Back by popular demand, you’ll now see more “Ask the Expert” articles, where a Marriott Vacation Club^℠ Advisor answers Member questions. You’ll learn how to use your membership and get access to insider advice on how to best maximize your holiday time.

This month, Advisor Wilson W. will answer questions regarding how to use Marriott Bonvoy^™ points to go on holiday.

There have been travel restrictions in many countries that make it very difficult to travel to some of the areas where the Marriott Vacation Club resorts are located. What are the options for using my membership nearby?

Unfortunately, many Members have had to postpone holidays due to restrictions surrounding the unprecedented events of the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are ways to use your membership to go on holiday locally. One of your best options is to use Marriott Bonvoy points to confirm a hotel stay. There are more than 900 hotels within the Marriott^® family of brands throughout Asia-Pacific where you may redeem your Marriott Bonvoy points.

I may not be able to go on holiday for an entire week. Can I use Marriott Bonvoy points for shorter stays?

Yes. You may use Marriott Bonvoy points for any number of nights. One tip to keep in mind is that when you reserve a consecutive 5-night stay, you are only charged for 4 nights.  

I would like to stay in a resort-style hotel with a pool and golf course. What are my options?

There are 30 unique brands within the Marriott family of hotels, and many of them have pools, restaurants, and other amenities like golf and spas. You may choose to spend more Marriott Bonvoy points to stay with a luxury brand like the JW Marriott^®, St. Regis^®, EDITION^®, W Hotels^®, Luxury Collection^®, or The Ritz-Carlton^®. Or spend fewer Marriott Bonvoy points to stay with premium or select brands like a Sheraton^®, Marriott, or Autograph Collection^®. It’s easy to search for amenities like pools and locations, and even filter the search by the brand you would like to reserve on marriott.com.

How many Marriott Bonvoy points will my stay require?

The 7,200+ hotels within the Marriott Bonvoy network are divided into eight categories. For higher category hotels, more Marriott Bonvoy points are required. The categories are determined by the number of redemption nights at that location from the prior year, so more popular hotel locations may require additional Marriott Bonvoy points.

Can you suggest some hotels in the region?

Some locations that are popular with Members include The Westin Singapore, a Category 5 hotel with great views, multiple dining options, a spa, and a stunning infinity pool on the 35^th floor of the hotel, giving guests views over Singapore’s south coast. 

In Hong Kong, the Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung Hotel on Lantau Island has scenic mountains and sea views. It is also a Category 5 property, with a heated outdoor pool and world-class shopping and other attractions nearby.

There are currently 67 hotels located in Japan. The Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort in Miyazaki is a Category 4 hotel with pristine Pacific Ocean beaches just steps away. The Florante Miyazaki botanical park is also nearby. This hotel has a beautiful pool and many excellent dining options.

The Nagoya Marriott^® Associa Hotel is often recognized as one of the top hotels in Japan. It is located in the center of Nagoya, and boasts the largest, most luxurious guestrooms in the city.

Fairfield by Marriott^® Gifu Seiryu Satoyama Park in Gifu is adjacent to Michi-no-Eki Minokamo, an urban park that echoes the rural landscape of the Showa era (1926-89). This family-friendly park includes a cafe, foot spa, and play gym. Venture a little further to visit historic temples, shrines, and charming towns along the Nakasendo Highway.

The Westin Sendai is an upscale hotel with panoramic views of the mountains, the city of Sendai, and the Pacific Ocean. The hotel is near Sendai Station, historic temples in Matsushima, golf courses, and Vegaropolis Sendai Minami.

And the Lake Biwa Marriott^® Hotel offers a waterfront location on beautiful Lake Biwa near Kyoto with a heated indoor pool and spectacular views. Public hot springs offer a unique way to unwind and relax, located on the resort premises.

Get to Know Wilson W.

Wilson has worked at Member Services in Singapore since March 2018, nearly 3 years.

He assists Members in holiday planning, handles membership inquiries, and advises on the usage options.

Wilson recently assisted a Member, who resides in Australia, in utilizing her expiring Points. He says, “I checked the Member’s preferences and travel patterns, and she confirmed she would like to use the Points for a local ‘stay-cation’ in Sydney. She had a wonderful stay with her family. I felt very appreciated when I received her complimentary letter on my services. It has been challenging year for our Members, the company, and associates. It was my great pleasure to be a small part of a Member’s holiday, especially during this pandemic.”

How to Get There

Marriott Bonvoy points may be redeemed at hotels in hundreds of locations. To search for availability and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points, log in to marriott.com. Remember, when you reserve 5 consecutive nights, you’ll only be charged for 4.