Have you ever checked out of a fantastic Marriott stay, already dreaming of your next redemption, only to find your Bonvoy points haven't landed in your account yet? It's a common experience, and one that can lead to a bit of nail-biting, especially when you're just a few points shy of that dream vacation. So, how long does it really take to get Marriott Bonvoy points after a stay? Let's dive deep into the process, potential delays, and what you can do if your points seem to have gone on their own unannounced vacation!
The Anticipation: When Will Those Precious Points Appear?
It's natural to be eager to see your hard-earned points reflected in your Marriott Bonvoy account. After all, they unlock incredible experiences, from luxurious hotel nights to exclusive Marriott Bonvoy Moments. Understanding the typical timeframe can help manage your expectations and ensure a smoother points-earning journey.
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| How Long Does It Take To Get Marriott Points After A Stay |
Step 1: The Standard Timeline – The Golden 72 Hours
Let's start with the good news! For the vast majority of qualifying stays, Marriott Bonvoy points are designed to post to your account within 72 hours of your check-out. This is the ideal scenario and what Marriott aims for.
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What this means: If you check out on a Tuesday morning, you should reasonably expect to see your points in your account by Friday morning. This applies to most direct bookings made through Marriott.com, the Marriott Bonvoy app, or directly with the hotel.
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Why 72 hours? This allows for the hotel's system to process your stay, reconcile charges, and transmit the data to Marriott Bonvoy's central system for point allocation.
Step 2: Understanding "Up to 10 Business Days" – The Reality Check
While 72 hours is the goal, it's crucial to be aware of the official timeframe, which is a bit more generous. Marriott Bonvoy states that it can take up to 10 business days after check-out for a stay to post to your account.
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"Business Days" are key: This excludes weekends and public holidays. So, if you check out on a Friday, those 10 business days could stretch into the following two weeks.
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Factors influencing this:
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Hotel System Processing: Some hotels, especially smaller or independently managed properties within the Marriott portfolio, might have slightly slower internal processing times.
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Peak Seasons/High Volume: During busy travel periods, there might be a slight backlog in the system.
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Complex Stays: Stays with multiple rooms, unusual charges, or last-minute changes might require a bit more manual review, potentially extending the posting time.
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Step 3: Checking Your Marriott Bonvoy Account Activity
Before you hit the panic button, always verify your account activity.
Tip: Highlight what feels important.
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How to check:
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Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account: Go to Marriott.com or open the Marriott Bonvoy Mobile App.
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Navigate to "Account" or "My Account": This is usually found in the top right corner of the website or at the bottom of the app screen.
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Select "Account Activity" or "Points Activity": Here, you'll see a detailed breakdown of your earned points, redeemed points, and recent stays.
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Look for the specific stay: Your recent stay should be listed, even if the points haven't fully posted yet. Sometimes, the stay will appear as "pending" or "processing" before the points are officially added.
Step 4: When Points Don't Post: Initiating a Missing Stay Request
If 10 business days have passed since your check-out and your points are still nowhere to be found, it's time to take action. Marriott Bonvoy has a straightforward process for requesting credit for missing stays.
Sub-heading: Eligibility for Missing Stay Requests
Before you submit a request, ensure your stay qualifies:
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Direct Booking: The most crucial point! Only stays booked directly through Marriott channels (Marriott.com, Marriott Bonvoy app, Marriott reservation lines, or directly with a Marriott hotel) are eligible for point earning. Stays booked through third-party online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia, Booking.com, Priceline, etc., are generally not eligible for earning Marriott Bonvoy points or Elite Night Credits.
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Qualifying Rate: The rate you paid must be a "qualifying rate." Most standard rates are, but deeply discounted group rates, tour operator rates, or stays redeemed with certain vouchers might not be.
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Within One Year: You have up to one year from the date of your check-out to submit a missing stay request.
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New Member Grace Period: If you're a new Marriott Bonvoy member, you can actually request points for qualifying stays incurred up to 30 days prior to your enrollment in the program! This is a fantastic benefit.
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Hotel Bill (Folio) Required: You will likely need a copy of your hotel bill (folio) as proof of your stay. Keep those receipts!
Sub-heading: How to Submit a Missing Stay Request
Follow these steps carefully:
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Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy Account: Again, this is essential.
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Access the Missing Stay Request Form:
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On the Marriott website, you can usually find this form by searching "Missing Stay Request" in the help section or by navigating to your "Account Activity" and looking for a link like "Report a Missing Stay" at the bottom of the page.
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In the Marriott Bonvoy app, go to "Account," then "Account Activity," and scroll down to find the "Missing Stay Request Form" link.
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Fill out the form with accurate details:
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Your Marriott Bonvoy Member Number
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Hotel Name and City
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Check-in and Check-out Dates
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Confirmation Number
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Folio/Hotel Bill Number: This is critical.
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Any relevant comments or details.
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Attach your Hotel Bill (Folio): The form will prompt you to upload a copy. Make sure it's clear and legible. If you don't have it, you'll need to contact the hotel directly to request a copy.
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Submit the Request: Once all fields are completed, click "Submit." You won't typically receive an email confirmation of the submission itself, but a confirmation page will usually appear on screen.
Sub-heading: What Happens After You Submit a Missing Stay Request?
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Processing Time: Marriott typically advises allowing up to 10 business days for your missing stay request to be processed. In many cases, it might be much faster, sometimes even within a few days or hours, especially if all information is readily available.
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Communication: If there are any issues or if they require further information, Marriott Bonvoy customer service will usually reach out to you.
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Points Posted: If your request is approved, the points and elite night credits will be added to your account, and you'll see them reflected in your account activity.
QuickTip: Don’t just consume — reflect.
Step 5: Tips for a Smooth Points Posting Experience
To minimize the chances of missing points, consider these proactive measures:
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Always Provide Your Marriott Bonvoy Member Number: Ensure your Bonvoy number is added to your reservation at the time of booking. Double-check it during check-in as well.
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Book Directly with Marriott: This cannot be stressed enough. Third-party bookings are the most common reason for missing points.
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Keep Your Folio/Hotel Bill: Even if you receive an email copy, it's wise to save it until your points post. It's your primary proof of stay.
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Check Your Account Regularly: A quick glance at your activity a few days after checkout can help you identify any issues early.
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Understand Elite Status Bonuses: Remember that higher elite tiers (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium, Ambassador) earn bonus points on top of the base points. These should all post together.
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Silver members earn 10% more.
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Gold members earn 25% more.
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Platinum members earn 50% more.
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Titanium and Ambassador members earn 75% more.
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Step 6: Beyond Hotel Stays: Other Ways Points Post
While this guide focuses on hotel stays, it's worth noting that other Marriott Bonvoy point-earning activities have their own posting timelines:
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Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card Spending: Points from everyday credit card spending usually post with your monthly statement, often a few days after the statement closes.
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Marriott Bonvoy Moments: If you win a bid or redeem points for a Moments experience, the points deduction is typically instant or within 24 hours.
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Purchased Points: If you buy Marriott Bonvoy points, they usually post to your account within 72 hours of the transaction.
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Points Transfers (e.g., from airline partners): These can vary significantly, from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the partner program. Always check the specific transfer terms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related "How to" questions with quick answers to further assist you:
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 balance is typically displayed prominently on the main account page.
Tip: Be mindful — one idea at a time.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points faster?
You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points faster by booking directly with Marriott, utilizing Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards for everyday spending, taking advantage of promotions, and earning points on dining, spa, and other eligible charges during your stay.
How to ensure my Marriott Bonvoy number is on my reservation?
When booking, always input your Marriott Bonvoy member number. At check-in, verbally confirm with the front desk agent that your Bonvoy number is linked to your reservation.
How to get a copy of my hotel bill (folio)?
You can usually request a copy of your hotel bill directly from the hotel's front desk during your stay or after check-out via their email or customer service. Marriott also has an online form to request past folios.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another member?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another member by calling Marriott Bonvoy Member Support. There are limits (e.g., up to 100,000 points per year you can transfer out, and 500,000 you can receive in). Both accounts must be in good standing and open for a certain period.
QuickTip: Slow down when you hit numbers or data.
How to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for a free night?
To redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for a free night, log into your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com or the app, search for your desired destination and dates, and select "Use Points/Certificates" when searching for rooms.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service?
You can contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service via phone (numbers available on Marriott.com under "Contact Us") or through the chat feature on their website or app.
How to get Elite Night Credits for my stay?
Elite Night Credits are automatically awarded for qualifying stays alongside your points. They will post at the same time as your points after your check-out.
How to know if my stay is a "qualifying stay" for points?
Generally, stays booked directly through Marriott channels at published rates are qualifying. Stays booked through third-party online travel agencies (OTAs) are typically not qualifying for point or elite night credit earning.
How to merge multiple Marriott Bonvoy accounts?
If you have multiple Marriott Bonvoy accounts, you can request a merge by contacting Marriott Bonvoy Member Support. This usually requires a phone call for security verification.
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