AFAIK, Marriott has always allowed for points expiration, but don't seem to enforce it.

So I don't think Marriott's T&Cs have changed in terms of expiring points, but Marriott could at any point decide that they do want to begin enforcing points expirations.

Ah, thanks. When I had such old points before, I figured there was no expiry.

=aw

Hi all,

I had called Marriott Rewards on their expiration policy several months ago, as my mother had 50k points which had just been sitting there for a couple years, and was informed that marrriott points do not expire.

Then I checked my mom's account this morning and suddenly no points appear, it appears they do in fact expire.

I have sent a message to Marriott asking that they return the points, as I was told that these points do not expire.

Just a word to the wise, Marriott points do in fact expire.

Cheers,

Timo

Did someone from Marriott actually tell you the points have expired and they were removed because of that? I asking just to make sure that the points disappearance was from expiration and not some other reason.

I still have my points, the Activity search still reports

which is ridiculous if the expiry is 24 months! No idea if I have any activity in the 13-24mo period, I guess I can look it up if I have to.

Interested to know how it turned out for Timo.

=aw

How to stop points from expiring??
 

I know nothing about the Marriott program but track points for a friend. She is also clueless. Her expiration date is coming up in November. Any suggestions on how to easily add points to the account (other than staying there, of course)?

Thanks much.

Get one of the Marriott branded credit cards. This will get you some point activity. I do believe the base Signature card comes with the 1st year free. So you won't even have any cash outlay to get some point activity (and you'll get some nice bonus points plus a free night cert.) Another option is to buy something from the Marriott mall.

With that said, Marriott hasn't been very on-top of expiring points from inactive accounts. So they may not actually expire the points should the inactive time period elapse. But with that said, Marriott could at any time begin enforcing their expiration rules, so while it is nice that the points may not actually expire, it would be a major pain if Marriott actually did so.

Thanks very much. This is how clueless I am, I didn't even know there was a Marriott mall. Good to know about the possible none expiring points but you're right, it would be more than a pain if it actually happened.

I didn't know there was a Marriott mall, either. Good info! I learn something new on FT everyday!

Hilton has one, too!

Sorry to dig up an old-ish thread. So I'm 23 months in without activity - but sitting on 60,000 points which I'm keen to keep. As a UK based member - what's the easiest way to create some activity to keep the account alive (I don't really have a need to stay a hotel right now)!

Buy something cheap through the Marriott portal for shops/online retailers, etc. Usually the airlines & hotels have them, and it's the fastest/cheapest way. I know someone who needed to keep points alive (don't think it was Marriott, but concept/method was the same), and they ordered some pens from Office Depot. Cost him very little, but triggered the activity & kept the points going.

Cheers.

Another option, one that I haven't tried but I think should work, is to make a reservation for one night as far out into the future as you can for a Cat. 1 hotel. Pick any Cat. 1 hotel in the world. It doesn't matter because you will cancel the reservation before the reservation dates arrive.

I do believe that using points for an award counts as "activity" and therefore will keep your points active.

Now, if you decide you really want to use the points before the "mock" reservation dates, just cancel the award, get the points redeposited into your account and order your new award.

If you don't want to use your points before the mock reservation date, a month or so before the "mock" reservation date arrives, make another 1-night reservation somewhere and then cancel your original "mock" reservation. Keep doing this until you really want/need to use the points.

Use points for Marriott Cheques which spend like cash AND you earn points. So they can be better than using points.

I think there are several good posts about this topic.

hhoope01 - That's the kind of idea I was thinking of!

Thanks all

The Marriott Rewards FAQ on the official website states:

I used to have activity on my account every month, due to the Marriott Rewards branded credit card. But in the UK this is now no longer the case.

I very rarely stay at a Marriott property and I have been slowly building up my miles. Its over 24 months from my last paid stay.

I thought activity extended the life of points but I'm concerned that based on the FAQ they will be taken from me without warning.

I'd welcome thoughts from forum members please.....