If you recently applied for and were approved for the HDFC Bank Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card and the joining fee has been charged, you may now see your Free Night Award (FNA) in the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app, as I do.
In my case the FNA appeared about 15 days after the joining fee was charged. It appears Marriott is crediting these awards in batches, so many cardholders who were charged last month are likely seeing their FNA this month.
If you’re wondering how best to use the FNA for an upcoming stay, here’s a clear guide to make the most of it.
Table of Contents
- How to use?
- Points <=15,000
- Points >15,000 & <=30,000
- Points >30,000
- In a nutshell
How to use?
Open the Free Night Award in your Marriott app and begin browsing hotels. You’ll typically encounter one of three scenarios based on the number of Bonvoy points required to book the property. Below is how to handle each case.
Points <=15,000
If a property requires 15,000 points or fewer, simply select the Free Night Award at checkout to cover the booking. That’s all you need to do.
Points >15,000 & <=30,000
If a property costs more than 15,000 points but no more than 30,000 points, you can combine the Free Night Award with additional Bonvoy points to complete the booking.
For example, if a room costs 23,000 points, use the FNA (worth 15,000 points) plus 8,000 additional Bonvoy points. The app will show this FNA + points option at checkout.
Points >30,000
If a stay requires more than 30,000 points, the Free Night Award cannot be used. While this limit may feel restrictive, it still covers a wide range of mid-tier properties and will suit many travelers.
In a nutshell
The Free Night Award is treated as equivalent to 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. It can be used alone for redemptions up to 15,000 points or combined with up to an additional 15,000 Bonvoy points for redemptions up to 30,000 points.
Using the FNA is straightforward and can offer excellent value for the joining fee paid with the HDFC Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card. For many uses this represents strong value compared with the card’s fee of 3,000 INR.
If you need more Bonvoy points to top up an FNA, HDFC’s earning rates may be modest. Consider supplementing your balance with points from other cards that earn Marriott points at higher rates.
Where are you planning to use your Marriott Bonvoy Free Night Award? Share your plans and experiences in the comments below.