Unlock unique Marriott Bonvoy perks at brand-new resorts in sunny locations

As we speak was the primary day I needed to seize a hoodie on the best way out the door for my early morning stroll with my canine. That crisp air caught me abruptly. Because the pups sniffed their manner across the neighborhood, I considered all of the issues I nonetheless must verify off my to-do checklist earlier than winter descends. The highest merchandise on that checklist? E-book 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 resort information and proposals. As I flipped by means of the pages, I famous the numerous new and renovated Marriott Bonvoy properties in sunny locations which can be on my radar. That little bit of intel — paired with my trusty Marriott Bonvoy Sensible® American Specific® Card and all its advantages — put the wheels totally in movement.

With my Sensible card, I earn as much as 21 Marriott Bonvoy factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy properties (the incomes price relies on the resort model). I am going to talk about this in additional element under.

I additionally obtain one free evening award yearly after my card renewal month. Awards can be utilized for one evening (with a redemption stage at or beneath 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors) at taking part resorts. Sure resorts 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 prices at Ritz-Carlton- or St. Regis-branded properties after I ebook straight utilizing a particular price for a two-night minimal keep; phrases apply
• A $300 Sensible Eating Credit score, which supplies as much as $25 monthly every calendar yr in assertion credit for eligible purchases at eating places worldwide after I pay with the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible card; phrases apply

The icing on the cake? Complimentary Platinum Elite standing advantages, which embody 50% extra factors on eligible purchases made straight at resorts taking part in Marriott Bonvoy, an improve to an enhanced room at check-in (when out there and booked with a qualifying price) and lounge entry with complimentary breakfast for 2 (out there at choose resorts when booked with a qualifying price). Phrases apply.

The Sensible card carries an annual charge of $650 (see charges and charges). See TPG’s different articles to be taught extra about maximize using this card:

Let’s dig into the very best warm-weather locations to ebook for winter 2025 and leverage your Sensible card to make the most of all its advantages.

E-book a funds or luxurious all-inclusive resort

In recent times, 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 may be an all-inclusive resort that is proper for each traveler. For example, listed here are two brand-new all-inclusive resorts that could possibly be good for a wintertime getaway when all you crave is a few sunshine:

• Finances 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 Sensible can earn as much as 21 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases on the above resorts. That is as much as 10 factors per greenback spent at these specific resort manufacturers from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member, 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases if you cost the keep to your Sensible card and, lastly, a further 50% factors bonus as a result of Platinum Elite standing you obtain as a complimentary advantage of the Sensible card. That is an excellent incomes proposition that may help you financial institution factors to redeem totally free nights throughout Marriott’s huge portfolio of resort manufacturers. Some resorts might have necessary service and resort prices. 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 may 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 well worth the hour-or-so drive to the surprisingly reasonably priced Marriott Miches Seashore resort on the Dominican Republic’s northeast shore. We noticed charges as little as $322 (together with taxes and charges) primarily based on double occupancy for March dates. Because it’s an all-inclusive resort, that price 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 therapy. (Be aware: This resort doesn’t supply room service.)

Almare, a Luxurious Assortment Resort, Isla Mujeres, Grownup All-Inclusive

Should you as an alternative gravitate towards luxurious resort stays the place the resort is the vacation spot, you may’t do higher than Almare. With charges as little as $958 per evening (together with taxes and charges) in March (the excessive season), the workers 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 undoubtedly provides an air of exclusivity to your entire expertise. E-book an oceanfront room or splurge on the Duplex Suite with a personal plunge pool.

Foodies benefit from the resort’s seven eating and consuming venues, together with a Mexican restaurant, a Mediterranean outpost known as Seasalt, a coffeehouse (do not miss the domestically roasted Mexican cocoa) and the pool bar.

Almare is a unbelievable place to make use of your free evening award that comes as an annual profit with the Sensible card. Primary cardmembers earn a free evening award yearly after their renewal month. You should use this certificates for one evening (with a redemption stage at or beneath 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors) at taking part resorts. You too can prime up the award through the use of 15,000 factors, permitting you to ebook a free evening at a resort that prices as much as 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening.

TPG’s January 2025 valuations price Marriott Bonvoy factors at 0.85 cents every, so search for a resort with a money price above $722.50 per evening to get the very best worth from this award.

$100 property credit score at new resorts in Aruba and Hawaii

Should you desire unique luxurious resorts over all-inclusive resorts, the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible‘s acquired you coated there as properly with as much as a $100 property credit score for stays lasting two or extra nights at Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis properties. (You have to ebook straight with Marriott.) The credit score applies to qualifying purchases on the property, together with eating, spa therapies and resort leisure actions that aren’t managed by a 3rd occasion.

Listed here are the resorts 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 provides 252 rooms and 52 suites. The Caroline Astor one-bedroom presidential suite provides unimaginable ocean views and an expansive out of doors terrace. This might be a unbelievable place to spend Valentine’s Day.

The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay: Whereas Turtle Bay is not a brand new resort, 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. Should you like to surf or watch the professionals, that is the place to go to in winter, when quite a few worldwide competitions are held.

Extra on complimentary Platinum Elite standing and annual eating credit with the Sensible card

Earlier than I sign off to ebook my wintertime vacay, I need to elaborate on a few different advantages I already talked about for the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible card.

Complimentary Platinum Elite standing

The truth that Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite standing is a profit is a compelling motive to use for the Sensible card.

Platinum Elite members who ebook utilizing a qualifying price are additionally eligible for complimentary room upgrades topic to availability at check-in. So, should you’re heading to any of those new Marriott properties, you would 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 Sensible card provides 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. It is a invaluable perk since you should use it at eating places worldwide and never simply if you’re in trip mode.

As soon as a month, I exploit my Sensible 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 Weight-reduction plan Coke and a facet of coleslaw. Rating!

Backside line

Marriott has such a big footprint, practically any traveler can discover the best resort expertise for them — whether or not they’re trying to find funds choices, properties with family-centric facilities, romantic getaway locations or a spot the place buddies can collect for an annual meetup. When you think about all of the value-added advantages of the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible American Specific Card, you start to see all of your trip prospects extra clearly.

It is not too late to plan a winter trip. Earmark a while and click on the “ebook” button ASAP!

For charges and charges of the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible Amex, click on right here.