Marriott Bonvoy raised the free night certificate top-off cap from 15,000 to 25,000 points on March 12, 2026. If you carry any Marriott credit card, your annual free night just got more useful for island bookings.
All points prices below were verified on marriott.com on March 19, 2026 for a June 1 stay. Marriott uses dynamic pricing, so rates may shift depending on your dates and demand -- but these numbers give you a reliable baseline for what to expect.
The New Certificate Ranges
| Certificate | Card | Annual Fee | New Max (with 25K top-off) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35,000-point | Boundless (Chase) | $95 | 60,000 |
| 50,000-point | Bevy (Amex) | $250 | 75,000 |
| 85,000-point | Brilliant (Amex) | $650 | 110,000 |
35K Certificate: Best Island Picks (up to 60,000 pts)
This is the $95/year Boundless card. Here's what it now reaches:
1. Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa -- 55,000 pts ($276/night cash)
The most affordable Maldives points redemption in the Marriott portfolio. Overwater villas, a house reef for snorkeling, and that Maldives turquoise lagoon -- all bookable with a $95/year credit card certificate + 20,000 points top-off. Previously you'd have needed the full points from your account. Cash rate of $276/night makes the CPP modest, but this is the *Maldives* -- the experience value far exceeds the cash comparison.
2. W Bali - Seminyak -- 54,400 pts
Bali's trendiest beachfront resort. Infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean, DJ nights at the WET pool deck, and Seminyak's best restaurants within walking distance. At 54,400 points, your 35K cert + 19,400 top-off covers it. This is the kind of aspirational property that used to require a much more expensive card.
3. The Ritz-Carlton, Bali -- 50,000 pts
This one surprised me. A Ritz-Carlton for 50,000 points? On Nusa Dua beachfront? With the old 15K top-off, a 35K cert already hit this (35K + 15K = 50K). With the new 25K cap, you have even more breathing room for higher-demand dates. Cliff-top villas, private beach, world-class spa -- at Ritz-Carlton Bali, this is arguably the single best certificate play in this entire list.
50K Certificate: Best Island Picks (up to 75,000 pts)
This is the $250/year Bevy card. The mid-tier that unlocks premium island properties:
1. The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort -- 70,000 pts ($302/night cash)
A gorgeous Baa Atoll property with overwater villas in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. At 70,000 points, your 50K cert + 20K top-off covers it perfectly. This is a step up from Le Meridien -- newer, more secluded, and the snorkeling is world-class (manta ray season runs May-November).
2. Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort -- 67,000 pts
An all-inclusive Marriott in Cancun's Hotel Zone for 67,000 points. With the 50K cert + 17K top-off, you're getting free room, food, drinks, and activities -- the whole package. This pairs perfectly with our Caribbean destination guide.
3. Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach -- 65,000 pts ($453/night cash)
Known as the "First Lady of Waikiki," this Victorian-era beachfront icon is one of Hawaii's most storied hotels. At 65,000 points, your 50K cert + 15K handles it (even the old cap worked here). Cash rates of $453/night make this a solid 0.7 CPP redemption. Note the $54/night resort fee still applies on award stays.
85K Certificate: Best Island Picks (up to 110,000 pts)
This is the $650/year Brilliant card. The premium tier for aspirational stays:
1. Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali -- 88,400 pts
One of Maui's prime beachfront properties. At 88,400 points, your 85K cert only needs 3,400 points in top-off. Ka'anapali is one of the best swimming beaches in Hawaii, and you're steps from the famous Black Rock cliff diving spot. Cash rates run $400+/night.
2. Westin Hapuna Beach Resort (Big Island, Hawaii) -- 88,000 pts
Hapuna Beach has been voted one of America's best beaches. The Westin here sits right on it. At exactly 88,000 points, your 85K cert + just 3,000 top-off books a night. Unlike many Hawaii properties, this one feels less crowded and more "real Hawaii."
3. Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott, Maui -- 109,000 pts
This is where the raised cap really matters. At 109,000 points, this property was completely unreachable with the old 100K max (85K + 15K). Now with the 25K top-off, your cert + 24,000 points books a night at one of Maui's most premium beachfront resorts in Wailea. This is exactly the kind of property that makes the $650 Brilliant card worth its fee.
What's Still Out of Reach
Don't assume every luxury resort is now bookable with a certificate:
- St. Regis Maldives Vommuli: 132,000-204,000 pts/night
- Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands: 162,000 pts
- Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Hawaii: 128,500 pts
- Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua: 118,000 pts
Bottom Line
The raised cap is a genuine improvement. A $95/year Boundless card now gets you a Ritz-Carlton Bali or a Maldives overwater villa through the certificate. That's exceptional value.
Your move: Check your certificate expiration date, pull up marriott.com, and search your dream island property with points toggled on. The numbers above are from this week -- your dates may vary with dynamic pricing.
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Sarah Cole
Sarah covers destination guides, hotel reviews, and points strategy at Travel-free. She specializes in luxury travel and award redemptions.
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