I emailed the question to Marriott, as I have had no activity in my Marriott account since 8/02 (though for some reason, unbeknownst to me, I'm silver).

This was their reply: So the email says a stay is required every 24 months. Wow. If that's true, I'd better either stay or redeem my points pretty quickly.

Anyone have better info?

I would be seriously surprised if someone had better info that an answer directly from Marriott.


Spend the $59 and check in to the TownePlace Suites in Falls Church tonight - you don't even have to stay there. I'd say that's worth protecting 250K points.

[This message has been edited by CPRich (edited Dec 29, 2003).]

Oh, I don't have 250k points. (That was a different poster.) Never done much with Marriott. Just have a small stray balance.

Seemed interesting that Marriott said that I *may* lose the points, so I was curious what really happens *in practice* (which is often different)

Also, Marriott referred to a STAY rather than just account activity -- but others have suggested that it doesn't need to be a stay, so I was wondering if PRACTICE again diverges from the official word.

[ Seemed interesting that Marriott said that I *may* lose the points, so I was curious what really happens *in practice* (which is often different)

Also, Marriott referred to a STAY rather than just account activity -- but others have suggested that it doesn't need to be a stay, so I was wondering if PRACTICE again diverges from the official word.[/B][/QUOTE]

Per the Terms and conditions, the verbiage is the account may be closed if there is no points "accrued" during a 24-month period. So Visa card activity, if you have one, or even a minimal transfer of Amex points would satisfy that condition.

However, in my observation, the phrase "may be closed" is in fact very relevant, as I have seen many accounts with no activity whatsoever for much more than 2 years still alive and kicking.

And yes, that comes from your friendly neighborhood and soon to be more active in-the-MR-office lurker. More to come later.

I have not used the Marriott Rewards program in at least 3 years and just made a reservation for Kauai for next November with no problem.

I tried to find this in the T&C's of the Marriott Rewards program, but could not find this information. Do Marriott Reward points expire due to inactivity? If so, how many months/years?

I am only aware of the clause that closes the account after two years of inactivity.

Here's from the T&Cs....

An account may be closed at Marriott's discretion if no points are accrued during a 24-month period. All points in the account will be forfeited at that time.

I'm guessing that if you have the Marriott Rewards Visa card and had credit card activity but no stays, it would keep your account in the active status mode.

I have not been at a Marriott property in awhile. I believe that one must have activity in their account every two years or the accumulated points will expire. Looking ahead I would like to do the Mypoints conversion to Marriott. Would this Mypoint conversion count as an activity to keep my account open another two years?

Thanks-Michael

I think mypoints would qualify. I called MR CS to ask about a second accnt in our family that we never use. They suggested keeping it alive by doing an award booking and then canceling. The agent did it for me all in the same call. I trust she gave good advice.

I am trying to get enough mypoints for a 3,ooo point MR cert.It is taking a lonnnnnnng time!
Be aware that(and this is going by what they say on the mypoints site)that you will get a cert for the points-you then have to send it to Marriott for them to post onto your account.Sure seems like a lot of work-and a lot of chances for something to screw-up.
After I do this I am through with the mypoints scheme forever.

I've done the Mypoints ==> MR transfer with the certificates several times. Never a problem getting the certs from MyPoints, and MR always post the points as soon as they get the certificate. I consider it an excellent way to burn through MyPoints...

I came to the same conclusion last year. MyPoints have cheapened the program so much that it is no longer worth my time and my time is pretty cheap. I cashed out the rest of my points and cancelled.

I just had some Sofitel points expire which made me wonder whether my Marriott Rewards points would expire after some time. Does anyone have the answer?

Amazingly, you can find the answer at marriott.com:
http://marriott.com/rewards/terms/default.mi
See #7.