Do you have a stash of Marriott Bonvoy points sitting in your account, eagerly awaiting their next adventure? Or perhaps you're planning a trip with friends or family and realize you're just a few thousand points shy of that dream redemption? Whatever your scenario, transferring Marriott Bonvoy points can be a game-changer! But how many can you actually move in a year, and how do you even go about it? Let's dive deep and demystify the process.
Unlocking the Power of Your Marriott Bonvoy Points: How Many Can You Transfer Annually?
Marriott Bonvoy's points transfer program allows members to share their hard-earned points with other Bonvoy members. This is incredibly useful for combining points for a larger redemption, topping off an account for a specific award stay, or simply gifting points to a loved one. However, there are clear limitations to prevent abuse of the system.
The key numbers you need to remember are:
Maximum Points You Can Transfer Out: A member can transfer a maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year to other member accounts. This is a total aggregate amount, regardless of how many different people you send points to.
Maximum Points You Can Receive In: A member can receive up to a maximum of 500,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year from other member accounts. This means you can receive points from multiple senders, but your total inbound transfers can't exceed this limit.
Minimum Transfer Amount: All transfers must be a minimum of 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points and must be in increments of 1,000 points.
So, if you're looking to pool points for that incredible overwater bungalow stay, or help a friend secure a free night, these are the limits you'll be working with!
Why Transfer Points? The Strategic Benefits
Transferring points isn't just about reaching a redemption. It can be a smart strategy for:
Maximizing elite benefits: If one person in your travel group has higher Marriott Bonvoy elite status, transferring points to their account before booking can allow you to leverage their benefits like complimentary breakfast, lounge access, or enhanced room upgrades.
Pooling for higher-value redemptions: Sometimes, a single account might not have enough points for a aspirational redemption. Combining points from multiple accounts makes those experiences attainable.
Avoiding point expiration: While Marriott Bonvoy points generally don't expire as long as your account remains active (with qualifying activity every 24 months), transferring points can be a way to "reset the clock" on activity for an inactive account.
Step-by-Step Guide: Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points to Another Member
Ready to put those points to good use? Here's a clear, step-by-step guide to transferring your Marriott Bonvoy points online.
Step 1: Engage Your Inner Point-Transferring Superhero!
First things first, let's get you set up. Before we even log in, take a moment to confirm a few crucial details. Do you have the exact full name and Marriott Bonvoy member number of the person you want to transfer points to? They must match their account precisely, otherwise, your transfer might hit a snag! Also, ensure your account, and the recipient's account, 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 security measure.
Step 2: Navigate to the Marriott Bonvoy Website
Open your preferred web browser and go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com).
Step 3: Log In to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account
Sub-heading: Secure Access Click on the "Sign In" or "Log In" button, typically found in the top right corner of the homepage. Enter your Marriott Bonvoy email or member number and your password.
Step 4: Find the "Transfer Points" Option
This is where the journey to sharing your points begins!
Sub-heading: Locating the Transfer Tool Once logged in, you'll need to navigate to the section dealing with your points. This can sometimes be found under "My Account," "Use Points," or "Manage Points." Look for an option that explicitly states "Transfer Points" or "Share Points." Marriott has made this process much easier to do online in recent years, so you should find a direct link. If you're struggling to find it, try navigating to the "How to Use Points/Certificates" section within "About Marriott Bonvoy" and then look for "Share your Points." Many users find it easiest to directly access the Marriott Bonvoy point transfer page.
Step 5: Fill Out the Transfer Details
This is where you'll input the information for your transfer.
Sub-heading: Recipient Information You will be prompted to enter:
The recipient's First Name (exactly as it appears on their Marriott Bonvoy account)
The recipient's Last Name (exactly as it appears on their Marriott Bonvoy account)
The recipient's Marriott Bonvoy Member Number
Sub-heading: Transfer Amount You'll also specify the number of points you wish to transfer. Remember the rules: a minimum of 1,000 points and in increments of 1,000. The system will typically show your current points balance, helping you decide how many to send.
Step 6: Verify Your Identity
For security purposes, Marriott Bonvoy will likely ask you to verify your identity.
Sub-heading: Security Check This often involves receiving a verification code via text message to the phone number associated with your Marriott Bonvoy account or an email to your registered email address. Enter this code on the website to proceed.
Step 7: Review and Confirm Your Transfer
Before finalizing, double-check all the details.
Sub-heading: Final Review
Is the recipient's name spelled correctly?
Is their member number accurate?
Is the number of points you're transferring correct? Read and agree to the terms and conditions of the transfer. Once you're certain everything is accurate, click "Transfer Now" or a similar confirmation button.
Step 8: Confirmation and Processing
You will receive a confirmation message that your transfer request has been submitted.
Sub-heading: What to Expect Next While Marriott states that transfers can take up to an hour (or sometimes longer, up to a week in some cases), many users report that transfers are instantaneous. If the recipient doesn't see the points immediately, advise them to log out and log back into their Marriott Bonvoy account. You'll also typically receive an email confirmation of the transfer.
Congratulations! You've successfully transferred Marriott Bonvoy points! Now your or your recipient's travel dreams are a step closer to reality.
Important Considerations and Rules for Transferring Points
Beyond the annual limits, there are a few other vital rules and considerations to keep in mind:
Account Activity: Both the sender's and recipient's Marriott Bonvoy accounts must be active. As mentioned, this means the account must have been open for at least 30 days with qualifying activity, or 90 days without any qualifying activity.
No Fees: Marriott Bonvoy does not charge any fees for transferring points between member accounts. This is a fantastic benefit!
Irreversible Transfers: Once points are transferred, the transaction is final and cannot be reversed. So, be absolutely sure of your recipient and the amount before confirming.
No Transfer to Airline Partners (Directly from Member to Member): This guide focuses on transferring points between Marriott Bonvoy members. If you want to convert your Marriott Bonvoy points to airline miles, that's a separate process with different rules and transfer ratios (generally 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 airline mile for most partners, often with a 5,000 bonus mile for every 60,000 points transferred).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions with quick answers to further clarify Marriott Bonvoy point transfers:
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy point balance?
You can check your Marriott Bonvoy point balance by logging into your account on the Marriott Bonvoy website or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your balance is typically displayed prominently on your account dashboard.
How to ensure the recipient's name and number are correct?
Always double-check the recipient's full name (first and last) and Marriott Bonvoy member number with them before initiating the transfer. These details must precisely match their account information to ensure a successful transfer.
How long does it take for Marriott Bonvoy points to transfer?
While Marriott states it can take up to an hour or, in some cases, up to a week, many transfers between Marriott Bonvoy members are processed almost instantly.
How to transfer points if I don't have enough to meet the minimum?
The minimum transfer amount is 1,000 points. If you have less than this, you won't be able to initiate a transfer. You might consider earning more points through a stay, a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, or even purchasing points if needed.
How to combine Marriott Bonvoy accounts if I have two?
Marriott Bonvoy allows you to combine two of your own accounts. This is a separate process from transferring points to another member and can typically be done by contacting Marriott Bonvoy customer service.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to airline miles?
To transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to airline miles, log into your Marriott Bonvoy account, go to the "Redeem Points" section, and look for "Flights" or "Transfer Points to Miles." You'll then select your desired airline partner and the amount to transfer.
How to avoid exceeding the annual transfer limits?
Keep track of your transfers! Marriott Bonvoy automatically enforces the 100,000 point outgoing and 500,000 point incoming limits per calendar year. The system will prevent you from making a transfer that exceeds these caps.
How to confirm a successful point transfer?
You will receive an email confirmation from Marriott Bonvoy once the transfer is complete. The recipient should also see the points reflected in their account balance.
How to get help if my Marriott Bonvoy point transfer isn't working?
If you encounter issues, first verify all details (name, member number, amount) are correct. If the problem persists, contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service directly for assistance.
How to gift Marriott Bonvoy points without transferring from my own balance?
You can directly purchase points as a gift for another Marriott Bonvoy member through the "Buy Points" section on the Marriott Bonvoy website. This allows you to give points without reducing your own existing balance.
