🤠 Don't Sweat the Small Stuff: Snagging Credit for Those "Oopsie" Marriott Bonvoy Stays!
Listen up, folks! You've just wrapped up an epic trip, stayed at a swanky Marriott spot, checked out like a boss, and now you’re back in the real world. You log into your Marriott Bonvoy account, ready to see those sweet, sweet points and elite nights pile up like a mountain of pancakes, only to find... nada. Zilch. Bupkis. It’s like that stay vanished into the Bermuda Triangle of loyalty programs. Been there, done that, got the slightly panicked t-shirt.
But don't have a total meltdown, my friends! This ain't a tragedy. The good news is that Marriott Bonvoy is totally cool with you retroactively claiming credit for those stays that decided to go rogue. You can absolutely add past stays, and it’s not as complicated as assembling that impossible piece of IKEA furniture. Think of it as a little treasure hunt for points—and we're about to grab the map!
 |
| Can You Add Past Stays To Marriott Bonvoy |
Step 1: 🕵️♀️ Wait Your Turn (The "Chill Out" Phase)
Before you start blowing up the Marriott Bonvoy customer service line like it’s a broken air conditioner on a hot summer day, you gotta pump the brakes. There's a rule of thumb, a little unwritten law of the loyalty land, that you need to respect.
1.1 The Golden 10-Day Rule
Marriott's system, bless its heart, isn't always lightning fast. They officially state that it can take up to ten business days after your check-out date for a stay to automatically post to your account.
Pro Tip: Business days usually mean Monday through Friday, so if you check out on a Friday, that clock might feel like it's ticking in slow motion until the following week!
If it's only been a few days, take a deep breath, grab a coffee, and chill. Don't stress. Your stay is probably just cruising its way through the digital ether. If the tenth business day rolls by and your account activity is still looking drier than the Sahara, then it's go-time. This is where you switch from "chill" mode to "claim my credit" mode!
QuickTip: Pay close attention to transitions.
Step 2: 🧾 Get Your Ducks in a Row (The "Paperwork Party")
You can’t just roll up and say, "Hey, remember that time I stayed at the fancy hotel in Miami?" You need some hard evidence—we're talking receipts, folks. This is non-negotiable, the MVP of your claim process.
2.1 The Almighty Folio
You absolutely, positively need a copy of your paid hotel folio (that's the fancy word for your final bill/invoice). This document is your golden ticket. It proves:
You actually paid (and hopefully with an eligible rate!).
The check-in/check-out dates.
The hotel's name and location.
Seriously, if you don't have this, stop right here and call the hotel or the general Marriott Bonvoy customer service line to get a copy sent to you. They can usually email it over lickety-split.
2.2 Know Your Limits
You can't claim that stay from your high school graduation trip in '98, sadly. You generally have a window to claim those missing stays. Make sure your stay:
Happened within the last year (12 months). You've got a whole year to fix this oversight.
Was booked directly through a Marriott channel (Marriott.com, the app, or Marriott customer service). Stays booked through third-party sites like Expedia or Booking.com are usually outta luck for earning points and elite night credit—that's just how the cookie crumbles in this biz.
If you just joined Bonvoy, you can even request credit for a stay that happened up to 30 days before your enrollment! How neat is that?
Tip: Look for examples to make points easier to grasp.
Step 3: 💻 Hit Up the Missing Stay Request Form (The "Digital Dig")
This is where the magic happens. Forget carrier pigeons or Morse code—Marriott has a super easy online form to make this happen.
3.1 Logging in and Finding the Portal
Sign in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on the website (or via the app, though the website is often less finicky for this process).
Navigate to your 'Account Overview' or 'My Activity' page. This is usually under your name or profile icon in the top corner.
Scroll down, past all the points you did earn, until you see a link that says something like "Report a Missing Stay" or "Missing Stay Request." It might be hiding a bit, but trust me, it’s there!
 |
3.2 Filling in the Blanks
You’ll be asked to input all the necessary deets. Don't be a slacker—fill it out completely and accurately!
Hotel Name and Location: Self-explanatory. Don't mix up your Fairfield Inn with your Four Points!
Check-in and Check-out Dates: Match them exactly to your folio.
Confirmation Number: You probably got this in an email.
Your Bonvoy Number: Double-check this!
Attach the Folio: This is the most crucial step. You'll upload that scanned or clear photo of your paid bill. No folio, no joy.
Smash that submit button! You should get a confirmation that your request is in the system. Now, we wait (again).
Step 4: 📞 The Backup Plan (The "Old School Vibe")
Look, sometimes technology is a real pain in the neck. If the form is giving you the digital side-eye, or your stay has some weird complexity (like a partial cash/partial points stay that messed up), you might have to go old school.
QuickTip: If you skimmed, go back for detail.
4.1 Phone a Friend (aka Bonvoy Customer Service)
If the online form is acting like a broken vending machine, pick up the phone. Call Marriott Bonvoy Customer Service. Just have all your info—your Bonvoy number, the hotel details, and your folio—ready to go. A friendly agent can often submit the request for you right then and there. Sometimes, a good old chat is all it takes to get things sorted.
4.2 The Wait, Part Deux
Once submitted (online or by phone), a representative will review your claim. They might be able to credit your points and nights within a day or two, or it could take up to 10 business days again. You’ll typically get an email notification once the deed is done and your account is looking fabulous again.
Congratulations! You've just played detective, mastered the digital form, and successfully snagged the points and elite nights that were rightfully yours. You're a rockstar traveler!
FAQ Questions and Answers
How do I ensure my stay posts correctly in the future?
Tip: Look out for transitions like ‘however’ or ‘but’.
How to prevent a missing stay on my next trip? The easiest way? Always make sure your Marriott Bonvoy Member Number is on your reservation before you check in. Confirm it with the front desk agent at check-in, or use the mobile app to ensure it's attached. This is the number one defense against a missing stay!
What is the absolute deadline for reporting a missing stay?
How long do I have to claim a stay I forgot to add? You have up to one year (12 months) from the check-out date of the missing stay to submit your claim through the official Missing Stay Request form on the Marriott Bonvoy website. Don't wait until the last minute, though!
Can I get credit for a stay if I booked on a third-party website?
Can I earn Bonvoy points if I booked my hotel through a site like Expedia? Nope, sorry, that's a bummer. Generally, stays booked through third-party Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) are considered "ineligible rates" and will not earn Marriott Bonvoy points or elite night credit. You gotta book direct with Marriott.
I just joined Bonvoy, but I stayed at a Marriott last week. Can I still get credit?
How to get credit for stays before I joined the Marriott Bonvoy program? Yes, you absolutely can! You can retroactively request credit for stays completed up to 30 days prior to your enrollment date in the Marriott Bonvoy program. You'll still need that paid folio/receipt!
My points posted, but the amount is wrong. What do I do?
How to dispute the number of points I received for a hotel stay? Follow the same process as reporting a missing stay. Use the "Missing Stay Request" form and in the comments section, explain that the stay posted but the point total is incorrect. Attach your folio as proof, and a representative will recalculate and correct the earnings.
Would you like me to help you find the direct link to the Marriott Bonvoy "Report a Missing Stay" page, so you can start claiming your credit?
 |
