How and why to book a Marriott cash and points reservation

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

Unfortunately, Marriott Bonvoy removed the ability to book customized cash and points rates online or via the app in January, as initially reported by Loyalty Lobby. But booking Marriott stays using a combination of cash and points is still possible — you have options if you’re determined to pay with a mix of methods.

So, here’s what you should know about booking a Marriott stay using a combination of cash and points.

When might you book a Marriott stay using cash and points?

There are a few times you might want to book a Marriott stay using cash and points. The most obvious time is when you don’t have enough points to cover your entire stay and don’t want to buy Marriott points or transfer American Express Membership Rewards points, Chase Ultimate Rewards points or Bilt Rewards Points to Marriott.

You might also want to call to book a customized payment reservation if doing so will let you avoid low redemption values on some nights. After all, sometimes nights during a stay may carry similar points rates but significantly different paid rates. So, you might want to redeem Marriott points for expensive nights and book paid rates for less expensive nights.

How to book a Marriott stay using cash and points

Within the Marriott Bonvoy program, you’ll find three different ways to book stays using a combination of cash and points. Here’s a look at your options.

Cash and points redemption

For some stays, you may see an option to book a “Cash & Points Redemption” rate when booking through the Marriott Bonvoy website or app. This lets you pay a fixed combination of cash and points.

Marriott cash and points — MARRIOTT BONVOY

Once you account for the taxes and fees, the cash portion will be higher than initially displayed.

Unfortunately, you won’t earn points on the cash portion of cash and points redemption rates and won’t benefit from the “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” offer.

Customized payment reservation

Previously, when booking via the Marriott app or website, you could select whether to redeem points or pay cash for each night of your stay.

Fifth night free on points + cash stay — MARRIOTT BONVOY

Marriott Bonvoy unfortunately removed this option in January. However, a Marriott Bonvoy spokesperson confirmed to TPG that members can still book a customized payment reservation in which one or more nights are fully in cash and one or more nights are fully in points by calling Marriott Customer Care.

The spokesperson also confirmed that members earn points on cash nights. So, if you want to pay cash for some nights and points for other nights, plan which nights to pay with each and call Marriott Customer Care.

Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy cash and points payment

Finally, you can redeem points toward Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy bookings at a fixed rate of 0.56 cents per point.

Marriott homes and villas points and cash booking — MARRIOTT

You must redeem at least 1,000 points. Once you complete your stay, you’ll then earn points on the cash portion of your booking.

Bottom line

It’s annoying that Marriott Bonvoy removed the feature to book customized payment reservations from its website and app in January, but you can still call to book if you want to pay cash for some nights and points for other nights. Doing so will usually be better than booking a “Cash & Points Redemption” rate since the paid part of a customized payment reservation is eligible to earn points.