How Long Does It Take to Get Your Marriott Points? A Comprehensive Guide
So, you've just completed a fantastic stay at a Marriott property, or perhaps you've been racking up points with your Marriott Bonvoy credit card. Now comes the exciting part: seeing those points hit your account! But how long does it really take? If you're anything like me, you're probably eager to see your balance grow so you can start planning that next dream vacation. Let's dive into the specifics, step-by-step, and equip you with all the knowledge you need!
Step 1: Are You Eager to See Your Points? Let's Confirm Eligibility First!
Before we even talk about timelines, the absolute first thing you need to ensure is that you're eligible to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for your activity. This might seem obvious, but there are a few crucial details that can make or break your points earning.
1.1 Booking Channel Matters:
Direct Bookings are Key: The most common reason for missing points is booking through third-party websites like Expedia, Booking.com, Priceline, etc. To earn points for hotel stays, your reservation must be made directly through Marriott's official channels (Marriott.com, Marriott Bonvoy app, or by calling Marriott reservations).
Corporate/Group Rates: While many corporate rates are eligible, some deeply discounted group rates or those where the company directly pays the hotel (without your individual folio showing the charges) might not accrue points. Always double-check the terms of your specific rate.
Voucher/Third-Party Awards: If you redeemed a voucher or a third-party award for your room, you generally won't earn points for that stay.
1.2 Membership Matters:
Active Marriott Bonvoy Member: Ensure your Marriott Bonvoy member number was correctly associated with your reservation or transaction. A simple typo can lead to points going astray.
New Member Grace Period: If you're a new Marriott Bonvoy member, you can often retroactively request points for stays completed within 30 days prior to your enrollment date. Keep those past receipts!
Step 2: The Typical Waiting Game – When Points Post Automatically
Assuming you've met all eligibility criteria, let's talk about the standard timelines for your points to appear in your Marriott Bonvoy account.
2.1 For Hotel Stays:
Within 72 Hours (Often Sooner): For most eligible hotel stays, your Marriott Bonvoy points will typically appear in your account within 72 hours after your check-out. Many members report seeing their points post even faster, sometimes within 24-48 hours. This is the ideal scenario, and what you should generally expect for a smooth transaction.
Up to 10 Business Days: While 72 hours is common, Marriott officially states that it can take up to 10 business days after check-out for a stay to post to your account. This longer timeframe allows for processing variations across different properties and systems. Don't panic if they aren't there immediately after 3 days – give it the full 10 business days before taking further action.
2.2 For Credit Card Spending:
After Statement Closing: Points earned from your Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card (like those issued by Chase or American Express) generally post after your credit card statement closes.
Within a Few Days of Statement Close: Once your statement closes, expect the points to appear in your Marriott Bonvoy account within a few business days. Some users report it happening within 24-48 hours of their statement closing, while others might see it take up to a week or more. It's less about the individual transaction date and more about your billing cycle.
Welcome Bonuses: Welcome bonuses or sign-up bonuses for new credit cards can take longer to post, often 6-12 weeks after you've met the spending requirements and your statement has closed. This is because these bonuses are typically processed in a different batch than regular spending points.
2.3 For Other Earning Activities: Marriott Bonvoy offers numerous ways to earn points beyond hotel stays and credit card spending. The posting times for these can vary:
Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities/Eat Around Town: Points from these partners usually post within a few days or weeks, depending on the partner's processing cycle.
Marriott Bonvoy Events (Meeting & Event Planners): Points for eligible meetings and events typically take longer to process, sometimes up to a few weeks, as the hotel needs to finalize all event charges.
Partnerships (e.g., Starbucks, Uber): Points from linked partner accounts usually post within a few business days to a week after the qualifying transaction.
Step 3: Still Waiting? How to Follow Up on Missing Points
If the typical timeframe has passed and your points are nowhere to be found, it's time to take proactive steps. Don't let those hard-earned points vanish!
3.1 Check Your Account Activity:
Login to your Marriott Bonvoy Account: Go to Marriott.com or use the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app.
Navigate to "Account Activity": This section will show a detailed breakdown of your points earned and redeemed. Look for the specific stay or transaction that you believe is missing points. Sometimes, points might have posted under a slightly different date or description, so a thorough check is always wise.
3.2 Gather Your Documentation:
Proof of Stay/Transaction: For hotel stays, you'll need your folio (hotel bill). This is crucial as it details all eligible charges. For credit card points, your credit card statement showing the transactions is necessary.
Confirmation Numbers: Keep your booking confirmation numbers handy.
3.3 Report a Missing Stay (for Hotel Stays):
Wait the Full 10 Business Days: As mentioned, Marriott's official policy for reporting missing stays is to wait at least 10 business days after your departure from the hotel.
Online "Missing Stay Request" Form: This is the easiest and most efficient way to claim missing points for a hotel stay.
Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com.
Navigate to your "Account" section, then look for "Account Activity."
You should find an option to "Report a Missing Stay" or a similar link.
Fill out the form with your stay details (hotel name, dates, confirmation number, total amount paid).
Attach a copy of your hotel folio (bill). This is often a mandatory field and critical for a quick resolution.
Processing Time for Missing Stay Requests: Once you submit the missing stay request, allow up to 10 business days for Marriott to process it and credit the points to your account. In many cases, it happens much faster.
3.4 Contact Customer Service (for Other Issues):
For Credit Card Points: If your credit card points aren't posting, your first point of contact should be the credit card issuer (Chase, American Express, etc.), not Marriott Bonvoy directly. They are responsible for crediting those points to your Marriott account. Be prepared with your credit card statement.
For Other Partner Points or Complex Issues: If points from other activities are missing, or if your missing stay request is taking longer than expected, it's best to contact Marriott Bonvoy Guest Services directly.
You can often find phone numbers and chat options on the Marriott.com "Contact Us" page.
Be ready with all your documentation and a clear explanation of the issue.
Step 4: Tips for Ensuring Your Points Post Smoothly
Prevention is always better than cure! Here are some valuable tips to minimize the chances of your points going missing:
4.1 Always Include Your Marriott Bonvoy Number:
At Booking: Always ensure your Marriott Bonvoy member number is correctly entered when you make your reservation, whether online or over the phone.
At Check-in: Double-check with the front desk during check-in that your member number is attached to your reservation.
Before Check-out: Briefly review your preliminary folio before check-out to ensure your Bonvoy number is present and points are anticipated.
4.2 Book Directly with Marriott:
This cannot be stressed enough. Always book through Marriott's official channels (website, app, phone) to guarantee point eligibility.
4.3 Keep Records:
Save all your hotel folios and credit card statements. Digital copies are great for easy access. This will be your proof if you ever need to claim missing points.
4.4 Check Your Account Regularly:
Get into the habit of checking your Marriott Bonvoy account activity every week or two, especially after hotel stays or major credit card spending, to ensure points are posting as expected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about Marriott Bonvoy points posting, with quick answers:
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 usually prominently displayed on the account dashboard.
How to Expedite Marriott Points Posting After a Stay? There isn't a way to "expedite" points posting for a recent stay beyond ensuring your member number is on the reservation. The system processes them automatically within 72 hours to 10 business days.
How to Claim Missing Marriott Bonvoy Points for a Past Stay? Wait at least 10 business days after check-out, then log into your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com and submit a "Missing Stay Request" form, attaching your hotel folio.
How to Find My Hotel Folio for a Missing Stay Claim? You should receive your hotel folio (bill) via email after check-out. If not, you can usually request it directly from the hotel's front desk or accounting department, or sometimes find it in your past stays on Marriott.com.
How to Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points Faster? Besides hotel stays, earn faster by using a Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card for everyday spending, participating in promotions, booking eligible meetings and events, and utilizing partners like Eat Around Town or Tours & Activities.
How to Know if My Booking is Eligible for Marriott Points? Generally, bookings made directly on Marriott.com, through the Marriott Bonvoy app, or via Marriott reservations (phone) are eligible. Bookings through third-party online travel agencies (OTAs) are typically not eligible.
How to Contact Marriott Bonvoy Customer Service for Points Issues? You can find contact numbers and chat options on the "Contact Us" page of Marriott.com. For credit card points, contact your card issuer first.
How to Get Welcome Bonus Points from My Marriott Credit Card? Welcome bonus points from your Marriott Bonvoy credit card usually post 6-12 weeks after your credit card statement closes and you have met the required spending threshold.
How to See a Detailed History of My Marriott Points Activity? Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com or the app, then navigate to the "Account Activity" or "My Activity" section for a comprehensive transaction history.
How to Ensure My Marriott Bonvoy Account Stays Active and Points Don't Expire? To keep your points from expiring, you need to have qualifying activity (earn or redeem points) at least once every 24 months. This can include a hotel stay, credit card spending, or other point-earning activities.
