Unlocking the Mystery of Your Marriott Bonvoy Points: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ever found yourself staring at your Marriott Bonvoy account after a fantastic stay, only to see your points balance hasn't budged? It's a common and sometimes frustrating experience. The excitement of earning rewards is often matched by the impatient wait to see them appear. But don't worry, you're not alone! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how long Marriott stays take to post and, more importantly, what to do if they don't.
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| How Long Do Marriott Stays Take To Post |
Step 1: Manage Your Expectations - The Standard Timeline
First things first, let's establish the baseline. Marriott Bonvoy, like many loyalty programs, doesn't post points and elite night credits instantly. There's a processing period that the system requires to finalize your stay, calculate your earnings, and update your account.
The Golden Rule: It can take up to 10 business days after your check-out date for a stay to post to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
It's important to note the phrase "business days." This means weekends and public holidays don't count. If you check out on a Friday, the clock for your 10-day waiting period starts the following Monday. This is the single most important piece of information to remember. Don't panic if you don't see your points after a few days—it's completely normal.
Step 2: Check Your Marriott Bonvoy Account Activity
Before you do anything else, it's crucial to confirm that your points and nights truly haven't posted. A quick check of your account can save you from a lot of unnecessary worry.
On the Marriott Bonvoy Website:
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
Navigate to the "My Account" section.
Click on "Activity."
Here, you'll see a detailed list of your recent transactions, including points earned from stays, promotions, credit card spending, and redemptions.
On the Marriott Bonvoy Mobile App:
Open the Marriott Bonvoy app.
Tap on the "Account" icon at the bottom of the screen.
Select "Account Activity."
This view provides a quick and easy summary of your points balance and recent activity.
If your stay is not listed in your activity after 10 business days, it's time to move on to the next step.
Tip: Don’t skip the details — they matter.
Step 3: Troubleshooting Potential Problems - Why Your Stay Might Be Missing
There are several reasons why your points and elite night credits might not have posted, even after the standard waiting period. Identifying the issue is the first step toward a solution.
Did you book through a third-party website? This is one of the most common reasons for a missing stay. If you booked your reservation through a site like Expedia, Priceline, or Hotels.com, your stay is generally ineligible for points and elite night credit. Marriott's terms and conditions state that to earn points, a stay must be booked through an official Marriott channel.
Was your Marriott Bonvoy member number attached to the reservation? This is a simple but critical detail. If you forgot to provide your member number when booking or at check-in, the system has no way of knowing the stay belongs to you. Always double-check this at the front desk.
Did you pay for the stay with a corporate or group rate? Certain special rates, such as corporate negotiated rates or group bookings, may have different rules for earning points. Be sure to review the terms of your specific rate.
Was it a qualifying stay? Not all hotel charges are eligible for point earning. In general, you'll earn points on the room rate and other qualifying incidentals like food and beverage at participating outlets. However, things like taxes, service charges, and third-party services are typically excluded.
Step 4: Submitting a Missing Stay Request
If you've waited the 10 business days and confirmed that your stay was eligible for points, it's time to take action. Marriott has a straightforward process for requesting credit for missing stays.
Before you begin, gather your documents. You will need your paid hotel bill, also known as the folio. This document is required to verify the details of your stay. You can often request this from the hotel's front desk or through your Marriott Bonvoy account online.
How to Submit the Request Online:
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on the website.
Go to the "Activity" page.
Scroll to the bottom of the page and find the "Report a Missing Stay" link.
Fill out the form with your reservation details, including the hotel name, check-in and check-out dates, and the reservation confirmation number.
Upload a copy of your hotel folio.
Submit the request.
What Happens Next? After you submit your request, Marriott will process it. They typically advise allowing up to 10 business days for the missing stay to be processed and the points to be credited to your account.
A Note on New Members
If you've recently joined the Marriott Bonvoy program, there's a fantastic perk you should know about. You may be eligible to receive credit for stays that occurred up to 30 days prior to your enrollment in the loyalty program. To claim these, you'll need to submit a missing stay request just as outlined above, but within 60 days of the stay. This is a great way to kickstart your point balance!
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FAQ: Your Top 10 'How to' Questions Answered
How to request a missing stay credit for a recent Marriott hotel visit?
To request credit, log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account, go to the "Activity" section, and use the "Report a Missing Stay" form. You will need your hotel folio (paid bill) to complete the submission.
How to check the status of a missing stay request?
Marriott will typically send you a confirmation email after you submit the request. You can also check your account activity for any updates. If it has been more than 10 business days since your submission, you can contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for an update.
How to ensure my points post correctly on my next Marriott stay?
Always provide your Marriott Bonvoy member number when booking a reservation. At check-in, confirm with the front desk that your member number is attached to your reservation. Also, be sure to book directly through a Marriott channel (Marriott.com, the app, or by phone).
Tip: Focus more on ideas, less on words.
How to earn points on stays booked before I joined the Marriott Bonvoy program?
You can earn points for stays that occurred up to 30 days before you enrolled in the program. You must submit a missing stay request within 60 days of the stay and provide a copy of your paid receipt.
How to get points for multiple rooms booked under my name?
You can earn points on up to three rooms per stay, as long as you are staying in one of the rooms and the charges for all rooms are paid by you. Ensure your member number is attached to each of the reservations.
How to get a copy of my hotel folio (bill) after I've checked out?
You can usually request a copy of your folio from the hotel's front desk or by contacting the hotel directly. In some cases, a digital copy may be available in your online account.
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How to troubleshoot if my credit card points aren't posting to my Marriott Bonvoy account?
Points earned from a co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit card will typically post to your account a few days after your monthly billing cycle ends. If they are still missing, contact your credit card issuer's customer service first.
How to know if my stay is a "qualifying stay" for points?
A qualifying stay is one booked directly with Marriott and where the member is paying an eligible rate. Stays booked through third-party online travel agencies (OTAs) are generally not considered qualifying stays.
How to earn points on purchases made at a hotel without an overnight stay?
You can still earn points for eligible charges like dining and spa services at participating Marriott properties, even without a stay. Be sure to provide your Marriott Bonvoy member number at the time of payment.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for a missing stay?
After following the online process and waiting the recommended time, if your points are still not credited, you can contact Marriott Bonvoy customer support by phone. The contact information can be found on the "Contact Us" section of the Marriott website.
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