Domestic Options For Your Marriott 50,000 Point Certificates
There are several types of Marriott free night certificates out there, and one of the most common is the 50,000-point certificates. These are often earned each year as a credit card benefit, or from a Marriott co-branded credit card sign up bonus. Let's dig into what some of the best options are available for your 50,000-point certificates domestically here in the U.S. Using these can sometimes require traveling during the off-season to more popular resorts and hotels. Or, possibly using up to 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points as a “top off.” This will allow you too book a property priced up to 65,000 points per night. Related: Here are some great options for your 35K Marriott certificates domestically and for international travel.
#1. Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage is located near Palm Springs, California. This property is on an elevated plot of land with great views of the entire Coachella Valley. While points rates in the winter are quite steep, the summer time presents an off-season opportunity to enjoy the luxury resort and its spectacular pools. Points rates start at 56,000 points per night in July, which means only 6,000 extra Marriott Bonvoy points per night to burn your certificates.
#2: St Regis, Atlanta
The St. Regis brand is my personal favorite in the Marriott portfolio, and this property is located in the best neighborhood in Atlanta, Buckhead. Don't miss the daily champagne sabering at sunset, which is available at every St. Regis property. Since the brand invented the Bloody Mary, each property has a unique recipe for one, so don't miss that as well. While most nights are priced beyond the 65,000 point threshold, I was able to find availability on the calendar for select dates to check-in.
#3. The Phoenician
As a Scottsdale local, I had to place the Phoenician on this list. One of the best resorts in town, with a location right on Camelback Mountain, it's a popular place to stay for golfers, hikers, and those who love luxury. A recent renovation sent this place over the top, and while you won't be able to redeem your certificates here in the winter, shoulder season and the summer months see rooms as low as 56,000 points per night.
#4: W Austin
Austin can be a popular spot to visit on the weekends, with bachelor and bachelorette parties galore crawling 6th Street. The W Austin is a few blocks away from the fun, and fully renovated. Austin never slows down nowadays, and the summer's can be quite hot, but with plenty of lake activities (and watering holes) to cool off, this one is a steal. I found select nights below the 50,000 point threshold year-round.
#5: JW Marriott, Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa
The JW Marriott, Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa is another gem of the Bonvoy program. This one will be popular with families, as the resort has a full-scale water park attached. And unbelievably, you can score a room here for under the 50,000 point threshold during the warmer months. Keep in mind there is an atrocious $68 resort fee, but you won't have to venture off property for fun at least.
Marriott 50,000 Point Domestic Redemptions: ToP Thoughts
The Marriott Bonvoy program gets some deserved flack for its expensive award nights at its properties. Plus, there's no way to waive the resort fee like Hyatt or Hilton's program perks. But, there's no denying there are spectacular hotels and resorts in the program, and convenient ones at that. Marriott free night certificates help you experience them across America.
I enjoy redeeming my certificate for luxury properties I wouldn't have otherwise stayed at, but if you have a convenient redemption that saves you money out of pocket, go for it. Even if it's not a “brag-worthy” stay at a St. Regis or a Ritz-Carlton, your wallet will thank you and justify the annual fees of the credit cards delivering this benefit to you.
