Even though Marriott switched to dynamic pricing to calculate the cost of point redemptions at its properties during the previous year, there are still a great many options available that offer a superior value for paying for travel with points rather than cash.
When it comes to Marriott's portfolio of 31 brands, redeeming my points for stays at AC Hotels in the United States is one of my absolute favourite hidden gems and secret sweet spots. AC Hotels, which feature a contemporary design that is evocative of some of Marriott's higher-end properties, can provide an exceptional bargain for stays that are paid for with Marriott award points. This is especially true in places where rates can be very expensive. A select few of Marriott's credit cards offer free-night certificates, which may be redeemed for stays at participating hotels. Many of these stays are eligible for these certificates.
TPG pegs Our most current calculations put the worth of a single Marriott Bonvoy point at 0.84 cents, but if you plan a stay at one of these hotels, you might be able to get twice as much value out of your points – or perhaps more.
The following list of AC Hotels features some properties that offer outstanding point redemptions.
Continue reading for more information regarding the award traveller's guide to Marriott Bonvoy.
New York City's Downtown AC Hotel
In a city that is known for its high hotel room rates, the Marriott hotels located in lower Manhattan frequently provide discounted point redemptions for properties that charge higher cash rates.
The AC Hotel New York Downtown is a good example of this type of establishment. The foyer of the hotel is rather lovely, and the establishment also has a restaurant and a bar on the premises. The rooms include contemporary bathrooms and give views of the city of Manhattan.
The standard range for point redemptions is between 20,000 and 30,000 points, and the cash rate can range anywhere from $200 during off-peak times to $450 around Christmas and summer to as high as $600 on some fall dates. On these nights, the facility transforms into one of the best point redemptions in Manhattan, with each point having a value of up to 2 cents, which is more than double what TPG assigns to the value of Marriott points.
Related: New York City's top hotels, ranging from five-star establishments to places accepting points
Washington DC Convention Center's AC Hotel
The AC Hotel Washington DC Convention Center is yet another Marriott property located on the East Coast that offers excellent value for the points that guests redeem.
The hotel has an outstanding location in the Chinatown district of Washington, District of Columbia, and it features Spanish dining aspects that were inspired by the original AC Hotels in Spain. Moreover, the hotel offers a rooftop bar and club. You are not only located close to the conference centre, but you also have access to various Metro lines, which makes it simple for you to get to other parts of the nation's capital.
On most days, guests at the AC Hotel Washington DC Convention Center can redeem their points for amounts ranging between 20,000 and 30,000, just as those staying at the location in lower Manhattan. Cash prices, on the other hand, are subject to a greater degree of variation and might range anywhere from $150 to $550 per night depending on when you stay.
You can redeem your Marriott points for a value of 1.8 cents per point when cash prices are at a premium, which is again more than double what TPG's worth is.
Related: If you want to get to the capital as quickly as possible, what is the quickest route from New York to Washington, DC?
The AC Hotel in the Heart of Downtown Los Angeles
The AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles is one of the newest additions to Marriott's portfolio in Southern California, and it is scheduled to open its doors in April 2023. (It shares an address with the Moxy Downtown Los Angeles, which also opens next month).
The hotel provides guests with easy access to other dining options at the Moxy in addition to a lobby cafe, a restaurant located on the hotel's 34th level, and a rooftop bar. The facility also features corner king rooms that are larger than its standard rooms, in addition to suites that may be reserved using Marriott's Suite Night Awards, which are awarded as part of the Choice Benefit selections available to members of the programme.
Yet, the property's location is very likely to be the feature that attracts the most potential buyers. It is located directly across the street from the convention centre and is only a short distance away on foot from both the Crypto.com Arena and the L.A. Live event venue.
Award nights can be had for anywhere between 30,000 and 42,000 points, and reservations can be booked beginning on May 7th, 2023. Cash rates are normally somewhere in the range of $300 and $400, however, there are certain times when they are priced at more than $700. As a consequence of this, you should normally plan on spending a minimum of one cent per point. But, the value of your points might increase to more than two cents, making the AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles an excellent redemption option for your points almost throughout the year.
Related: the top 10 hotels near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Downtown AC Hotel in Bozeman, Montana
If you are thinking about taking a trip to Montana and Yellowstone National Park, the AC Hotel Bozeman Downtown is a great place to stay that will not only save you money but also provide a peaceful break from your time spent outdoors.
The hotel is not as luxurious as the other establishments in the city that were mentioned earlier, but it does provide guests with a restaurant, a bar, and a contemporary fitness facility.
The number of points required to redeem a reward can range anywhere from 40,000 to 63,000; however, during the high summer season, the award rate is typically around 60,000 points for most dates. During the winter, cash prices can drop as low as $278, but at certain times, they can increase as high as $700. This means that you can acquire a value that is greater than 1.1 cents per point.
A magnificent American driving adventure across the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming is also available.
The AC Hotel by Marriott is located in Wailea on Maui.
You can also find outstanding point redemptions at AC Hotels that are located outside of the 48 contiguous United States.
There are tennis courts, ocean views, and a poolside bar with a lava fire pit at the AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea, which is the hotel that offers the most amenities out of all the hotels that are discussed in this article. Each hotel and suite come equipped with a balcony from which guests may take in the lush Hawaiian environment and vibrant landscape.
If you redeem your Marriott points for a hotel stay, the award rates remain pretty stable throughout the year, ranging from as few as 52,000 points per night to as many as 63,000 points on peak travel days. The base cash rates, on the other hand, are more subject to variation and can be anywhere from $600 to more than $1,500 per night. You have the opportunity to redeem 63,000 hotel points for a night that would normally cost over $1,800 if you book a weekend stay during February 2023. (Including taxes and fees). This results in an incredible redemption value of more than 2.8 cents per point, which is three times what TPG values its points at.
Related: you may use your points to book at any of these 29 hotels in Maui, Hawaii
Bottom line
In the network of hotels owned by Marriott, AC Hotels are known for their contemporary Spanish flavour. Because there are so many new hotels operating in the United States, each one has a respectable selection of amenities, which is what one ought to anticipate from a more recent hotel in the price range of the middle tier. Most crucially, the point redemption values that may be obtained from AC Hotels can often be significantly higher than the normal value that can be obtained from Marriott Bonvoy points.
AC Hotels can provide outstanding value wherever you are in the United States, whether you are vacationing in one of the country's most populous cities or venturing out into the wilderness.