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How to Keep Marriott Bonvoy Points From Expiring: 7 Easy Ways to Protect Your Points
July 1, 2025
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Key Takeaway: Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 months of account inactivity, but any qualifying activity—from using a Marriott credit card to ordering Uber Eats—resets the clock and keeps your points active.
With points worth up to 1 cent each and free nights starting at just 5,000 points, losing your Marriott Bonvoy balance to expiration would be costly. Here's everything you need to know about keeping your points active and maximizing their value.
When Do Marriott Bonvoy Points Expire?
Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 months of account inactivity. The good news? "Activity" is defined broadly—any qualifying earning or redemption action resets the 24-month expiration clock on your entire balance.
This means you don't need to worry about individual points expiring separately. One qualifying activity extends the life of all your points for another two years.
7 Ways to Keep Your Marriott Points Active
1. Use a Marriott Credit Card (Easiest Method)
The simplest way to keep points active is to use a Marriott Bonvoy credit card for at least one purchase every 24 months. This includes:
Consumer Cards:
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card
[[ CARD_LIST * {"ids": ["1188", "1187", "3585", "3362"]} ]]
Business Cards:
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1190", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Accelerated Earning Rates" } ]]
Any purchase—even a $1 coffee—counts as qualifying activity and extends your points for another 24 months.
2. Stay at Marriott Properties
Booking stays at any of Marriott's 30+ brands earns points automatically:
- Earn 10 points per dollar spent (base rate for members)
- Elite status members earn 25%-75% bonus points
- Both paid stays and award redemptions count as activity
With over 8,500 properties worldwide, finding a Marriott hotel for your next trip is usually easy.
3. Earn Points Through Partners
Marriott has partnerships that let you earn points on everyday purchases:
Dining & Food Delivery:
- Order through Uber Eats and earn points per order
- Link your card at participating restaurants
Travel:
- Book rental cars through Marriott partners
- Transfer points from credit card rewards programs
Experiences:
- Book activities through Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities
- Earn points on guided tours, attractions, and excursions
4. Buy Marriott Points
Purchasing points directly from Marriott counts as account activity. You can:
- Buy points in increments of 1,000
- Purchase up to 100,000 points per calendar year
- Occasionally take advantage of promotional bonuses (up to 50% extra)
While buying points typically isn't the best value (around 1.25 cents per point), purchasing even 1,000 points ($12.50) is cheaper than losing a large balance to expiration.
5. Convert Points to Airline Miles (or Vice Versa)
Marriott partners with 40+ airlines for point transfers:
- Transfer 60,000 Marriott points → 25,000 airline miles (with 5,000-mile bonus)
- Convert airline miles back to Marriott points
- Any conversion activity resets your expiration clock
Popular transfer partners include United, American, Delta, Southwest, and international carriers like Emirates and Singapore Airlines.
6. Donate Points to Charity
Supporting causes you care about keeps your account active:
- Donate to Marriott's charity partners
- Minimum donation amounts vary by organization
- Tax-deductible in many cases (consult your tax advisor)
7. Transfer Points to Another Member
While Marriott charges fees for most point transfers, this activity does reset your expiration clock if needed as a last resort.
How to Check When Your Marriott Points Expire
Online:
- Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account at marriott.com
- Click your name in the top-right corner
- Select "Activity" from the dropdown menu
- View your point expiration date
Mobile App:
- Open the Marriott Bonvoy app
- Navigate to your account details
- Check the activity section for expiration information
Phone: Call Marriott customer service at (800) 627-7468
How Many Points Do You Need for a Free Night?
Marriott uses dynamic award pricing, meaning point requirements vary by:
- Property category (Category 1-8)
- Location and brand
- Date of stay
- Room type
Typical ranges:
- Off-peak nights: 5,000-70,000 points
- Standard nights: 7,500-85,000 points
- Peak nights: 10,000-100,000 points
You can also book stays using a combination of points and cash if you're short on points.
Best Marriott Credit Cards to Prevent Expiration
If you want to ensure your points never expire, carrying a Marriott credit card is your best strategy:
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1188", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Significant Welcome Bonus" } ]]
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1187", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Travel Protections & Perks" } ]]
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1190", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Accelerated Earning Rates" } ]]
Maximizing Your Marriott Points Beyond Expiration Protection
Once you've secured your points from expiration, focus on maximizing their value:
Stack Earning Opportunities
- Use a Marriott credit card for booking to earn base points + card bonus points
- Take advantage of promotional earning periods (3X-5X bonus points)
- Book direct through Marriott to earn points (not through OTAs)
Redeem Strategically
- Book off-peak dates when available for 20% fewer points
- Target Category 5-6 properties for best value (often 30,000-50,000 points)
- Use Points Advance to book desirable properties up to a year out
Leverage Elite Status
- Marriott credit cards grant automatic Silver/Gold elite status
- Elite members earn bonus points on stays (25%-75% more)
- Benefits include room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points
Common Marriott Points Expiration Questions
Do Marriott points expire if I have elite status?
Yes. Elite status doesn't prevent point expiration—you still need qualifying activity every 24 months.
What happens to my points if my account is inactive for 24 months?
All points in your account expire and cannot be recovered. Marriott doesn't offer extensions or reinstatement.
Can I get expired Marriott points back?
No. Once points expire, they're gone permanently. This is why maintaining account activity is crucial.
Do free night certificates expire?
Yes, separately from your points. Free night awards typically expire 12 months from issue date.
The Bottom Line
Keeping your Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring is simple: just make sure you have at least one qualifying activity every 24 months. The easiest method is using a Marriott credit card for any purchase, which automatically resets your expiration clock.
With points worth around 0.7-1.0 cents each and free nights starting at just 5,000 points, protecting your balance from expiration is worth the minimal effort. If you travel occasionally or value hotel rewards, a no-annual-fee Marriott card ensures your points never expire while earning bonus points on your everyday spending.
Set a calendar reminder for every 20 months to make a small purchase with your Marriott card, and you'll never worry about losing points again.
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