Marriott Bonvoy issues Free Night Awards (FNAs) for co-branded credit cardholders, targeted promotions their run, and as an Annual Choice Benefit 75 night choice.
These awards are capped at various point levels, and you have not been able to use them for award nights that require more points. You can obviously use them for nights that require less.
You can access Marriott Bonvoy here.
READ MORE: Marriott Bonvoy Rate & Bonus Points Offers
Marriott promised earlier that they would roll out a function that would allow Marriott Bonvoy members to top off these awards at up to 15,000 points by paying the difference by late April, and they left it very late.
Marriott sent us a message that the top off functionality is currently rolled out and should be available by the morning of the 30th.
You can use a 40,000-point certificate for a night that requires up to 55,000 points by paying the difference in points.
You won’t get points back if you use the certificate for a night that requires less.
Remember that if you need to modify an award reservation, the point requirements that are in place when the modification is made apply, whether higher, lower, or identical.
Also, many often confuse FNAs and Fifth Night Free awards. The fifth night free only applies to an award reservation paid using points.
Conclusion
Why wouldn’t Marriott allow Bonvoy members to top off their certificate, whatever the number of points the award night may require, not just the 15,000?
This is an excellent first step, however.
Here are the frequently asked questions by Marriott:
What Is Free Night Award Top Off?
Information on using 15,000 Points to expand the value of a Free Night Award.
Members can use up to 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy® Points to expand the value of their Free Night Award. This allows Members the ability to access even more Hotel and Resort options across our 30 distinctive Brands.
What is a Free Night Award (FNA)?
Free Night Awards are certificates that are earned through Marriott Bonvoy® partner programs (e.g., Co-brand Credit Cards), promotions or Elite Benefits (e.g., Annual Choice Benefit) and carry a specific Marriott Bonvoy® Points value that can be applied to a Night during an Eligible Stay.
Free Night Award Top Off FAQs
Can Marriott Bonvoy® Points be added to a Free Night Award (FNA) for all Room Types or just Standard Room Types?
You can add up to 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy® Points to each of your Free Night Awards for Standard Room Types only.
If I have multiple Free Night Awards (FNA) in my Account, can I add additional Points to each Free Night Award that I use in a Multi-Night booking?
Yes, Members can add up to 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy® Points per night for each Free Night Award (FNA) used in the Redemption Reservation.
Will I have the ability to add up to 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy® Points while making a Redemption Reservation on Marriott.com using a Free Night Award?
Yes, Members will have the ability to make this selection when booking a Redemption Reservation using a Free Night Award on Marriott.com, and may apply it to each Free Night Award used. Please note this functionality is not yet available through the Marriott Bonvoy® Mobile App.
If I try to modify a reservation which has a Free Night Award (FNA) already attached to it and now the amount of Points required is higher, will I automatically be able to contribute additional Points to my Free Night Award (FNA) or do I need to do something different?
Similar to today, when you modify a Reservation, it may impact the Marriott Bonvoy® Points needed to redeem the Stay, which may go up or down depending on the dates. If more Points are required for the Night beyond the value of the Free Night Award (FNA), you can add up to 15,000 Points per Night for each FNA used in the Redemption Reservation. These Points can be added while making or modifying the Reservation.
