10 destinations to gain over $1,000 in value from 100,000 Marriott points

As the travel industry bounces back, you might be planning a getaway, but you want to keep your expenses in check (we totally understand how costly gardening and home-improvement projects can be).

Luckily, we can leverage points and miles to travel for nearly free — or at least significantly cheaper than paying out of pocket. One of the biggest travel expenses is hotel accommodations. Extended stays can quickly add up in cost — but if you have points in your loyalty account, you can greatly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for a hotel stay.

Currently, there’s a simple way to accumulate a ton of points without stepping outside: the special limited-time offer for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, which gives you 100,000 Marriott points after you spend $3,000 within the first three months of opening your account.

So, what should you do with those points if you choose to apply for the card and snag the sign-up bonus? Naturally, you’ll want to maximize the value of your points, ensuring each one stretches as far as possible.

In general, Category 6 Marriott properties are often considered "sweet spot" hotels (depending on the location, of course). These are typically upscale properties that can be pricey at certain times of the year but are available for just 50,000 Marriott points per night on standard nights. However, don’t overlook lower-category properties, as they can offer great value, especially for extended stays.

Here are 11 unique ways to utilize 100,000 Marriott points for potential value exceeding $1,000.

Theme park accommodations

Anaheim, California

If you’ve been eager to visit Disneyland and experience Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge without spending a fortune on hotels, the Delta Hotels Anaheim Garden Grove is an excellent choice. As a Category 4 hotel, you can book off-peak nights for only 20,000 points each. With 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you can enjoy six nights — using points for the first four nights and receiving the fifth night free as a Marriott Bonvoy member, then paying points for the sixth night. Almost a week is plenty of time to dive into the Star Wars attractions and more.

The location is unbeatable, just a 10-minute drive to Disneyland, with the hotel providing a shuttle service. This Delta Hotels property features a pool, fitness center, grab-and-go market, and a wine bar in the lobby.

Orlando, Florida

Known as the most magical place on earth, Orlando ranks among the top travel destinations worldwide. The area boasts a variety of accommodations, from budget-friendly options to luxurious five-star hotels. However, if you plan to stay on or near the Walt Disney World property, your choices are mainly limited to Disney's own hotels.

Nonetheless, two properties within the Marriott portfolio — the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin — are located just steps away from the major theme parks, offering Marriott points holders a prime option that won’t break the bank. Best of all, both properties (the Swan is part of the Westin brand and the Dolphin is under Sheraton) are Category 6 hotels requiring 50,000 points per night during standard availability.

We discovered ample availability in late summer and throughout fall, including standard and even off-peak nights. With many nights priced at over $300 each, redeeming 100,000 points (or fewer!) can yield around $1,000 in value when you account for taxes and fees on top of the nightly rate. (Just keep in mind that a resort fee will still apply on Marriott award stays.)

If you're flexible about not staying on Disney property, consider the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, another Category 6 hotel with good off-peak and standard award availability during peak seasons. Cash rates often hover around $350 per night but can rise significantly, making standard or off-peak award availability a great value for your points.

Exploring the world's finest beaches

Curaçao

Although this island may not receive as much attention as Aruba, Curaçao is an incredible destination featuring year-round pleasant weather, stunning beaches, a lively culture, and much more. The newly renovated Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort is the perfect place to stay, boasting two pools, various dining options, newly designed guest rooms, and additional amenities.

As a Category 5 resort, you can achieve excellent value for your points, particularly when booking off-peak or standard award nights for 30,000 or 35,000 points per night, respectively.

Miami, Florida

Although it’s not right on the beach, the recently updated Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove is an excellent choice for visitors to the Miami area seeking a luxurious, relaxed property away from the excitement of South Beach. As a Marriott Category 6 hotel, it offers great value for points — room rates typically range from $350 to $500 per night, so securing an off-peak or standard award night allows you to truly maximize your Marriott points.

Cancún, Mexico

The Category 6 Ritz-Carlton, Cancun is a beachfront resort located in one of Mexico's most sought-after vacation destinations. It's easily accessible, particularly from the eastern U.S., with numerous cities offering nonstop flights several times a week, if not daily. As a Category 6 hotel, you can book stays for 50,000 points during standard availability. While cash rates here aren’t always exorbitant, they can reach around $500 per night during peak winter months and holidays.

For those who like to plan ahead, you might snag the prized Christmas redemption, where cash rates soar above $1,000 per night. Even if peak nights require 60,000 points each, you’ll still find excellent value, given the high costs of travel during that busy season.

Los Cabos, Mexico

We adore the JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa for its breathtaking location, luxurious rooms, beautiful common areas, and exceptional staff. Additionally, it offers fantastic value for points. Much like the Ritz in Cancún, cash rates at this resort are generally moderate throughout the year. However, during peak seasons, finding standard availability can provide an incredible value, allowing you to book for just 50,000 points per night.

Thailand

How does staying on a private island in Thailand using points sound to you?

That sounds fantastic to us as well! The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket is situated on its own island off the coast of the popular Phuket, making you feel worlds away. Accessing the island requires a speedboat, and once you arrive, you might never want to leave. The resort's villas are stunning and offer complete privacy, and the pools and private beach are absolutely breathtaking.

The best part? It’s a Category 6 property, which means you can secure rooms for just 50,000 points per night during standard availability.

Langkawi, Malaysia

An archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, Langkawi is becoming a sought-after destination for Southeast Asian beach lovers. Here, you'll discover fantastic opportunities to utilize your Marriott points. The St. Regis Langkawi is an astonishing luxury resort that often has cash rates hovering around $500 per night. Luckily, there seems to be ample availability at the standard rate for a Category 6 property: 50,000 points per night.

Tip: If The St. Regis is fully booked, consider the Ritz-Carlton in Langkawi, which is also a Category 6 property.

Europe's premier properties

Austria

Discover the beauty of Austria's capital at the Vienna Marriott Hotel, a Category 6 establishment. Given that Vienna is not typically a budget destination, when rates soar above $500 per night during the busy summer months, your points will go a long way, especially if you can secure off-peak or standard nights.

Spain

Dreaming of a getaway to Spain's Canary Islands, located off the Northwest African coast? Stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Abama on Tenerife, where you can bask in the sun and enjoy the laid-back Spanish atmosphere. Although summer is peak season in Europe, a quick check shows ample standard award availability, offering excellent value for your points — a hidden gem, as described by TPG senior writer Lori Zaino.

Portugal

Discover the stunning Douro Valley in Portugal starting from Porto, renowned for its port wine and picturesque bridges over the Douro River. The Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa, a Category 4 property situated in the city's business area, might not be your top choice for a vacation. However, using ride-sharing services like Uber is convenient and affordable in Portugal.

As a Category 4 hotel, the Sheraton allows you to potentially enjoy a six-night stay on points, provided you can secure off-peak award availability at 20,000 points per night and utilize Bonvoy's perk of the fifth night free.

Current Marriott credit card offers

If the limited-time enhanced welcome offer from Bonvoy Boundless isn't the perfect fit for you, there are numerous other ways to accumulate a significant number of Marriott points:

• Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card: Receive 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card: Get 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months. Additionally, earn up to $200 in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants within the first six months of membership.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months. Plus, receive up to $150 back in statement credits for eligible purchases made during the first three months of membership.

In summary

If you're eager for a much-needed vacation but only have the 100,000 bonus points from the limited-time Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card offer, don't worry—you still have plenty of options. It will require some time and effort to conduct thorough research, but there's no reason you can't maximize the value of your Bonvoy points.