Keeping your hard-earned Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring is simpler than you might think! The key is to engage in a qualifying activity at least once every 24 consecutive months. This resets the expiration clock, ensuring your points remain safe and sound for your next big adventure. Let's walk through the steps to make sure you never lose a single point.
Step 1: Check Your Account and Get Engaged
First things first, let's see where you stand. The Marriott Bonvoy program is generous, but it's up to you to be an active participant.
Log In: Sign into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the official website or mobile app.
Find Your Activity: Navigate to the "Activity" section of your account. Here, you'll find a timeline of all your point earnings and redemptions. Look for the most recent activity date.
Start a Countdown: The 24-month clock starts ticking from this date. Mark your calendar! ️ You have two years from your last qualifying activity to do something new. If you're a Lifetime Elite member, your points won't expire, so you're all set!
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| How To Keep Marriott Points From Expiring |
Step 2: Choose Your Path to Activity ♀️
The good news is that "qualifying activity" isn't just about booking expensive hotel stays. There are many ways to earn or redeem points, and even a small action can save your entire balance.
Sub-heading: Earning Points
This is the most common way to reset the expiration clock. You can earn points in a variety of ways, some of which you might be doing already.
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Book a Stay: This is the classic method. A paid stay at any of Marriott's thousands of hotels worldwide will earn you points and automatically extend your expiration date.
Use a Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card: If you have a co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit card from a partner like American Express or Chase, simply making a purchase—no matter how small—will earn you points and count as a qualifying activity. This is one of the easiest and most effective methods for frequent and infrequent travelers alike.
Dine and Earn: Did you know you can earn points just by eating out? The Marriott Bonvoy Eat Around Town program lets you earn points at participating restaurants. Just link your credit card and earn points automatically when you dine.
Book an Experience: Explore the Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities platform. Booking an activity, from a cooking class in Italy to a safari in Africa, will earn you points and keep your account active.
Host a Meeting or Event: If you're a business traveler or planning a special occasion, booking a meeting or event at an eligible Marriott property can earn a significant number of points and extend your expiration date.
Transfer from a Partner: You can transfer points from other rewards programs, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards, to your Marriott Bonvoy account. This is a great way to top off your balance and reset the clock.
Sub-heading: Redeeming Points
Redeeming points is just as effective as earning them for extending the expiration date.
Book an Award Stay: Use your points to book a free night at a Marriott hotel. This is often the most valuable use of your points.
Redeem for Gift Cards: If you don't have travel plans, you can redeem a small number of points for retail or restaurant gift cards. While not the best value, it's a simple way to keep your points active.
Donate Points to Charity: A philanthropic and simple way to extend your points is by donating a small amount to one of Marriott's partner charities, such as UNICEF or the American Red Cross.
Transfer to Airline Miles: Convert your Marriott Bonvoy points to airline miles with one of their many airline partners. Most transfers are at a 3:1 ratio. This not only keeps your points from expiring but can also help you book a future flight.
Shop with Points: The Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques platform allows you to use your points to shop for merchandise, including luxury hotel bedding and accessories.
Step 3: Set Reminders and Stay On Top of It! ⏰
Once you've completed a qualifying activity, the clock is reset for another 24 months. To avoid a panic when your points are about to expire, be proactive.
Opt-In for Emails: Make sure your Marriott Bonvoy account is set to receive email communications. The program often sends out a reminder email before your points are set to expire.
Set a Personal Calendar Reminder: After any qualifying activity, add a reminder to your calendar for 23 months from that date. This gives you a one-month buffer to complete another activity without stress.
By following these simple steps, you'll ensure that your Marriott Bonvoy points are always ready for your next getaway. Don't let your rewards go to waste!
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How-To FAQ Section
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How to check when my Marriott points expire?
Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the website or app and navigate to the "Activity" section. Your points expiration date should be visible there.
How to keep points from expiring without traveling?
You can keep your points active without a hotel stay by using a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, redeeming points for a gift card or merchandise, or donating a small amount to charity.
How to use a Marriott credit card to keep points from expiring?
Simply make a purchase, large or small, with your co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit card. The points you earn from this purchase will count as a qualifying activity and reset the 24-month clock.
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How to redeem points for the least amount possible to keep them active?
Donating a small number of points to a charity is an excellent way to keep your account active with a minimal point redemption.
How to transfer points from Chase or Amex to Marriott?
Log into your Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards account and initiate a transfer to Marriott Bonvoy. This will count as a qualifying earning activity.
How to earn points by dining out?
Enroll in the Marriott Bonvoy Eat Around Town program, link your credit cards, and dine at participating restaurants. You'll automatically earn points and extend your expiration date.
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How to reinstate expired Marriott points?
Unfortunately, Marriott Bonvoy policy states that once points expire, they cannot be reinstated. The only exception is if the expiration was due to an error, which you would need to contact customer service about.
How to keep my points from expiring if I'm a Lifetime Elite member?
If you've achieved Lifetime Elite status (Silver, Gold, or Platinum), your Marriott Bonvoy points will not expire. You don't need to take any action to keep them active.
How to find participating partners for earning points?
Visit the Marriott Bonvoy website and look for the "Earn Points" section. This will list all the various partners, including credit card issuers, airlines, and dining programs.
How to get a reminder about points expiration?
Ensure you're opted into email communications from Marriott Bonvoy in your account settings. You'll typically receive a warning email before your points are set to expire.
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