Advertiser Disclosure: The Rewards Mom has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Rewards Mom and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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If you’ve ever come across a Marriott 85k free night certificate, you know they’re a little harder to come by than some of the other free night certificates Marriott offers. These high value nights usually come from premium cards, but they are so worth it if you travel with your family. With these free nights, you’re suddenly able to book stays at Marriott’s highest-end resorts like the Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis.

Even better, you can add up to 15,000 points from your own stash for your stay, meaning your 85k certificate can unlock stays worth up to 100,000 points per night. That puts almost the entire Marriott portfolio on the table.

For families, these certificates can mean something special: instead of just another hotel night, it could be a bucket-list trip or a luxury vacation you never thought you’d splurge on.

If you’re curious how certificates work overall, start with my Guide to Marriott Stays.

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50 Amazing Ways to Use an 85k Certificate

USA & Canada

1. Wailea Beach Resort – Maui, Hawaii — My top pick for families, with waterslides and beach access.
2. The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – Maui, Hawaii — A splurge-worthy Hawaiian family stay.
3. St. Regis Princeville Resort – Kauai, Hawaii — Luxury meets island adventure.
4. The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay – California — Ocean bluffs + golf and spa.
5. St. Regis Deer Valley – Utah — Perfect for a ski trip or mountain getaway.
6. The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort – Scottsdale, AZ — Gorgeous desert luxury.
7. The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe – California — Family ski lodge meets high-end resort.
8. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island – Florida — A luxury Florida family vacation.
9. Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes – Florida — Pools, golf, and near Disney.
10. The St. Regis New York – New York, USA — A fun splurge for a family trip to the city.

Caribbean & Mexico

1. The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba – Aruba — Gorgeous beachfront, family-friendly luxury.
2. St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico — Stunning natural setting.
3. The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun – Mexico — Often bookable around 85–95k.
4. The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman – Cayman Islands — Award-winning family beach resort.
5. JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa – Mexico — Luxury on the Baja coast.
6. The Ritz-Carlton, Dorado Beach – Puerto Rico — Private and exclusive stay.
7. St. Regis Punta Mita Resort – Mexico — High-end beachfront resort.
8. The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas – USVI — Pools + sailing for families.
9. The St. Regis Bermuda Resort – Bermuda — Island luxury for families.
10. The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos – Turks & Caicos — Newer resort in a bucket-list location.

Europe

1. The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna – Austria — Classic luxury in the city.
2. St. Regis Rome – Italy — One of Marriott’s most historic properties.
3. The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest – Hungary — Great city + family experience.
4. JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa – Italy — On a private island.
5. St. Regis Florence – Italy — High-end stay in a walkable city.
6. The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin – Germany — Perfect for a Europe family trip.
7. St. Regis Istanbul – Turkey — Gorgeous modern hotel with great reviews.
8. The Ritz-Carlton, Barcelona – Spain — City + beach access.
9. St. Regis Venice – Italy — Iconic luxury in one of the world’s most magical cities.
10. The Ritz-Carlton, Abama – Tenerife, Canary Islands — Family-friendly island luxury.

Asia

1. The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto – Japan — Cultural luxury, central city access.
2. The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo – Japan — Panoramic views + family luxury.
3. St. Regis Osaka – Japan — Stylish and central.
4. The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong – Hong Kong — One of the world’s tallest hotels.
5. St. Regis Hong Kong – Hong Kong — Beautiful, modern, and luxurious.
6. The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui – Thailand — Family suites + resort luxury.
7. St. Regis Bangkok – Thailand — Central with family space.
8. The Ritz-Carlton, Fari Islands – Maldives — Overwater villas with top-off.
9. St. Regis Vommuli – Maldives — Bucket-list family trip.
10. The Ritz-Carlton, Bali – Indonesia — Family villas with private pools.

Middle East & Africa

1. Ritz-Carlton Dubai – JBR, UAE — Family-friendly beachfront luxury.
2. St. Regis Saadiyat Island – Abu Dhabi, UAE — Great beach and family amenities.
3. Ritz-Carlton Doha – Qatar — A luxury family stopover.
4. St. Regis Cairo – Egypt — High-end luxury with family options.
5. Marriott Mena House – Cairo, Egypt — Literally at the pyramids’ doorstep, this historic 5-star gem sometimes dips into 85k–100k pricing (especially with certificate top-offs).
6. Ritz-Carlton, Ras Al Khaimah – Al Wadi Desert, UAE — Desert luxury family villas.
7. Ritz-Carlton Cape Town (projected) — Ideal safari + city combo.
8. St. Regis Mauritius – Mauritius — A stunning island retreat.
9. Ritz-Carlton, Zanzibar (projected) — Oceanfront safari extension.
10. Ritz-Carlton Kruger National Park Lodge (future/proposed) — Safari meets luxury.

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Why 85k Certificates Are Different

Unlike the more common 35k or 50k certificates, the 85k Marriott free night award is rare. That’s what makes it exciting; it’s your chance to book something you wouldn’t normally splurge on. For families, that could mean:

• Using it for one night of a dream trip (Maldives, Ritz-Carlton Aruba, St. Regis Florence)
• Turning a soccer tournament weekend into a family luxury stay (I’ve done this when we needed to be near Orlando anyway!)
• Creating a memorable stopover, like breaking up a long-haul trip in Dubai or Hong Kong with an incredible stay

Curious how I decide if these kinds of redemptions are “worth it”? Read my post on How to Calculate the Value of a Point.

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Bottom Line

The 85k Marriott certificate is a bit of a unicorn, but if you’ve got one, don’t let it go to waste! Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime resort in the Maldives or a Ritz-Carlton stay stateside, this is your chance to enjoy a level of luxury that’s hard to justify with cash.

That’s why I’ll always hold onto the cards that earn them. Even one well-used 85k certificate is enough to make the annual fee worth it for our family.

Ready to dive deeper into family travel with points? Download my free Beginner’s Guide.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

Advertiser Disclosure: The Rewards Mom has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Rewards Mom and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.