Marriott loyalists received unwelcome news in late 2021 when it was revealed that the Bonvoy program would be dropping its award chart in March of 2022. This follows the trend of several other hotel programs, whose moves toward dynamic pricing mean that predicting reward redemptions may become much more difficult.

Marriott maintains that despite the change, 97% of its hotels will match current pricing through the end of 2022. This means 35,000-point free night certificates will be much more useful through the end of the year, allowing certificate holders to redeem at very high-end properties during off-peak dates.

Take a look at how you can use the Marriott free night certificate to book (former) Category 7 hotels.

Earning Marriott’s free night certificates

Marriott’s free night certificates are easy to earn. You simply need to hold one of Marriott’s co-branded credit cards. These cards are issued by either American Express or Chase, and feature both consumer and small-business versions:

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card ($95 annual fee): Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. Terms apply.

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card ($125 annual fee): Earn three Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points for each bonus Free Night Award, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms Apply.

Of these cards, both the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card will award you with a 35,000-point free night certificate each year. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, meanwhile, will give you a certificate worth up to 50,000 points and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card will give you one worth up to 85,000 points. Terms apply.