Planning a trip and booked your hotel through Expedia, but now you're wondering how to make sure your Marriott Bonvoy number is linked? You're in the right place! While it might seem a bit tricky since you didn't book directly with Marriott, there are steps you can take to try and add your Bonvoy number to your Expedia reservation.
Let's dive in and get those potential points and elite benefits sorted!
Understanding the Landscape: Expedia vs. Direct Bookings
Before we get into the "how-to," it's crucial to understand a key difference:
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Direct Bookings with Marriott: When you book directly through Marriott's official website (Marriott.com), the Marriott Bonvoy app, or their customer service, your Bonvoy number is typically linked automatically, and you are guaranteed to earn points and receive all your elite benefits (like complimentary Wi-Fi, late checkout, upgrades, etc.).
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Third-Party Bookings (Expedia, etc.): Bookings made through Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Expedia are considered "third-party" bookings. The general rule of thumb for most hotel loyalty programs, including Marriott Bonvoy, is that you do not earn points or receive elite benefits on stays booked through third-party sites. This is because the hotel often pays a commission to the OTA, and the booking isn't recognized as a direct interaction with the hotel chain.
However, there are exceptions and situations where you can still try to add your number and sometimes receive some perks. It's not guaranteed, but it's always worth a shot!
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| How To Add Marriott Bonvoy Number To Expedia Reservation |
Step 1: Have You Already Made Your Expedia Reservation?
If you haven't booked yet, hold on! If earning Marriott Bonvoy points and enjoying elite benefits is a top priority, you should always try to book directly with Marriott. This guarantees you all the perks.
But if you've already clicked "confirm" on Expedia, don't worry, let's proceed with the steps to try and link your Bonvoy number.
Step 2: Locate Your Expedia Reservation Details
The first thing you'll need is your Expedia reservation information.
Sub-heading: Where to find your Expedia Booking Confirmation
Tip: Use the structure of the text to guide you.
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Email Confirmation: Check your email inbox for the confirmation email from Expedia. This email will contain vital information such as your booking reference number (often called "Expedia Itinerary Number" or "Confirmation Number"), the hotel name, dates of stay, and guest details.
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Expedia Account: If you booked while logged into your Expedia account, you can typically find your reservation under the "My Trips" or "Upcoming Trips" section on the Expedia website or app.
Make sure to have this information handy before moving to the next step.
Step 3: Access Your Marriott Bonvoy Account and Look Up Your Reservation
Now, let's see if you can add the reservation directly through Marriott's channels.
Sub-heading: Attempting to Add Via Marriott.com
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Go to Marriott.com: Open your web browser and navigate to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (
www.marriott.com -
Log In: Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account using your credentials.
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Find "My Trips" or "My Reservations": Once logged in, look for a section like "My Trips," "My Reservations," or "Upcoming Stays."
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Look for an "Add a Reservation" or "Look Up Reservation" Option: Marriott's website often has an option to add or look up a reservation that might not be automatically linked to your account.
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You might find a field where you can enter a confirmation number and the last name on the reservation. Try entering the confirmation number from your Expedia booking.
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Important Note: If the system doesn't recognize your Expedia confirmation number, do not be alarmed. This is a common outcome for third-party bookings. It simply means the reservation isn't directly recognized by Marriott's system for loyalty purposes.
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Step 4: Contact the Hotel Directly
This is often the most effective method for attempting to link your Marriott Bonvoy number to an Expedia reservation and for requesting any potential elite benefits.
Sub-heading: When to Call the Hotel
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After Booking, But Before Check-in: The best time to do this is after your Expedia reservation is confirmed and before your actual check-in date. This gives the hotel staff time to process your request.
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A Few Days Before Arrival: Calling a few days before your arrival is ideal.
Sub-heading: What to Say When You Call
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Find the Hotel's Direct Number: Do a quick search for the specific Marriott hotel's direct phone number. Avoid calling the general Marriott reservations line for this, as they may direct you to the hotel anyway.
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Explain Your Situation Clearly: When you speak to the front desk or reservations team, explain that you have an upcoming reservation booked through Expedia and would like to add your Marriott Bonvoy number to it.
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Be prepared to provide your Expedia confirmation number and the name on the reservation.
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Politely Ask: "Hello, I have an upcoming reservation booked through Expedia. My confirmation number is [Expedia Confirmation Number] under the name [Your Name]. I am a Marriott Bonvoy member, and my number is [Your Marriott Bonvoy Number]. Would it be possible to add my Bonvoy number to this reservation so that it shows on my profile for potential recognition?"
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Inquire About Benefits (Politely): While point earning is unlikely, you can politely inquire about elite benefits.
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"I understand that bookings through third-party sites typically don't earn points, but would it be possible to note my Bonvoy elite status for potential on-property benefits like complimentary Wi-Fi or late checkout, subject to availability?"
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Be prepared for them to say no regarding points, but many hotels will honor basic elite benefits like Wi-Fi or sometimes even late checkout as a courtesy.
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Tip: Don’t skim past key examples.
Step 5: Check-in and Follow Up (If Necessary)
Even if you've added your number, it's a good idea to confirm upon arrival.
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Sub-heading: At Check-in
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Mention Your Bonvoy Number: When you check in, politely remind the front desk agent that you have a Marriott Bonvoy number and ask if it's correctly attached to your reservation.
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Reiterate Benefit Request: If you didn't receive confirmation of benefits beforehand, this is another opportunity to politely ask about things like complimentary Wi-Fi or late checkout, particularly if you have elite status.
Step 6: Post-Stay Follow-Up for Missing Credit (Rarely Successful for Expedia Bookings)
If, by some slim chance, you were told that you would earn points, and they don't appear, you can attempt to request a missing stay credit.
Sub-heading: How to Request Missing Stay Credit
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Wait 10 Business Days: Marriott advises waiting at least 10 business days after your stay to allow points to post.
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Go to Marriott.com Missing Stay Request: Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com and navigate to the "Missing Stay Request" section.
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Fill Out the Form: You'll need details like the hotel name, check-in/check-out dates, and your confirmation number (you'd use the hotel's confirmation number if they provided one, not the Expedia one).
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Crucial Disclaimer: The Marriott website explicitly states that stays booked through third-party websites (e.g., Expedia, Priceline, etc.) are generally not eligible for Marriott Bonvoy points and cannot be submitted through this form. So, while you can try, expect it to be denied. This step is more for direct bookings where points didn't post correctly.
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Key Takeaways and What to Expect:
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Earning Points: It is highly unlikely you will earn Marriott Bonvoy points for a stay booked through Expedia. Marriott's terms and conditions generally exclude third-party bookings from point accrual.
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Elite Night Credits: Similarly, elite night credits for qualifying for or maintaining Marriott Bonvoy elite status are typically not awarded for third-party bookings.
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Elite Benefits: This is where you might have some luck! While not guaranteed, many individual Marriott properties, as a gesture of goodwill, may extend some elite benefits (like complimentary Wi-Fi, bottled water, or even a modest room upgrade if available) to Bonvoy members who have booked through an OTA, especially if you politely ask and have your Bonvoy number associated with the reservation. This is entirely at the hotel's discretion.
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Best Practice: If Marriott Bonvoy points and elite benefits are important to you, always book directly with Marriott. Compare prices, and if Expedia offers a significantly lower rate, you might consider if the savings outweigh the loss of points and benefits.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
QuickTip: Save your favorite part of this post.
How to check if my Marriott Bonvoy number is already on my Expedia reservation?
You generally cannot check this directly on Expedia. You would need to contact the hotel directly or try to look up the reservation on Marriott.com using the hotel's confirmation number (if provided) to see if your Bonvoy number is associated.
How to ensure I earn Marriott Bonvoy points for my hotel stays?
Always book directly through official Marriott channels: Marriott.com, the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app, or by calling Marriott reservations or the hotel directly.
How to get elite benefits on an Expedia booking?
Politely ask the hotel directly to add your Marriott Bonvoy number to your reservation. While point earning is unlikely, many hotels may extend on-property elite benefits (like complimentary Wi-Fi or late checkout) as a courtesy, subject to availability and their discretion.
How to find the hotel's direct phone number for my Expedia booking?
Search online for the specific Marriott hotel's official website or general contact information. Avoid using the general Expedia customer service line for this purpose.
How to request a missing stay credit for a Marriott Bonvoy stay?
Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com, navigate to the "Missing Stay Request" section, and fill out the form with your hotel confirmation number and stay details. Remember, third-party bookings are generally ineligible.
Tip: Review key points when done.
How to combine my Marriott Bonvoy accounts?
You can combine duplicate Marriott Bonvoy accounts through your Marriott Bonvoy online profile or by contacting Marriott Bonvoy customer service. Both accounts must be in your name.
How to update my Marriott Bonvoy profile information?
Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com, go to your "Profile" or "Account Settings," and you can update personal information, preferences, and communication settings.
How to use my Marriott Bonvoy points for a free night?
You can redeem your Marriott Bonvoy points for free nights directly on Marriott.com or through the Marriott Bonvoy app when making a new reservation.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for assistance?
You can find worldwide phone numbers for Marriott Bonvoy customer service on the Marriott.com "Contact Us" or "Help" section.
How to compare direct Marriott rates with Expedia rates?
Always check both Marriott.com and Expedia for the same hotel and dates. Marriott has a "Best Rate Guarantee," and if you find a lower public rate elsewhere, you may be able to submit a claim for a rate match and additional benefits (though specific conditions apply).
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