How fast do Marriott points post?
 

Greetings,

I've just recently signed up for Marriott Rewards and was wondering how quickly points usually post. One recent stay in particular is a little problematic: I was staying on a very cheap prepaid rate, and on checking out I did not receive an invoice since everything had been paid already. I didn't think much of it at the time, but now I realize this will make it pretty tough to claim the points if they don't show up. Are very cheap stays even eligible for points? (The people at the desk seemed happy to type up my card number when offered, but...)

Any advice for a newbie would be appreciated :)

My 5/11-14 points posted in the last 24 hours, so it looks like about 6 days.

Prepaid rates (priceline, hotels.com, Orbitz "special pre-paid" rates, etc. generally do not qualify for points.

I'm staying at a Fairfield Inn at a negotiated rate (I negotiated the rate myself :) ). The paltry points post very quickly - my points from last week posted by Wednesday of this week.

If you don't see them in your account within two weeks, I'd call customer service in SLC. You can try the missing stay route (not on line - you have to fax in the sheet) but I've had better luck phoning in.

When I do that, they typically call the hotel directly (they will have your records in their computer) and verify it on the spot. Problem solved.

Don't let it get too far in arrears (several months) or it might be a tougher sell.

Points Are Easy. Stay Credit Isn't.
 

Marriott changed software early this year. Its much more effective in screening out and not posting stay credit for rates or booking methods not deemed acceptable, which is about anything that is discounted and booked through a thrid party. (The old software usually leaked anything through that had your number tied). Assuming you had a qualifying stay, as they now define qualifying, its seldom a week and never two before it posts. Customer Service is fast about corrections, but won't ever make the mistake of giving you a stay cedit that didn't qualify.

You may be thinking of Hilton....Making a reservation through an intermediary (third party) does not have any effect on your ability to earn points or stay credit at Marriott hotels....currently the only rates which do not earn credit are: Marriott Associate rates, Wholesaler Rates, Fam Rates, and MR Redemptions (I could be forgetting a really obscure rate too)

Correction ?
 

Hi Socrates, I think you meant to say "the only rates which do NOT earn"

You are correct...sorry

I believe Marriott still uses the good ole "FAX" to send info to MR. Or at least the SHS that I stayed at alot in PHX did. My experience was that if the points didn't post within 3 days, they weren't going to without intervention. I would always call and ask them nicely to call the hotel to verify the stay and have the MR CS person post the points for me. That fax request thing is a black hole sometimes.

I also have found that the website is about 2 days behind the phone automated system, so if you call to check your elite nights or points and they're there, they should post to marriott.com soon.

For a big chain, the process should be better - more like the fast postings I have 99.99% experienced with UAL.

FWIW, I find my most of my MR points usually post within 2-3 days. There are always the missing stay requests that have to be faxed in and these seem to be about every 5th or 6th stay.

Recently I used an award for 2 nights EWR Res. Inn and had to cancel the award and it took only overnight for the points to redeposit into my account online, which was a little faster than I expected.

My international ones post a bit later than the domestic ones. I think its because of the USD exchange rates, but I am not sure.

The one time I have had to fax in my international stay, they had to get a fax from the hotel directly. Something misconfigured and a few zeros were added on to the point accrual. :D

That was a while ago though...

Now I hope I have to fax the stays in!!!

Actually it's been computerized for as long as I've been with the company.....but SLC has always also accepted faxes as well (not sure why anyone would use it when they could enter it into their computer system to be transmitted though)