Are you looking to pool your Marriott Bonvoy points with a travel buddy, or perhaps top off your account for a dream redemption? Transferring points is a fantastic feature of the Marriott Bonvoy program, but the process and timing can sometimes feel a bit confusing. Don't worry, you've come to the right place! We're going to break down everything you need to know about transferring your Marriott Bonvoy points, from the different types of transfers to the all-important question: how long does it take?
Let's dive in and get you closer to your next unforgettable trip!
Step 1: Understand the Different Types of Marriott Point Transfers
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the process, it's crucial to understand that "transferring points" can mean a few different things within the Marriott ecosystem. The time it takes for a transfer to complete depends entirely on what kind of transfer you're making.
Transferring Points Between Marriott Bonvoy Members: This is the most common type of transfer and the one we'll focus on the most. It's when you move points from your personal Marriott Bonvoy account to another person's Marriott Bonvoy account. This is a great way to combine points with family or friends for a specific award stay.
Transferring Points to Airline Partners: Marriott Bonvoy has a wide network of airline partners. You can convert your Marriott Bonvoy points into airline miles for award flights. The transfer ratio is generally 3 Marriott points to 1 airline mile, with a bonus of 5,000 miles for every 60,000 points you transfer.
Transferring Points from a Partner (e.g., American Express) to Marriott: If you have points with a partner program like American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can transfer them into your Marriott Bonvoy account. The transfer time for this can vary based on the partner.
Step 2: The Easiest and Fastest Transfer: Member to Member
This is the process most people are looking for. Fortunately, Marriott has made this process much easier in recent years, allowing you to do it online without a phone call.
Sub-heading: The Transfer Time
The great news here is that member-to-member transfers are incredibly fast. While Marriott's official policy states that you should expect to see the points within 24 hours, many users report that the transfer is often instantaneous. In most cases, if you log out and then log back into the recipient's account, you'll see the new points balance immediately.
Sub-heading: Key Rules and Policies to Know
Minimum and Maximums: You must transfer a minimum of 1,000 points, and the transfer must be in increments of 1,000 points. You can transfer up to 100,000 points per calendar year from your account. You can receive up to 500,000 points from other members per calendar year.
Account Standing: Both the sending and receiving accounts must be in good standing.
Account Age: The accounts must have been open for at least 30 days with qualifying activity (earning or redeeming points) or 90 days without any qualifying activity. This is a crucial detail to remember, especially for new members.
Cost: The best part is that this service is completely free!
Sub-heading: The Step-by-Step Online Guide
Log in to the Marriott Bonvoy Account you will be transferring from. This is the account with the points you want to send.
Navigate to the Transfer Points Page. This can sometimes be a little tricky to find. Look under your account profile or a section titled "How to Use Points/Certificates" and then "Share Points." Marriott also has a dedicated page for this.
Fill out the Transfer Form. You will need to provide the recipient's full name and their Marriott Bonvoy member number exactly as it appears on their account.
Enter the Number of Points. Remember to transfer in increments of 1,000.
Confirm the Transfer. You will likely receive a text or email with a verification code for security purposes. Enter this code to finalize the request.
You're all set! The points should show up in the recipient's account very quickly.
Step 3: Transferring Points to an Airline Partner
Transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to an airline is a popular strategy for getting more value out of your points, especially for premium cabin redemptions.
Sub-heading: The Transfer Time
This process is not as instant as member-to-member transfers. While some transfers may be quick, it's important to be patient. The estimated time for points to appear in your airline frequent flyer account is generally 2-3 business days. However, it can sometimes take up to a week or more depending on the airline partner. Always give yourself a buffer of time and don't make a transfer a few days before you need to book a flight.
Sub-heading: Key Rules and Policies
Transfer Ratio: For most airlines, the ratio is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 airline mile.
Bonus Miles: Marriott offers a fantastic bonus: for every 60,000 Bonvoy points you transfer, you get an additional 5,000 miles. This means a transfer of 60,000 points nets you 25,000 miles.
Minimum Transfer: The minimum is typically 3,000 points.
Finality: Once you transfer points to an airline partner, the transfer is final and irreversible. You cannot transfer the miles back to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
Step 4: Transferring Points from an External Partner
If you're using a co-branded credit card or have points with a program like American Express, you can transfer these to Marriott Bonvoy.
Sub-heading: The Transfer Time
The time for these transfers to post can vary significantly. Some partners, like American Express, may have an estimated transfer time of up to 48 hours or even up to 5 business days for account verification. Always check the specific terms and conditions of the partner program you are transferring from.
10 FAQ Questions
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another member?
You can transfer points to another member for free by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account and visiting the "Transfer Points" page online. You will need the recipient's full name and member number.
How long does it take for Marriott points to transfer between members?
Marriott's official timeframe is up to 24 hours, but in practice, these transfers are often instantaneous.
How to transfer Marriott points to an airline?
You can transfer points to over 40 airline partners by visiting the "Redeem Points" section of your Marriott Bonvoy account and selecting the "Transfer Points to Airlines" option.
How long does it take for Marriott points to transfer to an airline?
This can take anywhere from a few days to a week or more. It's best to allow 2-3 business days on average.
How to know if a Marriott Bonvoy account is eligible to transfer points?
The account must be in good standing and have been open for at least 30 days with activity or 90 days without.
How to combine two Marriott Bonvoy accounts?
While you can't officially merge two accounts, you can transfer points from one account to another to consolidate your points balance.
How to transfer Marriott points to a family member?
The process is the same as transferring to any other member. You just need their name and Bonvoy member number.
How to reverse a Marriott points transfer?
Once points are transferred, especially to an airline partner, the transfer is final and cannot be reversed. For member-to-member transfers, it is also considered final.
How to transfer points from a credit card to Marriott?
If your credit card program (like American Express or Chase) is a transfer partner, you can initiate the transfer from your credit card's rewards portal.
How to check the status of a Marriott points transfer?
You can check your account activity log in the Marriott Bonvoy app or on the website. For airline transfers, you may need to check the airline's frequent flyer account as well.
