When you purchase Marriott Bonvoy points through the official portal (usually powered by Points.com), the transaction is typically very fast, but the official policy states it can take up to 72 hours for the points to post to your account. In practice, most members find that the points appear in their balance almost instantly or within 24 hours. If you are purchasing points specifically to book a "Limited Time" award or a "PointSavers" room, it is best to do so at least a few days in advance to avoid disappointment. It is also important to note that you must have a "fully active" Marriott Bonvoy account to buy points; new accounts usually have a waiting period of 30 days (if there has been qualifying activity) or 90 days (if no activity) before they are eligible to purchase points. If 72 hours have passed and your balance hasn't updated, you should check your email for a confirmation from Points.com, as sometimes a transaction can be flagged for "fraud review" if the credit card name doesn't match the Bonvoy account name. Once posted, these points are non-refundable, so ensure your intended award stay is actually available before clicking the "buy" button.