Marriott Bonvoy fifth night free: rules and points example

Which night is actually free?

Marriott Bonvoy Stay for 5, Pay for 4 applies to five consecutive eligible points nights booked as a Standard Redemption or PointSavers award under one confirmation number. Marriott removes the lowest-priced points night from the total. This is not automatically a 20% discount: when nightly prices vary, the cheapest night determines the saving.

Look at every night

An average can conceal a very uneven pattern. Before comparing two weeks, note every nightly price and the final total. With the same room and terms, moving dates may change the balance required; assess the whole stay.

An example makes the benefit clear

An illustration: 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000 and 80,000 points total 300,000. Removing the 40,000-point night leaves 260,000, averaging 52,000 per night and saving 13.33%. Five equal prices would produce 20%. The booking summary remains the reference.

Five nights you actually want

Compare the award with a realistic cash rate and the duration you want. Staying longer can add meals, activities and time away. The benefit is persuasive when the fifth night improves the trip, beyond lowering a mathematical average.

Compare two complete five-night sequences rather than mentally replacing only the most expensive night. A different arrival day can change every nightly price and the night removed. Read the final summary again with the same category and terms. This prevents attributing savings from different dates to the benefit itself. If both periods work, transport and planned activities may decide the better trip; the lower points total is one argument within that choice.

When the benefit does not apply

The points benefit covers a Standard Room. Extra points for a premium room or upgrade remain payable on the free night too. Cash + Points, Upgrade Awards, Nightly Upgrade Awards, promotional awards and free-night certificates do not qualify, nor do five separate consecutive bookings. Check the total for one reservation before transferring or committing points.

How to check a booking

Search the entire five-night stay with the same room type and conditions. Record each night’s points price, the total before and after the benefit, and any cash charges. Compare four nights as well if that is how long you actually want to stay. The numerical example above is illustrative; it does not show availability or the price of a real hotel.

Ten nights and changes of plan

For ten eligible award nights under one reservation, Marriott deducts the two lowest-priced points nights across the entire stay, wherever they fall. Changing a booking can alter the points required. Unused portions of the stay do not earn a points refund or a new free-night credit, so check the duration and terms before confirming.