A chartered accountant from Pune, Priti Jain, made news after securing a three-night stay at a luxurious Marriott resort in Uttarakhand using only her credit card points, spending nothing out of pocket. Jain accumulated 58,000 reward points on her American Express Platinum card after spending Rs 4 lakh, which she then converted into Marriott Bonvoy points—the loyalty program of Marriott International. Marriott Bonvoy points are redeemable for hotel stays and various travel experiences, and they can also be purchased based on demand.
Jain revealed on X that the hotel provided her with a complimentary upgrade. On the first day, she was moved from a standard room to a premier room, and for the next two days, she enjoyed an executive suite. Describing her experience, she said, “feeling like royalty,” adding that the suite’s typical price exceeded Rs 90,000 per night.
She detailed her luxurious experience, highlighting that Marriott offered complimentary breakfast, hi-tea, and a Ganga aarti every evening on the deck overlooking the river. “There was live music, great food, and an overall relaxing experience for guests,” Jain remarked.
The booking required 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, which Jain transferred from her AMEX rewards during a promotional 30% bonus offer. By utilizing the 58,000 AMEX points she accumulated, Jain secured a stay originally valued at Rs 1.5 lakh. With the suite upgrade and complimentary meals included, the total value amounted to nearly Rs 3 lakh, which she described as “an incredible deal.”
Last month, another credit card enthusiast shared a similar story. He took his family to the luxury JW Marriott lodge in Masai Mara, Kenya, for five nights without spending anything. The vacation, valued at Rs 27.5 lakh, was entirely covered by his accumulated reward points.