How Long Does It Take Marriott to Refund Your Deposit? A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding the Process
Ever found yourself checking out of a fantastic Marriott stay, only to wonder, "When exactly will that incidental deposit hit my bank account again?" You're not alone! It's a common question, and understanding the refund process can save you a lot of unnecessary worry. While there's no single, one-size-fits-all answer, we're here to break down the factors influencing Marriott deposit refunds and provide a clear, step-by-step guide to what you can expect.
Let's dive in and demystify those post-checkout financial flows!
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| How Long Does It Take Marriott To Refund Deposit |
Step 1: Understanding the Types of Deposits and Holds
First things first, let's clarify what kind of "deposit" we're talking about, as this significantly impacts the refund timeline. Marriott, like most hotel chains, primarily uses pre-authorizations on credit cards for incidental charges, rather than collecting a separate, refundable cash deposit.
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What is a Pre-authorization? When you check into a Marriott hotel, especially with a credit card, the hotel often places a temporary hold on a certain amount of funds on your card. This isn't an actual charge, but rather a reservation of funds to cover potential incidental expenses (like mini-bar purchases, room service, or damages) and sometimes even the room and tax for your stay.
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Think of it as a temporary freeze on a portion of your available credit limit.
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This is the most common type of "deposit" you'll encounter with Marriott.
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When is an Actual Deposit Taken? While less common for standard hotel stays, some specific situations might involve a true refundable deposit:
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Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy: These vacation rentals often require a separate security deposit, which can have a different refund timeline (and can sometimes be a bit slower to process).
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Cash Payments: If you pay for your stay entirely with cash, or primarily with cash, the hotel might require a cash deposit for incidentals, which would then be refunded in cash or via a different method.
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Engaging Question: Before we go further, what kind of payment method did you use for your recent Marriott stay? Knowing this will help you navigate the next steps!
Step 2: The Typical Marriott Refund Timeline
Now, for the burning question: how long does it actually take? For most standard Marriott hotel stays involving a credit card pre-authorization, here's the general expectation:
Sub-heading: Credit Card Pre-authorizations (Most Common)
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Release at Checkout: In most cases, the hotel will release the pre-authorization immediately upon your checkout, assuming no incidental charges or damages.
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Bank Processing Time: Here's where the "wait" often comes in. Even after the hotel releases the hold, it can take your bank or credit card company anywhere from 3 to 10 business days to process this release and reflect it on your statement or available credit. Some sources even suggest it could take up to 5-7 business days for Marriott's refunds to process on their end before your bank even gets involved.
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This timeframe is largely dependent on your specific financial institution, not solely on Marriott.
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Weekends and holidays can extend this period, as banks typically only process transactions on business days.
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Sub-heading: Debit Card Transactions
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Longer Processing: If you used a debit card, the process can sometimes take longer than with a credit card. This is because a debit card transaction is an actual withdrawal of funds from your account, and the refund is a re-deposit. This can take anywhere from 5 to 14 business days, and in some reported cases, even up to 30 days, for the funds to reappear.
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This is a key reason why many recommend using a credit card for hotel incidentals, as it ties up less of your actual cash.
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Sub-heading: Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy
Tip: Take notes for easier recall later.
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Potentially Slower: For Homes & Villas rentals, the security deposit refund process can be significantly longer. Some guests have reported waiting 7 to 10 days, and even up to 2-3 weeks, with some experiences indicating it might even require a manual request from Marriott to initiate the refund after a certain period.
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This is due to the nature of these properties, which often involve third-party property managers and more extensive post-stay inspections.
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Step 3: Factors That Can Influence the Refund Speed
While the above provides a general guideline, several factors can affect how quickly your Marriott deposit is refunded:
Sub-heading: Hotel Policies
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Individual Property Discretion: While Marriott sets overall guidelines, individual hotels within the Marriott brand (especially franchised locations) might have slightly varied internal procedures for processing these holds and refunds. Some might process releases in daily batches, while others do it more frequently.
Sub-heading: Incidental Charges or Damages
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Unresolved Issues: If there were any incidental charges during your stay (e.g., mini-bar, pay-per-view movies) or if any damages to the room were noted after your departure, the refund process will be delayed. The hotel will need to assess the charges and deduct them from the held amount before releasing the remainder.
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Ensure you have a zero balance upon checkout to avoid any complications.
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Sub-heading: Bank Processing Times
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Your Bank's Internal Procedures: As mentioned, your bank plays a significant role. Some banks are faster at processing pre-authorization releases or refunds than others.
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It's always a good idea to check with your specific bank if the refund seems to be taking an unusually long time.
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Sub-heading: Type of Stay
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Longer Stays: For extended stays, the pre-authorization amount might be larger, and the release process could take a little longer due to increased verification and accounting adjustments.
Sub-heading: International Transactions
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Cross-Border Delays: If you stayed at a Marriott property in a different country than where your credit card was issued, international banking protocols can sometimes add a few extra business days to the refund timeline.
Step 4: What to Do if Your Refund is Delayed
You've waited the typical timeframe, and your deposit still hasn't appeared. Don't panic! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to follow up:
Tip: Use the structure of the text to guide you.
Sub-heading: Step 4.1: Check Your Bank Statement Thoroughly
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Look for a Release, Not a New Transaction: For pre-authorizations, you won't see a "refund" transaction. Instead, the original pending charge should simply disappear, and your available credit (for credit cards) or account balance (for debit cards) should be adjusted upwards.
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Review All Transactions: Sometimes, it's easy to miss, especially if you have many transactions.
Sub-heading: Step 4.2: Contact the Hotel Directly
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Start with the Source: The best first point of contact is always the hotel property where you stayed.
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Call the hotel's front desk or, even better, ask to speak to their Accounting Department.
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Have your reservation confirmation number and check-out date ready.
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Politely explain your situation and inquire about the status of your deposit release. They can often confirm if the hold was released on their end.
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Sub-heading: Step 4.3: Contact Your Bank/Credit Card Company
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Inquire About the Hold: If the hotel confirms they released the hold, the next step is to contact your bank or credit card company.
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Explain that a pre-authorization from Marriott (provide the hotel name and dates) was released, and you are waiting for the funds to become available.
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They can often provide insight into their internal processing times or if there are any issues on their end.
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Sub-heading: Step 4.4: Reach Out to Marriott Customer Service
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Escalate if Necessary: If you're still not getting answers from the individual hotel or your bank, it's time to contact Marriott's corporate customer service.
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You can usually find their contact information on the Marriott website.
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Provide them with all the details you've gathered, including the hotel's response (or lack thereof).
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Be persistent but polite.
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Step 5: Preventative Measures for Future Stays
While delays can happen, you can take steps to minimize potential issues with deposit refunds:
Sub-heading: Step 5.1: Use a Credit Card for Incidentals
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Better for Holds: Credit card pre-authorizations don't tie up your actual cash, making any delays less impactful on your immediate funds.
Sub-heading: Step 5.2: Understand the Deposit Policy at Check-in
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Ask Questions: At check-in, don't hesitate to ask about the incidental hold amount and the estimated timeline for its release.
QuickTip: Pause when something feels important.
Sub-heading: Step 5.3: Keep Records
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Confirmation and Receipts: Keep your reservation confirmation, check-in documents, and any receipts for purchases during your stay. This information will be invaluable if you need to follow up on a delayed refund.
Frequently Asked Questions about Marriott Deposit Refunds
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to Marriott deposit refunds, with quick answers:
How to check if Marriott has released my deposit?
The best way is to contact the hotel's accounting department directly or check your credit card statement to see if the pending pre-authorization has disappeared.
How to expedite a Marriott deposit refund?
Ensure no outstanding charges or damages, pay with a credit card if possible, and contact the hotel directly if the refund doesn't appear within the expected timeframe.
How to contact Marriott customer service about a delayed refund?
Visit the Marriott website and look for their "Contact Us" section. You can usually find phone numbers and sometimes email or chat options for customer support.
How to differentiate between a charge and a pre-authorization?
A pre-authorization is a pending transaction that reduces your available credit but isn't a final charge. A charge is a completed transaction that appears on your statement.
Tip: Break long posts into short reading sessions.
How to know the exact deposit amount Marriott will hold?
This varies by property and length of stay. The hotel will typically inform you of the pre-authorization amount at check-in. It's often a daily incidental amount plus room and tax.
How to handle a Marriott deposit refund for a cash payment?
If you paid a cash deposit, confirm with the front desk at checkout when and how it will be returned to you (e.g., immediate cash refund, mailed check).
How to track a refund from Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy?
Contact the property manager first. If that doesn't yield results, escalate to Marriott's Homes & Villas customer service, noting that these refunds can take longer.
How to dispute a charge or withheld deposit from Marriott?
If you believe a charge is incorrect or your deposit was unfairly withheld, first contact the hotel. If unresolved, gather all documentation and dispute the charge with your credit card company.
How to avoid deposit issues at Marriott hotels?
Be mindful of mini-bar usage, report any issues with your room promptly, and ensure a smooth and timely checkout.
How to determine if my bank is the cause of a delayed refund?
After the hotel confirms the release of the hold, contact your bank and ask about their typical processing times for pre-authorization releases. They can see if the release notification has reached them.
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