Hotel points expiry: Marriott vs IHG vs Choice

How long can hotel points sit idle at Marriott, IHG and Choice?

Marriott Bonvoy and IHG One Rewards measure inactivity on their own clocks, and those clocks are defined in the programme terms rather than by a fixed expiry date printed on a balance. [2] [4]

Marriott Bonvoy. Members must have Qualifying Activity at least once every twenty-four months to retain accumulated Points, Awards and other benefits, and an Account with no Qualifying Activity for twenty-four consecutive months forfeits all of them. [2] The twenty-four-month figure sits in programme rules updated in October 2026. [2]

IHG One Rewards. The rule is written for Club level membership Points: the balance expires when the account records no "earn" or "redeem" transaction for any period of twelve months or longer, and those Points are then removed. [4] The terms state the requirement directly — at least one earn or redeem transaction must post to the account every twelve months. [4]

What counts as qualifying activity at each hotel programme?

Marriott Bonvoy. Qualifying Activity covers eligible account activity such as earning or redeeming Points or Miles, purchasing Points, completing a Qualifying Stay, or converting Points or Miles with designated partners. [2] Gifting, transferring or receiving Points from another Member does not count. [2]

IHG One Rewards. The test is a posted "earn" or "redeem" transaction, and the terms state that using the one night per year provided to IHG One Rewards credit card holders does not constitute an earn or redeem activity for this purpose. [4]

What happens when hotel points expire or an account goes quiet?

Marriott Bonvoy. Points, Awards and other benefits forfeited for inactivity cannot be reinstated. [2] Separately from point expiry, an Account that remains inactive for five consecutive years may be deactivated. [2]

IHG One Rewards. Expired Points are removed from the account and can no longer be redeemed. [4] If a member has no activity for five years, IHG reserves the right to cancel the membership permanently, and an account cancelled by IHG or by the member forfeits all Points, Point vouchers, Reward Nights and other benefits. [4]

A step-by-step way to check an account against these rules is set out in the points expiration and activity checklist.

What are the exceptions and limits?

• Elite exemptions are worded differently. Marriott says Points in Lifetime Elite Status Accounts are not currently subject to expiration, but the programme may apply an expiration policy to those Accounts in future [2]. IHG says Elite Members' Points do not expire as long as Elite level membership is maintained [4].
• A card benefit is not always activity. At IHG One Rewards, the one night per year given to IHG One Rewards credit card holders does not count as earn or redeem activity [4]. Points held on co-brand card currencies are a separate subject, covered under card points expiry.
• Awards already issued. At Marriott Bonvoy, Awards redeemed before point forfeiture remain valid unless cancelled after the points expiration date; if an Award is cancelled after that date and the member has not completed Qualifying Activity to extend it, the Points used for the Award expire [2].
• Region and language versions. IHG directs members residing in China to the Chinese translated version of the terms [4]; Marriott says the English version governs if a translated version differs [2].
• Rules can change. Marriott Bonvoy and IHG One Rewards reserve the right to change their terms, and Marriott may do so with or without notice even where a change affects the value of Points [2] [4].

Frequently asked questions

Do Marriott Bonvoy points expire?

Yes, if the account records no Qualifying Activity for twenty-four consecutive months, in which case accumulated Points, Awards and other benefits are forfeited and cannot be reinstated. [2] Points in Lifetime Elite Status Accounts are not currently subject to expiration. [2]

Do IHG One Rewards points expire for elite members?

Elite Members' Points do not expire as long as Elite level membership is maintained, while the twelve-month inactivity rule in the terms is written for Club level membership Points. [4]

Can expired hotel points be reinstated?

Marriott Bonvoy says forfeited Points cannot be reinstated [2].

Does redeeming a reward night keep hotel points active?

At Marriott Bonvoy, redeeming Points is listed as Qualifying Activity [2], and at IHG One Rewards a "redeem" transaction counts towards the twelve-month requirement [4].

Related pages

Comparison: hotel loyalty programme comparison checklist. Account activity: points expiration and activity checklist. Terms: card points expiry, glossary of frequent flyer terms.

Sources

Sources checked on 18 October 2026. Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, Accor ALL, Wyndham Rewards and Best Western Rewards are not covered here.

1. Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program Terms & Conditions, checked 18 October 2026
2. IHG One Rewards membership terms and conditions, checked 18 October 2026