Oh, the dreaded thought of points expiring! It's like having a delicious cake in the fridge and forgetting about it until it's too late. But fear not, fellow traveler, because I'm here to guide you through the ins and outs of Marriott Bonvoy points expiration and how to keep those valuable points alive and well. Let's dive in!
How to Know When Marriott Points Expire: A Comprehensive Guide
Losing your hard-earned Marriott Bonvoy points to expiration can be incredibly frustrating. The good news is that Marriott's policy is quite clear, and with a little vigilance, you can easily prevent it. This guide will walk you through the process of understanding the expiration rules and proactive steps to keep your points safe.
 |
| How To Know When Marriott Points Expire |
Step 1: Engage with Your Account - The First Line of Defense!
Before we even talk about checking dates, let's get proactive! Are you regularly logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account? It's like checking your mailbox; you never know what good things you might find, and it's the first place to familiarize yourself with your points.
If you haven't logged in recently, take a moment to do so now. This simple act is the gateway to managing your points and understanding their status.
Step 2: Understanding the Marriott Bonvoy Points Expiration Policy
The core of Marriott's points expiration policy is quite straightforward:
The 24-Month Rule: Marriott Bonvoy points generally expire if your account goes 24 consecutive months without any "qualifying activity." This means that if you don't earn or redeem points within a two-year period, your entire accumulated balance can be forfeited.
Lifetime Elite Status Exception: If you've achieved Lifetime Elite Membership (Silver, Gold, or Platinum), your points do not expire. This is a fantastic perk for truly loyal members, but for everyone else, vigilance is key!
Account Deactivation: Even beyond points expiration, if your account remains inactive for five consecutive years, Marriott reserves the right to deactivate your account entirely.
It's important to remember that once points expire, they are typically not reinstated. So, the goal is to prevent expiration in the first place!
Step 3: Finding Your Points Expiration Date
Marriott has made it relatively easy to check your points activity and, in some cases, a clear expiration date.
Tip: Reread slowly for better memory.
Sub-heading: Checking Online (The Easiest Way!)
This is by far the most direct method to see your points activity.
Log In: Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com) and log in to your account.
Navigate to "Activity": Once logged in, look for your name in the top right corner of the screen. Click on it, and a dropdown menu should appear.
Select "Activity": From the dropdown, choose "Activity."
Review Your History: On the "Activity" page, you will see a list of your recent points earnings and redemptions. Look for a line that indicates your "Points Expiration Date" or a similar message. Marriott aims to be transparent about this.
If you've had recent qualifying activity, you might not see an explicit "expiration date" but rather an indication that your points are active. The key is ensuring a qualifying activity occurs at least every 24 months.
Sub-heading: Checking via the Marriott Bonvoy Mobile App
The mobile app offers a convenient way to keep tabs on your account on the go.
Open the App: Launch the Marriott Bonvoy mobile application on your smartphone.
Log In: Enter your credentials if you're not already logged in.
Access Your Account: Depending on the app version, you'll usually find an "Account" or "Profile" section. Tap on it.
Look for Points Balance/Activity: Within your account section, you should see your current points balance. Often, a small line of text near this balance will indicate the next expiration date or if your points are active. You may also find a link to "Activity" for a detailed history.
Sub-heading: Contacting Marriott Bonvoy Customer Service
If you're having trouble finding the information online or simply prefer to speak to someone, you can always call Marriott Bonvoy customer service. Have your account number ready, and they will be able to tell you the status of your points and their expiration timeline.
Step 4: Performing Qualifying Activities to Extend Your Points
This is the most crucial part! Even if your points aren't expiring soon, it's wise to perform a qualifying activity periodically to keep that 24-month clock resetting. Think of it as giving your points a regular health check-up!
The Golden Rule: Any eligible earning or redemption activity resets your 24-month clock.
Here's a comprehensive list of activities that count:
Tip: Absorb, don’t just glance.
Sub-heading: Earning Points
Staying at a Marriott Property: This is the most obvious one. Any eligible paid stay at a Marriott Bonvoy participating hotel will earn you points and reset your expiration clock.
Using a Marriott Bonvoy Co-branded Credit Card: If you have a Marriott Bonvoy credit card (issued by Chase or American Express in many regions), any purchase you make that earns points will reset your expiration date once those points post to your Bonvoy account. This is one of the easiest and most consistent ways to keep your points active, even if you're not traveling.
Dining Out with Marriott Eat Around Town (U.S. Only): Link your credit cards to the Marriott Eat Around Town program and earn points when dining at participating restaurants. Even a small meal can reset your clock.
Linking Marriott & Uber Accounts: Link your Marriott Bonvoy and Uber accounts to earn points on qualifying Uber rides (premium services) and Uber Eats orders (with minimum spend, typically $40 USD). Points usually post quickly.
Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities: Earn points by booking tours and activities through the Marriott Bonvoy platform.
Hosting Meetings and Events: If you're planning a business meeting or event at an eligible Marriott property, you can earn Bonvoy points, which will extend your points' validity.
Purchasing Marriott Bonvoy Points: This is a quick and guaranteed way to extend your points. You can buy as few as 1,000 points. While it costs money, it's a small price to pay to save a large balance from expiring.
Converting Miles to Marriott Bonvoy Points: If you have airline miles from a partner program, converting them to Marriott Bonvoy points will count as a qualifying activity.
 |
Sub-heading: Redeeming Points
Booking an Award Stay: Using your points for a free night at a Marriott property is a redemption activity and will reset your expiration date.
Redeeming for Marriott Bonvoy Moments: These unique experiences (concerts, culinary events, etc.) offered through Marriott Bonvoy Moments are a great way to use points and keep your account active.
Redeeming for Merchandise or Gift Cards: While often not the best value for your points, redeeming them for retail or dining gift cards, or merchandise from the Marriott Bonvoy shop, counts as a qualifying activity.
Donating Points to Charity: Many loyalty programs, including Marriott Bonvoy, allow you to donate a portion of your points to a charitable organization. This is a simple and impactful way to keep your account active.
Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points to Partner Airlines: Converting your Marriott points into airline miles with one of their numerous airline partners is a redemption activity and will extend your points' life.
Sub-heading: Activities That DO NOT Count
It's equally important to know what doesn't count as a qualifying activity to avoid disappointment:
Gifting or Transferring Points to another Marriott Bonvoy member: While you can transfer points to another member, this action does not reset the expiration clock for either the sender or the recipient.
Receiving Points as a Gift or Transfer from another Marriott Bonvoy member: Similar to the above, merely receiving points from someone else will not extend your points' validity.
Registering for a Marriott promotion: Simply signing up for a promotion doesn't count; you need to complete the earning or redemption activity specified by the promotion.
Points earned through social media programs or promotions (historically): While less common now, be wary of activities that are purely promotional and don't involve a direct earn or redeem.
Step 5: Setting Up Reminders and Using Tools
Even with the best intentions, it's easy to lose track of time. Implement some strategies to ensure you never miss an activity deadline.
Calendar Reminders: Set a recurring reminder in your digital calendar (e.g., Google Calendar, Outlook) for every 18-20 months. This gives you a buffer before the 24-month deadline.
Marriott Bonvoy Email Notifications: Ensure you are opted in to receive emails from Marriott Bonvoy. They often send out warnings when your points are at risk of expiring.
Third-Party Tracking Tools: Consider using loyalty program tracking websites or apps like AwardWallet. You can link your Marriott Bonvoy account, and they will send you notifications directly when your points are nearing expiration across various loyalty programs.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
You can easily 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 prominently on your account dashboard.
QuickTip: Look for patterns as you read.
How to use Marriott Bonvoy points for a free night stay?
To use your Marriott Bonvoy points for a free night stay, log into your account on marriott.com or the mobile app, search for hotels and dates, and select the "Use Points / Awards" option. The system will then show you properties available for points redemption.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points quickly?
To earn Marriott Bonvoy points quickly, consider signing up for a Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card, as these often come with significant welcome bonuses. Additionally, staying frequently at Marriott properties, utilizing their dining and activity partners, and participating in promotions can boost your earnings.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to an airline partner?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to an airline partner by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account, navigating to the "Redeem" section, and selecting the option to transfer points to airline miles. Be aware of the transfer ratios and minimum transfer amounts.
How to buy Marriott Bonvoy points?
You can buy Marriott Bonvoy points directly from the Marriott website. Log into your account and look for a "Buy Points" section. You can typically purchase points in increments, up to an annual maximum.
How to reactivate expired Marriott Bonvoy points?
Reminder: Take a short break if the post feels long.
Generally, once Marriott Bonvoy points have expired due to inactivity, they cannot be reinstated. Marriott's terms and conditions state that forfeited points are usually not recoverable unless they were forfeited in error. The best approach is prevention.
How to link my Uber account to Marriott Bonvoy?
To link your Uber account to Marriott Bonvoy, open the Uber app, go to your "Account" section, and look for "Rewards" or "Loyalty Programs." Select Marriott Bonvoy and follow the prompts to link your accounts.
How to participate in Marriott Eat Around Town?
To participate in Marriott Eat Around Town, visit the Eat Around Town website (eataroundtown.marriott.com), sign up, and link your credit or debit cards. Then, simply use your linked cards at participating restaurants to earn points.
How to find out if I have Lifetime Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy?
You can find out if you have Lifetime Elite status by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account online or through the mobile app. Your status level, including any Lifetime status, will be displayed in your profile or account summary.
How to merge multiple Marriott Bonvoy accounts?
If you have multiple Marriott Bonvoy accounts, you can request to merge them by contacting Marriott Bonvoy customer service. They will typically consolidate your points and elite nights into a single account.
 |
