Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
GUIDE
Hotel milestone rewards compared: Marriott Bonvoy
Hotel milestone rewards are the progress-linked benefits a hotel loyalty programme gives members as they reach set activity levels; in Marriott Bonvoy, the published progress unit is the Elite Night Credit, which counts toward Elite Status and Lifetime Elite Status under the programme rules updated October 2026. [4] This comparison is limited to Marriott Bonvoy and the programme rules updated in October 2026. [4]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- An Elite Night Credit is earned only on a night during a Qualifying Stay, and it counts toward Elite Status and Lifetime Elite Status. [4]
- Elite bonus points depend on the member's achieved Elite Status, while base earning is 10 points per U.S. dollar or currency equivalent at most participating brands, 5 points at several brands, and 4 points at StudioRes. [4]
- Members must have Qualifying Activity at least once every 24 months to retain accumulated points, awards and other benefits. [4]
- Award choices include Free Night Awards, Cash + Points, PointSavers, room upgrades and Nightly Upgrade Awards for Gold Elite members and above. [7]
How does Marriott Bonvoy track progress toward elite status?
Marriott Bonvoy is the loyalty programme of Marriott International, Inc. and its subsidiaries. [4] Its elite progression is built on the Elite Night Credit: Marriott's programme rules say Elite Night Credits count toward the requirements for Elite Status and Lifetime Elite Status, and an Elite Night Credit is earned only on a night during a Qualifying Stay. [4] A Qualifying Night is a night during a Qualifying Stay, so trip type and eligible charges matter before any elite progress is recorded. [4]
Elite bonus points are separate from Elite Night Credits: a member receives elite bonus points only after meeting the applicable requirements for Elite Status or Lifetime Elite Status, and the amount depends on the achieved Elite Status. [4] Base earning also varies by brand and property type, as the table below shows. [4]
| Item | Rule under the October 2026 programme terms |
|---|---|
| Most participating brands | 10 base points for each U.S. dollar, or currency equivalent, paid on Qualifying Charges [4] |
| Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, City Express, Element, Four Points Flex, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott Executive Apartments, Protea Hotels, Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites | 5 base points for each U.S. dollar spent on Qualifying Charges, except Marriott Executive Apartments, where members earn only on Qualifying Rates [4] |
| StudioRes | 4 base points for each U.S. dollar spent on Qualifying Charges [4] |
| Series by Marriott | 10 base points in the United States, Canada, Greater China, and 5 base points at all other Series by Marriott locations [4] |
| Elite Night Credit | Only on a Qualifying Night during a Qualifying Stay; counts toward Elite Status and Lifetime Elite Status [4] |
To earn on a stay, the member must provide their membership number at reservation or check-in, stay in one of the reserved guest rooms as the registered guest, and pay the charges. [4] Qualifying Charges can include up to two additional guest rooms with the same check-in and check-out dates. [4]
What award choices does Marriott Bonvoy offer?
Marriott Bonvoy's award menu is made up of separate redemption routes. [7] Free Night Awards can be redeemed at thousands of properties worldwide with varying point values, and members apply the award during booking. [7] Room upgrades can be bought with points or cash at select hotels and resorts, also during booking. [7] Cash + Points lets members combine cash and points at participating hotels that display cash-and-points rates. [7] PointSavers offers up to 20% off at participating hotels that show PointSavers rates. [7]
Nightly Upgrade Awards are available to Gold Elite members and above; after booking, the member requests an upgrade from the Confirmation or Reservation Details page. [7] Points can also be transferred to airline programmes: 38 airlines participate, most at a 3-to-1 ratio, and the daily transfer range is 3,000 to 240,000 points. [6] A bonus of 5,000 miles applies for every 60,000 points transferred to frequent flyer miles, but not for American Airlines AAdvantage, Avianca LifeMiles or Delta SkyMiles. [6] United MileagePlus members receive 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred. [6]
| Choice | Key condition |
|---|---|
| Free Night Award | Redeemable at thousands of properties worldwide, with varying point values; apply during booking [7] |
| Nightly Upgrade Award | Available to Gold Elite members and above; request after booking from the Confirmation or Reservation Details page [7] |
| PointSavers | Up to 20% off at participating hotels displaying PointSavers rates [7] |
| Cash + Points | Available at participating hotels displaying cash-and-points rates [7] |
| Points to airline miles | Most partners at 3:1; 38 airlines participate; 3,000 to 240,000 points per day [6] |
Members may also purchase up to 100,000 points per calendar year for themselves or another member. [6]
When do Marriott Bonvoy points and awards expire?
Marriott Bonvoy requires Qualifying Activity at least once every 24 months to keep accumulated points, awards and other benefits. [4] Qualifying Activity includes earning or redeeming points or miles, purchasing points, completing a Qualifying Stay, or converting points or miles with designated partners. [4] Gifting, transferring or receiving points from another member does not count as Qualifying Activity. [4] If an account has no Qualifying Activity for 24 consecutive months, all accumulated points, awards and other benefits are forfeited and cannot be reinstated. [4] An account that remains inactive for five consecutive years may be deactivated. [4]
Points in Lifetime Elite Status Accounts are not currently subject to expiration, but Marriott Bonvoy may apply an expiration policy to those accounts in the future. [4] An award redeemed before point forfeiture remains valid unless it is cancelled after the points expiration date; if that happens and the member has not completed Qualifying Activity to extend the date, the points used for the award expire. [4] The terms of the relevant airline frequent flyer programme control the redemption, transfer and distribution of miles. [4]
What are the limits and exceptions?
- Points, awards and other benefits are not the member's property, have no cash value, and may not be sold, bartered, transferred, assigned, exchanged or purchased except as the programme rules expressly permit. [4]
- If a member cancels their account, unredeemed points, awards, benefits and achieved Elite Status or Lifetime Elite Status are cancelled or forfeited immediately and may not be reinstated or transferred, except as permitted by Marriott Bonvoy or required by law. [4]
- Marriott Bonvoy may change, limit or suspend the programme rules and earning or redemption structures with or without notice, even where a change affects the value of points or the ability to obtain an award. [4]
- If a participating property exits the programme, stays there no longer earn points or Qualifying Nights, and awards, promotions and special offers are no longer valid after the exit date, even if the reservation was made earlier. [4]
- Some brands and properties do not participate; the rules list Bulgari Hotels and Resorts at all locations and The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore among the non-participating properties. [4]
- Members with Chinese citizenship residing in the Chinese mainland are subject to separate special terms that prevail over conflicting provisions in the general programme rules. [4]
Frequently asked questions
Do Marriott Bonvoy points expire?
Yes. If an account has no Qualifying Activity for 24 consecutive months, all accumulated points, awards and other benefits are forfeited and cannot be reinstated, although points in Lifetime Elite Status Accounts are not currently subject to expiration. [4]
What counts as Qualifying Activity for Marriott Bonvoy?
Earning or redeeming points or miles, purchasing points, completing a Qualifying Stay, or converting points or miles with designated partners counts; gifting, transferring or receiving points from another member does not. [4]
Who can request a Nightly Upgrade Award?
Gold Elite members and above can request a Nightly Upgrade Award after booking, using the Confirmation or Reservation Details page. [7]
What is the Marriott Bonvoy points-to-miles ratio?
Most participating airlines use a 3-to-1 ratio, with 38 airlines participating and a daily transfer range of 3,000 to 240,000 points; Air New Zealand Koru is listed at 200:1 with a 75-mile bonus. [6]
What happens to points if I cancel my Marriott Bonvoy account?
The account, membership number, unredeemed points and awards, and any achieved Elite Status or Lifetime Elite Status are cancelled or forfeited immediately and may not be reinstated or transferred, except as permitted by Marriott Bonvoy or required by law. [4]
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. Other hotel programmes, including Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt and IHG One Rewards, are not covered here.
- Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program Terms & Conditions, checked 18 October 2026
- How to Transfer Points to Miles, checked 18 October 2026
- Redeem Marriott Bonvoy Points, checked 18 October 2026