Immediately was the primary day I needed to seize a hoodie on the way in which out the door for my early morning stroll with my canine. That crisp air caught me without warning. Because the pups sniffed their manner across the neighborhood, I thought of all of the issues I nonetheless must test off my to-do listing earlier than winter descends. The highest merchandise on that listing? Ebook a winter getaway or two to warm-weather locations. I dashed dwelling to rev up the planning course of.
I hold a pocket book the place I jot down lodge information and suggestions. As I flipped by means of the pages, I famous the numerous new and renovated Marriott Bonvoy properties in sunny locations which might be on my radar. That little bit of intel — paired with my trusty Marriott Bonvoy Good® American Categorical® Card and all its advantages — put the wheels totally in movement.
With my Good card, I earn as much as 21 Marriott Bonvoy factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy properties (the incomes charge is determined by the lodge model). I will focus on this in additional element under.
I additionally obtain one free night time award yearly after my card renewal month. Awards can be utilized for one night time (with a redemption degree at or below 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors) at taking part motels. Sure motels have resort charges. Phrases apply.
Then there are the advantages that I really like, which embody:
- As much as a $100 property credit score for qualifying costs at Ritz-Carlton- or St. Regis-branded properties once I e book straight utilizing a particular charge for a two-night minimal keep; phrases apply
- A $300 Good Eating Credit score, which supplies as much as $25 per thirty days every calendar yr in assertion credit for eligible purchases at eating places worldwide once I pay with the Marriott Bonvoy Good card; phrases apply
The icing on the cake? Complimentary Platinum Elite standing advantages, which embody 50% extra factors on eligible purchases made straight at motels taking part in Marriott Bonvoy, an improve to an enhanced room at check-in (when out there and booked with a qualifying charge) and lounge entry with complimentary breakfast for 2 (out there at choose motels when booked with a qualifying charge). Phrases apply.
The Good card carries an annual charge of $650 (see charges and charges). See TPG’s different articles to be taught extra about easy methods to maximize the usage of this card:
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Let’s dig into one of the best warm-weather locations to e book for winter 2025 and easy methods to leverage your Good card to reap the benefits of all its advantages.
Ebook a funds or luxurious all-inclusive resort
Lately, Marriott has made vital strikes in a bid to dominate the all-inclusive-resort market. What’s cool is that the choices vary from funds to high-end, so there’s an all-inclusive resort that is proper for each traveler. For example, listed here are two brand-new all-inclusive resorts that may very well be excellent for a wintertime getaway when all you crave is a few sunshine:
- Funds within the Dominican Republic: Marriott Miches Seashore, An All-Inclusive Resort
- Luxurious close to Cancun, Mexico: Almare, a Luxurious Assortment Resort, Isla Mujeres, Grownup All-Inclusive
These with the Marriott Bonvoy Good can earn as much as 21 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases on the above motels. That is as much as 10 factors per greenback spent at these specific lodge manufacturers from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member, 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases whenever you cost the keep to your Good card and, lastly, a further 50% factors bonus because of the Platinum Elite standing you obtain as a complimentary good thing about the Good card. That is an impressive incomes proposition that can can help you financial institution factors to redeem totally free nights throughout Marriott’s huge portfolio of lodge manufacturers. Some motels might have obligatory service and resort costs. Phrases apply.
Now, let’s look a bit nearer at these two all-inclusive choices.
Marriott Miches Seashore, An All-Inclusive Resort
There are nonstop flights to Punta Cana Worldwide Airport (PUJ) from about two dozen U.S. gateway cities, together with Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Miami and New York. As soon as there, you possibly can stroll its seashores, zip line by means of the jungle, snorkel at websites offshore, go off-roading in a dune buggy, golf or fish, amongst different pursuits.
Whereas there are resorts set nearer to the airport, it is definitely worth the hour-or-so drive to the surprisingly inexpensive Marriott Miches Seashore resort on the Dominican Republic’s northeast shore. We noticed charges as little as $322 (together with taxes and charges) based mostly on double occupancy for March dates. Because it’s an all-inclusive resort, that charge covers all meals, snacks, alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi and nonmotorized water sports activities. Keep three nights or extra and also you additionally get a complimentary hydrotherapy spa remedy. (Word: This lodge doesn’t supply room service.)
Almare, a Luxurious Assortment Resort, Isla Mujeres, Grownup All-Inclusive
In case you as an alternative gravitate towards luxurious lodge stays the place the resort is the vacation spot, you possibly can’t do higher than Almare. With charges as little as $958 per night time (together with taxes and charges) in March (the excessive season), the employees will pamper you with exemplary service.
When you’ll fly into Cancun Worldwide Airport (CUN), attending to the resort additionally requires a brief drive after which a water taxi, which positively provides an air of exclusivity to your complete expertise. Ebook an oceanfront room or splurge on the Duplex Suite with a non-public plunge pool.
Foodies benefit from the resort’s seven eating and consuming venues, together with a Mexican restaurant, a Mediterranean outpost referred to as Seasalt, a coffeehouse (do not miss the regionally roasted Mexican cocoa) and the pool bar.
Almare is a unbelievable place to make use of your free night time award that comes as an annual profit with the Good card. Fundamental cardmembers earn a free night time award yearly after their renewal month. You should use this certificates for one night time (with a redemption degree at or below 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors) at taking part motels. You can too prime up the award by utilizing 15,000 factors, permitting you to e book a free night time at a lodge that costs as much as 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time.
TPG’s January 2025 valuations charge Marriott Bonvoy factors at 0.85 cents every, so search for a lodge with a money charge above $722.50 per night time to get one of the best worth from this award.
$100 property credit score at new resorts in Aruba and Hawaii
In case you favor unique luxurious resorts over all-inclusive resorts, the Marriott Bonvoy Good‘s bought you lined there as nicely with as much as a $100 property credit score for stays lasting two or extra nights at Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis properties. (You could e book straight with Marriott.) The credit score applies to qualifying purchases on the property, together with eating, spa remedies and lodge leisure actions that aren’t managed by a 3rd celebration.
Listed below are the motels I am eyeing to be used of my $100 property credit score:
The St. Regis Aruba Resort: Opening on the finish of January, Marriott brings its ultraluxe St. Regis model to this island within the southern Caribbean Sea. This resort gives 252 rooms and 52 suites. The Caroline Astor one-bedroom presidential suite gives unbelievable ocean views and an expansive outside terrace. This is able to be a unbelievable place to spend Valentine’s Day.
The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay: Whereas Turtle Bay is not a brand new lodge, it was just lately reflagged as a Ritz-Carlton. It is an iconic place to remain on Oahu’s famed North Shore on money or factors. In case you like to surf or watch the professionals, that is the place to go to in winter, when a lot of worldwide competitions are held.
Extra on complimentary Platinum Elite standing and annual eating credit with the Good card
Earlier than I log out to e book my wintertime vacay, I need to elaborate on a few different advantages I already talked about for the Marriott Bonvoy Good card.
Complimentary Platinum Elite standing
The truth that Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite standing is a profit is a compelling motive to use for the Good card.
Platinum Elite members who e book utilizing a qualifying charge are additionally eligible for complimentary room upgrades topic to availability at check-in. So, in the event you’re heading to any of those new Marriott properties, you may snag a complimentary room improve: Salterra, a Luxurious Assortment Resort & Spa, Turks & Caicos; JW Marriott St. Maarten Seashore Resort & Spa; The Riviera Maya Version at Kanai; AC Resort Honolulu; and Renaissance Honolulu Resort & Spa.
Annual eating credit
Lastly, I discussed this in passing earlier, however the Good card gives annual eating credit (as much as $300 in assertion credit per calendar yr). Simply use your card to make eligible purchases at eating places and obtain as much as $25 month-to-month in assertion credit. This can be a helpful perk since you need to use it at eating places worldwide and never simply whenever you’re in trip mode.
As soon as a month, I take advantage of my Good card to pay a $25.90 invoice at Mason’s Well-known Lobster Rolls. With the $25 assertion credit score, I spend simply 90 cents on a Connecticut-style roll, a Food regimen Coke and a aspect of coleslaw. Rating!
Backside line
Marriott has such a big footprint, almost any traveler can discover the fitting lodge expertise for them — whether or not they’re looking for funds choices, properties with family-centric facilities, romantic getaway locations or a spot the place mates can collect for an annual meetup. When you think about all of the value-added advantages of the Marriott Bonvoy Good American Categorical Card, you start to see all of your trip potentialities extra clearly.
It is not too late to plan a winter trip. Earmark a while and click on the “e book” button ASAP!
For charges and charges of the Marriott Bonvoy Good Amex, click on right here.
