Techie’s Secret On How To Stay At Marriott Masai Mara Without Spending A Dime

In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Chowdhury wrote, “Just ticked off a bucket list experience at one of Marriott's most exclusive and expensive properties—JW Marriott Masai Mara!"

However, the surprise comes from the fact that he paid for the trip using Marriott Bonvoy points

Source : X

A software engineer from Jharkhand treated his family to a luxury getaway in Masai Mara, Kenya, earlier this month. They stayed for five nights at the luxurious JW Marriott lodge. They enjoyed lavish safaris, stayed in tented suites with private swimming pools, and explored the wilderness in Land Rovers. The total cost of the trip was Rs 27.5 lakh, but Anirban Chowdhury didn’t spend a single rupee.

In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Chowdhury wrote, “Just ticked off a bucket list experience at one of Marriott's most exclusive and expensive properties—JW Marriott Masai Mara! If you're dreaming of luxury safaris, this is the place. Stunning tented suites, epic game drives, and personalised service in the heart of the Mara!”

In the post, he shared his experience visiting the place, “JW Marriott Masai Mara offers the ultimate luxury safari experience with 22 tented suites, each overlooking the serene Talek River. Nestled in the Masai Mara National Reserve, the lodge is just a 30-40 minute drive from Keekorok Airstrip and 20 km from the Sekenani Gate. Perfect for spotting wildlife all year long! You’ll experience an intimate, secluded, and luxurious stay with stunning views and exclusive vibes, making this the perfect base for your safari adventure.”

However, the surprise comes from the fact that he paid for the trip using Marriott Bonvoy points.

Just ticked off a bucket list experience at one of Marriott's most exclusive and expensive properties—JW Marriott Masai Mara! 🌍💎 If you're dreaming of luxury safaris, this is the place. Stunning tented suites, epic game drives, and personalized service in the heart of the Mara!… pic.twitter.com/rwWv5sk77b

— Anirban chowdhury (@VoyageBliss) September 15, 2024

“So, we booked JW Marriott Masai Mara using 106,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night for two, and let me tell you, I’d even pay 200k points for this experience! It’s all-inclusive, so unless you opt for paid activities, your out-of-pocket cost will be pretty much zero. The experience is worth every point!” he wrote in his post.

Marriott Bonvoy points are the loyalty rewards currency for Marriott International's program, allowing users to earn and redeem points for various travel experiences and stays at the company’s hotels and resorts. These points can also be purchased at dynamic prices. For instance, $1 (approximately Rs 84) could buy you 10 Marriott Bonvoy points on Wednesday. However, Chowdhury didn’t buy the points but earned them.

Chowdhury told Moneycontrol, "I own more than 40 credit cards but mostly use four or five of them. My wife and I collected points for a year for us to be able to afford this trip solely by using the points. Almost all our expenses -- including grocery, utilities, insurance and even school bills -- are paid using credit cards, especially Amex (American Express)."

When he planned the trip a year ago, the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge charged 1.06 lakh points per night. They also had a special offer: guests who booked four nights with loyalty points received the fifth night free.

"So I paid 4.24 lakh Marriott Bonvoy points for my five-night stay. I did not have to pay a penny extra. My invoice was zero," Chowdhury told the publication.