Thinking of treating a loved one to a luxurious Marriott stay, or perhaps you're organizing travel for a colleague? Booking a Marriott hotel for someone else is a thoughtful gesture, and while it might seem a little different from booking for yourself, it's absolutely doable! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring a smooth and successful reservation process.
So, are you ready to be a hospitality hero for someone special? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Understand the Basics – Who is This For?
Before you even open the Marriott website, take a moment to consider who you're booking for and how you intend to pay. This will determine the specific steps you need to follow.
Sub-heading: Important Considerations
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Paying with your own credit card? This is the most straightforward method. You'll simply enter the guest's name during the booking process.
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Using Marriott Bonvoy® points? This requires a slightly different approach, often involving a phone call to Marriott Bonvoy® Member Support.
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Gifting the stay without being present? If you won't be checking in with the guest, there are crucial steps to ensure they have a hassle-free arrival.
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Are they a Marriott Bonvoy® member? While not strictly necessary for booking, it's good to know if they want to earn points on their stay (though you won't earn points if you're not staying).
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| How To Book Marriott For Someone Else |
Step 2: Choosing Your Booking Method
Marriott offers a few ways to book a reservation. For booking for someone else, the online method is often the easiest, but a phone call might be necessary in specific scenarios.
Sub-heading: Online Booking (Recommended for Credit Card Payments)
This is generally the quickest and most convenient option if you're paying with your own credit card and don't need to use points.
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Visit the Official Marriott Website: Go to Marriott.com. It's crucial to use the official website to ensure secure booking and access to the best rates and policies.
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Do NOT Sign In (Initially, if paying for someone else and not staying): If you are booking a paid reservation for another guest and will not be staying with them, Marriott advises not to sign into your Marriott Bonvoy® account. This helps avoid confusion about who is the primary guest.
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Enter Destination and Dates: On the homepage, input the desired destination (city, country, or specific hotel name) and the check-in and check-out dates.
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Adjust Rooms/Guests: Specify the number of rooms and the number of guests per room.
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Find Hotels: Click "Find Hotels" to see available properties.
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Select Your Hotel and Room: Browse the search results and choose the hotel and room type that best suits the recipient's needs. Click "View Rates" and then "Select" for your chosen room.
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Enter Guest Information: This is the most critical step for booking for someone else.
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On the "Complete Your Booking" page, you will see fields for "Guest Information."
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Carefully enter the full legal name of the person who will be checking in as the primary guest. Make sure it matches their government-issued ID.
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You can also add your own name as a secondary guest if you plan to be present for check-in or if the hotel requires it for certain authorization forms (more on this below).
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Important: Ensure you select a rate the guest is eligible for. For instance, you cannot reserve a "Member Rate" for another guest if they are not the member, nor a "Senior Rate" unless the staying guest qualifies.
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Provide Payment Details: Enter your credit card information to secure the reservation. Even if the guest will pay for incidentals, the room charge needs to be guaranteed.
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Review and Confirm: Double-check all the details – dates, hotel, room type, and especially the guest's name. Then, click "Book Now" or "Confirm Reservation." You will receive a confirmation email.
Tip: Revisit this page tomorrow to reinforce memory.
Sub-heading: Phone Booking (Essential for Point Redemptions)
If you're planning to use your Marriott Bonvoy® points to book a room as a gift for another guest, this is the only way to do it. You cannot gift an award redemption stay online or via the app.
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Gather Information: Have the recipient's full legal name (as it appears on their ID) and contact information ready.
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Call Marriott Bonvoy® Member Support: Dial the dedicated Marriott Bonvoy® Member Support line. The number can usually be found on the Marriott website under "Contact Us" or "Help."
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Inform the Agent of Your Intention: Clearly state that you wish to book a "Gifted Award Redemption Stay" for another guest using your points.
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Provide Reservation Details: Give the agent the desired hotel, dates, and room preferences.
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Provide Guest Information: The agent will ask for the recipient's name to add them to the reservation as the primary guest. Your name will typically still appear as the primary on the system, with the recipient noted as an additional guest or with a specific "gifted reservation" code applied internally.
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Confirmation: The agent will confirm the booking and send you a confirmation email. It's advisable to also ask the agent to send a confirmation directly to the guest, if possible, or forward the confirmation email to them.
Step 3: Arranging Payment for Incidentals (If You're Not There)
If you've paid for the room in advance, but the guest will be responsible for any incidental charges (like minibar, room service, or parking), or if you want to cover those as well, this step is crucial.
Sub-heading: Credit Card Authorization Form
This is the standard procedure if you want to pay for charges (room and/or incidentals) without being present.
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Contact the Hotel Directly: This is paramount. Once your reservation is confirmed, call the specific Marriott hotel directly (not the central reservations line). Explain that you've booked a room for someone else and wish to complete a credit card authorization form to cover charges.
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Request the Form: The hotel will usually email or fax you a Credit Card Authorization Form. This form grants the hotel permission to charge your card in your absence.
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Complete and Return the Form: Fill out the form accurately, indicating what charges you authorize (room only, room and tax, or all charges including incidentals). You'll typically need to provide a copy of your ID and the front and back of your credit card. Send it back to the hotel as instructed.
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Confirm Receipt: It's a good idea to follow up with the hotel a day or two after sending the form to confirm they received it and that everything is in order.
Sub-heading: Alternative Payment Options
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Marriott Gift Card: You can purchase a Marriott Gift Card online and provide it to the recipient. They can then use it to cover their stay (if not already prepaid) and/or incidental charges. This offers great flexibility.
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Prepaid Rate: If you book a prepaid rate online, the room charge is handled upfront. However, the guest will still need to provide a credit card at check-in for incidentals, unless you arrange a credit card authorization form as described above.
Step 4: Communicating with the Guest
Clear communication is key to a seamless experience for your guest.
QuickTip: Stop and think when you learn something new.
Sub-heading: What to Share with Them
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Confirmation Number: Provide them with the reservation confirmation number.
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Hotel Name and Address: Make sure they have the full details of the hotel.
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Check-in/Check-out Times: Inform them of the standard check-in and check-out times.
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Your Payment Arrangements: Let them know if the room is prepaid and what, if any, charges they will be responsible for (e.g., incidentals).
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ID Requirement: Remind them that they will need a valid government-issued ID at check-in.
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Credit Card for Incidentals: If you haven't covered incidentals, inform them they'll need their own credit card for a security deposit.
Step 5: Follow-Up and Enjoy!
A quick follow-up can provide peace of mind for both you and your guest.
Sub-heading: Final Checks
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Before their arrival: You might consider calling the hotel a day or two before check-in to confirm that all arrangements (especially credit card authorizations) are in place.
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During their stay: Let them know you're available if they encounter any issues.
By following these steps, you'll ensure your loved one or colleague has a wonderful and stress-free Marriott experience, all thanks to your thoughtful planning!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to book a Marriott for someone else without them being a Bonvoy member?
You can easily book a Marriott for someone else even if they are not a Marriott Bonvoy® member. Simply enter their full legal name as the primary guest during the online booking process.
QuickTip: Scroll back if you lose track.
How to use Marriott Bonvoy points to book a stay for someone else?
To use Marriott Bonvoy® points to book a "Gifted Award Redemption Stay" for someone else, you must call Marriott Bonvoy® Member Support. This cannot be done online or through the app.
How to ensure the guest won't have trouble checking in if I'm not there?
To ensure a smooth check-in, contact the hotel directly after booking and complete a Credit Card Authorization Form to cover the room and any desired incidental charges in your absence. Also, ensure the guest's name on the reservation exactly matches their ID.
How to add an additional guest to an existing Marriott reservation?
You can usually modify an existing reservation online or by calling Marriott reservations to add an additional guest's name. If it's a "gifted" award stay, you'll need to call Member Support.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another member for their booking?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy® points to another member's account. There might be a minimum transfer amount and an annual limit. This can be done online through your Marriott Bonvoy® account or by calling Member Support.
Tip: Read mindfully — avoid distractions.
How to get a credit card authorization form from Marriott?
To get a credit card authorization form, you must call the specific Marriott hotel directly where the reservation is made. They will provide you with their specific form and instructions.
How to book multiple rooms for different guests at Marriott?
When booking multiple rooms online, you can often specify different guest names for each room during the reservation process. If individual rooms require different bed types or rates, you might need to make separate reservations for each.
How to find the Marriott Bonvoy Member Support phone number?
You can find the Marriott Bonvoy® Member Support phone number on the official Marriott website under the "Contact Us" or "Help" section, usually listed under "Marriott Bonvoy Customer Service."
How to confirm a gifted reservation with the hotel before guest arrival?
It's a good practice to call the hotel directly a day or two before the guest's arrival to confirm that the gifted reservation details and any credit card authorization forms are properly noted and processed.
How to ensure the guest receives elite benefits if I book with my status?
Generally, if you book a room for someone else and you are not staying with them, your Marriott Bonvoy® Elite benefits will not transfer to them. To receive benefits, the elite member must be present and check in.
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