Get Your Expired Hotel Loyalty Points Reinstated
Your hotel loyalty points have expired. Depending on the program, reinstatement may be possible — Hilton allows paid reinstatement within 18 months; Marriott Bonvoy points are generally forfeited permanently. Act immediately to check your options.
For programs that allow reinstatement (Hilton), the process is simple and online. The main challenge is acting within the reinstatement window and calculating whether the fee is worth it.
⚠Why This Happens
Account inactivity
Most commonMost hotel loyalty programs expire points after 12–24 months without a qualifying stay, purchase, or earning activity.
Unaware of expiration policy
CommonMembers who stay infrequently often don't realize their points have a time limit.
Email notifications caught in spam
CommonWarning emails about upcoming expiration often get flagged as promotional and missed.
Outdated email address on account
ModerateIf the email address tied to the account is outdated, expiration warnings never reach the member.
🎯What To Do Right Now
- 1
Log in and check your specific program's expiration policy
Each hotel chain has different rules. Check whether your points can be reinstated and what the deadline is.
~Same day - 2
For Hilton Honors: use the Restore Points portal
Hilton allows reinstatement of points expired within the past 18 months at a cost of $0.0025 per point (0.25 cents). Go to hilton.com/en/hilton-honors/guest/restore-points/
~Same day - 3
For Marriott Bonvoy: act before expiration or points are gone
Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 months of inactivity and CANNOT be reinstated once forfeited. The only option is earning new points. Prevention is the only solution.
~Prevention only - 4
For World of Hyatt: check if a qualifying activity extends points
Hyatt points expire after 24 months of inactivity. Using a World of Hyatt credit card or making a small purchase through the portal can reset the clock if done before expiration.
~Immediate - 5
For IHG One Rewards: call or email customer service
IHG may offer goodwill reinstatement for long-term members. Contact their customer service to request reinstatement.
~1–3 days - 6
Transfer remaining points to a travel partner before expiration (future prevention)
Many programs allow transfer to airline miles or gift cards, which may have different expiration rules. Use points before they expire rather than let them lapse.
~Before expiration
📞Contact Information
Hilton official Restore Points page. For Marriott, go to marriott.com/loyalty. For Hyatt: hyatt.com. For IHG: ihg.com/rewardsclub.
🧑How to Reach a Live Person
Via Phone — loyalty program customer service
- Call the loyalty program number (not reservations)
- Select 'account services' or 'points inquiry'
- Explain that your points expired and you want to explore reinstatement
- Have your loyalty account number ready
- Elite status members get more flexibility on goodwill reinstatements
- Be polite and mention your length of membership
- Ask if there are any current promotions on point reinstatement
Average wait: 10–30 minutes
Via Online — Hilton Restore Points
- Go to hilton.com/en/hilton-honors/guest/restore-points/
- Log in with your Hilton Honors account
- Select the amount of expired points to restore
- Complete payment at $0.0025 per point
- Hilton only allows one reinstatement transaction
- Only points expired within the past 18 months are eligible
- Calculate value: each Hilton point is worth approximately $0.005 for redemptions
Average wait: Immediate (online)
📋Documents & Info You'll Need
💰Cost Breakdown
💬What Reddit Says
Hyatt points that expire are generally not reinstatable. The only protection is using a World of Hyatt credit card — any purchase resets your expiration clock monthly. Do this proactively.
Multiple Reddit users have confirmed that Marriott Bonvoy points, once forfeited, cannot be reinstated. The policy is firm and customer service cannot override it. Prevention through annual activity is the only solution.
Hilton points are worth roughly $0.005 each for hotel redemptions but only $0.0025 to restore. It's generally worth restoring if you have a specific redemption in mind (premium hotel, suite upgrade).
The best prevention for any hotel program: use the co-branded credit card once per year for a small purchase. This resets activity on your account and prevents expiration for another year.
📝Appeal Template
Dear [Hotel Program] Customer Service, Loyalty Account Number: [XXXXXXXXXX] Member Name: [Full Name] I am writing to request reinstatement of my [X,XXX] points, which expired on [Date] due to account inactivity. I have been a [Program Name] member since [Year] and have [stayed X nights / earned X points] over my membership. The inactivity that led to expiration was due to [travel restrictions, work from home period, health reasons, etc.]. I am planning upcoming stays at [Hotel/City] and would like to restore my points to use for those reservations. I am willing to pay a reinstatement fee as applicable. Could you please advise on the process and cost? Thank you for your consideration. [Full Name] [Loyalty Number] [Phone/Email]
Key Elements:
- Loyalty account number
- Points balance and expiration date
- Brief reason for inactivity
- Intent to use points (upcoming stay)
- Willingness to pay reinstatement fee
Mistakes to Avoid:
- Waiting beyond the reinstatement window (varies by program)
- Assuming all programs allow paid reinstatement — Marriott does not
- Not calculating whether the reinstatement cost is worth it
- Letting points expire without first trying to transfer to airline miles
⚖Do You Need a Lawyer?
Hotel loyalty point reinstatement is a customer service matter with no legal recourse. Programs have contractual terms that members agree to.
Look for: N/A
Typical cost: N/A
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