Hey there, fellow traveler! Ever wonder, "Where are my Marriott Bonvoy points?!" after that incredible stay or big credit card spend? You're not alone. It's a common question, and understanding the timelines for Marriott Bonvoy points to show up in your account is key to maximizing your rewards. Let's dive deep into the fascinating world of Marriott Bonvoy points and ensure you never miss out on your hard-earned rewards again!
How Long for Marriott Points to Show Up: A Comprehensive Guide
Getting your Marriott Bonvoy points credited to your account is usually a smooth process, but the exact timing can vary depending on how you earned them. From hotel stays to credit card purchases and special promotions, each avenue has its own rhythm. This guide will walk you through each scenario, providing clear expectations and what to do if your points are playing hide-and-seek.
How Long For Marriott Points To Show Up |
Step 1: Understanding the Different Ways You Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points
Before we talk about timelines, let's quickly recap the primary ways you accumulate those valuable Marriott Bonvoy points. Knowing the source of your points will help you gauge the expected posting time.
Sub-heading 1.1: Earning from Hotel Stays
This is perhaps the most common way to earn points. When you stay at a Marriott Bonvoy participating hotel and your member number is correctly linked to your reservation, you'll earn points based on your spending. This includes room rates, food and beverage charges (if charged to your room), and other eligible incidentals.
Sub-heading 1.2: Earning from Marriott Bonvoy Co-Branded Credit Cards
Many of us leverage Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards for everyday spending, earning points on purchases both within and outside the Marriott ecosystem. These points are typically credited by the credit card issuer to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
Sub-heading 1.3: Earning from Promotions and Offers
Marriott Bonvoy frequently runs exciting promotions, offering bonus points for specific stays, multiple stays, or other qualifying activities. These bonus points often have a separate posting schedule.
Sub-heading 1.4: Earning from Marriott Bonvoy Events
If you're a meeting planner or organize events, you can earn Marriott Bonvoy points for eligible meetings and events booked at participating hotels.
Sub-heading 1.5: Other Earning Methods
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This can include earning points through partners like Uber, dining programs, or even purchasing points directly.
Step 2: The Typical Timelines for Points to Post
Now, let's get to the heart of the matter – how long do you usually have to wait?
Sub-heading 2.1: Hotel Stays – The Most Common Scenario
The good news: For eligible hotel stays, Marriott Bonvoy points generally appear in your account within 72 hours after the completion of your stay. This assumes your Marriott Bonvoy member number was correctly associated with your reservation at the time of booking or check-in. In some cases, it might take a little longer, up to 10 business days.
Pro-Tip: Always double-check that your Marriott Bonvoy number is on your reservation! A simple oversight here can lead to delays.
Sub-heading 2.2: Credit Card Points – Varying by Issuer
Points earned through your Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card usually post with your monthly statement.
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Monthly Statement Cycle: Points are typically calculated and transferred to your Marriott Bonvoy account shortly after your credit card statement closes. This can vary from a few days to a week after your statement date.
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Sign-up Bonuses and Promotional Offers: For large sign-up bonuses or special spending offers on your credit card, the points might take 8-12 weeks to appear in your Bonvoy account after you meet the spending requirements. This longer timeframe is common for credit card bonus offers across many loyalty programs.
Sub-heading 2.3: Promotional Bonus Points – Read the Fine Print!
Points from Marriott Bonvoy promotions have their own unique timelines.
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Specific Promotion Terms: The exact posting time for promotional bonus points will always be outlined in the terms and conditions of that particular promotion. It could be a few days after the qualifying activity, or it might be a lumped sum at the end of the promotion period.
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Always refer to the specific promotion details when you enroll to set your expectations correctly.
Sub-heading 2.4: Marriott Bonvoy Events Points – Post-Event Processing
For points earned from eligible meetings and events, the processing can take a bit longer due to the nature of event billing. Expect these points to post within 10 business days after the final bill is settled and paid.
Step 3: What to Do If Your Points Haven't Shown Up
It happens to the best of us. You've waited the expected time, but your points are still missing. Don't panic! There's a clear process to follow.
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Sub-heading 3.1: Verify Your Account Activity First
Before contacting anyone, it's always a good idea to check your account activity.
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Online: Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on the Marriott website. Look for "Account Activity" or "My Activity" to see a detailed breakdown of your points earnings and redemptions.
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Marriott Bonvoy Mobile App: Open the app, tap on "Account" (usually at the bottom), and then select "Account Activity" or "View Account Activity."
Sub-heading 3.2: Wait a Little Longer (If Within Reason)
While the general guideline for stays is 72 hours, sometimes it can genuinely take up to 10 business days. If you're within that 10-day window, a little more patience might be all that's needed.
Sub-heading 3.3: Submitting a Missing Stay Request
If it's been more than 10 business days since your eligible hotel stay, or if you've confirmed your credit card statement has closed and points haven't appeared, it's time to take action.
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Online Form: The easiest way to report a missing stay is through the Marriott Bonvoy website.
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Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
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Navigate to the "Help" or "Customer Service" section.
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Look for "Request Credit for a Completed Missing Stay" or "Missing Stay Request."
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You'll typically need to provide details about your stay, including the hotel name, check-in/check-out dates, and your confirmation number. Having a copy of your hotel folio (invoice) is highly recommended and often required.
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Mobile App: You can also typically submit a missing stay request through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app, usually found within the "Account Activity" section.
Sub-heading 3.4: Contacting Marriott Bonvoy Customer Service
If you've submitted a missing stay request and haven't heard back within a reasonable timeframe (they usually state an expected processing time of up to 10 business days for missing stay requests), or if you have a more complex issue (like missing promotional points or credit card points), it's time to contact customer service directly.
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Phone: This is often the quickest way to get a resolution. Have your Marriott Bonvoy member number and all relevant details (stay confirmation, credit card statements, promotion details) ready. You can find the appropriate phone numbers on the Marriott Bonvoy "Help & Contact Us" page.
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Email/Online Chat: Some regions offer email or online chat support, which can be useful for non-urgent inquiries.
Step 4: Key Considerations for Smooth Point Posting
To minimize the chances of missing points, keep these important points in mind.
Sub-heading 4.1: Book Directly with Marriott
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Crucial: To earn Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel stays, you must book directly through Marriott channels (Marriott.com, Marriott Bonvoy App, or by calling Marriott Reservations). Stays booked through most third-party online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia, Booking.com, or Priceline are generally ineligible for points earning and elite night credits.
Sub-heading 4.2: Ensure Your Member Number is Correct
Always verify that your Marriott Bonvoy member number is correctly associated with your reservation before or at check-in. A simple typo can prevent points from posting automatically.
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Sub-heading 4.3: Keep Your Folio/Receipts
It's a good practice to keep electronic or physical copies of your hotel folios (invoices) and credit card statements. These are invaluable if you need to submit a missing points request.
Sub-heading 4.4: Understand Eligible vs. Ineligible Charges
Not all charges on your hotel bill will earn points. Generally, room rates and eligible incidentals (like dining, spa services charged to your room) qualify. Taxes, resort fees, and third-party services often do not.
Step 5: Patience and Persistence
While most Marriott Bonvoy points post seamlessly, there are occasional glitches. The key is to be patient within the expected timelines and persistent if you need to follow up. Your hard-earned points are worth the effort!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about Marriott Bonvoy points posting, with quick answers:
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
You can check your balance by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your balance is typically displayed prominently on the main account page.
How to request credit for a missing Marriott Bonvoy stay?
If it's been more than 10 business days since your eligible stay, log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com, go to the "Help" section, and look for the "Missing Stay Request" form. Be prepared to provide your confirmation number and hotel folio.
How to know if my Marriott Bonvoy points expired?
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Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 consecutive months of inactivity. You can check your account activity online or via the app to see your last qualifying activity date.
How to keep my Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring?
To prevent expiration, ensure you have a qualifying activity at least once every 24 months. This includes hotel stays, earning points with a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, redeeming points, or purchasing points.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points faster?
You can earn points faster by using a Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card for everyday spending, taking advantage of Marriott's promotional offers, and booking eligible hotel stays directly with Marriott.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to airline miles?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com and navigate to the "Redeem Points" section. Look for the "Transfer Points to Miles" option, where you can select from a wide range of airline partners. Most transfers are at a 3:1 ratio, with a bonus of 5,000 miles for every 60,000 points transferred.
How to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for free nights?
On Marriott.com or the Marriott Bonvoy app, search for hotels and select the option to "Use Points/Certificates" when making your reservation.
How to find out what counts as an eligible Marriott Bonvoy stay?
An eligible stay is generally a stay booked directly through Marriott channels with your Marriott Bonvoy member number attached, where you pay an eligible rate. Stays booked through third-party sites or certain discounted rates are typically not eligible.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for missing points?
You can find the customer service phone numbers for your region on the Marriott.com "Help & Contact Us" page. Be ready with your account details and any relevant booking information.
How to ensure my credit card points post to my Marriott Bonvoy account?
Ensure your Marriott Bonvoy member number is correctly linked to your credit card account. Points typically post after your monthly statement closes. For sign-up bonuses, allow 8-12 weeks after meeting the spending requirements.