How Long Does It Take for Your Marriott Bonvoy Stay to Post? A Comprehensive Guide to Earning and Tracking Your Rewards!
Hey there, fellow traveler and Marriott Bonvoy enthusiast! Ever checked out of a fantastic Marriott property, already dreaming of those sweet points and elite night credits hitting your account, only to find... crickets? You're not alone! It's a common question, and understanding the timeline for Marriott Bonvoy stays to post is key to managing your rewards and achieving elite status. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from typical posting times to troubleshooting missing stays. Let's dive in!
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| How Long For Marriott Stay To Post |
Step 1: Let's Set Expectations: The Standard Timeline
First things first, let's address the most common question: How long should you actually wait? While we all wish points would magically appear the moment we check out, there's a standard processing period.
1.1: The 10-Business-Day Rule
Marriott states that it can take up to 10 business days after your check-out date for a stay to post to your Marriott Bonvoy account. Yes, you read that right – business days. This means weekends and holidays don't count towards that 10-day window. So, if you check out on a Friday, don't expect it to show up by Monday!
1.2: Why the Wait?
Several factors contribute to this timeframe:
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Hotel Processing: After you check out, the hotel needs to finalize your bill, reconcile charges, and submit the stay data to Marriott's central system.
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System Syncing: Marriott's vast global system then needs to process that data, calculate your points based on your elite status and any promotions, and apply elite night credits.
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Verification: Sometimes, there are internal checks to ensure the stay qualifies for points and elite nights (e.g., booked through a direct channel, eligible rate).
Step 2: Understanding What Qualifies for Points and Elite Night Credits
Before you even worry about when a stay will post, it's crucial to understand what kind of stays actually qualify for Marriott Bonvoy points and elite night credits. This is where many common issues arise!
2.1: Direct Bookings are King
To earn points and elite night credits, your stay must generally be booked through a direct Marriott booking channel. This includes:
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Marriott.com
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The Marriott Bonvoy Mobile App
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Calling Marriott Reservations directly
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Booking directly with the hotel
Crucially, stays booked through third-party online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia, Booking.com, Priceline, etc., are typically NOT eligible for earning points or elite night credits, regardless of how great a deal you found. This is a common pitfall for many new members.
QuickTip: Skim slowly, read deeply.
2.2: Eligible Rates
Not all rates qualify. Stays booked at qualifying rates are necessary. Generally, these are standard public rates. Ineligible rates often include:
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Tour operator or wholesale rates
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Group rates where the member doesn't directly pay the hotel for the room
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Stays redeemed with a voucher or third-party award
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Stays where Marriott Bonvoy points or Free Night Awards were used for the room (though eligible on-property purchases during such stays may still earn points).
2.3: Your Marriott Bonvoy Member Number
Always ensure your Marriott Bonvoy member number is correctly linked to your reservation. This seems obvious, but a simple typo can prevent your stay from posting automatically. Double-check it at check-in, or even better, when you make the reservation.
Step 3: Proactive Steps You Can Take
While waiting for your stay to post, there are a few things you can do to ensure a smooth process and prepare in case of delays.
3.1: Save Your Receipts!
This is perhaps the most important piece of advice. Always, always, always keep a copy of your hotel bill/folio. Whether it's a physical printout or an emailed version, this document is your proof of stay and is absolutely essential if you need to request missing credit.
3.2: Check Your Marriott Bonvoy Account Activity
Regularly log into your Marriott Bonvoy account online or via the mobile app to check your activity.
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Online: Navigate to the "Account" section and look for "Account Activity."
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Mobile App: Your total Elite Night Credits and Point Balance are usually displayed on the home page. You can tap on "Nights This Year" or "Points" to see more details.
This will show you any pending or posted stays.
Step 4: When a Stay Doesn't Post: Initiating a Missing Stay Request
So, it's been more than 10 business days since your check-out, and your Marriott Bonvoy stay is still nowhere to be found in your account activity. Don't panic! It's time to take action.
Tip: Read once for flow, once for detail.
4.1: The Online Missing Stay Request Form
Marriott has a dedicated online form for requesting missing stay credit, and it's generally the most efficient method.
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Step 4.1.1: Log In: Go to Marriott.com and log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account. Logging in first will pre-populate some of your personal details, saving you time.
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Step 4.1.2: Navigate to Account Activity: From your account dashboard, find and click on "Account Activity."
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Step 4.1.3: Find the Missing Stay Request Link: Scroll to the bottom of the "Account Activity" page. You should see a link that says "Missing Stay Request Form" or "Request Credit for a Missing Stay."
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Step 4.1.4: Fill Out the Form: You'll need to provide the following information from your hotel bill:
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Hotel Name
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City
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Check-in Date
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Check-out Date
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Confirmation Number (if you have it)
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Folio/Bill Number
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Your Marriott Bonvoy Member Number
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Any relevant comments
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Step 4.1.5: Attach Your Hotel Bill: You must attach a copy of your hotel bill. This is why saving it is so important! If you have a hard copy, you might need to take a clear picture or scan it.
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Step 4.1.6: Submit and Wait: After filling out all the required fields and attaching your bill, click "Submit." You won't typically receive an email confirmation of the submission, but a confirmation page should appear.
4.2: Processing Time for Missing Stay Requests
Once you've submitted a missing stay request, Marriott asks for another period of patience. Allow up to 10 business days for your missing stay request to be processed and the credit to appear in your account. While it can be faster, especially if all information is clear and accurate, prepare for this timeframe.
4.3: When the Online Form Isn't Enough
If you've submitted the online form and still haven't seen your points or nights post after 10 business days, or if you have multiple hotel bills associated with a single missing stay, it's time to escalate.
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Contact Marriott Bonvoy Customer Service: The best way to do this is by phone. Having your Marriott Bonvoy member number and hotel folio readily available will expedite the process. You can find contact numbers on the Marriott website under "Loyalty Customer Support" or "Contact Us."
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For US & Canada, the toll-free number is often 1 (800) 627-7468.
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For international numbers, check the Marriott website for your specific region.
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When you call, explain that you've already submitted a missing stay request online and provide them with the details. They can often investigate and manually post the stay if there was an issue with the automated system.
Step 5: Important Considerations and Tips
To minimize the chances of a missing stay, keep these points in mind.
5.1: Time Limit for Requesting Credit
You can request credit for a missing qualifying stay up to one year from the applicable check-out date. For new Marriott Bonvoy members, you may even be able to retroactively request stays incurred and paid for within 30 days prior to your enrollment date.
5.2: Credit Cards and Posting Times
If you have a Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card that offers Elite Night Credits or bonus points on spending, the posting of these credits and points can sometimes follow a different schedule.
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Credit Card Spending Points: Points earned from credit card spending are typically transferred to your Marriott Bonvoy account after the end of each billing cycle.
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Elite Night Credits from Credit Cards: Elite Night Credits offered as a benefit of some cards (e.g., 15 ENCs annually) are usually deposited into your account within several weeks of your card account opening or annual renewal, rather than tied to specific hotel stays.
Tip: Don’t just scroll to the end — the middle counts too.
5.3: Promotions and Bonuses
Points from special promotions (e.g., double points offers) may sometimes post separately from your base points and elite nights, and occasionally on a slightly different timeline. Keep an eye on the specific terms and conditions of any promotion you participate in.
5.4: Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy
For stays with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, points typically appear within 72 hours after completion of your stay, provided the correct Marriott Bonvoy Member Number was added during booking. If they don't, you'll need to reach out to Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy directly.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy account activity?
You can check your Marriott Bonvoy account activity by logging into your account on Marriott.com and navigating to the "Account Activity" section, or by using the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app where your points and elite night credits are displayed on the home screen.
How to request missing Marriott Bonvoy points for a past stay?
To request missing points, wait at least 10 business days after check-out. Then, log into your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com, go to "Account Activity," and use the "Missing Stay Request Form," attaching a copy of your hotel bill.
How to ensure my Marriott Bonvoy stay qualifies for points?
Ensure your stay is booked directly through Marriott.com, the Marriott app, or Marriott reservations, and that it's on a qualifying rate. Always provide your Marriott Bonvoy member number at the time of booking and check-in.
How to get a copy of my Marriott hotel bill if I don't have it?
You can usually request a copy of your hotel bill by contacting the hotel directly, or by using the "Contact Us" form on Marriott.com and selecting "Copy of Hotel Bill" from the options.
Tip: Don’t just scroll — pause and absorb.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for missing stays?
After attempting the online missing stay request and waiting 10 business days, you can contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service by phone. For US & Canada, call 1 (800) 627-7468. Find international numbers on the Marriott website.
How to expedite the posting of Marriott Bonvoy points?
There is no direct way to expedite the standard posting time. The best approach is to ensure your booking is direct, your member number is correct, and if points don't post within 10 business days, promptly submit a missing stay request.
How to know if my Marriott Bonvoy points or elite nights are pending?
While Marriott's account activity section usually only shows "posted" or nothing, sometimes you might see a "pending" status for credit card points or certain promotions before they fully post to your main balance. For hotel stays, it's typically either there or it isn't within the 10 business days.
How to get elite night credits from a Marriott Bonvoy credit card?
Elite Night Credits from Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards are usually deposited automatically into your account annually (e.g., 15 ENCs) within several weeks of your card account opening or renewal date, independent of specific hotel stays.
How to claim missing points for Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy?
If your Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy points haven't posted within 72 hours of your stay completion, contact Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy directly for assistance.
How to avoid missing Marriott Bonvoy points in the future?
Always book directly through Marriott channels, ensure your Bonvoy member number is linked to every reservation, verify it at check-in, and keep all your hotel receipts until your points and nights have successfully posted.
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