You've worked hard to accumulate those valuable Marriott Bonvoy points, and the last thing you want is to see them vanish into thin air! Understanding when your Marriott points expire is crucial to keeping your travel dreams alive. It might seem a bit complicated at first, but with this step-by-step guide, you'll be a Marriott Bonvoy points expiration expert in no time!
Let's dive in and make sure your points stay put!
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| How To Tell When Marriott Points Expire |
Understanding the Marriott Bonvoy Points Expiration Policy
The general rule of thumb for Marriott Bonvoy points is that they expire if your account goes 24 consecutive months (two years) without any "qualifying activity." It's not about staying at a Marriott every month, but rather demonstrating that you're an engaged member of the program. If your account remains completely inactive for five consecutive years, Marriott can even deactivate your entire account, leading to a loss of all points.
It's important to note that Lifetime Elite Members (Silver, Gold, or Platinum) currently do not have their points expire. However, Marriott explicitly states that this policy could change in the future.
Step 1: Discover Your Marriott Bonvoy Points Expiration Date
Ready to check on your points? It's easier than you might think!
The most direct way to find your points expiration date is by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account online.
Sub-heading: Online Account Access
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Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account: Go to the official Marriott website (marriott.com) and sign in using your credentials.
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Navigate to your profile: Once logged in, look for your name in the top right corner of the screen. Click on it.
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Find your Activity section: A menu will appear. From this menu, select "Activity" or "My Account" and then "Activity."
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Locate the expiration date: On the "Activity" page, you'll typically see a summary of your recent points earnings and redemptions. Above this activity log, you should find a clear statement indicating your points balance and the associated expiration date. If you don't see a specific date, it means you've had recent qualifying activity, and your points are currently safe for another 24 months from that last activity.
Sub-heading: Mobile App Access
Tip: Take your time with each sentence.
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Open the Marriott Bonvoy app: Launch the Marriott Bonvoy app on your smartphone or tablet.
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Log in (if necessary): Enter your login details.
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Go to your account: Tap on the "Account" or "Profile" icon, usually found at the bottom of the screen.
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Check for expiration information: Within the "Account" section, you might see your expiration date displayed next to your current points balance. The exact location can vary slightly depending on your app version.
Sub-heading: Contacting Customer Service
If for any reason you can't find the information online or in the app, or you prefer speaking to someone, you can always call Marriott Bonvoy customer service. They can access your account details and provide you with your specific points expiration date.
Step 2: Understand What Constitutes "Qualifying Activity"
Simply checking your balance or logging into your account does not count as qualifying activity. You need to either earn or redeem points to reset the 24-month clock. Here's a comprehensive list of activities that will keep your Marriott Bonvoy points active:
Sub-heading: Earning Points
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Paid Stays at Marriott Properties: This is the most straightforward way. Any eligible paid stay at a Marriott Bonvoy participating hotel worldwide will extend your points' validity.
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Using a Co-Branded Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card: If you have a Marriott Bonvoy credit card (issued by partners like Chase or American Express in various regions), any purchase made with the card that earns Marriott Bonvoy points will reset your expiration clock. This is one of the easiest and most consistent methods.
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Transferring Points from Partner Programs: If you have transferable points from programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards, converting even a small amount to Marriott Bonvoy will count as qualifying activity.
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Buying Marriott Bonvoy Points: You can purchase Marriott Bonvoy points directly from Marriott. Even buying the minimum amount (e.g., 1,000 points for $12.50) will extend the expiration date of all your points for another 24 months. This can be a worthwhile investment if you have a large balance at risk.
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Marriott Bonvoy Eat Around Town: Link your credit card to the Marriott Bonvoy Eat Around Town program and earn points by dining at participating restaurants. Any eligible dining activity will extend your points' expiration.
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Linking and Using Uber/Uber Eats: Connect your Marriott Bonvoy account with your Uber account. Earning points through eligible Uber rides or Uber Eats orders can also reset your expiration. Be aware that minimum spend requirements might apply (e.g., $40+ for Uber Eats).
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Hosting Meetings and Events: If you organize business meetings or events at eligible Marriott properties, you can earn Bonvoy points, which will extend your points' validity.
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Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities: Earning points through eligible Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities will also count as a qualifying activity.
Sub-heading: Redeeming Points
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Redeeming Points for a Free Night Stay: Using your points for a hotel stay, even for one night, is a strong indicator of activity and will extend your expiration date.
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Transferring Marriott Points to Partner Airlines: Marriott Bonvoy has numerous airline transfer partners. Converting your Marriott points to airline miles, even a small amount, will count as a qualifying activity and reset your 24-month clock.
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Redeeming for Experiences or Merchandise: While generally not the best value, redeeming points for Marriott Bonvoy Moments experiences or merchandise through their online store will also extend your points' life.
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Donating Points to Charity: A lesser-known option, but donating a portion of your points to a charitable organization through the Marriott Bonvoy program will also count as a qualifying activity.
Step 3: Activities That DO NOT Extend Your Points Validity
It's equally important to know what won't keep your points active, as some of these can be misleading:
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Gifting or Transferring Points to Another Member: Sending your points to someone else, or receiving points from another member, does not count as qualifying activity for either account in terms of extending the expiration. The points themselves might transfer, but the clock for the remaining points in your account (or the recipient's) won't reset.
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Receiving Points as a Gift or Transfer: Similar to the above, merely receiving points from someone else will not extend the expiration of your existing points.
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Registering for a Marriott Promotion: While it's great to sign up for promotions to earn more points, simply registering doesn't count as activity. You need to complete the earning or redemption activity tied to the promotion.
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Earning Points from Social Media Programs or Promotions (historical): While some programs may have offered this in the past, earning points through purely social media interactions often doesn't qualify. Always refer to the official terms for current programs.
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Booking an Award Stay and then Canceling It: Booking a reward stay reserves the points, but it's not considered a "completed" activity until the stay actually occurs. If you book and then cancel before the expiration date, your points will still expire unless other qualifying activity has taken place.
Tip: Note one practical point from this post.
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Step 4: Setting Up Reminders and Using Tracking Tools
Even with the best intentions, 24 months can fly by! Proactive measures are key to preventing point forfeiture.
Sub-heading: Marriott's Email Notifications
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Opt-in for Communications: Ensure you are opted in to receive marketing and loyalty program emails from Marriott Bonvoy. They often send out warnings when your points are nearing expiration. While some users report not always receiving these, it's a good first line of defense.
Sub-heading: Third-Party Tracking Services
Consider using a third-party loyalty program tracking service like AwardWallet.
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AwardWallet: This popular tool allows you to link multiple loyalty accounts (including Marriott Bonvoy) and tracks your points balances and, crucially, their expiration dates. AwardWallet will send you email reminders well in advance of any impending expirations, giving you ample time to take action. The free version often tracks expiration for a limited number of programs, while a paid version offers more comprehensive tracking.
Sub-heading: Personal Calendar Reminders
As a fail-safe, set a reminder on your personal calendar (e.g., 22 months after your last qualifying activity). This gives you a two-month buffer to perform an activity.
Step 5: Taking Action to Extend Your Points
Once you know when your points expire, and if they're nearing that date, it's time to act! Choose the method that is most convenient and cost-effective for you:
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The "Cheap & Easy" Method: Buy 1,000 Points. If you're short on time or don't have immediate travel plans, buying 1,000 points (around $12.50 USD) is the quickest way to reset your expiration clock for all your points.
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The "Everyday Spending" Method: Use Your Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card. If you have a co-branded Marriott credit card, simply making a small purchase (even a coffee!) will earn points and extend your expiration. This is a passive and effective strategy.
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The "Dining Out" Method: Eat Around Town. If you plan to dine out, check if any local restaurants participate in the Marriott Bonvoy Eat Around Town program. Link your card, enjoy a meal, and earn points!
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The "Small Redemption" Method: Redeem for something small. While often not the best value, if you have a small points balance, redeeming for a low-cost item or experience might be preferable to letting all your points expire.
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The "Traveler's Choice" Method: Book a stay or transfer to an airline. If you have upcoming travel, booking a Marriott stay or transferring points to an airline partner are excellent ways to both use your points and extend their validity.
Tip: Rest your eyes, then continue.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
You can check your Marriott Bonvoy points balance by logging into your account on the Marriott website or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your balance is typically displayed prominently on your account dashboard.
How to prevent Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring?
To prevent your Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring, you need to have any "qualifying activity" (earning or redeeming points) at least once every 24 months.
How to find my last qualifying activity date for Marriott Bonvoy?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account online, go to the "Activity" section, and you'll see a detailed log of your points earnings and redemptions, which will help you pinpoint your last activity date.
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 credit card, transferring points from partners like Chase or Amex, buying points, dining through Marriott Eat Around Town, or linking your account to Uber.
QuickTip: Read in order — context builds meaning.
How to reinstate expired Marriott Bonvoy points?
Generally, once Marriott Bonvoy points expire, they are forfeited and cannot be reinstated. In some rare discretionary cases, if points expired very recently due to extenuating circumstances, you might have limited success by contacting customer service and explaining your situation, but this is not guaranteed.
How to use a Marriott Bonvoy credit card to keep points active?
Simply make any purchase, no matter how small, with your Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card. The points earned from that purchase will count as qualifying activity and reset your points' expiration clock.
How to transfer points to a Marriott Bonvoy account to extend expiration?
Transferring points from a partner program (like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards) into your Marriott Bonvoy account will extend your points' expiration. However, transferring points between two Marriott Bonvoy members does not count as qualifying activity.
How to get a warning before my Marriott Bonvoy points expire?
Ensure you are opted into marketing and loyalty program emails from Marriott Bonvoy. Additionally, consider using a third-party points tracking service like AwardWallet, which can send you automated email reminders.
How to buy Marriott Bonvoy points to extend expiration?
You can buy Marriott Bonvoy points directly from the Marriott website. Log in to your account, look for the "Buy Points" option, and proceed with the purchase. Even buying the minimum amount will reset your expiration date.
How to know if my Marriott Bonvoy points never expire?
Marriott Bonvoy points currently do not expire for Lifetime Elite members (Lifetime Silver, Gold, or Platinum). You can check your lifetime status in your online Marriott Bonvoy account profile.
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