Do you find yourself eagerly checking your Marriott Bonvoy account, wondering when those hard-earned points from your last stay will finally appear? You're not alone! It's a common question for many loyal Marriott guests. Understanding the typical timeframe for point updates can save you a lot of frustration and help you plan your next redemption. So, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of Marriott Bonvoy point posting times.
Step 1: First Things First - Have You Checked Your Account?
Before we explore the various timelines, have you logged into your Marriott Bonvoy account and checked your activity? Sometimes, points post faster than expected, and you might just be pleasantly surprised! Go to Marriott.com or open your Marriott Bonvoy mobile app, log in, and navigate to your "Account Activity" or "Points History" section. You might find your points already there, especially if it's been a few days since your checkout.
Step 2: Understanding the Standard Timeline for Hotel Stays
For most qualifying hotel stays, Marriott Bonvoy has a fairly standard timeframe for points to appear in your account.
2.1 The General Rule: Up to 10 Business Days
The official word from Marriott is that it can take up to 10 business days after your checkout date for a stay to post to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
What does "business days" mean? It typically refers to Monday through Friday, excluding public holidays. So, if you check out on a Friday, the 10-business-day clock might stretch into the following two weeks.
2.2 The Quicker Scenario: Often Within 72 Hours
While 10 business days is the maximum stated timeframe, many members report that points from eligible stays often post much quicker, sometimes within 72 hours of checkout. This is especially true for stays booked directly through Marriott's official channels (Marriott.com, Marriott Bonvoy app, or Marriott reservations).
Step 3: What Affects Point Posting Time?
Several factors can influence how quickly your Marriott Bonvoy points appear.
3.1 Booking Channel Matters
Direct Bookings (Marriott.com, App, Phone): These bookings generally process the fastest. Marriott's system is optimized for direct reservations, making point crediting more streamlined.
Third-Party Websites (Expedia, Booking.com, etc.): Be aware that stays booked through online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia or Priceline are generally not eligible for earning Marriott Bonvoy points or Elite Night Credits. This is a crucial detail many travelers overlook.
Group Rates/Wholesalers: If you booked through a group rate where you didn't directly pay the hotel, or through a tour operator/wholesaler, your stay might also be ineligible for points.
3.2 Type of Stay and Charges
Qualifying Stays: Points are earned on "qualifying charges" during your stay, which typically include your room rate and other incidentals like dining, spa services, or other charges that can be billed to your room.
Promotional Stays/Certificates: If you used a Free Night Award, points + cash, or a promotional offer, the point earning for the paid portion or any additional spend might still follow the standard timeline.
3.3 System Processing and Weekends/Holidays
Like any large loyalty program, Marriott's systems process a huge volume of transactions. Weekends and public holidays can naturally extend the processing time. If your 10 business days fall over a long weekend, expect the points to take a little longer.
Step 4: What to Do if Your Points Are Missing
So, 10 business days have passed, and your points are still nowhere to be found? Don't panic! Marriott has a clear process for this.
4.1 Submit a Missing Stay Request
This is your primary course of action. Marriott provides a convenient online form for submitting missing stay requests.
Log In First: It's always best to log into your Marriott Bonvoy account before submitting the request. This allows the system to auto-fill some of your information.
Information You'll Need: Be prepared with the following details:
Confirmation Number of your stay
Check-in and Check-out Dates
Hotel Name and Location
A copy of your Hotel Folio (receipt) is highly recommended and often required as proof of stay and qualifying charges. You can usually request this from the hotel directly if you don't have it.
Where to Find the Form: You can typically find the "Missing Stay Request" form on the Marriott Bonvoy website under the "Help" or "Customer Service" sections.
4.2 The Follow-Up Timeline for Missing Stay Requests
Once you've submitted a missing stay request, Marriott asks for patience. Please allow up to 10 business days for your missing stay to be processed and credited to your account. If it's been more than 10 business days since you submitted your request, then it's time to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service directly for further assistance.
Step 5: Other Ways to Earn Points and Their Timelines
Marriott Bonvoy points aren't just for hotel stays! Here are a few other common ways to earn points and their typical posting times:
5.1 Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card Spending
Credit Card Points: Points earned through your Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card (e.g., Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant) are typically transferred to your Marriott Bonvoy account after the end of each billing cycle. This usually means within a few days to a week after your statement closes.
5.2 Buying Points
Purchased Points: If you purchase Marriott Bonvoy points directly, they are generally posted to your account within 72 hours after the transaction is complete.
5.3 Transferring Points From Partners
Credit Card Transfer Partners (e.g., American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards): The transfer time from external loyalty programs can vary. American Express Membership Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy generally takes up to 1 business day, though some sources mention up to 3 business days. Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers are often immediate or within a few business days. Always check the specific partner's terms for the most accurate transfer time.
Point Transfers Between Marriott Bonvoy Members: If another Marriott Bonvoy member transfers points to your account, your recipient should expect to see the transferred points within 24 hours.
5.4 Marriott Bonvoy Events (Meetings & Events)
Event Points: For points earned through planning meetings or events, these generally post after the event is completed and the final bill is settled. This can take a bit longer than individual stays, as it involves more complex billing.
Step 6: Keeping Track of Your Points and Elite Status
Staying on top of your Marriott Bonvoy account is key.
6.1 Regular Account Checks
Make it a habit to regularly check your "Account Activity" on the Marriott Bonvoy website or mobile app. This allows you to quickly identify any missing points or discrepancies.
6.2 Elite Status Updates
Your Elite Night Credits (which contribute to your elite status) usually update at the same time as your points for a stay. Marriott aims for real-time updates for Elite Status once qualifying activity posts. Your annual Elite Status renewal for the following year is typically finalized in the early part of the new year (e.g., March for the prior year's activity).
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about Marriott Bonvoy points, starting with "How to":
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com or the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your points balance is usually prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to request credit for a missing Marriott Bonvoy stay?
After 10 business days have passed since checkout, log into your Marriott Bonvoy account and submit a "Missing Stay Request" form, providing your confirmation number, dates, hotel name, and ideally, your folio.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points faster?
Book directly with Marriott, utilize Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards for all spending, participate in promotional offers, and consider booking meetings and events through Marriott Bonvoy Events.
How to use Marriott Bonvoy points for free nights?
On Marriott.com or the app, search for hotels and select the "Use Points/Awards" option. Choose your desired hotel and dates, and the system will show you the points required for a free night.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another member?
You can transfer points to another Marriott Bonvoy member by contacting Marriott Bonvoy customer service. There are limits on the number of points that can be transferred per year.
How to transfer points from a credit card to Marriott Bonvoy?
If you have a credit card that earns transferable points (like American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards), log into your credit card rewards portal and initiate a transfer to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for point issues?
You can find local contact numbers on the Marriott Bonvoy website under the "Help" or "Contact Us" section. Elite members often have dedicated support lines.
How to know if a stay is eligible for Marriott Bonvoy points?
Stays booked directly through Marriott's official channels are generally eligible. Stays booked through most third-party online travel agencies (OTAs) are typically not eligible for points or elite night credit.
How to find my Marriott Bonvoy account activity?
After logging into your account on Marriott.com or the Marriott Bonvoy app, look for a section labeled "Account Activity" or "Points History" to see a detailed breakdown of your earned and redeemed points.
How to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for something other than free nights?
Beyond free nights, you can redeem points for Marriott Bonvoy Moments experiences, travel packages (flight + hotel), gift cards, or even convert them to airline miles, although hotel redemptions often offer the best value.
