Guide to Marriott Bonvoy Points for Disney World
How to Earn and Use Marriott Bonvoy Points for Disney World
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.Disney family vacations are magical but often come with a hefty price tag. What if I told you that your dream trip to Walt Disney World Resort could be free (or nearly free) with strategic use of the Marriott Bonvoy program?
Let’s explore how a Marriott Bonvoy member can earn and redeem Marriott points—and unlock valuable perks like the 5th Night Free and Free Night Certificates—to make your Disney vacation more affordable. Earning free hotel stays with Marriott Bonvoy can significantly cut down the cost of your Disney World adventure, letting you focus on the magic instead of the expenses.
Why the Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program is Perfect for Disney Trips
The Marriott Bonvoy program is an excellent choice for Disney fans, offering incredible opportunities to stay close to the magic while maximizing rewards. With properties both on and near Walt Disney World property, Marriott Bonvoy points can help make your Disney vacation more affordable without sacrificing convenience or comfort.
Here’s why Marriott Bonvoy is ideal for Disney trips:
Marriott with On-Property Perks
Marriott offers three incredible hotels located right on Disney property:
These hotels combine luxury and proximity, providing Disney hotel benefits while allowing you to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points.
Key Benefits of These On-Property Hotels:
The perks of the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve are the same as Disney Hotel deluxe resorts.
Close Proximity to the Parks: Located in the heart of Walt Disney World, these hotels are just a short walk or boat ride away from EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Extra Magic Hours & Early Park Entry: Guests enjoy early theme park entry, giving you a head start at the Disney theme parks.
Disney Transportation: Complimentary transportation to all Disney parks and attractions including free shuttles.
Family-Friendly Luxury: Spacious rooms, world-class pools, and dining options make these hotels a favorite for families.
Note these hotels do have an additional cost as there is a resort fee, even for stays booked completely on Points. For more info on these 3 hotels check out Book Disney World Swan Reserve Using Marriott Points, Walt Disney World Swan Hotel Using Marriott Points, and Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel Using Marriott Points.
Why Marriott Bonvoy Points Stretch Further
In addition to on-property options, Marriott offers a range of nearby properties with excellent amenities:
Proximity: Many Marriott hotels near Disney are a quick drive or shuttle ride away.
Family-Friendly Amenities: Enjoy features like pools, suites, and complimentary breakfasts.
Vacation Clubs: Room to spread out in an apartment-like hotel room
We stayed at Marriott Imperial Palms Villa and had so much space for our family. Best yet, these are great options for completely free stays as there are no resort or parking fees.
Full Kitchen on our free stay at Marriott Imperial Palms Villas
Whether you stay at the Swan, Swan Reserve, or Dolphin hotels—or one of the many nearby Marriott hotels—Marriott Bonvoy points make it easy to save on lodging, so you can spend more on the magic.
Check out our complete guide to Marriott hotels for Disney vacations to find the perfect option for your family!
How to Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points for Free Disney Stays
Stay at Marriott Properties
Earn points money spent at most Marriott brands
Marriott Bonvoy Elite Members earn bonus points on top of the base rate, depending on their status level.
Use Marriott Co-Branded Credit Cards
Marriott offers co-branded credit cards through Chase and American Express, which significantly boost your earning potential.
New cardholders often receive a generous welcome bonus, offering tens of thousands of points after meeting the minimum spending requirement.
Transfer Points
You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio, allowing you to top off your Marriott points balance.
Marriott also partners with Chase Ultimate Rewards, which transfer at the same 1:1 ratio for even more flexibility.
By earning Marriott Bonvoy points strategically, you can unlock free or discounted stays at Marriott hotels near Walt Disney World, or even at the on-property Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve hotels for a truly magical Disney experience.
Chase and American Express Marriott Bonvoy Co-Branded Credit Cards
Marriott Bonvoy offers a range of co-branded credit cards through both Chase and American Express, making it easier to earn points for your next Disney trip. Here’s an overview of the available options:
Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card Options
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (entry-level, no annual fee, offered by Chase)
Ideal for beginners, offering basic earning rates with no annual fee.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (mid-tier, annual fee, offered by Chase)
Enhanced earning rates and an annual free night award (35,000 points), make it a great step-up option.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card (mid-tier, annual fee, offered by AmEx)
Designed for frequent Marriott travelers, with generous bonus categories for everyday spending, Marriott Bonvoy Gold status, free night award after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express Card (premium, packed with perks)
Offers top-tier benefits like Platinum Elite status, an annual free night certificate worth up to 85,000 points, and statement credits for Marriott and dining.
Maximizing Rewards with Marriott Cards
To get the most out of Marriott’s credit cards, follow this sequence:
Start with an entry-level card like the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card to get accustomed to earning and redeeming points.
Upgrade to a mid-tier card such as the Boundless® or Bevy™ for higher earning potential and additional perks.
Finally, consider applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Card to unlock premium benefits like Platinum Elite status and additional free night awards.
Why This Order?
Applying for lower-tier cards first ensures eligibility for welcome bonuses on each card tier. Starting with a premium card could make you ineligible for bonuses on lower-tier cards later.
Additional Tips for Maximizing Marriott Bonvoy Points
Sign Up for Marriott Bonvoy First: Before applying for any Marriott credit card, sign up for a free Marriott Bonvoy account and provide your membership number when applying.
The "Person 2 Strategy": If you share expenses with a partner, have them apply for their own card instead of adding them as an authorized user. This allows both of you to earn separate welcome bonuses, effectively doubling your rewards.
Use Bonus Categories: Marriott cards offer bonus points on everyday spending categories like dining, grocery stores, and gas stations. Check your card’s benefits to maximize your earning potential.
For more details about earning Marriott Bonvoy points or the Person 2 strategy, visit How To Use Credit Card Points For A Disney Vacation.
Key Marriott Bonvoy Perks for Disney Travelers
Fifth Night Free on Points
Marriott Bonvoy offers a 5th Night Free benefit when you redeem points for a 5-night award stay. This perk is available to all members and is a great way to stretch your points for more free nights. Note, that Marriott the 5th night free, must be consecutive nights.Example:
A hotel requiring 40,000 points per night would cost 160,000 points for a 5-night stay instead of 200,000 points.
Combine this with Free Night Certificates for even bigger savings!
Free Night Certificates
Free Night Certificates are among the most valuable perks of the Marriott Bonvoy program. Here's how you can earn them:Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card: Receive a Free Night Certificate annually, redeemable for stays up to 85,000 points, plus another certificate by spending $60,000 annually.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card: Get an annual Free Night Certificate redeemable for stays up to 35,000 points.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card: Earn a Free Night Certificate by spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
Where Can You Use Free Night Certificates?
Redeem certificates for award stays in standard rooms at Marriott properties worldwide, including luxurious options near Disney.
Pro Tip: Combine Free Night Certificates with points redemptions for extended stays. Couples can also maximize value if both partners have Marriott Bonvoy cards, doubling your certificates.
Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status
Marriott Bonvoy’s elite tiers offer escalating perks to make your Disney vacation more rewarding:
Silver Elite:
Achieved after 10 nights or automatically with entry-level Marriott Bonvoy cards.
Benefits: Priority late checkout, 10% points bonus, and access to exclusive member rates.
Gold Elite:
Achieved after 25 nights or automatically with mid-tier cards like the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card.
Benefits: Enhanced room upgrades, 2 p.m. late checkout, and a 25% points bonus.
Platinum Elite:
Achieved after 50 nights or automatically with the American Express Marriott Brilliant Card.
Benefits: Enhanced upgrades (including suites), free breakfast/lounge access, and a 50% points bonus.
Tips for Maximizing Marriott Bonvoy Benefits for Disney Trips
Strategically Use Points: Book hotels with lower points requirements to stretch your balance further.
Stack Free Night Certificates with Points: Use certificates for expensive nights and points for additional nights to maximize value.
Leverage the "5th Night Free" Perk: Extend your Disney vacation while saving thousands of points.
Book Early: Award availability at popular Orlando hotels, including the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve, can be limited. Plan ahead for your trip.
Final Thoughts on Using Marriott Bonvoy Points for Disney World
The Marriott Bonvoy program offers incredible opportunities to make your Disney World vacation more affordable—or even free. By earning and redeeming Marriott credit card points strategically, leveraging the 5th Night Free perk, and utilizing Free Night Certificates, you can enjoy luxurious stays close to the magic without breaking the bank.
Ready to make your Disney dreams come true? Explore Marriott Bonvoy properties near Disney World and start earning those points today!
