Unleash the Gift of Travel: Your Comprehensive Guide to Gifting Marriott Bonvoy Points!
Ever wished you could share the joy of a luxurious hotel stay with a loved one? Perhaps a friend is just shy of enough points for that dream vacation, or a family member deserves a special treat. The good news is, you absolutely can gift Marriott Bonvoy points! And guess what? It's easier than you might think, especially with the recent improvements Marriott has made to its online transfer process. Forget those lengthy phone calls of yesteryear; now, a few clicks can make someone's travel dreams a reality.
Ready to spread some travel cheer? Let's dive into the ultimate step-by-step guide on how to gift Marriott Bonvoy points, ensuring your thoughtful gesture goes off without a hitch!
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility – Are You Ready to Be a Point-Gifting Guru?
Before you embark on your point-gifting quest, it's crucial to ensure both you, the generous giver, and the lucky recipient meet Marriott Bonvoy's eligibility criteria. Don't worry, they're pretty straightforward!
1.1 Your Account's Readiness
Active Status: Both your Marriott Bonvoy account and the recipient's account must be in good standing. This generally means they are active and not suspended.
Account Age: This is a key one! To transfer or receive points, an account needs to have been open for a minimum amount of time:
30 days with qualifying activity: If the account has had any earning or redeeming activity (like a stay, credit card spend, or points purchase) within the last 30 days.
90 days without qualifying activity: If the account has been dormant, it needs to have been open for at least 90 days.
1.2 Recipient's Details
Marriott Bonvoy Member: The recipient must be a Marriott Bonvoy member. You cannot directly gift points to someone who doesn't have an account. If they're not a member, encourage them to sign up – it's free and takes just a few minutes!
Accurate Information: You'll need their exact full name and Marriott Bonvoy member number as it appears on their account. Double-check this to avoid any delays or issues.
Step 2: Understand the Gifting Limits – How Many Points Can You Share?
Marriott Bonvoy has specific limits on how many points you can transfer and how many points a single account can receive within a calendar year. Being aware of these limits upfront will help you plan your generous gift effectively.
2.1 Points You Can Transfer
Maximum per Calendar Year: You can transfer a maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points from your account to other Marriott Bonvoy members within a calendar year (January 1st to December 31st). This is an aggregate total, meaning it applies regardless of whether you transfer all 100,000 points to one person or smaller amounts to multiple people.
Minimum Transfer: Transfers must be a minimum of 1,000 points.
Increments: All transfers must be in increments of 1,000 points. So, you can transfer 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, and so on, up to the 100,000 point maximum.
2.2 Points a Recipient Can Receive
Maximum per Calendar Year: A single Marriott Bonvoy account can receive up to a maximum of 500,000 Marriott Bonvoy points from other member accounts within a calendar year. This is excellent news if you're pooling points with multiple friends or family members for a big redemption!
2.3 Important Note: No Fees!
One of the best aspects of gifting Marriott Bonvoy points? There is no fee for transferring points to another Marriott Bonvoy member's account! This makes it a truly generous and cost-effective way to help someone achieve their travel goals.
Step 3: The Online Transfer Process – Making the Magic Happen
Marriott has made significant strides in simplifying the point transfer process by allowing it to be done entirely online. This is where your thoughtful gesture comes to life!
3.1 Navigate to the Transfer Page
Log In: Start by logging into your own Marriott Bonvoy account on the official Marriott website.
Find the Transfer Section: While the exact navigation might slightly vary over time, generally, you'll want to look for a "Manage Points," "Redeem Points," or "How to Use Points" section. Within that, you should find an option related to "Transfer Points" or "Share Your Points."
Tip: Many users find it easiest to directly access the Marriott Bonvoy point transfer page (a quick Google search for "Marriott Bonvoy transfer points online" usually points you in the right direction!).
3.2 Fill Out the Transfer Form
Once you're on the transfer page, you'll be presented with a simple form to complete.
Your Information: Your account details will likely be pre-filled.
Recipient's Details: This is crucial! Enter the recipient's:
Full Name: Exactly as it appears on their Marriott Bonvoy account.
Marriott Bonvoy Member Number: Double-check these digits carefully.
Transfer Amount: Specify the number of points you wish to transfer. Remember the 1,000-point increment rule.
Review and Confirm: Take a moment to thoroughly review all the information you've entered. Accuracy here is paramount to ensure the points go to the correct person.
3.3 Verify Your Identity
For security purposes, Marriott will typically ask you to verify your identity. This usually involves:
Text Message or Email Code: You'll receive a verification code via text message to the phone number on file or to your email address associated with your Marriott Bonvoy account.
Enter Code: Input this code into the designated field on the website.
3.4 Complete the Transfer
Agree to Terms and Conditions: Read and agree to the terms and conditions for point transfers.
Click "Transfer Now": Once everything is confirmed, hit the "Transfer Now" button.
3.5 Confirmation and Waiting Game (Usually a Short One!)
Confirmation Message: You'll receive a confirmation message on screen that your transfer request has been submitted.
Processing Time: Marriott states that transfers can take up to one hour to process. However, many users report that transfers are often instant. If the recipient doesn't see the points immediately, advise them to log out and then log back into their account.
Step 4: Communicate with the Recipient – Share the Good News!
Once you've initiated the transfer, it's a great idea to let the recipient know!
4.1 The Exciting Announcement
Inform Them: Send them a quick text, email, or even better, give them a call to tell them the good news!
Check Their Account: Encourage them to log into their Marriott Bonvoy account to see the points reflect in their balance. It's a fun moment when they realize their travel dreams are now closer to reality!
4.2 Discussing Redemption Strategies (Optional but Recommended)
Pooling for a Bigger Stay: If you're contributing to a larger pool of points for a significant redemption (like the "Stay for 5, Pay for 4" benefit), discuss how those points will be used to maximize their value.
Elite Status Benefits: If the recipient has higher Marriott Bonvoy elite status, it's generally best for them to make the booking from their account, as they'll be able to utilize their elite benefits (like free breakfast, upgrades, or late checkout). Points transferred to their account will enable this.
By following these steps, you'll be able to successfully gift Marriott Bonvoy points and bring a smile to someone's face, opening up a world of travel possibilities!
Frequently Asked Questions about Gifting Marriott Bonvoy Points
Here are 10 common questions about gifting Marriott Bonvoy points, with quick and helpful answers:
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another member? You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another member online by logging into your account, navigating to the "Transfer Points" section, entering the recipient's name and member number, specifying the amount (in 1,000-point increments), and confirming the transfer.
How to gift Marriott points to a family member? Gifting to a family member follows the same process as gifting to any other Marriott Bonvoy member: ensure both accounts are eligible (age and activity), gather their exact name and member number, and complete the transfer online.
How to find the Marriott Bonvoy points transfer page online? After logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the official Marriott website, look for sections like "Manage Points" or "How to Use Points/Certificates," and you should find a link for "Transfer Points" or "Share your Points."
How to know if I can transfer Marriott points? You can transfer Marriott points if your account has been open for at least 30 days with qualifying activity, or 90 days without activity. There are also annual limits on how many points you can transfer (100,000) and receive (500,000).
How to confirm a Marriott Bonvoy points transfer was successful? You'll receive an on-screen confirmation message after completing the transfer. The recipient should also see the points reflected in their account balance, usually within an hour, often instantly, after logging out and back in.
How to avoid fees when gifting Marriott points? There are no fees charged by Marriott Bonvoy for transferring points between member accounts, so you automatically avoid any charges when gifting points this way.
How to ensure the recipient receives elite benefits on a gifted stay? For the recipient to receive their own elite benefits (like free breakfast or upgrades), it's best to transfer the points to their Marriott Bonvoy account and have them book the stay directly using their own points and status.
How to gift Marriott points to a non-member? You cannot directly gift Marriott Bonvoy points to a non-member. The recipient must have an active Marriott Bonvoy account. Encourage them to sign up for a free account first, and then you can transfer points to them.
How to know the maximum number of points I can gift in a year? You can gift up to a maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points from your account to other members within a single calendar year (January 1st to December 31st).
How to resolve an issue with a Marriott points transfer? If you encounter any issues or the points don't appear after a reasonable waiting period (e.g., a few hours), contact Marriott Bonvoy Customer Service directly. Have your account details, the recipient's details, and the transfer date/amount ready.
