Your Guide to Seamless Marriott Bonvoy Point Sharing!
Have you ever found yourself just a few thousand points short of that dream Marriott stay? Or perhaps you're planning a trip with family or friends, and pooling your Marriott Bonvoy points would make all the difference for a luxurious upgrade or an extra night? You're in the right place! Sharing Marriott Bonvoy points is a fantastic way to maximize your loyalty benefits and make those coveted award stays a reality.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about transferring your Marriott Bonvoy points to another member, ensuring a smooth and successful transaction. Let's unlock the full potential of your points together!
Step 1: Understand the Marriott Bonvoy Point Transfer Policy - Are You Eligible?
Before you even think about hitting that transfer button, it's crucial to understand the rules. Marriott Bonvoy has specific guidelines to ensure fair and secure point transfers. Let's break them down:
Sub-heading: Eligibility Requirements for Both Parties
Active Accounts: Both the sender and the recipient's Marriott Bonvoy accounts must be in good standing. This means no suspicious activity or violations of the program terms and conditions.
Account Age: Both accounts involved in the transfer need to have been open for a certain period:
30 days with qualifying activity: If you've earned or redeemed points in that time.
90 days without qualifying activity: If your account has been inactive.
This helps prevent fraudulent point transfers.
Sub-heading: Transfer Limits and Increments
Marriott has clear limits on how many points you can send and receive:
Minimum Transfer: You must transfer a minimum of 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Transfer Increments: All transfers must be in increments of 1,000 points. So, you can transfer 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 points, and so on. You cannot transfer 1,500 or 7,113 points.
Maximum Points to Transfer (Sender): A member can transfer up to a maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year to other members. This is a combined total, meaning it doesn't matter if you send all 100,000 to one person or split it among several.
Maximum Points to Receive (Recipient): A member can receive up to a maximum of 500,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year from other member accounts.
Transaction Limits:
A maximum of two (2) transfer transactions (giving or receiving) per month.
A maximum of six (6) transfer transactions (giving or receiving) per calendar year.
These limits apply to both sending and receiving points.
Sub-heading: Is There a Fee?
Good news! Marriott does not charge a fee for transferring points to another Marriott Bonvoy member's account. This makes it an incredibly valuable perk!
Step 2: Gather Necessary Information - Be Prepared!
To ensure a smooth transfer, have the following details ready for both your account and the recipient's:
Sub-heading: Your Information (the Sender)
Your Marriott Bonvoy Member Number: This is essential for logging into your account and initiating the transfer.
Your Account Credentials: Your username and password for marriott.com.
Contact Information: Marriott may use your registered email or phone number for verification purposes.
Sub-heading: Recipient's Information
Recipient's Full Name: This must match exactly as it appears on their Marriott Bonvoy account. Even a minor discrepancy can cause issues.
Recipient's Marriott Bonvoy Member Number: Double-check this number to ensure accuracy. Sending points to the wrong account is a headache you want to avoid!
Recipient's Email Address: This is often used for confirmation and security.
Step 3: Initiate the Transfer Online - The Easiest Method!
Marriott has made the process of transferring points much easier by allowing it to be done online. Gone are the days of long phone calls!
Sub-heading: Accessing the Transfer Tool
Log In: Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com) and log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account (the account from which you want to send points).
Navigate to the Transfer Page: While the exact path might vary slightly with website updates, you generally look for "My Account," "My Points," "Use Points," or similar sections. A quick way to get there is to use the specific Marriott Bonvoy "Points Transfer" tool, which you can often find by searching on the Marriott website or by looking for options related to "Transfer Points" within your account dashboard. You might even be prompted to log in again if you navigate directly to the transfer page.
Tip: Some users have reported issues with the mobile app for transfers. If you encounter problems, try using a desktop web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, Safari) and consider trying an incognito/private Browse window.
Sub-heading: Completing the Transfer Form
Once you're on the transfer page, you'll see a form to fill out.
Enter Recipient Details: Carefully input the recipient's full name and Marriott Bonvoy member number. Remember, accuracy is key here.
Specify Transfer Amount: Enter the number of points you wish to transfer. Remember the 1,000-point minimum and 1,000-point increments. The system will usually show your current point balance so you can decide how many to send.
Review and Confirm: Take a moment to double-check all the information you've entered. Confirm the recipient's details and the exact number of points.
Agree to Terms and Conditions: Read and agree to Marriott's terms and conditions for point transfers.
Initiate Transfer: Click the "Transfer Now" or similar button to submit your request.
Sub-heading: Identity Verification
As an added layer of security, Marriott will likely ask you to verify your identity. This usually involves:
Text Message (SMS): A code sent to your registered phone number.
Email: A verification link or code sent to your registered email address.
Enter the verification code on the subsequent screen to complete the process.
Step 4: Confirmation and Processing Time - What to Expect Next?
You've done it! Now, it's time to wait for the points to reflect in the recipient's account.
Sub-heading: Confirmation Message
You should receive an on-screen confirmation message that your transfer request has been made.
You might also receive an email confirmation of the transfer.
Sub-heading: Point Transfer Timeline
Marriott states that transfers can take up to one hour to process.
However, in reality, many transfers are instant or reflect within minutes.
If the recipient doesn't see the points immediately, advise them to log out and then log back into their Marriott Bonvoy account to refresh the balance.
If points are still not reflected after 24 hours, it's time to contact Marriott Bonvoy Member Support (see Step 5).
Step 5: Troubleshooting and Support - When Things Go Wrong
While the online transfer process is generally smooth, sometimes issues can arise. Don't panic!
Sub-heading: Common Issues and Solutions
Error Message During Transfer:
Check the increment: Ensure you are transferring in increments of 1,000 points (e.g., not 7,113 points, but 7,000 or 8,000).
Verify names: The recipient's name must match exactly what's on their Marriott Bonvoy account.
Try a different browser: If you're on the app, try the desktop website. If on desktop, try a different browser or incognito mode.
Account activity: Ensure both accounts meet the 30-day (with activity) or 90-day (without activity) requirement.
Points Not Showing Up:
Have the recipient log out and back in.
Wait a full 24 hours.
Sub-heading: Contacting Marriott Bonvoy Member Support
If you've waited and the points still haven't appeared, or if you encounter persistent errors, it's time to reach out to Marriott Bonvoy Member Support.
Phone: This is often the most effective method for transfer issues. Have your member number and the recipient's member number ready.
Within India: You can find the specific customer service number for Marriott Bonvoy on the Marriott India website.
International/General Number: +1-800-627-7468 (This is a common general support number).
Online Chat/Email: You may be able to find chat or email support options on the Marriott Bonvoy website under the "Help" or "Contact Us" sections. Be prepared to provide all necessary details.
When contacting support, be clear and concise:
State that you initiated a point transfer.
Provide your member number and the recipient's member number.
Specify the date and approximate time of the transfer, and the amount of points.
Explain the issue you're facing.
Step 6: Enjoy Your Combined Points! - The Reward!
Once the points are successfully transferred, the recipient can now use the combined balance for their desired redemption. This could mean:
Booking a Free Night: Using points for hotel stays.
Upgrading a Stay: Enhancing their experience with a better room or suite.
Marriott Bonvoy Moments: Bidding on unique experiences.
Transferring to Airline Partners: While less common for direct transfers, if the recipient needed points to reach an airline transfer threshold, this could be an option.
Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to Marriott Bonvoy point sharing, with quick answers:
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy point balance?
You can check your Marriott Bonvoy point balance by logging into your account on marriott.com or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your current points will be displayed prominently on your account dashboard.
How to find my Marriott Bonvoy member number?
Your Marriott Bonvoy member number is usually displayed on your account dashboard when you log in to marriott.com or the Marriott Bonvoy app. It's also typically found on any emails or physical mail you receive from Marriott Bonvoy.
How to transfer Marriott points to an airline?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to various airline loyalty programs directly from your Marriott Bonvoy account online. Go to the "Use Points" or "Transfer Points" section and look for "Transfer Points to Miles." Note that a 3:1 ratio usually applies for most airlines, with a bonus for every 60,000 points transferred.
How to combine Marriott Bonvoy accounts?
Marriott Bonvoy allows members to combine two accounts into one. This is typically done if you accidentally created a duplicate account. You'll need to contact Marriott Bonvoy Member Support to initiate an account combination, and they will verify your identity and ensure both accounts belong to the same individual.
How to ensure a successful Marriott point transfer?
To ensure a successful transfer, double-check that both accounts meet the activity/age requirements (30 or 90 days), use the recipient's exact full name and member number, and transfer points in increments of 1,000. Always verify your identity as prompted.
How to buy Marriott Bonvoy points for another person?
You can "gift" Marriott Bonvoy points to another member by purchasing them through the "Buy Points" or "Gift Points" section on marriott.com. You'll need the recipient's name and member number.
How to find the official Marriott point transfer link?
While the exact URL may change, you can often find the official Marriott Bonvoy point transfer tool by logging into your account on marriott.com and navigating to "My Account" -> "Use Points" -> "Transfer Points," or by searching "transfer points" on the Marriott website.
How to get help if my Marriott point transfer fails?
If your Marriott point transfer fails, first re-check all the details you entered. If the issue persists, contact Marriott Bonvoy Member Support by phone. Have your member numbers and transaction details ready for assistance.
How to know if the recipient received the Marriott points?
The recipient can check their Marriott Bonvoy account balance online or via the app. The transferred points should appear in their activity history. You should also receive a confirmation email once the transfer is successfully completed.
How to avoid common errors when transferring Marriott points?
To avoid common errors, always verify the recipient's full name and member number twice. Ensure you are transferring in exact 1,000-point increments, and be aware of the annual and monthly transfer limits. If possible, complete the transaction on a stable internet connection using a desktop browser.
