The fear of losing hard-earned loyalty points is a common one among travelers. If you're a Marriott Bonvoy member, you've likely wondered: How long do Marriott points last? The good news is, with a little strategic activity, your points can last indefinitely!
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Marriott Bonvoy point expiration, how to keep your points alive, and what to do if they've already expired. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Understanding the Marriott Bonvoy Points Expiration Policy
Ready to unravel the mystery of point expiration? Let's start with the basics. Marriott Bonvoy, like most loyalty programs, has a policy in place to manage inactive accounts.
The core rule is: Marriott Bonvoy points generally expire if your account goes 24 months (two years) without any qualifying activity.
What does "qualifying activity" mean? It's any transaction that involves earning or redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points. This clock resets with each qualifying activity. If your account remains inactive for five consecutive years, Marriott can even deactivate your entire account, leading to the forfeiture of all points.
Key takeaway: Don't let your points gather dust! Regular engagement with the program is crucial.
Step 2: Checking Your Marriott Bonvoy Points Expiration Date
Before you panic, let's find out exactly when your points are set to expire. It's surprisingly easy!
Sub-heading: Online Method
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on the official Marriott website (marriott.com).
Once logged in, look for your name in the top-right corner of the page and click on it.
From the drop-down menu, select "Activity."
On the Activity page, you should see your recent points earnings and redemptions, and crucially, your points expiration date will be displayed above your activity history.
Sub-heading: Mobile App Method
Open the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app on your iOS or Android device.
Navigate to the "Account" section.
Your expiration date is usually shown to the left of your current points balance.
Pro Tip: If you have Lifetime Elite Status, you typically won't see an expiration date, as your points generally do not expire. However, it's always wise to stay informed as program terms can change.
Step 3: A Step-by-Step Guide to Keeping Your Marriott Bonvoy Points Alive
Now that you know the expiration rules, let's talk about how to prevent your points from expiring. The good news is there are many ways to achieve this, even without a hotel stay! Remember, any qualifying activity resets the 24-month clock.
Sub-heading: Earning Points (The Most Common Way)
This is often the easiest and most natural way to keep your account active!
Complete a Paid Stay at a Marriott Property:
Book and complete a stay at any participating Marriott Bonvoy hotel or resort. This is the most straightforward method. Ensure your Bonvoy member number is linked to the reservation.
Use a Co-branded Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card:
If you have a Marriott Bonvoy credit card (issued by American Express or Chase), simply make a purchase with it. Any purchase, big or small, that earns points will reset your expiration date. This is a highly effective passive way to keep your points active.
Earn Points through Marriott Bonvoy Partners:
Link your Marriott Bonvoy and Uber accounts: Earn points on eligible Uber rides (like Uber XL, Uber Comfort, Uber Black) and Uber Eats orders. Even a small order can extend your points.
Dine with Marriott Eat Around Town: Link your credit card to the Eat Around Town program and earn points when dining at participating restaurants.
Book Tours and Activities: Earn points on eligible tours and activities booked through Marriott.
Host Meetings and Events: If you're planning a business meeting or event, consider hosting it at an eligible Marriott property to earn points.
Purchase Marriott Bonvoy Points:
This is a simple, albeit sometimes expensive, option if you're in a pinch. You can buy as few as 1,000 points. The purchase will register as activity and reset your expiration clock. While not the best value per point, it's a guaranteed way to extend your points if other options aren't feasible.
Convert Miles to Marriott Bonvoy Points:
If you have airline miles with a partner program, you can convert them to Marriott Bonvoy points. This will count as an earning activity.
Sub-heading: Redeeming Points (Another Excellent Method)
Spending your points also keeps them alive!
Redeem Points for a Hotel Stay:
Even if it's just for one night at a low-category hotel, using your points for a stay will count as a qualifying activity.
Redeem Points for Marriott Bonvoy Moments:
These are unique, curated experiences that can be redeemed with points. They range from culinary experiences to VIP access at sporting events.
Redeem Points for Travel (Flights, Car Rentals):
Marriott Bonvoy allows you to redeem points for flights or car rentals, which also counts as an activity.
Shop with Points:
You can redeem points for merchandise or gift cards through the Marriott Bonvoy shopping portal. While generally not the best value, it's an option to consider if your points are about to expire.
Donate Points to Charity:
Marriott Bonvoy allows you to donate points to various charitable organizations. This is a great way to do good and keep your account active.
Sub-heading: Activities That Do Not Count Towards Extending Expiration
It's important to be aware of what won't reset your points expiration:
Gifting or transferring points to another member.
Receiving points as a gift or transfer from another member.
Registering for a Marriott promotion (unless it involves earning points).
Booking a reward stay that is later canceled without any other qualifying activity.
Step 4: What Happens If Your Marriott Points Expire?
Don't despair just yet, but it's tough!
According to Marriott's official policy, once points are forfeited due to inactivity, they generally cannot be reinstated. The terms clearly state that if an account is inactive for 24 consecutive months, all accumulated points will be forfeited.
However, there have been anecdotal reports of members successfully getting a one-time reinstatement or a "points challenge" (where you earn a certain number of points within a short timeframe to get your expired points back) by contacting Marriott Bonvoy customer service, especially if the inactivity was due to extenuating circumstances or just a slight oversight. This is not guaranteed and is entirely at Marriott's discretion.
Your best bet is to prevent expiration in the first place!
Step 5: Advanced Strategies for Savvy Travelers
For those who want to be proactive and ensure their points are always safe:
Set Reminders: Mark your calendar or set digital reminders a few months before your points are set to expire.
Use AwardWallet or Similar Tools: Services like AwardWallet can track all your loyalty program balances and send you email alerts when points are nearing expiration. This is an invaluable tool for frequent travelers.
Consider a "Mattress Run" (if desperate): If you're close to expiration and have no other easy options, a very cheap one-night stay at a local Marriott property could be a cost-effective way to reset the clock.
Smallest Purchase Strategy: If you have a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, simply buying a coffee or a small item with it once every 23 months will keep your points active.
By actively managing your Marriott Bonvoy account and engaging in qualifying activities, you can ensure your hard-earned points remain available for your next dream vacation.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to Check My Marriott Bonvoy Points Balance?
You can easily check your Marriott Bonvoy points balance by logging into your account on marriott.com or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your balance is prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to Transfer Marriott Bonvoy Points to Another Member?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another member online via the Points Transfer tool on the Marriott website. Both accounts must be in good standing, and you can transfer a maximum of 100,000 points per calendar year, in increments of 1,000.
How to Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points Without Staying at a Hotel?
You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points without a hotel stay by using a co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit card for everyday purchases, linking your account to Uber for eligible rides and Uber Eats, dining at participating Eat Around Town restaurants, or purchasing points directly.
How to Buy Marriott Bonvoy Points?
You can purchase Marriott Bonvoy points directly from the Marriott website. Log in to your account and look for the "Buy Points" option. You can typically buy up to 100,000 points per calendar year.
How to Redeem Marriott Bonvoy Points for Free Nights?
To redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for free nights, log in to your account, search for hotels and dates, and select the "Use Points/Certificates" option during the booking process. The system will show you available properties and the corresponding point requirements.
How to Use Marriott Bonvoy Points for Flights?
You can use Marriott Bonvoy points for flights by transferring them to one of Marriott's many airline partners. The general transfer ratio is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 airline mile, with bonuses often available for transferring larger amounts (e.g., 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred).
How to Avoid Marriott Bonvoy Points Expiration if I Don't Travel Often?
If you don't travel often, the easiest ways to avoid expiration are by making a small purchase with a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, linking your account to Uber and using it for a ride or food order, dining at an Eat Around Town restaurant, or buying a small amount of points.
How to Re-activate an Expired Marriott Bonvoy Account?
Officially, forfeited points due to inactivity cannot be reinstated. However, you can contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service to inquire about a possible one-time exception or a "points challenge," though this is not guaranteed. If your account was deactivated due to five years of inactivity, you'd likely need to open a new account and start earning points from scratch.
How to Track My Marriott Bonvoy Points and Expiration Dates?
You can track your Marriott Bonvoy points and their expiration date directly on the Marriott website or mobile app in your "Activity" section. Additionally, third-party services like AwardWallet can help you monitor all your loyalty program balances and send expiration alerts.
How to Gift Marriott Bonvoy Points to Another Person?
You can gift Marriott Bonvoy points to another person by transferring them from your account to theirs using the online Points Transfer tool, or by purchasing points and having them deposited directly into the recipient's account. Remember that giving or receiving points does not reset the expiration clock for either party's remaining points.
