The short answer is Yes! You can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for all or part of your stay with Homes & Villas by Marriott, however there are pros and cons to using Bonvoy points and you may want to look at other ways to use points on short term rentals.

In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of using Bonvoy points on Homes and Villas and compare it to other short-term rental options through the48dots.

Pros of Using Bonvoy Points on Homes and Villas

1. Consistency: Marriott has a strict process for vetting and approving hosts for its Homes and Villas program. Hosts must meet certain criteria, such as providing high-quality amenities and services, and adhering to Marriott's standards for cleanliness and safety. They want hosts to adopt the standards they hold themselves accountable for. When you book a vacation home or villa through the Homes and Villas program, you can expect the same high standards of quality and service that you would get at a Marriott hotel.

2. Wide Range of Properties: Homes and Villas offers a wide range of vacation homes and villas in popular destinations around the world, from beachfront properties to mountain retreats. With over 14,000 properties to choose from, you have many options.

Cons of Using Bonvoy Points on Homes and Villas

1. Limited Redemption Options: While Homes and Villas offers a wide range of properties, you may find that there are limited redemption options for using Bonvoy points. Most short term rentals on Mariott Homes and Villas are high end, so if you are looking for an affordable place to stay, this might not be a good fit.

2. Authenticity: Because of the strict standards Mariott holds their hosts to, you may loose some authenticity that short term rentals provide. You feel less like you’re living as a local and more like you are staying in a bigger place somewhere foreign.

3. Lower Points Value: When you use Bonvoy points to book Homes and Villas properties, you may not get as much value for your points as you would when booking hotel stays. This is because the redemption rates for vacation homes and villas tend to be higher than standard hotel rates. Each Marriott Bonvoy point will get you roughly 0.6 cents toward the cost of a stay.

4. Higher costs of Rentals: While the ability to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points on all stays is a nice perk, it's important to consider the cost of booking through Homes & Villas by Marriott. In many cases, you will pay a 10-15% premium for just booking with Marriott. That’s right, the same properties can be found for less on other sites. Before booking a stay through Homes & Villas by Marriott, it's worth taking a look at other vacation rental options to see if you can find a better deal.

Comparing Homes and Villas to Other Short-Term Rental Options

While using Bonvoy points on Homes and Villas may be a convenient option for some travelers, it's not the only option for booking vacation homes and villas. Direct booking sites are sites set up by hosts themselves. Some have more of a bed and breakfast feel while others are run by property management companies and host a wide range of rentals. And, of course, there’s the popular platforms such as Airbnb that has something for everyone and VRBO which caters more towards families.

Host can offer you points on the48dots through their direct booking sites or through other popular platforms. Just ask them to reward you! Using these channels may you offer more authentic experiences and a wider range of price points.