Since American Express updated the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card (US) with the benefit of an annual Marriott Bonvoy Free Night Certificate worth 85,000 Bonvoy points in late 2022, cardholders have had a new challenge in maximizing these sky-high yet valuable certificates.
Using Marriott Bonvoy 85k free night certificates is a unique challenge because most families will only hold one of the ultra-premium credit cards that grants this free night certificate, meaning a two-night stay at an 85,000-point-per-night property will require a boatload of points or a room rate over $400 USD per night in addition to the free night offered from the certificate.
The reality is that many individuals only have the desire to keep one or two premium credit cards in their wallet, and the 85k free night certificate benefit is less enticing if you have to spend $400 USD or more to maximize the certificate.
Below, I’ve covered several of the best hotels to redeem these 85k Marriott Bonvoy free night certificates at, and I hope this article inspires you to redeem your free night certificates for great value without breaking the bank or your points balance.
How to Earn Marriott Bonvoy 85k Free Night Certificates
Before we get into how you can best redeem your Marriott Bonvoy 85k free night certificates, it is important to note that the only way to earn these certificates is as a benefit on two US credit cards.
The most prominent and accessible method is through holding the more popular American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card (US). This is a premium credit card and as a result, it commands an equally premium annual fee of $650 USD.
The American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card (US) offers cardholders complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, an annual $300 restaurant credit, an annual free night, 25 elite qualifying night credits annually, and Priority Pass Select membership.
Check out our American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card (US) review for more details.
95,000 Marriott Bonvoy
$6,000
$205+
$650
No
–
The other option is the less common but arguably more powerful Chase Ritz Carlton card. While it can’t be applied for, there are ways to obtain this hidden US credit card.

For both of these cards, you’ll receive your 85K Free Night Certificate on either card at the card anniversary, not on approval like the American Express Hilton Honors Aspire card (US). In practice, I received my 85K certificate about six weeks after the second annual fee was posted to my account. This makes sense to avoid receiving the certificate and then canceling the card for an annual fee refund.
In a perfect world, having both the Ritz Carlton Card and the Bonvoy Brilliant is the easiest way to maximize these certificates, as it’s easy to find a luxurious weekend getaway for two nights at 85K per night. Acquiring the Ritz Carlton card takes quite a bit of legwork that I won’t discuss here, but it’s only available via product switch and can’t be applied for directly.
If you’re in two-player mode, a more practical approach is to have each partner hold their own American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card (US). While $1,300 USD in annual fees is steep, if you maximize the $25 monthly dining credits and can redeem the 85K certificates for high value, the automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status becomes icing on the cake for anyone who participates in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.
All that to say, in my household, we only have one of these certificates annually, and that’s the aim of this article. How can you best maximize a single-night stay at a luxury property? Let’s find out.
The Best Hotels to Redeem Marriott Bonvoy 85k Free Night Certificates
While extending your luxury stay in the Maldives from five nights to six would be great, visiting resorts for extended periods every year is not practical. Because these certificates are a yearly award, I’ve selected hotels that are easy to get to and would be of interest to almost all cardholders.
I’ve similarly ranked these hotels as to my approach in my article on the best hotels to redeem Marriott Bonvoy 35K certificates in North America. Here’s a reminder about what goes into my ranking:
- Ease of booking without using extra points
- Cash value of the stay
- Location of surrounding activities
- Elite Benefits
- Level of luxury
A reminder that as of late 2022, you can top off Marriott Free Night Certificates with as much as 15,000 Bonvoy points. Not all properties on this list are always available at 85,000 points, but I’ve examined how much 85K night availability they have, which played into their ranking on the list. If you need to spend extra points to use your Free Night Certificate at a property, it’s much less free!
85K Free Night certificates really are not ‘free’, considering that if you’ve maximized all other credits on both cards, you’ll still effectively pay $350 USD for the certificate on the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card (US) and $150 USD for the certificate on the Chase Ritz Carlton card. Since the cost of these certificates is so high, personal choice will play a much more significant role in redeeming them than when it comes to redeeming 35K certificates.
Speaking of personal choice, it’s important to remember that the best value for using these certificates is a hotel stay you would have otherwise paid cash for. As long as you’re redeeming the certificate for more than what you paid, it’s a great redemption.
11. Marriott Champs Elysses
The Marriott Champs Elysses makes my list of best places to use an 85K certificate because it’s conceivable travelers would spend a day in Paris before continuing to their final European destination. This could be an excellent way to adjust to the European timezone, particularly with Air Frances’ option for a free stopover.

It’s hard to find 85K nights here during peak times, and the cash rates are not as high as most properties on this list, so it didn’t rank higher.


10. St. Regis New York
Finding Friday or Saturday night availability at St. Regis New York for under 100,000 Bonvoy points is difficult, but the cash value must be recognized, with rooms nearly breaking the $2,000 USD barrier! The St. Regis New York is an iconic property in an excellent location. It’s also easy to get to New York City from most places in North America.
Considering your Marriott Bonvoy points would go further at a resort than at a city hotel, this is the perfect place to burn a certificate.

Its availability under 100,000 points is limited, so it gets pushed down the list.


9. Lido House, Autograph Collection
Located mere minutes from John Wayne Airport (SNA), Lido House, an Autograph Collection hotel, flies under the radar but is an excellent escape in the desirable Newport Beach neighborhood. As Lido House is part of the Autograph collection, you’ll receive complimentary breakfast thanks to your automatic Platinum status.
Starting or ending your trip to Disneyland on miles and points at Lido House would be an excellent choice.

Cash rates are not always high, but you can use your 85K certificate almost every day of the year without topping off with too many points. Ease of redemption and elite benefits place this hotel further up the list than the flashier St Regis NYC.


8. JW Marriott Essex House
Sitting on the southern end of Central Park and just two blocks north of Billionaire’s Row, the JW Marriott Essex House is one of the most recognizable hotels in New York City. As a Platinum Elite member, you’ll enjoy your complimentary Marriott breakfast benefit in the lounge and, if you’re lucky, receive an upgrade to a suite with a terrace.

Cash rates here match the point valuations well, so you’re getting excellent value for your certificate. It’s also pretty easy to book this hotel with 85,000 points, even on weekend nights.


7. W Aspen
Located steps from the gondola, the W Aspen is in prime real estate for snowsport enthusiasts. Combine the location with a fantastic rooftop and $50 in breakfast credit per room, and there’s not much this hotel is missing.
Getting here for a one-night stay will be the only tricky (and expensive) part of using your free night certificate, but if you can spend your check-in and check-out days on the slopes, I think it’s worth it.

Shockingly, you can use an 85,000 Free Night Certificate even during peak ski season without topping off any points. Some days, it will be impossible to use your Free Night Certificate, but the cash rates make this property worth the effort. Spending $350 USD to get a room that usually goes for $1,700 USD is a smoking deal, 80% off, to be exact.
If you want to visit at the end of ski season or in the summer, you’ll have no trouble redeeming for under 85,000 points.


6. Ritz Carlton Kyoto
The Ritz Carlton Kyoto is extremely unique in its design and in the fact that it offers complimentary breakfast to Platinum Elite members, which often isn’t the case at Ritz Carlton properties. While you won’t find yourself in Japan every year, if you’re exploring the country’s Western half, this is a hotel stop you shouldn’t miss.

You can find nights under 100,000 points relatively easily throughout the calendar, particularly in summer. The cash rates bounce around quite a bit, but, they can climb as high as $1,700 USD on the high end!


5. St. Regis Toronto
While much less exotic than other destinations on this list, I loved my stay at the St. Regis Toronto. You’ll get a very generous breakfast credit for Platinum Elites, an excellent indoor pool, and one of the most incredible bars to have a nightcap in Toronto. The elite recognition is quite good as well. In fact, I even used a Nightly Upgrade Award to land this two bedroom suite.

Almost every day of the year you can redeem your 85,000 point certificate, which is why this hotel beats out many others on the list. Cash rates can be quite expensive, but this won’t be the best overall value.


4. The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay
Located 20 miles from San Francisco International Airport, the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is easy to get to and drop-dead gorgeous. Perched at the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean, it’s an experience true to Northern California and boasts numerous amenities, such as a world-class golf course and pickleball courts.

Weekend nights in peak season are hard to come by, but there is some 85K availability scattered across all months. Nightly rates are always above $1,000 USD per night, making this a high-value stay. It earns its place in the top 5 because it’s easy and inexpensive to get to, along with being a beautiful setting.


3. St. Regis Kanai
While you’ll definitely want to spend more than one night at the St Regis Kanai (and I certainly enjoyed my five-night stay at the St. Regis Kanai), spending just one night will be lovely, too. As it’s a resort property, you’ll probably be safe if you arrive early on your check-in day to enjoy the amenities. With plunge pool suites, long beaches, and amazing architecture, it’s a serene place to spend a weekend.
While it’s not a short flight to get to Tulum (TQO) or Cancun (CUN) you can often find cheap fares with cash or points to this vacation destination.

There’s plenty of availability under 100,000 points, and the cash rates are almost always astronomical, making it a high-value redemption. While the Platinum Elite Breakfast is nothing to write home about, everything else about this resort is lovely.


2. Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage
Nearby Palm Springs, the Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage overlooks Coachella Valley and the San Jacinto mountain range. This Ritz Carlton offers all the amenities you expect from a 5-star hotel.
Unique touches such as firepits on suite patios, a steakhouse hanging off the edge of the mountain, and two different pools are what make this hotel a destination. You won’t get any complimentary breakfast at this Ritz Carlton location, but the ease of redeeming an 85,000-point certificate makes up for that.

You can almost always redeem your 85,000 point certificates here, and Palm Springs is easily accessible for all of North America. Cash rates range from $750 USD to $2,000 USD making this an easy win from the $350 USD or less that you paid for your certificate.


1. St. Regis Chicago
There’s something about Chicago and its excellent Marriott Free Night Certificate availability. I deemed the W Chicago Lakeshore the best place to use your 35K certificate, and now I’m bestowing the 85K award on the St. Regis Chicago.
Chicago is a lovely place to spend a weekend, and there’s no better place to stay than a staple of the skyline, The St. Regis. This building is pointed out on every boat tour that graces the Chicago River, so if you’re an architecture buff, this stay will be extra special.
It also earns the top place because Platinum Elite breakfast is included as a $60 folio credit per day.

Almost every day of the year is available for 85K certificate redemption, most days without topping up any points, and cash rates are often 4 figures.


Conclusion
Marriott Bonvoy 85,000 point Free Night Certificates are easy to use but hard to maximize. Hopefully, this list of high-value hotels will provide some inspiration on how to use your certificates or provide insight into what’s possible when you hold the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card (US) or the Chase Ritz Carlton card.
Feel free to leave a comment and let me know where you’ve used your 85K Free Nights!

Daniel Burkett

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Used mine at the Singapore EDITION !