Ever Found Yourself with a Pile of Marriott Bonvoy Points and a Specific Goal in Mind?
You're not alone. Many travelers collect Marriott Bonvoy points through stays, credit cards, and promotions, only to find themselves needing to move them for a specific redemption. Maybe you're short on points for a dream hotel stay, or perhaps you've decided that airline miles are the better value for your next trip. Whatever the reason, knowing how to transfer your points is a powerful tool.
This guide will walk you through the various ways to transfer your Marriott Bonvoy points, with a focus on both transferring to another member and converting them to airline miles. We'll cover the essential rules and limits, and provide a clear, step-by-step process so you can get your points exactly where they need to be. Let's dive in and unlock the full potential of your Marriott Bonvoy account!
Step 1: Get to Know the Two Main Ways to Transfer Points
Before you click any buttons, it's crucial to understand the two primary scenarios for transferring Marriott Bonvoy points. Each has its own set of rules, benefits, and potential drawbacks.
Sub-heading: Transferring Points to Another Marriott Bonvoy Member
This is the most common and often easiest type of transfer. You might do this to pool points with a family member or friend for a larger redemption, like a long-term stay at a luxury resort. The great news is that Marriott allows this to be done online and it's completely free!
Sub-heading: Transferring Points to an Airline Partner
This is a fantastic option if you've found an incredible flight deal that requires airline miles instead of hotel points. Marriott has a huge list of airline partners, and transferring your points can sometimes yield a great value, especially with transfer bonuses. However, the conversion ratio and transfer times can vary significantly, so it's important to do your research first.
Step 2: Transferring Points to Another Member (The Step-by-Step Guide)
Transferring points to another person's Marriott Bonvoy account is now a seamless process that you can handle yourself online. Here's exactly what you need to do:
Sub-heading: Before You Begin: The Rules of the Road
Both accounts must be in good standing. Make sure your account and the recipient's account are both active and without any flags.
Account longevity matters. The account sending or receiving points must have been open for at least 30 days with a qualifying activity (like a paid stay or using a co-branded credit card) or 90 days without any activity.
Know your limits. You can transfer a maximum of 100,000 points out of your account per calendar year. The recipient, on the other hand, can receive a maximum of 500,000 points per calendar year from other members.
Transfers must be in increments of 1,000 points. You can't transfer an odd number like 500 or 1,234.
There is no fee for this type of transfer.
Sub-heading: The Transfer Process
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account. Head to the Marriott website and log in with your credentials.
Navigate to the Points Transfer Page. The easiest way to find this is to use the Marriott "Points Transfer Tool" page. You can often find a link to it under the "How to Use Points/Certificates" section of your account overview.
Fill out the transfer form. You will be prompted to enter the recipient's name and their Marriott Bonvoy membership number. Make sure the name you enter exactly matches the name on their account.
Specify the number of points. Enter the number of points you wish to transfer, in increments of 1,000. The system will alert you if you're trying to transfer more than the annual limit.
Verify your identity. For security purposes, Marriott will likely send a verification code to the email or phone number associated with your account. Enter this code to proceed.
Confirm the transfer. After entering the code, you'll see a final confirmation page. Review the details carefully and click "Transfer Now."
Voila! The points should appear in the recipient's account, often instantly or within a few hours.
Step 3: Transferring Points to an Airline Partner (The Step-by-Step Guide)
Converting your hotel points into airline miles can be a strategic move to book flights, especially if you're eyeing a specific award seat.
Sub-heading: Before You Begin: The Golden Rules of Conversion
The standard conversion ratio is 3:1. This means 3 Marriott Bonvoy points get you 1 airline mile for most partners.
The magic number is 60,000. When you transfer 60,000 Bonvoy points, Marriott will automatically add a 5,000-mile bonus to your transfer. So, a transfer of 60,000 points will net you 25,000 miles (20,000 miles + 5,000 bonus miles). This is a great way to maximize your value!
Know the transfer partners. Marriott has over 40 airline partners, including major players like United, American Airlines, and Delta, as well as many international carriers.
Transfers are often one-way. Once you transfer points to an airline, you typically cannot transfer them back to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
Transfer times can vary from a few days to a week or more, depending on the airline. It's best to plan ahead and not transfer points for a last-minute flight booking.
Sub-heading: The Conversion Process
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account. Access your account on the Marriott website.
Navigate to the "Transfer Points" page. This can usually be found under the "Use Points/Certificates" or "Redeem" section of your account.
Select your airline partner. From the list of available partners, choose the airline you wish to transfer your points to.
Enter your frequent flyer information. You'll need to input your airline frequent flyer number and ensure the name on your Marriott and airline accounts match.
Enter the number of points to transfer. The system will show you how many airline miles you will receive. Remember to consider the 60,000-point bonus increment for maximum value.
Review and confirm. Double-check all the details, especially your frequent flyer number, and agree to the terms and conditions.
Submit the request. Click the button to initiate the transfer. You will receive a confirmation, and now it's a waiting game for the miles to appear in your airline account.
FAQ: Quick Answers to Your Top Questions
How to transfer points from Marriott to United? You can transfer points to United Airlines MileagePlus at the standard 3:1 ratio. For every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer, you'll receive a 5,000-mile bonus, for a total of 25,000 United miles.
How to transfer points to a spouse's account? To transfer points to a spouse or any other individual, simply use the online Points Transfer Tool. You will need their full name and Marriott Bonvoy member number. The rules for transferring to another member apply.
How to transfer points from Marriott to Hilton? Unfortunately, you cannot directly transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to a Hilton Honors account. The two are competing loyalty programs without a transfer partnership.
How to transfer points from Marriott to American Airlines? You can transfer points to American Airlines AAdvantage through the Marriott website. The transfer ratio is 3:1, and you'll receive a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred.
How to transfer Marriott points to an international airline? Marriott has a long list of international airline partners. The process is the same as for domestic airlines: log in to your account, select the airline, and follow the steps. Be aware that transfer ratios and times can vary slightly.
How to transfer points from a deceased member's account? Marriott has a specific process for this. You will need to contact Marriott Member Support and be prepared to provide documentation, such as a death certificate and legal documents to verify your relationship and ownership of the points.
How to find the Marriott points transfer page? After logging into your account, look for a section called "Use Points" or "Redeem." The transfer page for both members and airline partners is typically located there.
How to transfer a large amount of Marriott points? For transferring to another member, you are limited to a maximum of 100,000 points out per calendar year. For airline partners, you can transfer up to a maximum of 240,000 points per day.
How to know if my account is eligible to transfer points? Your account must have been open for at least 30 days with a qualifying activity or 90 days without any activity. If you're a new member, you may need to wait before you can initiate a transfer.
How to get the 5,000-mile bonus when transferring to airlines? The 5,000-mile bonus is automatically applied by Marriott when you transfer points in increments of 60,000. You don't have to do anything extra; just be sure to transfer in those specific quantities to maximize your return.
