How to book a Marriott hotel with points
Book through Marriott itself and choose to pay with points. The points come off your account when you book. If you cancel, the hotel’s own cancellation policy applies and the points go back to your account.
Checked against Marriott’s published rules on Oct 28, 2026.
How do you book an award stay, step by step?
- Check the stay is worth points. Compare the points price with the cash price for the same dates. Run the numbers.
- Search with points on Marriott. Signed in, search your dates and choose to use points.
- Book five nights if you can. Five award nights on one reservation cost points for four. Find five-night stays.
- Book while you have the points. Marriott takes the points when you book. Without enough, the reservation may be cancelled or changed to the best paid rate available.
Can you cancel a Marriott award stay?
Yes. Each hotel’s standard guarantee and cancellation policy applies, so check its deadline when you book. When you cancel, the points you redeemed go back to your account.
Leaving early? Tell the front desk before you check out early to get back points for the nights you won’t use.
What does an award stay earn?
Elite Night Credits, which count toward status, but no points for the nights you pay for with points. See how status works.
Where can't you use points?
Points can’t be redeemed at Marriott Executive Apartments. Marriott also lets each hotel limit how many standard rooms it sets aside for points, so a hotel can show cash rooms on dates with no award rooms left. Want points with some cash? See Cash + Points.
Questions
- When does Marriott take the points for an award stay?
- When you make the reservation, under Marriott's terms. If you don't have enough points, Marriott may cancel the booking or change it to the best paid rate available.
- Do I get my points back if I cancel?
- Yes. The hotel's own cancellation policy applies, and the points you redeemed go back to your account.
- Do award stays count toward Marriott elite status?
- Yes. Marriott's terms count an award stay as a qualifying stay, so it earns Elite Night Credits for the room you stay in.
- Do I earn points on an award stay?
- Not for the nights you pay for with points.
Sources: Marriott Bonvoy terms, section 3.2. Program rules change, so confirm with Marriott before you rely on one. AwardEscape is independent of Marriott.