This seems like a common question, but I wasn't able to find it on Marriott Rewards' website, nor by searching here, so here goes. Do Marriott Points expire?

I don't travel ALL the time, but I have racked up a good amount of points, and didn't want to loose them, even if I have to stay at the local Marriott

Thanks!

As long as you stay at least once every two years your points will never expire. To quote 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.

Here's more information

I'm sure that Marriott has some wording somewhere in their T&Cs that would allow them to close an inactive account. But the reality is that I don't think they worry too much. My wife used to travel for her work back in the early 90s. A year or two ago, I signed her up for a Marriott Visa card and remembered that she already had an account. When we checked, the account was still usuable (after more than a decade of inactivity) and still had almost 40K points in it.

If you have any of the Chase Marriot Visa cards, charge something to it once in a while and that will make sure that every month points go into your account.
This way your account will always be active.

I also had a dormant account (about a decade old) that was reactivated with points intact when I started stating.

Thanks for posting this question. I'd asked a CSR the same question some time ago and was told that the points never expire. But in view of the T&C, either she was wrong or the rules have changed.

I think, but am not certain, that with any of the hotel or airline programs you can perpetuate your account by using their affiliated credit cards. Having checked the AA T&C, I know that's the case for AA. The other way with hotels, or at least with Hyatt, is to go through the trouble of having a meal or drink at one of their establishments and then take your bill and membership number to the front desk to get credit (which I'm sure they love).

While I think it's generally the case that hotel chains don't care much about expiring points, I do know that a number of years ago a friend lost a bundle of then-Westin points that expired and couldn't be reinstated. Perhaps Starwood is more relaxed about that these days.

Thanks everyone for the info...

I searched through this forum on a number of keywords, and read through the Marriott Rewards Ts and Cs, and can't find a consistent answer.

Do Marriott points expire? Do accounts get cancelled after a certain period of inactivity?

With the expiration dates applied to Hhonors and SPG points and the expiration that is in the Hyatt Ts and Cs (but apparently not enforced), and the increasing tendency of airline programs implementing 36 or 18 month expiration periods, I wonder what Marriott's policy is/will be.

Points do not expire. Now Marriott might change that

http://www.marriott.com/rewards/terms/default.mi

As locanmures's post shows, Marriott does reserve the right to close an inactive account. But the reality is closer to imverge's. My wife's account was dormat for over 10 years and we were able to use the points without any issues at all.

But Marriott could decide to actually enforce their T&Cs and close an account. Though should Marriott do so, they might enact something similar to AA's 'reactivation for a fee' approach. I see that as a growing trend in the industry.

I would actually be surprised if Marriott decides to enforce their point expiration rule. Unlike many airline mileage programs, it is not possible to pass your Marriott points to heirs after you die. This rule reduces the amount of outstanding points, and Marriott seems to view dormant accounts as a possible way to get old customers back.

Thanks to everyone for the details.

Better safe than sorry, and at least put some points in every 24 months ...

Good thing I have Diners Club!

VA:
Actually, it is possible to transfer your Marriott points to anyone, but only the exact amount they need for an award. Of course, they can quietly cancel the res a few days later.
Also, make sure that your executor & main heirs have your Username & Password !

It is possible to transfer points to anyone, provided the original account holder is alive. Marriott does not allow people to pass their points onto someone else if they pass away. Although you could let others use your username and password, Marriott does not let you leave your account to someone else in your will like American Airlines does with their mileage program.