Despite Marriott switch to dynamic pricing to calculate the cost of redeeming points at your properties last year, there are still plenty of options that offer great value for using points instead of cash on your trips.
One of my favorite hidden sweet spots in Marriott’s portfolio of 31 brands redeeming my points for stays at AC Hotels in the USA Featuring a contemporary style reminiscent of some of Marriott’s more upscale properties, AC Hotels can offer excellent value for money. Marriott awards stay, especially in cities where rates can be very expensive. Many are covered by the program’s free night certificate, available on a few Marriott credit card.
TPG . latch Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.84 cents per person in Our most recent valuationbut by booking some of these properties in advance, you can get double that value — or even more.
Here are some AC Hotels that offer amazing points redemption.
Read more: The award-winning traveler’s guide to the Marriott Bonvoy
AC Hotel New York City Center
In a city dominated by expensive hotel rooms, Marriott properties in lower Manhattan often offer cheap redemptions to properties with high cash ratios.
One such example is AC Hotel New York City Center. The hotel features a picturesque lobby along with an on-site restaurant and bar. Rooms overlook Manhattan and have modern bathrooms.
Redemption of points is typically between 20,000 and 30,000 points, with cash rates varying from $200 during off-peak times to $450 during Christmas and summer to as high as $600 in peak times. autumn days. On these nights, the property becomes one of the best points redemption in Manhattan, with each point worth up to 2 cents per person, more than double TPG’s Marriott points valuation.
Related: The best hotels in New York City, from luxury hotels to point hotels
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AC Hotel Washington DC . Convention Center
Another Marriott property that offers excellent points value on the East Coast is AC Hotel Washington DC . Convention Center.
Featuring Spanish dining elements inspired by the original AC Hotels in Spain, along with a rooftop bar and club, this property enjoys a great location in Chinatown of Washington, DC. You’re not just near the convention center; you can also use multiple Metro lines, making it easy to get to the rest of the national capital.
Like its lower Manhattan location, the AC Hotel Washington DC Convention Center offers 20,000 to 30,000 points redemption most days. However, cash rates fluctuate more significantly, ranging from $150 to $550 a night, depending on when you stay.
When cash prices are high, you can redeem your Marriott points for 1.8 cents each, again more than double TPG’s valuation.
Related: Racing to the capital: What’s the fastest way to get from New York to Washington, DC?
AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles
Set to open in April 2023, AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles is one of Marriott’s newest branches in Southern California (shared address with Moxy Center Los Angelesalso coming out next month).
The hotel features a 34th-floor restaurant, rooftop bar and lobby cafe with easy access to additional dining options at the Moxy. The hotel also offers corner rooms with larger king beds than standard rooms, as well as bookable suites with Marriott’s Suite Night Awards presented as part of the program. Option Choice of benefits.
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the property, however, is its location. You’ll find it across from the convention center and just a short walk from Crypto.com Arena and the LA Live event venue.
Reservations are available as of May 7, 2023, and award nights range from 30,000 to 42,000 points. Cash rates are typically between $300 and $400, although they cost more than $700 on certain days. As a result, you’re typically looking at a minimum of 1 cent per point — but that value can add up to more than 2 cents, making AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles a worthwhile spot for you almost any time of year. .
Related: The 10 best hotels near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
AC Hotel Bozeman City Center
If you are planning a trip to Montana and Yellowstone National Parkthe AC Hotel Bozeman City Center offer incredible value and relax after your outdoor adventures.
The hotel is simpler than the hotels in the city above, but still has a restaurant, bar and modern fitness center.
Point redemption varies between 40,000 and 63,000 points, but peak summer sees reward rates hovering around 60,000 points for most days. Cash prices can drop as low as $278 in the winter but rise to $700 on certain days, meaning you can get over 1.1 cents worth of points per point.
Related: An amazing American trip through Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming
Marriott Maui Wailea’s AC Hotel
You can also redeem great points at AC Hotels located outside the US
The Marriott Maui Wailea’s AC Hotel offers the most amenities of any of the hotels mentioned in this article, with tennis courts, ocean views, and a pool bar with a lava fire pit. Each room and suite has a balcony to enjoy the fresh Hawaiian climate and lively scenery.
If you redeem Marriott points, the reward rate is relatively stable throughout the year, dropping as low as 52,000 points per night but only increasing to 63,000 points on more popular days. On the other hand, the base cash rate can vary more, from $600 to over $1,500 per night. For weekends in February 2023, you have the opportunity to use 63,000 points for a night that would otherwise cost you nearly $1,800 (taxes and fees included). That gives you a phenomenal redemption value of over 2.8 cents per point, triple TPG’s valuation.
Related: 29 hotels in Maui, Hawaii you can book with points
bottom line
AC Hotels brings modern, Spanish flair to the Marriott portfolio. With many new hotels opening in the United States, each location offers the right range of amenities one might expect in a newer hotel at a mid-range price point. More importantly, AC Hotels can have a significantly higher point redemption value than you would typically get from Marriott Bonvoy points.
Whether in America’s largest cities or on vacations in the US wilderness, AC Hotels can deliver great value across the country.
