ALL Accor Live Limitless vs Marriott Bonvoy: key terms

What do the published Marriott Bonvoy tier rules cover?

Marriott Bonvoy's member benefits page frames the offer as Points, free nights and status, and presents Lifetime status at Silver, Gold and Platinum that never expires. [2] The programme rules treat Elite Status and Lifetime Elite Status as separate things, and Elite Night Credits count toward the requirements for both. [8]

An Elite Night Credit is earned only for a Qualifying Night inside a Qualifying Stay, so a night that does not qualify under the rules does not move a member toward status. [8] Elite members also collect bonus Points on top of the base earn, and the size of that bonus is set by the member's achieved Elite Status. [8] The mechanics of moving between levels are worked through in Marriott Bonvoy status.

Missing credit for Points, Miles, Qualifying Nights, Qualifying Stays, Qualifying Events or other Qualifying Charges can be requested, and a request must generally reach Marriott within one year of the activity. [8] New members can claim for eligible activity completed in the 30 days before they enrolled, provided they ask within that same one-year window. [8]

How do you earn Marriott Bonvoy Points on a stay?

Base Points are paid on Qualifying Charges, which the rules describe as charges a member incurs on their folio during a guest-room stay, plus up to two additional guest rooms with the same check-in and check-out dates. [8] Food and beverage, direct-dial in-room telephone and fax, and in-room movies and video games count as part of the stay, while the member must give their membership number at reservation or check-in, occupy one of the reserved rooms and pay the bill. [8]

The rate, or currency equivalent, then depends on the brand:

Two rows carry their own conditions. Marriott Executive Apartments sits in the five-Point group, yet the rules add that members there earn on Qualifying Rates rather than on Qualifying Charges. [8] A bill at a Participating Outlet without a stay earns five base Points on the total after discounts and exclusions, and a member who has switched their earning preference to Miles receives Points instead for those outlet charges. [8]

How does earning airline Miles through Marriott Bonvoy work?

Members can set their earning preference to Miles rather than Points, and the rules state that the terms of the applicable airline frequent flyer programme control the redemption, transfer and distribution of those Miles. [8] A Partner Program is defined as an airline frequent flyer programme, or another third-party programme, that has a business relationship with Marriott Bonvoy. [8]

Stays are one earning route; the member benefits page also points to credit cards and exclusive partnerships, and lists flights, retail and experiences among the things Points can be exchanged for. [2] Award bookings made with hotel Points are covered separately in booking Marriott Bonvoy awards.

What do the inactivity and transfer rules say?

An account keeps its Points, Awards and other benefits only while it has Qualifying Activity at least once every 24 months. [8] Earning or redeeming Points or Miles, buying Points, completing a Qualifying Stay, and converting Points or Miles with designated partners all count, whereas gifting, transferring or receiving Points from another member does not. [8]

After 24 consecutive months without Qualifying Activity, everything accumulated is forfeited, and the rules say that forfeiture cannot be reinstated; an account left inactive for five consecutive years may be deactivated altogether. [8] An Award redeemed before Points are forfeited stays valid unless it is cancelled after the applicable Points expiration date, at which point the Points used for it expire too. [8]

Points have no cash value and may not be sold, bartered or transferred except where the rules expressly permit it, which includes a member-to-member transfer provision and limited transfers on death or divorce at the company's discretion. [8] Marriott International may change the rules with or without notice, and a change takes effect when it is posted. [8]

Which brands and regions fall outside the standard terms?

• Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas. This non-branded property participates with limits: members earn Points or Miles on room rate only, and award stays cover the standard room rate and room tax only, leaving extra-person charges, resort fees and service charges to the member. [8]
• Atlantis details. The breakfast option within the Elite Welcome Gift is not available there, The Reef, The Beach and Harborside do not participate at all, and bookings made through AtlantisBahamas.com neither earn nor redeem. [8]
• Non-participating properties. Bulgari Hotels and Resorts at all locations, City Express Rio de Janeiro Barra da Tijuca, Grand Residences by Marriott Mayfair-London, Marriott Conference Centers Rotary House Hotel in Houston, Marriott Vacation Club at The Empire Place in Bangkok, The Marriott Ranch Bed and Breakfast and The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore do not take part. [8]
• Branded Residences. These do not participate except Marriott Residences Salgados Resort in the Algarve, The Phoenician Residences in Scottsdale and The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach. [8]
• Chinese mainland. Members with Chinese citizenship who live in the Chinese mainland are covered by special terms that prevail over other provisions, including a right to cancel membership before a rule change takes effect and dispute resolution under the laws of the People's Republic of China. [8]
• Properties leaving the programme. Once a property exits, stays there stop earning Points and Qualifying Nights, and its Awards and promotions end on the exit date even for reservations made earlier. [8]

Frequently asked questions

Is Marriott Bonvoy free to join?

Yes. Enrolment carries no fee or cost, and membership is open to individuals who are at least 18 or have reached the age of majority where they live. [8]

How long do Marriott Bonvoy Points last?

Points, Awards and other benefits survive as long as the account records Qualifying Activity at least once every 24 months; after 24 consecutive months of inactivity they are forfeited and cannot be reinstated. [8] Points in Lifetime Elite Status accounts are not currently subject to expiration. [8]

Do Miles earned through Marriott Bonvoy follow Marriott's rules?

No. Where a member has chosen to earn Miles, the terms of the relevant airline frequent flyer programme govern their redemption, transfer and distribution. [8]

Do all Marriott brands earn the same number of Points?

No. Base earning is 10 Points at most participating brands, 5 at a named group of extended-stay and select brands, and 4 at StudioRes, with Series by Marriott earning 10 in the United States, Canada and Greater China but 5 elsewhere. [8]

Can Marriott Bonvoy Points be transferred to another member?

Only where the programme rules expressly allow it; they provide for member-to-member transfers and permit limited transfers on death or divorce at the company's discretion. [8]

Related pages

Programmes: ALL Accor Live Limitless, Marriott Bonvoy. Guides: booking ALL Accor awards, booking Marriott Bonvoy awards, ALL Accor status, Marriott Bonvoy status. Terms: the frequent flyer glossary.

Sources

Sources checked on 18 October 2026. ALL Accor Live Limitless and other hotel programmes, including Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt and IHG One Rewards, are not covered here.

1. Marriott Bonvoy membership levels and member benefits, checked 18 October 2026
2. Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program Terms & Conditions, updated October 2026, checked 18 October 2026