Thinking about that dream Marriott stay but a few points short? Or maybe you have a surplus and want to help a loved one unlock their next adventure? The good news is, transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to family members is not only possible but also free! This guide will walk you through the process, step by step, ensuring your points land exactly where they need to be.
How to Transfer Marriott Bonvoy Points to Family: Your Ultimate Guide
Have you ever found yourself with a significant stash of Marriott Bonvoy points, perhaps from a business trip or a credit card sign-up bonus, but no immediate travel plans? Or perhaps a family member is just a few thousand points shy of booking their ideal vacation, and you want to lend a hand? If either of these scenarios sounds familiar, then you're in the right place! Transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to another member is a fantastic way to maximize their value and help your loved ones enjoy incredible travel experiences. Best of all, unlike some other loyalty programs, Marriott makes this process free of charge.
Let's dive into the simple steps to make this happen.
Step 1: Are You Both Ready for the Transfer?
Before you even think about hitting that "transfer" button, let's make sure both the sender and the recipient are set up for success. This initial check will save you any potential headaches down the line.
Sub-heading: Confirming Member Eligibility
Both members must have a Marriott Bonvoy account. This might seem obvious, but it's the absolute first prerequisite. If your family member doesn't have one, they can easily sign up for free on the Marriott Bonvoy website.
Accounts must be in good standing. This means no outstanding issues, suspicious activity, or violations of Marriott's terms and conditions.
Account age matters for receiving points. While you can initiate a transfer from an account immediately, a new Marriott Bonvoy member account must wait 30 days (with qualifying activity) or 90 days (without qualifying activity) before it can receive transferred points. This is a crucial detail to remember if your family member just created their account.
Matching Names: The first and last name of the recipient you enter during the transfer process must exactly match the name on their Marriott Bonvoy membership account. Even a minor discrepancy can cause issues.
Pro Tip: It's a good idea to set up loyalty accounts for all family members well in advance of needing them. This way, you won't be caught off guard by account age restrictions when a spontaneous travel opportunity arises.
Step 2: Understanding the Rules of the Game (Limits & Increments)
Marriott Bonvoy has some clear guidelines regarding how many points you can transfer and in what denominations. Knowing these upfront will help you plan your transfer effectively.
Sub-heading: Maximums and Minimums for a Smooth Transfer
Minimum Transfer Amount: You must transfer a minimum of 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points per transaction.
Transfer Increments: All transfers must be completed in 1,000-point increments. So, you can transfer 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, and so on, but not 1,500 or 10,250.
Maximum Points You Can Transfer Out: As the sender, you can transfer up to a maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year from your account. This limit resets annually.
Maximum Points You Can Receive: As the recipient, you can receive up to a maximum of 500,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year into your account. This generous allowance means multiple family members can send points to one person for a large redemption.
Zero Fees! One of the best aspects of Marriott Bonvoy point transfers is that there are no fees involved. This is a significant advantage over many other hotel and airline loyalty programs that charge for point transfers.
Step 3: Initiating the Transfer Online (The Easiest Way)
Marriott has an intuitive online tool that makes transferring points quite straightforward. This is generally the fastest and most convenient method.
Sub-heading: Navigating the Marriott Bonvoy Website
Log In to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account: Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (
marriott.com/loyalty/redeem/points-transfer.mi Locate the "Transfer Points" Section: Once logged in, look for a section related to "My Account," "Manage Points," or "Use Points." Within this area, you should find an option to "Transfer Points" or "Share Your Points."
Enter Recipient's Details: You will be prompted to provide the following information for the person you wish to send points to:
Recipient's First Name (exactly as it appears on their Bonvoy account)
Recipient's Last Name (exactly as it appears on their Bonvoy account)
Recipient's Marriott Bonvoy Member Number
Specify Transfer Amount: Enter the number of points you wish to transfer. Remember the 1,000-point increments and the 100,000-point annual limit for sending.
Review and Confirm: Double-check all the details you've entered. Accuracy is key here. Ensure the recipient's name and member number are absolutely correct. Marriott point transfers are typically final and irreversible once processed.
Submit the Request: Click the "Transfer" or "Submit" button to complete the process.
What to expect: While the online tool states transfers can take up to 24 hours, many users report that the points appear in the recipient's account almost instantly. However, it's always wise to allow for the full 24-hour window, especially if you're transferring points for an immediate redemption.
Step 4: Alternative Method: Calling Customer Service
If for any reason you encounter issues with the online tool, or simply prefer to speak with someone, you can also transfer points by calling Marriott Bonvoy customer service.
Sub-heading: Getting Assistance from Marriott Support
Gather Your Information: Have your Marriott Bonvoy member number, the recipient's Marriott Bonvoy member number, their full name, and the exact number of points you wish to transfer ready before you call.
Find the Right Number: You can find the appropriate loyalty customer support phone number for your region on the Marriott Bonvoy website under the "Help" or "Contact Us" section. For example, in the United States and Canada, the toll-free number is +1-800-627-7468.
Explain Your Request: Inform the customer service representative that you would like to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another member's account.
Provide Details: Carefully provide all the necessary information as requested by the representative. They will guide you through the process.
Confirm the Transfer: Once the representative confirms the transfer, ask for a confirmation number for your records.
Note: Calling customer service might take a bit longer due to wait times, but it's a reliable alternative if the online method doesn't work for you.
Step 5: Post-Transfer Confirmation and Planning Your Redemption!
Congratulations, you've successfully transferred points! Now, it's time to confirm the transfer and get ready to enjoy those hard-earned (or generously shared!) rewards.
Sub-heading: Verifying the Transfer and Booking Your Stay
Recipient Checks Their Account: The recipient should log into their Marriott Bonvoy account and check their point balance. The transferred points should reflect in their activity history.
Consider Combining for a Bigger Stay: If the goal was to pool points for a specific redemption, now both parties can see the combined balance. This is particularly useful for booking higher-category hotels or longer stays.
Book Your Award Stay: With the points successfully transferred, the recipient can now proceed to book their desired award night or redemption through the Marriott Bonvoy website or app.
Remember to compare the points needed for a stay with the cash rate to ensure you're getting good value for your points.
Keep an eye out for "Stay for Five, Pay for Four" offers, where if you book five consecutive nights on points, the lowest point-value night is free.
Important Considerations & Best Practices
Expiration Dates: Transferring points does not reset the expiration date of the points being transferred. Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 consecutive months of inactivity. A transfer from your account is considered activity, but receiving points into an account does not count as qualifying activity to reset the expiration date for existing points in that account.
Deceased Member Accounts: In unfortunate circumstances, Marriott does have a process for transferring points from a deceased member's account to a family member or friend who is an active Marriott Bonvoy member. This requires specific documentation (like a death certificate and proof of executorship) and should be handled by contacting Marriott Bonvoy customer service directly. Elite status and elite night credits do not transfer.
Booking for Others: While transferring points is great, sometimes you don't even need to! Marriott Bonvoy allows members to book an award stay for someone else, even if that person isn't traveling with them. You simply make the reservation in your name and then contact Marriott customer service to add the guest's name to the reservation. This can be simpler if you're just looking to book a single stay for a family member and don't want to deal with point transfers. However, if the family member needs the points for their own future planning or combining with other points, a transfer is still the way to go.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to transfer Marriott points to a spouse?
Transferring points to a spouse follows the exact same process as transferring to any other family member or friend. Both need active Marriott Bonvoy accounts, and you follow the online steps or call customer service, providing their member number and matching name.
How to transfer Marriott points to another Bonvoy member?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to any other active Marriott Bonvoy member, not just family. The process is identical: use the online transfer tool or call customer service, providing their full name and member number.
How to find the Marriott points transfer link?
The direct link for Marriott Bonvoy points transfer is usually marriott.com/loyalty/redeem/points-transfer.mi. You can also find it by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account and navigating through "My Account" or "Manage Points" sections.
How to transfer Marriott points from a deceased member's account?
To transfer points from a deceased member's account, you must contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service directly. You will be required to provide documentation such as a death certificate and proof of your relationship or executorship of the estate.
How to combine Marriott Bonvoy accounts?
Marriott Bonvoy allows members to combine two of their own Marriott Bonvoy accounts if they happen to have multiple. This is different from transferring to another person. You can find the "Combine Accounts" option within your account dashboard or by searching the Marriott help pages.
How to know if my Marriott Bonvoy account is eligible to transfer points?
Your Marriott Bonvoy account must be in good standing to transfer points. There's no specific "eligibility check" button, but if you attempt a transfer and it fails, or if you have any account issues, contact customer service.
How to transfer Marriott points to an airline partner?
Transferring Marriott points to an airline partner (like converting them into airline miles) is a different process than transferring to another Bonvoy member. You do this through the "Transfer Points to Miles" section on the Marriott Bonvoy website. Note that conversion rates and minimums apply, and there's often a bonus when transferring 60,000 points.
How to ensure a successful Marriott points transfer?
To ensure a successful transfer, double-check that the recipient's first name, last name, and Marriott Bonvoy member number exactly match their account details. Also, ensure your transfer amount adheres to the 1,000-point increments and annual limits.
How to confirm Marriott points have been transferred?
After initiating the transfer, the recipient should log into their Marriott Bonvoy account. The transferred points will typically appear in their point balance and transaction history within 24 hours (often much faster). You won't usually receive a separate confirmation email for the transfer itself, but your account history will reflect the deduction.
How to avoid issues when transferring Marriott points?
The best way to avoid issues is to meticulously verify the recipient's details (name and member number) before submitting the transfer. Also, be aware of the minimum/maximum transfer amounts and the account age requirement for recipients. If in doubt, contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for assistance.
