Marriott free night awards extended through Jan. 3, 2022
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.
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.
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.