As we speak was the primary day I needed to seize a hoodie on the way in which out the door for my early morning stroll with my canines. That crisp air caught me without warning. Because the pups sniffed their manner across the neighborhood, I thought of all of the issues I nonetheless must test off my to-do record earlier than winter descends. The highest merchandise on that record? E book a winter getaway or two to warm-weather locations. I dashed house to rev up the planning course of.
I hold a pocket book the place I jot down lodge information and suggestions. As I flipped via the pages, I famous the numerous new and renovated Marriott Bonvoy properties in sunny locations which might 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 absolutely 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 is determined by the lodge model). I am going to focus on this in additional element beneath.
I additionally obtain one free evening award yearly after my card renewal month. Awards can be utilized for one evening (with a redemption degree at or below 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors) at collaborating motels. Sure motels have resort charges. Phrases apply.
Then there are the advantages that I really like, which embrace:
- As much as a $100 property credit score for qualifying fees at Ritz-Carlton- or St. Regis-branded properties once I guide immediately utilizing a particular price for a two-night minimal keep; phrases apply
- A $300 Sensible Eating Credit score, which supplies as much as $25 per 30 days every calendar 12 months in assertion credit for eligible purchases at eating places worldwide once I pay with the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible card; phrases apply
The icing on the cake? Complimentary Platinum Elite standing advantages, which embrace 50% extra factors on eligible purchases made immediately at motels collaborating in Marriott Bonvoy, an improve to an enhanced room at check-in (when accessible and booked with a qualifying price) and lounge entry with complimentary breakfast for 2 (accessible at choose motels when booked with a qualifying price). Phrases apply.
The Sensible card carries an annual payment of $650 (see charges and costs). See TPG’s different articles to study extra about the way to maximize using this card:
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Let’s dig into one of the best warm-weather locations to guide for winter 2025 and the way to leverage your Sensible card to make the most of all its advantages.
E book a finances or luxurious all-inclusive resort
Lately, Marriott has made vital strikes in a bid to dominate the all-inclusive-resort market. What’s cool is that the choices vary from finances to high-end, so there may be an all-inclusive resort that is proper for each traveler. For example, listed below are two brand-new all-inclusive resorts that may very well be good for a wintertime getaway when all you crave is a few sunshine:
- Finances within the Dominican Republic: Marriott Miches Seaside, 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 motels. That is as much as 10 factors per greenback spent at these specific lodge manufacturers from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member, 6 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases whenever 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 good thing about the Sensible card. That is an impressive incomes proposition that can assist you to financial institution factors to redeem at no cost nights throughout Marriott’s huge portfolio of lodge manufacturers. Some motels might have necessary service and resort fees. Phrases apply.
Now, let’s look a bit nearer at these two all-inclusive choices.
Marriott Miches Seaside, 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 via 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 definitely worth the hour-or-so drive to the surprisingly inexpensive Marriott Miches Seaside resort on the Dominican Republic’s northeast shore. We noticed charges as little as $322 (together with taxes and costs) 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 remedy. (Observe: This lodge doesn’t provide room service.)
Almare, a Luxurious Assortment Resort, Isla Mujeres, Grownup All-Inclusive
If you happen to as a substitute gravitate towards luxurious lodge 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 costs) 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 positively provides an air of exclusivity to the complete expertise. E book an oceanfront room or splurge on the Duplex Suite with a non-public 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 improbable 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 utilize this certificates for one evening (with a redemption degree at or below 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors) at collaborating motels. You may as well high up the award by utilizing 15,000 factors, permitting you to guide a free evening at a lodge that fees 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 lodge with a money price above $722.50 per evening to get one of the best worth from this award.
$100 property credit score at new resorts in Aruba and Hawaii
If you happen to desire unique luxurious resorts over all-inclusive resorts, the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible‘s acquired you lined 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. (It’s essential to guide immediately with Marriott.) The credit score applies to qualifying purchases on the property, together with eating, spa remedies and lodge leisure actions that aren’t managed by a 3rd social gathering.
Listed here are the motels 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 outside terrace. This may be a improbable place to spend Valentine’s Day.
The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay: Whereas Turtle Bay is not a brand new lodge, 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. If you happen to like to surf or watch the professionals, that is the place to go to in winter, when quite a lot of worldwide competitions are held.
Extra on complimentary Platinum Elite standing and annual eating credit with the Sensible card
Earlier than I log out to guide my wintertime vacay, I wish 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 purpose to use for the Sensible card.
Platinum Elite members who guide utilizing a qualifying price are additionally eligible for complimentary room upgrades topic to availability at check-in. So, if you happen to’re heading to any of those new Marriott properties, you may snag a complimentary room improve: Salterra, a Luxurious Assortment Resort & Spa, Turks & Caicos; JW Marriott St. Maarten Seaside 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 12 months). Simply use your card to make eligible purchases at eating places and obtain as much as $25 month-to-month in assertion credit. This can be a precious perk since you should use it at eating places worldwide and never simply whenever you’re in trip mode.
As soon as a month, I take advantage of 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 Food plan Coke and a aspect of coleslaw. Rating!
Backside line
Marriott has such a big footprint, practically any traveler can discover the proper lodge expertise for them — whether or not they’re looking for finances choices, properties with family-centric facilities, romantic getaway locations or a spot the place pals 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 “guide” button ASAP!
For charges and costs of the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible Amex, click on right here.