy factors to an airline for the primary time
Backside line
Factors and miles redemptions do not at all times should be luxurious. Any time it can save you a bit of cash, it is best to think about using your rewards. My soccer faculty redemption is not glamorous by any means, but it surely saved me quite a lot of cash and allowed me to go see my favourite group play. With out factors, I might probably be watching the sport on my sofa.
For charges and charges of the Bilt Mastercard, click on right here.
For rewards and advantages of the Bilt Mastercard, click on right here.
