Hello there, fellow traveler! Are you sitting on a mountain of Marriott Bonvoy points, dreaming of your next luxurious getaway, but a tiny voice in your head is whispering about expiration dates? You've come to the right place! We're about to demystify the Marriott Bonvoy points expiration policy and equip you with all the knowledge and strategies to ensure your hard-earned points stay alive and well.
Ready to dive in and protect your travel dreams? Let's get started!
Understanding Marriott Bonvoy Points Expiration: Your Essential Guide
Marriott Bonvoy is one of the largest and most rewarding hotel loyalty programs in the world. Accumulating points can open doors to incredible experiences, from opulent Ritz-Carlton stays to charming Moxy hotels. However, like many loyalty programs, Marriott Bonvoy points do have an expiration policy. But don't fret – it's quite generous, and there are plenty of ways to keep your points active.
Step 1: Discovering the Core Rule – The 24-Month Clock
The fundamental rule for Marriott Bonvoy points expiration is simple: Your Marriott Bonvoy points will expire if your account goes 24 consecutive months without any qualifying activity.
That's right, two whole years! This is a relatively lenient policy compared to some other programs that might have shorter windows. However, it's crucial to understand what "qualifying activity" means, as not all actions will reset that 24-month clock.
What Does "Inactive" Mean?
An inactive account is one where no points have been earned or redeemed for a continuous period of 24 months. If this happens, Marriott will forfeit all accumulated points in that account. Once points are forfeited, they generally cannot be reinstated, so prevention is key!
Step 2: Checking Your Marriott Bonvoy Points Expiration Date
Before you even think about preventing expiration, you need to know where you stand! Marriott makes it fairly easy to check your points activity and potential expiration.
How to Check Online:
Log In to Your Account: Head to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com) and log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
Navigate to Your Profile: Once logged in, click on your name or profile icon, usually found in the top right corner of the page.
Access "Activity": From the dropdown menu, select "Activity." This section provides a detailed history of your points earnings and redemptions.
Find the Expiration Date: On the "Activity" page, you should see your points balance, recent transactions, and, most importantly, your points expiration date. If your account is active, this date will continually roll forward with each qualifying activity. If it's approaching 24 months of inactivity, you'll see the date your points are set to expire.
Using the Marriott Bonvoy App:
The Marriott Bonvoy mobile app also typically displays your points balance and may show a simplified view of your expiration status within the "Account" section.
Step 3: Mastering Qualifying Activities to Extend Your Points' Lifespan
Now for the good news! There are numerous ways to keep your Marriott Bonvoy account active and prevent your points from expiring. You only need one qualifying activity every 24 months to reset the clock.
3.1. The Obvious & Easy Wins:
Stay at a Marriott Bonvoy Property: This is the most straightforward method. Any eligible paid stay at a Marriott Bonvoy hotel worldwide will count as activity and extend your points for another 24 months.
Redeem Marriott Bonvoy Points: Using your points for a free night award, a Points + Cash stay, or any other redemption option (like converting to airline miles) will also count as activity.
Earn Points with a Marriott Bonvoy Co-Branded Credit Card: If you hold a Marriott Bonvoy credit card (issued by partners like American Express or Chase), any purchase you make with the card that earns Marriott Bonvoy points will reset your expiration date. This is one of the easiest and most consistent ways to keep your points active without even thinking about it.
3.2. Less Obvious, But Equally Effective Methods:
Purchase Marriott Bonvoy Points: Even buying a small amount of points (e.g., 1,000 points) will count as a qualifying activity and reset the 24-month clock. While generally not the best value for points, it's a cheap and quick way to prevent a large balance from expiring if you're in a pinch.
Transfer Points to Partner Airlines: Marriott Bonvoy has an extensive list of airline transfer partners. Converting even a small number of Marriott points to airline miles (usually at a 3:1 ratio, with bonuses for larger transfers) will extend your points' validity. This is an excellent option if you have airline travel plans!
Convert Miles to Marriott Bonvoy Points: While less common, converting airline miles from a partner program into Marriott Bonvoy points also counts as a qualifying activity.
Earn Points Through Marriott Bonvoy Events: If you plan or host a meeting, conference, or event at a participating Marriott property, you can earn points, which will reset your expiration.
Link Uber and Marriott Bonvoy Accounts: This is a fantastic, often overlooked option! Link your Marriott Bonvoy and Uber accounts. Then, eligible Uber rides (premium services like Uber XL, Uber Comfort, Uber Black) and Uber Eats orders (over a certain threshold, often $40 USD before taxes/fees/tips) can earn you Marriott Bonvoy points and therefore extend your points' lifespan. This is a great way to earn points from everyday activities.
Dine Out with Eat Around Town by Marriott Bonvoy: This program allows you to earn points when dining at participating restaurants and linking your credit card. Any points earned through this program will count as qualifying activity.
Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities: Booking tours and activities through Marriott Bonvoy can also earn you points and keep your account active.
3.3. Activities That DO NOT Count:
It's just as important to know what won't keep your points from expiring:
Gifting or Transferring Points to Another Member: Sending your points to someone else, or receiving points from another member, does not count as a qualifying activity for either the sender or the receiver in terms of extending point expiration.
Cancelling an Award Stay: While booking an award stay will use points, simply booking and then cancelling it later will not reset the clock if no other qualifying activity has occurred.
Earning Points from Social Media Promotions: While these might add points to your account, they often don't count towards extending the expiration.
Registering for a Marriott Promotion: Simply signing up for a promotion doesn't count. You need to complete the action that earns the points from the promotion.
Step 4: Lifetime Elite Status - Your Points Never Expire!
There's one golden ticket that exempts you from the 24-month expiration rule: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Elite Status. If you achieve one of the Lifetime Elite tiers (Lifetime Silver, Lifetime Gold, or Lifetime Platinum), your points will not expire, regardless of account activity.
Achieving Lifetime Elite status requires a significant number of qualifying nights and years of elite status. For example:
Lifetime Silver Elite: 250 lifetime nights + 5 years of Elite status
Lifetime Gold Elite: 400 lifetime nights + 7 years of Gold Elite status or higher
Lifetime Platinum Elite: 600 lifetime nights + 10 years of Platinum Elite sta
tus or higher
If you're a truly loyal Marriott enthusiast, this is the ultimate peace of mind for your points!
Step 5: Setting Reminders and Staying Organized
Even with the generous 24-month window, it's easy to lose track. Being proactive is key.
Set a Calendar Reminder: Once you know your potential expiration date, set a reminder in your digital calendar (e.g., 23 months after your last activity) to perform a qualifying action.
Utilize Loyalty Program Trackers: Services like AwardWallet can track multiple loyalty program balances and, for a small fee, notify you of upcoming points expirations. This is an invaluable tool for any serious points earner.
Opt-in for Marriott Bonvoy Communications: Marriott often sends email warnings to members whose points are nearing expiration. Make sure your email preferences allow for these communications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Marriott Bonvoy Points Expiration
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to Marriott Bonvoy points expiration, with quick answers:
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points expiration date?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on the website, click on your name/profile, and select "Activity." Your expiration date will be displayed there.
How to keep my Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring without a hotel stay?
You can make a small purchase with a Marriott co-branded credit card, buy 1,000 points, transfer points to an airline partner, or earn points through partners like Uber or Eat Around Town.
How to prevent Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring if I don't have a co-branded credit card?
Consider linking your Uber account to Marriott Bonvoy and making an eligible Uber ride or Eats order, dining with Eat Around Town, or simply purchasing the minimum amount of points.
How to reactivate expired Marriott Bonvoy points?
Generally, once Marriott Bonvoy points expire due to inactivity, they cannot be reinstated. Prevention is crucial. In rare, extenuating circumstances, contacting customer service might be an option, but it's not guaranteed.
How to know if I have Lifetime Elite Status and my points don't expire?
Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account; your Lifetime Elite status will be displayed in your profile. If you have Lifetime Silver, Gold, or Platinum, your points will not expire.
How to use Uber to extend Marriott Bonvoy points expiration?
Link your Marriott Bonvoy account to your Uber account. Then, eligible Uber rides (premium services) or Uber Eats orders (meeting minimum spend) will earn points and reset your expiration.
How to extend Marriott Bonvoy points with the lowest cost?
Purchasing 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points is typically the lowest cost option, often around $12.50 USD, and it will extend all your points for 24 months.
How to tell if a points activity counts towards extending expiration?
Any activity where you earn new points or redeem existing points (like a free night stay or transferring to an airline) will generally count. Gifting/receiving points between members does not count.
How to get a notification when my Marriott Bonvoy points are about to expire?
Ensure your Marriott Bonvoy account settings allow for marketing and program communications, as Marriott often sends email warnings. Alternatively, use a third-party tracker like AwardWallet.
How to manage multiple loyalty programs to avoid points expiration?
Utilize a loyalty program tracking service (like AwardWallet) to keep all your balances and expiration dates in one place, allowing you to monitor and plan activities across various programs efficiently.
Armed with this comprehensive guide, you're now a Marriott Bonvoy points expiration expert! Go forth and travel, knowing your valuable points are safe and sound. Happy travels!
