Help me with best use of 1.6L Amex Points

[nomad47]

Hi all, between myself and my wife, we have around 1.6L MR points. We are planning a trip next year (July) in SEA probably Indonesia or Vietnam.
I know Marriot is my best option, but 90% of Marriot properties shows unavailable when I select 4 people (2 adult+2 child).
Also, Indonesia being cheaper, the available options does not give much bang for buck redemption.
Are there any ways to use these points to fund the return air ticket? (Singapore airlines charges around 38k points per person on this route from whatI have seen so my points won't be sufficient).
What other options are available.
Any hack to get Marriot property for 4 people with these points?

P.s. Mods, apologies if this is the wrong section to post this. Kindly move to relevant section.

 

[Avatar Aang]

Currently which Marriott tier do you have?
It's usually difficult to extract high value from MB points in SE.

 

[nomad47]

Currently which Marriott tier do you have?
It's usually difficult to extract high value from MB points in SE.

I have just started on Marriot. So no status.
Any other destinations? The main problem I ma facing is for 4 occupancy majority of Marriot properties are unavailable.

 

[Avatar Aang]

I have just started on Marriot. So no status.
Any other destinations? The main problem I ma facing is for 4 occupancy majority of Marriot properties are unavailable.

If you've just started. I'll suggest you skip Marriott.
Marriott doesn't provide complimentary breakfast for award stays.
IMO you should sell the Marriott points. For 1.6L Marriott points you'll get 80K INR. With this you can book good luxury stays in SE Asia for 5-7 Nights depending on the resort.

 

[nomad47]

That's another way. How do we sell Marriot Points reliably?

 

[Avatar Aang]

That's another way. How do we sell Marriot Points reliably?

Join RML group on TF.

 

[navdeep22]

@nomad47
btw i visited vietnam earlier this year, and stayed in sheraton hanoi 2pax for 39-40k points for 3 night, it was around 1Rp=1Rs only, so you can get better value in some cases.

In my case i got points in december and had trip in january , so short time and availability might have increased points value there

i check 1 month before booking 48-52k points for 3 night booking
check around 2 weeks before arrival date it was 42-44k for 3 nights booked
check 1 week before arrival date it was 39.5 points, so cancelled and booked again

I didnt have that much time to plan to didnt check that far for availability.
Shared my experiance not sure if that helps in any way

 

[Avatar Aang]

@nomad47
btw i visited vietnam earlier this year, and stayed in sheraton hanoi 2pax for 39-40k points for 3 night, it was around 1Rp=1Rs only, so you can get better value in some cases.

In my case i got points in december and had trip in january , so short time and availability might have increased points value there

i check 1 month before booking 48-52k points for 3 night booking
check around 2 weeks before arrival date it was 42-44k for 3 nights booked
check 1 week before arrival date it was 39.5 points, so cancelled and booked again

I didnt have that much time to plan to didnt check that far for availability.
Shared my experiance not sure if that helps in any way

1Rs per point is really good value for Marriott points. I think the value could have gone up if you had stayed for 5 Nights.
Did you get complimentary breakfasts?

 

[navdeep22]

1Rs per point is really good value for Marriott points. I think the value could have gone up if you had stayed for 5 Nights.
Did you get complimentary breakfasts?

yeah had to change city after 3rd day.
No did not get brakfast only silver tier

 

[Avatar Aang]

yeah had to change city after 3rd day.
No did not get brakfast only silver tier

I once stayed for a night at JW Pune. Used the Free award night provided by HDFC Marriott Bonvoy card. Asked them for complimentary breakfast and I was lucky enough to get it.
But no complimentary breakfast is a disappointing. Especially on a foreign tour.

 

[navdeep22]

I once stayed for a night at JW Pune. Used the Free award night provided by HDFC Marriott Bonvoy card. Asked them for complimentary breakfast and I was lucky enough to get it.
But no complimentary breakfast is a disappointing. Especially on a foreign tour.

yeah asked them, twice thrice but they rejected. i even said ill pay extra with points , denied