Marriott Bonvoy allows members to earn points on hotel stays and other activities. These points can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, and other perks at over 7,000 properties worldwide. However, it’s important to be aware of the expiration policy for Marriott Bonvoy points to ensure you don’t lose your hard-earned rewards.
Marriott Bonvoy points expire if there is no qualifying activity in your account for 24 consecutive months. This means that if you don’t earn or redeem any points for two years, your points will expire and be forfeited.
To keep your points active and prevent expiration, you need to ensure that you have at least one qualifying activity every 24 months. Qualifying activities include earning points through hotel stays, holding a Marriott credit card, transferring points to Marriott, taking an Uber, or redeeming points for free nights or other rewards.
If your Marriott points expire, there is no way to reinstate them, so it is important to keep your account active. To help you reset your points expiration, this guide article will cover all the things you need to know about earning and redeeming Marriott points.
How to Tell When Your Marriott Points Will Expire?
You can easily see when your points will expire by:
- Logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account at this link. (Alternatively, sign in at Marriott.com and navigate to “Activity”)
- Scroll down the page until you see the information below, which is above a listing of your last Marriott activity.
Redeeming Marriott Bonvoy Points
Marriott Bonvoy points offer versatile redemption options, with hotel stays typically providing the best value. We value Marriott points at 0.82 cents per point based on our data study, but you can get the best value at luxury properties or during peak seasons. The program’s dynamic pricing model means rates fluctuate, so flexibility in your travel dates can help maximize value. A standout feature is the fifth night free on award stays, effectively giving you a 20% discount on longer bookings. This benefit applies to consecutive award nights and can significantly stretch your points. Marriott also offers Cash + Points options, allowing you to combine cash and points for more flexibility. Transferring Bonvoy points to airline partners is another valuable option. With a 3:1 transfer ratio for most airlines and a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred, this can be an excellent way to top up airline accounts or access niche programs. However, transfer times vary, so plan accordingly. For unique experiences, consider Marriott Bonvoy Moments. These exclusive events and activities, often unavailable for cash purchase, can provide memorable opportunities for point redemptions. While Marriott allows point redemptions for flights, car rentals, and cruises, these typically offer lower value compared to hotel stays or airline transfers. Unless you have a specific need or excess points, it’s generally best to avoid these options.
Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points
Here are all the ways you can earn Marriott Bonvoy points:
One of the primary ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points is by staying at participating Marriott hotels. Most Marriott hotels earn 10 points per dollar spent on stays. However, there are some exceptions, such as long-term stay hotels, including Element and TownPlace Suites, which may have different earning rates: 10 Points per $1: Ritz Carlton, St. Regis, Edition, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, JW Marriott, Marriott, Sheraton, Marriott Vacation Club, Delta Hotels, Le Meriden, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, Springhill Suites, Fairfield, AC Hotels, Aloft, Autograph Collection, Design Hotels, Renaissance, Tribute, Gaylord Hotels, MGM Collection, Courtyard, and Moxy. 5 Points per $1: Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Element, Homes & Villas, Apartments by Marriott, Protea Hotels, City Express, and Four Points Express. 2.5 Points per $1: Marriott Executive Apartments. Stays by Marriott Bonvoy elite members are even more rewarding. The higher your elite status, the more points you will earn: Here is the number of points you can expect to earn on your next stay at a Marriott hotel:
Gold elite members and above also can choose a welcome amenity of points instead of breakfast or a different welcome amenity. Gold members receive 250 to 500 points based on the brand, and Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador elite members can earn 500 to 1,000 bonus points depending on the brand. If you book multiple rooms using your Marriott Bonvoy account, points will be credited for up to three rooms per stay. It’s a great way to earn faster when traveling with friends or family. Just remember, you need to be staying in one of those rooms. Keep an eye out for Marriott’s promotions which frequently offer the opportunity to earn bonus points. Sometimes it’s double points or even a set number of points for meeting specific criteria. Make sure you’re registered for these promos to take advantage. Another great way to earn a lot of Marriott Bonvoy points quickly is with one of their co-branded credit cards: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (review) offers automatic Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite Status and valuable perks like an annual free night certificate that can be used at many premium Marriott properties. The card includes generous monthly restaurant credits and provides elite nights toward status each year, making it a strong choice for Marriott travelers. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning Points: 6x Marriott Bonvoy® points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; 3x Marriott Bonvoy® points on restaurants and flights booked directly with airlines; and 2x Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases. Benefits: Marriott Platinum elite status, 25 elite night credits, $300 dining credit (up to $25 per month) at restaurants worldwide, free anniversary free night award (up to 85,000 points), Priority Pass™ airport lounge access, Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Credit, cell phone protection, travel insurance (trip delay, trip cancellation, baggage insurance, and secondary rental car), and return protection. The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (review) provides solid value through its annual free night award and automatic Gold Elite status benefits like room upgrades and late checkout. Though its bonus categories could be more rewarding, this card serves as an excellent complement to a personal Marriott card for stacking elite night credits. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning Points: 6x points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®; 4x points at restaurants, US gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from US service providers, and US shipping; 2 Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card points per dollar on all other eligible purchases. Benefits: Anniversary free night (up to 35,000 points), additional free night (up to 35,000 points) after spending $60,000 in purchases in a calendar year, 7% discount off standard rates, Marriott Gold elite status, 15 elite night credits, baggage insurance plan, secondary rental car insurance, extended warranty, and purchase protection. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card (review) provides automatic Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status and rewards generously for Marriott stays. While it includes 15 elite night credits annually, you’ll need to spend $15,000 in a calendar year to earn a free night certificate worth up to 50,000 points. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning Rewards: 6x Marriott Bonvoy® points for eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy; 4x Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide (including take-out and delivery in the US) and at US supermarkets up to $15,000 in combined purchases, then 2x points; and 2x Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: 1,000 Bonus points per stay on stays booked directly with Marriott, free night award up to 50,000 points when spending $15,000 in purchases in a calendar year, Marriott Gold elite status, 15 elite night credits, secondary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance, baggage insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (review) offers valuable rewards for Marriott stays plus an annual free night certificate valid at properties costing up to 35,000 points. While the card provides good baseline benefits for Marriott guests, its true strength lies in helping you achieve higher elite status tiers through its 15 annual elite night credits. Welcome Bonus:6x points at Marriott Hotels; 3x points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year at grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants; 2x points on all other purchases. Earning Rewards: 6x points at Marriott Hotels; 3x points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year at grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants; 2x points on all other purchases. Card Benefits: Free annual hotel night after each account anniversary (up to 35,000 points), Marriott Silver elite status, 15 elite night credits, no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance (trip delay, baggage delay, and lost luggage), and purchase protection. The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ offers automatic Gold Elite status and strong rewards at Marriott properties, restaurants, and grocery stores. While it requires $15,000 in spending to earn a free night certificate, this mid-tier card falls short of delivering premium benefits that justify its price point. Welcome Bonus: Earn 85,000 Bonus Points After Spending $4,000 in Purchases in the First Three Months. Earning Points: 6x points for purchases at Marriott hotels; 4x points at grocery stores and dining, on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year; 2x points on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: Marriott Gold elite status, 1,000 bonus points per eligible paid stay, free night up to 50,000 points when you spend $15,000 in eligible purchases during a cardmember year, 15 elite night credits, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay insurance, secondary rental car insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, and no foreign transaction fees. The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (review) serves as Marriott’s entry-level credit card option with bonus points on hotel stays and travel purchases. While it provides useful benefits like Silver Elite status and travel protections, you’ll find more limited earning potential compared to Marriott’s premium card options. Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Earning Points: 3x points for purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels; 2x points on other travel purchases (including flights, rental cars, cruises, etc.); 1x points on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: Marriott Bonvoy Silver elite status, 15 elite night credits (ending 7/11/2024), no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance (trip delay, baggage delay, and lost luggage), and purchase protection. Plus, you can earn bonus points when you refer a friend or family for a Marriott Bonvoy credit card. To check if you can send referrals, check out the Refer-A-Friend websites for American Express and Chase. You can transfer points at a 1 to 1 ratio from three other programs to Marriott Bonvoy: However, I generally would not recommend it because you will typically lose value when transferring points to Marriott. For example, we value Marriott points at 0.82 cents per points and also value World of Hyatt points at 2.39 cents per point. Both Marriott and Hyatt are 1 to 1 transfer partners of Chase Ultimate Rewards, so you will typically get 2-3x more value by choosing Hyatt over Marriott. Marriott allows you to transfer points to another Marriott Bonvoy member through their Points Transfer tool. Both Marriott Bonvoy® Accounts must be in good-standing and have each been open for at least thirty (30) days with Qualifying Activity or ninety (90) days without Qualifying Activity. The minimum transfer amount is 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy® Points and transfers must be completed in 1,000 Point increments. Marriott allows you to earn points when you host an event at a Marriott hotel, such as a wedding, meeting, or conference. Here is the number of points you can earn based on your elite status: Marriott’s Eat Around Town dining program allows you to earn points when you dine at certain restaurants. Marriott Bonvoy members earn 4 points per dollar spent and Marriott elite members (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium, or Ambassador) earn 6 points per dollar spent. Plus, new members are usually offered a special welcome bonus when you complete certain criteria. These points are on top of any points you would earn from your credit card. My favorite credit cards for maximizing my spending at restaurants are the American Express® Gold Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and Bilt Mastercard®. One super easy way to earn Marriott points is by linking your Marriott and Uber accounts. You will earn the following points on transaction that occur within the US: Activities: Earn 5 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar on activities booked via Marriott Activities. Rental Cars: Marriott Bonvoy members can earn points when renting with Hertz, Dollar or Thrifty worldwide via Marriott’s rental car portal. Earn 500 points per rental with Hertz, or 250 points with Dollar and Thrifty. Cruises: Earn 3 points per dollar spent on cruises booked via Marriott’s Cruise with Points, up to 30,000 points per cruise. Buying Points: A quick way to earn a lot of Marriott points is by buying points, which can be a pretty good deal during one of their sales if you have a specific redemption in mind. Buying a Mattress: Earn 10,000 points when buying a Mattress from any of Marriott’s online retail websites: Westin Store, Collect Renaissance, The Ritz-Carlton Shops, The Luxury Collection Store, St. Regis Boutique, W Hotels, The Store, Curated by JW, Shop Marriott, Sheraton Store, Gaylord Hotels The Store, Shop Courtyard, Shop EDITION, and Fairfield Store.Earn Marriott Points with Hotel Stays
Elite Bonuses for Hotel Rooms
Points as Welcome Amenity
Booking Multiple Hotel Rooms
Earn Bonus Points with Promotions
Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
Transfer Points to Marriott Bonvoy
Transfer Points Between Marriott Accounts
You can transfer up to a maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® Points, per calendar year and you can can receive up to a maximum of 500,000 points.
Host an Event at a Marriott Hotel
Eating at Restaurants
Uber Rides and Uber Eats
Other Ways to Earn Marriott Points
How Marriott Bonvoy Compares to Other Programs
Here’s how Marriott’s expiration policy compares to other hotel loyalty programs:
The Verdict
Understanding the expiration policy for Marriott Bonvoy points is essential for making the most of your rewards. With points expiring after 24 months of inactivity, it’s crucial to keep your account active by earning or redeeming points regularly.
Fortunately, there are numerous ways to do this, such as staying at Marriott hotels, using a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, or participating in promotions.
By monitoring your account activity and points balance, you can ensure that your points remain valid and ready for redemption when you need them. Remember, even small transactions can reset the 24-month expiration clock, so don’t let your hard-earned points go to waste.
For the rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
For the rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
