Unlocking Your Rewards: A Comprehensive Guide to How Long It Takes to Get Marriott Bonvoy Points After Your Stay
Ever checked out of a fantastic Marriott Bonvoy stay, already dreaming of your next free night or elite status upgrade, only to find your points haven't appeared in your account yet? You're not alone! It's a common question among travelers, and understanding the typical timeline and what to do if there's a delay can save you a lot of worry.
Let's dive in and demystify the process of getting your hard-earned Marriott Bonvoy points!
Step 1: Congratulations on Your Stay! Now, Let's Talk Points!
So, you've just enjoyed a wonderful stay at a Marriott Bonvoy property – perhaps a luxurious Ritz-Carlton, a vibrant W Hotel, or a comfortable Courtyard. You paid your bill, packed your bags, and checked out. The natural next thought is, "Where are my points?" It's exciting to anticipate those points hitting your account, bringing you closer to your next travel adventure or valuable redemption. But patience is key here, as points don't always appear instantly.
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| How Long To Get Marriott Points After Stay |
Step 2: Understanding the Standard Timeline for Point Posting
Marriott Bonvoy has a standard timeframe within which your points are expected to post to your account. This is the first and most important piece of information to be aware of.
Standard Posting Time: Up to 10 Business Days
Generally, it can take up to 10 business days after your check-out date for a stay to post to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
What are Business Days? This usually 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.
Why the Wait? There are various internal processes that need to occur after your departure, including finalizing billing, reconciling charges, and transmitting the stay data to the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program system. While technology is fast, these systems involve multiple layers.
Factors That Can Influence Posting Time:
Property Type: While the 10-business-day rule is general, some properties might be quicker than others.
International Stays: Sometimes, international stays can take a tiny bit longer due to different processing systems or time zone differences.
Promotions: If your stay included special promotions offering bonus points, these might post separately or take a little extra time to calculate and credit.
System Updates/Maintenance: Occasionally, system maintenance or updates can cause minor delays, though Marriott usually aims to minimize disruption.
Step 3: Proactive Steps You Can Take Before Your Stay
QuickTip: Don’t rush through examples.
While you can't make points post faster, you can take steps to ensure the process goes smoothly.
Sub-heading: Verify Your Membership Details
Ensure Your Marriott Bonvoy Number is on the Reservation: This is absolutely crucial. Double-check your reservation confirmation to make sure your Marriott Bonvoy member number is correctly associated with your booking. If you book through a travel agent or a corporate booking tool, ensure they include your number.
Check Name Consistency: Make sure the name on your reservation exactly matches the name on your Marriott Bonvoy account. Even small discrepancies can sometimes cause issues.
Sub-heading: Book Directly with Marriott
Direct Bookings are Key: To ensure you earn points and elite night credits, always book your stays directly through Marriott's official channels. This includes Marriott.com, the Marriott Bonvoy app, or by calling Marriott reservations.
Avoid Third-Party Sites: Stays booked through Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Expedia, Booking.com, Priceline, etc., are generally not eligible for earning Marriott Bonvoy points or elite night credits. This is a critical rule to remember if earning points is a priority for you.
Step 4: Monitoring Your Marriott Bonvoy Account After Your Stay
Once you've checked out, it's time to keep an eye on your account.
Sub-heading: How to Check Your Points Balance
Online Account: Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com. Navigate to your "Account Activity" or "My Activity" section. Here, you'll see a detailed history of your stays and point earnings.
Marriott Bonvoy App: The Marriott Bonvoy mobile app is an incredibly convenient way to track your points. Log in and usually, your current point balance is displayed prominently on the main screen. You can also dive into your activity history.
Sub-heading: What to Look For
"Pending" or "Processing" Stays: Sometimes, you might see a stay listed as "pending" or "processing" before the points are fully credited. This is a good sign that it's in the system.
Point and Night Credits: When the stay posts, you'll see the base points earned, any elite bonus points, and the corresponding elite night credits for your stay.
Step 5: What to Do if Your Points Haven't Posted After 10 Business Days
If the 10-business-day window has passed and your points are still missing, don't panic! Marriott Bonvoy has a clear process for handling this.
QuickTip: Slowing down makes content clearer.
Sub-heading: The Missing Stay Request
Wait the Full 10 Business Days: It's important to wait the full 10 business days before submitting a missing stay request. Submitting it too early can lead to it being rejected as "still processing."
Gather Your Information: Before you start the request, have the following handy:
Your Marriott Bonvoy member number
The hotel name and location
Your check-in and check-out dates
Your confirmation number
A copy of your hotel folio (bill) – this is often required and is the most crucial piece of documentation. You can usually request this from the hotel directly if you don't have it.
Sub-heading: How to Submit a Missing Stay Request
Online Form (Recommended): The easiest way is to use the online "Missing Stay Request" form on the Marriott Bonvoy website.
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
Go to the "Account Activity" section.
Look for a link or option related to "Missing Stays" or "Request Credit for a Missing Stay."
Fill out the form with all the required details and upload your hotel folio.
Contact Customer Service: If you have trouble with the online form or prefer to speak to someone, you can contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service by phone. Be prepared to provide all the information listed above.
Sub-heading: After Submitting the Request
Processing Time: Once you submit a missing stay request, allow another 10 business days for Marriott to process it and credit the points to your account.
Follow Up if Necessary: If you don't see the points after this additional timeframe, follow up with Marriott Bonvoy customer service, referencing your missing stay request number.
Step 6: Important Considerations for Earning Points
Beyond the standard posting time, there are a few other vital things to keep in mind regarding Marriott Bonvoy points.
Sub-heading: Eligible Charges for Earning Points
Room Rate: The primary way to earn points is on your eligible room rate.
Incidental Charges: At most brands, you'll also earn points on other eligible hotel purchases charged to your room, such as dining, spa services, rounds of golf, and more.
Exclusions: Be aware that some charges may not be eligible for point earning, such as taxes, service charges, resort fees, and sometimes third-party services booked through the hotel but not managed by them (e.g., certain tours).
Sub-heading: Elite Status Bonus Points
If you hold Marriott Bonvoy Elite status (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium, Ambassador), you'll earn bonus points on top of your base points. This bonus is automatically applied when your stay posts.
Silver Elite: 10% bonus
Gold Elite: 25% bonus
Platinum Elite: 50% bonus
Titanium Elite: 75% bonus
Ambassador Elite: 75% bonus
Sub-heading: Credit Card Points
QuickTip: Pay attention to first and last sentences.
If you have a Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card, the points earned from your stay (and often other everyday purchases) will generally post to your Marriott Bonvoy account separately from the points earned directly from the hotel stay itself. These credit card points usually post after your credit card statement closes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
You can check your Marriott Bonvoy points balance by logging into your account on Marriott.com or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your current balance is typically displayed on the main dashboard.
How to request credit for a missing Marriott Bonvoy stay?
If your points haven't posted after 10 business days, you can request credit for a missing stay via the "Missing Stay Request" form on Marriott.com (found in your Account Activity section) or by contacting Marriott Bonvoy customer service. You'll need your hotel folio.
How to ensure my Marriott Bonvoy points post correctly?
Always ensure your Marriott Bonvoy member number is on your reservation, book directly through Marriott channels (Marriott.com, app, phone), and verify your name matches your account.
How to know if my stay is eligible for Marriott Bonvoy points?
Stays booked directly through Marriott's official channels are generally eligible. Stays booked through third-party online travel agencies (OTAs) are typically not eligible for points or elite night credits.
Tip: Don’t just glance — focus.
How to get my hotel folio (bill) if I lost it?
You can usually request a copy of your hotel folio directly from the hotel where you stayed. Many hotels can email it to you.
How to earn points faster with Marriott Bonvoy?
You can earn points faster by achieving elite status (which grants bonus points), using a Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card for eligible purchases, and taking advantage of Marriott Bonvoy promotions.
How to use Marriott Bonvoy points?
Marriott Bonvoy points can be redeemed for free nights at participating hotels, Marriott Bonvoy Moments experiences, merchandise, gift cards, and even transferred to airline miles.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service?
You can find the contact information for Marriott Bonvoy customer service on the "Contact Us" or "Help" section of Marriott.com. They offer phone and sometimes chat support.
How to link my Marriott Bonvoy account to other partners for earning points?
Marriott Bonvoy has partnerships with various companies (like Uber, airlines). You can typically link your accounts through the "Earn Points" section of the Marriott Bonvoy website to earn points on qualifying activities.
How to prevent my Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring?
Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 consecutive months of inactivity. To keep your points active, simply earn or redeem points, or purchase points, at least once every 24 months.
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