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Marriott free night awards extended through Jan. 3, 2022

April 29, 2021
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3 min read
W Osaka Room
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If you've been accumulating Marriott free night awards and points but aren't quite ready to redeem them, there's some great news for you: Marriott is extending all free night awards through Jan. 3, 2022. The new change will go into effect on May 6 and impact all free night awards set to expire before Jan. 2, 2022. In addition, Marriott is pausing point expiration through March 31, 2022.

Marriott points normally expire after 24 months of inactivity. As part of the last round of extensions, point expiration was also paused through Aug. 1, 2021. Now, members get an extra seven months to keep their accounts active.

This is the third time Marriott has extended the expiration date on free night awards. The last time, these certificates were extended through Aug. 1, 2021. Now Marriott is tacking on an extra five months to give members more time to plan their post-pandemic vacations.

Which free night awards are extended?

This extension applies to any free night award earned through a co-branded Marriott credit card, Annual Choice Benefit, promotion or travel package. If your free night awards had a 2020 expiration date, they're now valid through Jan. 3, 2022. The new expiration date will be reflected on your account on May 6, 2021.

W Chicago Lakeshore is a great place to redeem your Marriott free night award (Photo courtesy of Marriott)

Related: How I’m using 17 expiring hotel free night certificates this year

A recap of all Marriott extensions

Marriott announced multiple status, point, and free night extensions over the last year. If you're having trouble keeping track of all the expiration dates, here's a timeline to make that easier

Marriott Bonvoy Suite Night Awards: Dec. 31, 2021

Platinum or Titanium elite members have until Dec. 31, 2021 to redeem Suite Night Awards that originally expired on Dec. 31, 2020.

Marriott elite status extension: February 2022

All Bonvoy members' elite status has been extended through February 20222.

Marriott free night awards: Jan. 3, 2022

Marriott free night awards set to expire before Jan. 2, 2022 are now valid through Jan. 3, 2022.

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Marriott point expiration: March 31, 2022

Point expiration has been paused until March 31, 2022. Beyond this, you can keep your Marriott points from expiring by either earning or redeeming them.

Related: The 7 best ways to redeem points and miles for flights to Europe

Bottom line

With the U.S. on track to vaccinate all adults by May 2021, there is expected to be a huge surge in summer travel demand. The European Union has already announced plans to welcome vaccinated travelers and several airlines have offered low fares for the summer and beyond.

While the original Aug. 1, 2021 deadline would have been sufficient, it's certainly nice that Marriott is offering members extra time to put their free nights and hotel points to use.

Featured image by Miyuki Kaneko (Nacasa & Partners inc.)
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.