Sharing the Wealth: A Comprehensive Guide to Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points to Another Person
Ever found yourself in a situation where you have a surplus of Marriott Bonvoy points, but a friend or family member is just a little short of booking that dream vacation? Or perhaps you're pooling points for a grand family reunion trip? Good news! Marriott Bonvoy, with its flexible program, allows members to transfer points to another person. This can be incredibly useful, unlocking redemptions that might otherwise be out of reach.
So, are you ready to become a points-transferring superhero? Let's dive in!
Understanding the Basics Before You Begin
Before we jump into the step-by-step process, it's crucial to understand a few key rules and considerations that Marriott Bonvoy has in place for point transfers:
Relationship Requirement: The points can generally be transferred to any other Marriott Bonvoy member. There's no requirement for the recipient to be a family member, though it's often used for this purpose.
Minimum Transfer Amount: You can only transfer points in increments of 1,000 points.
Annual Transfer Limits:
Sender Limit: A member can transfer up to a maximum of 100,000 points per calendar year from their account. This is the total amount you can send out, regardless of how many different people you send them to.
Recipient Limit: A member can receive up to a maximum of 500,000 points per calendar year from other accounts.
Account Age Requirement: Both the sending and receiving Marriott Bonvoy accounts must meet certain age criteria:
With activity: If the account has had qualifying activity (like a hotel stay or credit card spend) within the last year, it needs to have been open for at least 30 days.
Without activity: If there has been no qualifying activity, the account must have been open for at least 90 days.
No Fees (Generally): Great news! As of my last update, Marriott Bonvoy generally does not charge a fee for transferring points between member accounts. However, always double-check the official Marriott Bonvoy terms and conditions, as policies can change.
Irreversible Transfers: Once points are transferred, they cannot be reversed. Be absolutely certain of your recipient and the amount before confirming the transfer.
Elite Night Credits and Status: Only points are transferred. Elite Night Credits and Elite Membership Status do not transfer with the points.
Step 1: Engage and Prepare – Do You Qualify for a Transfer?
Before you even think about logging in, let's quickly determine if you and your recipient meet the fundamental requirements. This will save you time and potential frustration.
Do you have enough points to transfer? Remember, it needs to be in increments of 1,000 points.
Is your Marriott Bonvoy account in good standing? This means no overdue payments or other issues.
Has your account been open for at least 30 days with activity, or 90 days without activity?
Does the recipient also have a Marriott Bonvoy account? If not, they'll need to join (it's free!).
Does their account also meet the age requirement (30/90 days)?
Do you know their full name (exactly as it appears on their Marriott Bonvoy account) and their Marriott Bonvoy membership number? This is critical for a successful transfer!
If you answered "yes" to all of these, fantastic! You're ready to proceed to the next step. If not, take a moment to address any outstanding issues (e.g., recipient needs to sign up, wait for account age requirement, etc.) before moving forward.
Step 2: Accessing the Marriott Bonvoy Transfer Tool
Marriott Bonvoy has made the process of transferring points significantly easier in recent times by offering an online tool. No more calling customer service (unless you prefer to, or encounter an issue!).
Sub-heading 2.1: Logging into Your Account
Open your preferred web browser and navigate to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com).
Locate the "Sign In" button, usually found in the top right corner of the page.
Carefully enter your Marriott Bonvoy Member Number or Email Address and your Password.
Click "Sign In."
Sub-heading 2.2: Finding the "Transfer Points" Option
Once you're successfully logged into your account, you'll need to navigate to the correct section. The exact wording or location might vary slightly with website updates, but generally, you'll find it under:
Look for a section related to your "Account," "My Account," or "Manage Points." This is often accessible from a dropdown menu after clicking your name or member icon.
Within that section, search for an option like "Use Points," "Redeem Points," "Share Your Points," or "Transfer Points." Many users report finding it under "Manage Points" or directly on the "How to Use Points/Certificates" page, often by scrolling down to "Share Your Points."
Alternatively, a direct link to the point transfer tool might be available on official Marriott Bonvoy help pages or member forums. Using a direct link can often be the quickest way to get there.
Step 3: Initiating the Transfer Request
Once you've found the "Transfer Points" tool, you'll be presented with a form to fill out.
Sub-heading 3.1: Entering Recipient Information
You will be prompted to provide the recipient's details. This typically includes:
Recipient's Full Name: Ensure this matches exactly what is on their Marriott Bonvoy account. A mismatch can cause the transfer to fail.
Recipient's Marriott Bonvoy Membership Number: Double-check this for accuracy.
Sub-heading 3.2: Specifying the Transfer Amount
You will then enter the number of points you wish to transfer.
Remember the golden rule: Points must be transferred in increments of 1,000. If you try to enter an amount like 5,500, the system will likely prompt you to correct it.
Keep in mind your annual transfer limit of 100,000 points. The system should ideally prevent you from exceeding this, but it's good to be aware.
Sub-heading 3.3: Review and Confirmation
Before finalizing, the system will present a summary of your transfer request. Take a moment to meticulously review all the details:
Your name and membership number.
Recipient's name and membership number.
The exact number of points being transferred.
You will likely be asked to agree to the terms and conditions of the point transfer. Read them carefully, especially regarding the irreversible nature of the transfer.
Marriott Bonvoy might implement an additional security step, such as sending a verification code to your registered email address or phone number. Be prepared to enter this code to authorize the transfer.
Step 4: Completing the Transfer and What to Expect
Once you've reviewed and confirmed, the process is almost complete!
Sub-heading 4.1: Submitting Your Request
Click the "Confirm" or "Submit" button to finalize your point transfer request.
You should receive a confirmation message on the screen, and often an email confirmation to your registered email address.
Sub-heading 4.2: Processing Time
Marriott Bonvoy states that transferred points should typically appear in the recipient's account within 24 hours.
In some cases, transfers can be almost instant, while others might take a bit longer. It's always a good idea for both the sender and recipient to check their account activity after a few hours and then again after 24 hours.
Sub-heading 4.3: Troubleshooting (If Needed)
Points not appearing after 24 hours? First, log out of your Marriott Bonvoy account and log back in. Sometimes a simple refresh is all that's needed. Ask the recipient to do the same.
Still no points? If the points haven't appeared after a reasonable timeframe (e.g., 48 hours), or if you received an error message during the transfer, it's time to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer support. Have your membership number, the recipient's membership number, and details of the attempted transfer ready.
Why Transfer Marriott Bonvoy Points?
Transferring points can be a strategic move for several reasons:
To top off an account for a specific redemption: Your friend needs 5,000 more points for that free night? A quick transfer can make it happen.
Combining points for a larger award: Planning a luxurious stay that requires a significant number of points? Combine resources with a partner or family member.
Utilizing expiring points: While Marriott Bonvoy points generally expire after 24 months of inactivity, a transfer counts as activity for the sender, potentially extending the life of their points. However, ensure the recipient also uses or earns points to keep their account active.
Gifting travel experiences: A wonderful way to treat someone to a special trip!
Remember, understanding the rules and following these steps will make your Marriott Bonvoy point transfer a smooth and successful experience. Happy travels!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions to further assist you:
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy point balance? You can easily check your Marriott Bonvoy point balance by logging into your account on the Marriott Bonvoy website or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your current point total will be prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to join Marriott Bonvoy? You can join the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program for free by visiting the Marriott Bonvoy website and clicking on the "Join Now" or "Sign Up" option. Follow the simple prompts to create your new membership account.
How to find a Marriott Bonvoy membership number? Your Marriott Bonvoy membership number is typically displayed on your account dashboard after you log in to the Marriott Bonvoy website or mobile app. It's also usually included in emails from Marriott Bonvoy regarding your account.
How to know if my Marriott Bonvoy account is active? Your Marriott Bonvoy account is considered active if you have earned or redeemed points, or made a qualifying stay, within the last 24 months. You can see your recent activity in your account history online.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to an airline partner? Transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to an airline partner is a different process than transferring to another person. You typically do this via the "Redeem Points" or "Flights" section on the Marriott Bonvoy website, where you select the airline program and the amount of points to convert to miles. Note that conversion rates vary and transfers are generally irreversible.
How to combine two Marriott Bonvoy accounts for myself? If you have multiple Marriott Bonvoy accounts under your own name, you can request to combine them into a single account. Marriott Bonvoy has a specific online form or you may need to call customer service for this process.
How to cancel a Marriott Bonvoy point transfer? Once initiated and confirmed, Marriott Bonvoy point transfers to another member are generally final and cannot be cancelled or reversed. This is why careful review before submission is crucial.
How to confirm a successful Marriott Bonvoy point transfer? Both the sender and recipient can confirm a successful transfer by logging into their respective Marriott Bonvoy accounts and checking their "Activity" or "Points History" section. The transferred points should appear there.
How to troubleshoot if Marriott Bonvoy points don't transfer? If points don't appear after 24-48 hours, first log out and back into both accounts. If still unresolved, contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service with both membership numbers and details of the attempted transfer.
How to avoid exceeding Marriott Bonvoy point transfer limits? To avoid exceeding transfer limits, keep track of the total points you send out (100,000 per calendar year) and the total points you receive (500,000 per calendar year). The online transfer tool should ideally alert you if you attempt to exceed these limits.
