Hey there, fellow traveler! Ever wonder how long those hard-earned Marriott Bonvoy points actually stick around? It's a question that plagues many loyalty program members – nobody wants to see their valuable points vanish into thin air! Well, you're in the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Marriott Bonvoy point expiration, and more importantly, how to ensure your points remain safe and sound, ready for your next dream vacation.
Let's dive in and make sure your Marriott Bonvoy points work for you, not against you!
Understanding Marriott Bonvoy Point Expiration: The Basics
The fundamental rule for Marriott Bonvoy points is quite straightforward, but it's crucial to understand.
Step 1: Grasping the 24-Month Inactivity Rule
Did you know your Marriott Bonvoy points have a shelf life? They do! Marriott Bonvoy points generally expire if your account goes 24 consecutive months without any qualifying activity. Think of it like a library book – if you don't interact with it for two years, it's considered overdue and eventually removed from your account.
Why is this important? Because forgetting about your points for just a little too long could mean losing them all! This policy is in place across many loyalty programs to encourage engagement.
What about Lifetime Elite Status? If you've achieved Lifetime Elite Status with Marriott Bonvoy (Silver, Gold, or Platinum), your points will never expire. This is a significant perk for the most loyal Marriott guests, offering peace of mind regarding their accumulated points.
Step 2: Checking Your Marriott Bonvoy Point Expiration Date
Before you panic, let's find out exactly when your points are set to expire. Marriott makes this relatively easy to check.
Sub-heading 2.1: Online Check
Log In to Your Account: Head over to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com) and log in using your credentials.
Navigate to Your Profile: Once logged in, click on your name in the top-right corner of the screen.
Access Activity: From the dropdown menu, select "Activity."
Find the Expiration Date: On the "Activity" page, you should see your recent points earnings and redemptions, and crucially, your points expiration date will typically be displayed right there.
Sub-heading 2.2: Mobile App Check
Open the Marriott Bonvoy App: Launch the Marriott Bonvoy mobile application on your iOS or Android device.
Go to "Account": Navigate to the "Account" section within the app.
View Expiration: Your points expiration date should be visible near your current points balance.
If you don't see an expiration date, it likely means you have Lifetime Elite Status, and your points are safe!
Preventing Point Expiration: Your Step-by-Step Action Plan
Now that you know the rule and how to check your date, let's get proactive! The good news is there are numerous ways to keep your Marriott Bonvoy account "active" and prevent your points from expiring. You just need one qualifying activity every 24 months.
Step 3: Engaging in Qualifying Activities
This is the core of keeping your points alive. Any of the following actions will reset your 24-month clock.
Sub-heading 3.1: Earn Points (The Easiest Way)
Complete an Eligible Hotel Stay: This is the most common way to earn points. Simply book and complete a paid stay at any participating Marriott Bonvoy property worldwide.
Use a Marriott Bonvoy Co-branded Credit Card: If you have a Marriott Bonvoy credit card (issued by Chase or American Express in many regions), simply making a purchase on the card will earn points and count as qualifying activity. This is one of the easiest and most consistent methods!
Earn Points with Program Partners:
Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities: Book an experience through Marriott's tours and activities platform.
Eat Around Town by Marriott Bonvoy: Enroll in this dining program and earn points when you dine at participating restaurants.
Link Accounts with Uber: Link your Marriott Bonvoy and Uber accounts to earn points on qualifying rides and Uber Eats deliveries.
Host a Meeting or Event: If you organize business meetings or events, hosting them at eligible Marriott properties can earn you significant points.
Purchase Marriott Bonvoy Points: While generally not the best value, buying even 1,000 points (the minimum) will reset your expiration clock. This can be a last-resort option if your points are about to expire and you have no other immediate plans.
Sub-heading 3.2: Redeem Points (The Most Rewarding Way)
Redeem for a Free Night Stay: The most popular use of Marriott Bonvoy points! Booking a free night stay at any Marriott property (even just for one night) will count as qualifying activity.
Redeem for Merchandise or Gift Cards: While often not the best redemption value, you can redeem points for merchandise or gift cards through the Marriott Bonvoy portal. This also counts as activity.
Transfer Points to an Airline Partner: You can convert your Marriott Bonvoy points into airline miles with over 40 airline partners. Even a small transfer will reset your points expiration. This is a great option if you have a travel plan that involves flying.
Donate Points to Charity: Marriott Bonvoy allows members to donate their points to various charitable organizations. This is a simple way to keep your account active while doing good.
Marriott Bonvoy Moments: Bid on or redeem points for unique experiences through the Marriott Bonvoy Moments platform.
Sub-heading 3.3: Important Caveats – What Doesn't Count!
It's crucial to understand that not all interactions with your Marriott Bonvoy account will extend your points' validity.
Transferring points to another Marriott Bonvoy member (or receiving points as a gift/transfer from another member) does NOT count as qualifying activity to extend the expiration date for either the sender or the receiver.
Registering for a Marriott promotion or simply logging into your account also does not count.
Points earned through social media programs or promotions typically do not count.
Step 4: Setting Reminders and Staying Organized
Even with the best intentions, it's easy to lose track of time. Implement strategies to ensure you never miss an expiration deadline.
Sub-heading 4.1: Utilize Loyalty Program Trackers
Consider using a third-party loyalty program tracking service like AwardWallet. You link your loyalty accounts (including Marriott Bonvoy), and they send you email reminders well in advance of any points expiring. This can be a lifesaver!
Sub-heading 4.2: Calendar Reminders
Set a recurring calendar reminder on your phone or computer for every 20-22 months (to give yourself a buffer) to check your Marriott Bonvoy account activity. This simple step can prevent a lot of heartache.
Sub-heading 4.3: Regular Account Check-ins
Make it a habit to log into your Marriott Bonvoy account every few months, even if just to glance at your balance and activity. This keeps you engaged with the program and aware of any upcoming deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about Marriott Bonvoy points expiration, with quick answers:
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points expiration date?
You can check your expiration date by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account on marriott.com, clicking your name in the top right corner, and selecting "Activity." The date will be displayed there, or you can check on the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app in the "Account" section.
How to keep Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring?
To prevent your points from expiring, you must have at least one qualifying earning or redemption activity in your account every 24 consecutive months.
How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points to extend their validity?
You can earn points by completing an eligible hotel stay, using a Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card for purchases, earning with partners like Uber or Eat Around Town, or hosting a qualifying meeting or event.
How to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points to extend their validity?
Redeeming points for a free night stay, merchandise, gift cards, transferring them to an airline partner, or donating them to charity will all count as qualifying activity.
How to know if my Marriott Bonvoy points will never expire?
If you have achieved Lifetime Elite Status (Silver, Gold, or Platinum), your Marriott Bonvoy points will not expire. This status is reflected in your account details.
How to use a Marriott Bonvoy credit card to prevent points expiration?
Simply making a purchase, any purchase, with your Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card will earn points and reset your 24-month expiration clock.
How to reactivate expired Marriott Bonvoy points?
Generally, once Marriott Bonvoy points expire due to inactivity, they cannot be reinstated. It's crucial to prevent expiration in the first place through regular activity.
How to avoid losing Marriott Bonvoy points if I don't travel often?
Even if you don't travel, you can keep your points active by using a co-branded credit card, earning with partners like Uber, purchasing a small amount of points, or making a small points redemption (e.g., donating points).
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another member without them expiring?
While you can transfer points to another member, this does not count as a qualifying activity for either the sender or receiver to extend the expiration date. You both need separate qualifying activities.
How to get a reminder when my Marriott Bonvoy points are about to expire?
You can use a third-party loyalty program tracker like AwardWallet, which sends email reminders, or set your own recurring calendar reminders to proactively check your account.
