Hey {{first name | reader}},
Happy Friday!
Today we have a good mix: a Marriott points sale that is quite appealing (especially if you got the same targeted offer I did), a hotel stay that honestly left me a little speechless, and a British Airways Avios sale I feel I need to cover even though I have complicated feelings about it.
Here is what is inside today:
Marriott Bonvoy points sale: 30% discount or 40% bonus
My Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam review: one of my best stays in Europe so far
British Airways Avios sale: good offer, but there is a better way
Marriott Bonvoy points sale: 30% discount or 40% bonus
Marriott just launched a new points sale, running through June 23, 2026. Most people are seeing a 40% bonus on purchased points. But some accounts are targeted for a 30% discount instead, and if you are in that group the math works out a bit better.
Here is the key difference:
40% bonus: you end up paying around $8.90 per 1,000 points
30% discount: you end up paying around $8.75 per 1,000 points
My account got the 30% discount offer, which means I can pick up points for $8.75 per 1,000 points. That is actually cheaper than the 40% bonus deal. It is not a massive difference, but when you are buying in bulk for a specific redemption, it adds up. Besides, this is one of the best prices we have seen so far.
Redeem Bonvoy points at the Ritz Carlton Kyoto
One thing to keep in mind: limits.
Marriott lets you purchase a maximum of 150,000 points per year, and you can share up to 100,000 points with another member. That means if you are planning a big redemption, like a Ritz-Carlton or a top-tier Luxury Collection property, you need to be thinking ahead. You cannot just buy everything you need last minute if you are already close to your annual limit.
Some properties where you can make good use of your Marriott Bonvoy points:
Ritz-Carlton Kyoto: one of those properties where the cash rate is brutal and points redemptions make the stay feel almost guilt-free
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa (Dubai): all-inclusive in the desert, completely unlike anything else in the UAE. Extraordinary place
The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel (Venice): historic Venetian palace right on the Grand Canal. Using points here feels like a steal given the cash prices
Redeem Bonvoy points at Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa
Is buying Marriott points the most efficient use of your money? Not always. But if you have a redemption in mind and the math works, this is one of the better prices you will see this year.
My Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam review
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
I want to tell you about one of the best hotel stays I have had in Europe. And that is not something I say lightly.
I recently stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, and I am still thinking about it. This is a full review over on the blog, but I want to give you a quick taste of what made it so special.
First, the hotel itself. It is spread across six 17th-century canal houses in the heart of Amsterdam, and the combination of historic architecture and serious luxury is something you cannot replicate by just building something new. It feels like a place with a story.
We got upgraded to a nicer room, which set the tone for the whole stay. The room was stunning. The service was the kind that feels attentive without being overbearing. And the location, right on the Herengracht canal, meant every time we looked out the window it was one of those "okay, I am definitely in Amsterdam" moments.
There was one detail that really stood out: breakfast. It was superb.
We had breakfast included, and over our three nights, that saved us roughly $450. That is not a small number. At some luxury hotels, breakfast can be really expensive. At Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, it is a proper experience, and having it included changed the whole feel of the mornings. That is why preferred partner rates like the ones we have access to are so important! The benefits will make your stay much better.
Honestly, this stay made my personal list of best European hotel experiences so far. If Amsterdam is on your radar, or if you just want to see what a canal house property at this level looks and feels like, go read the full review on the blog.
British Airways Avios sale: good deal, but there is a catch
British Airways is currently selling Club Avios with a 40% bonus, which runs through April 28, 2026. At the top tier, that brings the acquisition cost to around $16.40 per 1,000 points.
This is one of the more predictable sales in the points world. BA runs these fairly regularly, and a 40% bonus is the standard offer you will see from them most of the time. It is not a bad deal in absolute terms. Avios are very useful and hence, one of my favorite points currencies.
So yes, if you need Avios and do not have another way to get them, this is a legitimate opportunity.
But I have to be honest with you. I find it hard to get excited about writing up BA Avios sales, because $16.40 per 1,000 Avios is not actually a great acquisition rate when you look at the full picture. What we teach at Points Master is how to acquire Avios for around $12 per 1,000, which is meaningfully cheaper. When you are earning points that way, buying at $16.40 starts to feel like paying retail when you know the wholesale price.
So consider this a heads-up that the sale exists, and a reminder that if you are regularly buying Avios during these promos and finding it expensive, there are better paths worth exploring.
That is it for today. Enjoy your weekend, and I will see you Monday!
Catch you in the clouds,
Tomi from Points Master