Can You Purchase Points to Use for a Marriott Hotel + Air Package?

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Million Mile Secrets reader, Knicks02, commented:

When you purchase Marriott points, can these go toward a Hotel + Air package?

Absolutely!  You can buy up to 50,000 Marriott points per calendar year.  And these points are yours to use as you please.

For example, you can redeem points for free nights at Marriott or Ritz-Carlton hotels, convert Marriott points to Starwood points, or add purchased points to your existing balance to book a Hotel + Air Package.

Some folks might consider purchasing Marriott points for a Hotel + Air package if it’ll help them get the Southwest Companion Pass.  But you only have until March 31, 2017, to get it this way!

I’ll explain why purchasing hotel points might make sense for some folks!

Purchase Hotel Points for Marriott Flight Package

Link:   Buy Marriott Points

Link:   Tips & Tricks to Get the Southwest Companion Pass With Marriott Flight Packages

Folks looking to get the Southwest Companion Pass by booking a Marriott Hotel + Air Package will need to redeem 270,000 Marriott points, which gets you:

• Southwest Companion Pass
• 120,000 Southwest points
• 7-night certificate to stay at a Category 1 to 5 Marriott hotel

Some folks might not have 270,000 Marriott points available.  So you can purchase Marriott points to top off your account!

You can purchase or receive as a gift up to 50,000 Marriott points per year.  Points cost $12.50 per 1,000 Marriott points.  And you’ll need to purchase a minimum of 1,000 points.

Simply go to the Marriott buy points website to make the purchase.

Buying the maximum amount of 50,000 Marriott points would cost $625.  That’s not a small expense.  But if it means getting the Companion Pass with a Hotel + Air package, it might be worth it.

Because the 120,000 Southwest points you get from the package are worth at least ~$1,716 of Southwest airfare.  Southwest points are worth 1.43 cents each (120,000 X 1.43 cents).  And there’s lots of value to be had with the Companion Pass and 7-night certificate.

Folks with the Companion Pass can save thousands of dollars on Southwest airfare by adding a friend or family member to any paid or award flight!  It’s why Emily and I think it’s the best deal in travel!

And getting the Companion Pass this way won’t be around forever.  Because after March 31, 2017, hotel point transfers will no longer count as eligible Companion Pass points.

And buying points might be a much quicker way to increase your points balance compared to getting a new credit card sign-up bonus.  Because you’ll get the Marriott points in your account 24 to 48 hours after your purchase.

Purchase Starwood Points to Save Money

Link:   Buy Starwood Points

If you’re looking to save a few bucks or need more than 50,000 Marriott points, you might consider purchasing Starwood points.  Remember, you can instantly transfer Starwood points to Marriott at a 1:3 ratio.

For example, you can purchase 15,000 Starwood points for $525.  Then, convert these points instantly to 45,000 Marriott points.  Purchasing the same number of Marriott points would cost ~$563, so you’ll save some money this way!

You can purchase a maximum of 30,000 Starwood points per calendar year.

Bottom Line

When you purchase Marriott points, you can use them toward a Hotel + Air package.  Buying points can be a good idea for folks looking to quickly top off their account and book a Marriott flight package and get the Southwest Companion Pass.

You can purchase a maximum of 50,000 Marriott points in a calendar year, which would cost you $625.

Or you can buy Starwood points and convert them instantly to Marriott points.  You’ll save ~$40 by purchasing Starwood points and transferring them to Marriott.

Remember, after March 31, 2017, hotel point transfers to Southwest will no longer count as eligible Companion Pass points.