Ever wondered if you could combine your Marriott Bonvoy points with a friend or family member to snag that dream vacation? Or perhaps you're just a few thousand points shy of a fantastic redemption and need a top-up? If so, you've landed in the right place! Transferring Marriott Bonvoy points is a powerful tool in a savvy traveler's arsenal, but it comes with some important rules and limits. Let's dive deep into "how many Marriott points you can transfer per year" and everything else you need to know to master this valuable perk!
Unlocking Your Marriott Bonvoy Point Transfer Potential: A Comprehensive Guide
Marriott Bonvoy's program allows members to transfer points to other Bonvoy members, making it incredibly flexible for families, couples, or even friends planning a trip together. Gone are the days of tedious phone calls – this process is now largely streamlined online!
Step 1: Understanding the Core Limits and Rules - Your Foundation for Success
Before you even think about hitting that "transfer" button, it's crucial to grasp the fundamental boundaries Marriott sets for point transfers. Ignoring these can lead to frustration or, worse, losing your valuable points!
Sending Limit (The Giver): You can transfer a maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year from your account to other Marriott Bonvoy members. This is a hard limit on what you can send out, regardless of how many people you send them to.
Receiving Limit (The Receiver): A member can receive up to a maximum of 500,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year from other member accounts. This means someone could theoretically receive points from multiple family members or friends, up to that 500,000 point cap.
Minimum Transfer Amount: You must transfer a minimum of 1,000 points per transaction.
Increment Rule: All transfers must be in increments of 1,000 points. You can't transfer, say, 1,500 points. It has to be 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, and so on.
Account Standing & Activity: Both the sending and receiving Marriott Bonvoy accounts must be in good standing. Furthermore:
Accounts must have been open for at least thirty (30) days with qualifying activity (meaning you've earned or redeemed points).
Alternatively, if there's been no qualifying activity, the accounts must have been open for at least ninety (90) days.
Crucially: If you transfer points to an inactive account that isn't in good standing, those transferred points can be forfeited immediately. Always double-check the recipient's account status!
Transaction Limits: There's also a limit on the number of transactions:
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.
This means if you hit your transaction limit, you won't be able to transfer or receive points until the next month or year, even if you haven't reached your point limits. Plan your transfers wisely!
No Fees: One of the best aspects of transferring Marriott Bonvoy points between members is that there is no fee involved. This is a significant advantage compared to some other loyalty programs.
Step 2: Preparing for a Smooth Transfer - Getting Your Ducks in a Row
Now that you know the rules, let's get ready for the actual transfer process. A little preparation can save you a lot of hassle.
Gather Recipient Information: You will need the exact full name (first and last) and the Marriott Bonvoy member number of the person you wish to transfer points to. Any discrepancy could cause the transfer to fail.
Check Account Balances: Ensure you have enough points in your account to cover the transfer amount.
Verify Account Activity/Age: As mentioned in Step 1, make sure both your account and the recipient's account meet the minimum activity/age requirements. If you're unsure, a quick glance at recent activity in their account (or asking them) can help.
Consider the "Fifth Night Free" Benefit: If you're pooling points for a longer stay, remember Marriott Bonvoy's fantastic "Stay for 5, Pay for 4" benefit. By booking five consecutive nights on points, the lowest point-value night is free! This can significantly stretch your combined points.
Step 3: The Step-by-Step Online Transfer Process - Making it Happen
Marriott has made the online transfer process surprisingly straightforward. Forget the old days of long phone calls!
Access the Marriott Bonvoy Transfer Page:
Open your web browser and navigate directly to the Marriott Bonvoy website's points transfer page. You can usually find this by searching "Marriott Bonvoy transfer points" or by looking under the "Redeem Points" or "Manage Points" sections of your Marriott Bonvoy account online.
Direct link (may vary slightly over time, but generally points towards):
https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/redeem/transfer-points/start.mi(It's always a good idea to check the official Marriott Bonvoy website for the most current link.)
Log In to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account:
The system will prompt you to log in with your Marriott Bonvoy email or member number and password. Ensure you are logged into the account FROM which you wish to transfer points.
Enter Recipient Details:
On the transfer page, you'll see fields to input the recipient's information:
First Name (exactly as on their Marriott Bonvoy account)
Last Name (exactly as on their Marriott Bonvoy account)
Marriott Bonvoy Member Number (double-check this for accuracy!)
You'll also need to input the number of points you wish to transfer. Remember the minimum of 1,000 and increments of 1,000.
Review and Confirm:
Carefully review all the details you've entered. An incorrect member number or name could lead to issues.
You'll be required to check a box agreeing to the terms and conditions. It's always a good practice to quickly skim these, especially regarding the finality of the transfer.
Verify Your Identity:
For security purposes, Marriott will typically send a verification code to your registered email address or phone number.
Enter this code into the provided field on the website.
Submit the Transfer:
Once verified, click "Transfer Now" or the equivalent button.
You should receive a confirmation message on the screen, summarizing the transfer details. An email confirmation will usually follow as well.
Step 4: What to Expect After Transferring - The Waiting Game (Often Short!)
Speed of Transfer: While Marriott states transfers can take up to an hour (or sometimes longer in their official terms, even up to a week for airline partners), transfers between Marriott Bonvoy members are often near-instantaneous. Many users report seeing the points appear in the recipient's account within minutes.
Check Recipient's Account: Advise the recipient to log out and then back into their Marriott Bonvoy account if the points don't appear immediately. This can sometimes refresh the balance.
Confirmation Email: Both the sender and receiver may receive email confirmations of the transfer.
Irreversible: Once points are transferred, they are final. You cannot reverse the transaction, so be absolutely certain before you initiate it.
Why Transfer Marriott Bonvoy Points? Common Scenarios
Pooling Points for a Big Redemption: This is arguably the most common and beneficial reason. If you and your travel companions have separate point stashes, combining them allows you to book higher-value awards, longer stays, or more luxurious properties that might be out of reach for individual balances.
Maximizing Elite Status Benefits: If one member of your travel party holds a higher Marriott Bonvoy elite status (e.g., Platinum, Titanium, Ambassador), transferring points to their account to make the booking allows everyone on that reservation to potentially benefit from perks like complimentary breakfast, lounge access, enhanced room upgrades, and late checkout.
Preventing Point Expiration: Marriott Bonvoy points typically expire after 24 months of inactivity. If a friend or family member has points nearing expiration and no immediate travel plans, transferring them to your active account (or another active account) can save those points from being forfeited. However, ensure their account meets the activity requirements for transferring.
Gifting Points for a Special Occasion: Want to give the gift of travel? Transferring points is a fantastic way to do so without buying gift cards.
10 Related FAQ Questions: How To Edition
Here are some quick answers to common questions about Marriott Bonvoy point transfers:
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on the official website or through the Marriott Bonvoy app. Your current points balance will be prominently displayed on your dashboard.
How to ensure a smooth Marriott Bonvoy point transfer?
Double-check the recipient's full name and Marriott Bonvoy member number for exact accuracy. Confirm both accounts meet the age/activity requirements.
How to avoid losing points during a transfer?
Never transfer points to an inactive Marriott Bonvoy account or one that is not in good standing. Ensure the recipient's account has had qualifying activity or has been open for at least 90 days without activity.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points if the online tool isn't working?
While the online tool is preferred, you can still call Marriott Bonvoy Member Support to request a points transfer. Be prepared to provide verification details for both accounts.
How to know if my Marriott Bonvoy account is "in good standing"?
Generally, if you can log in, earn points, and redeem points without issue, your account is in good standing. If you have concerns, contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service.
How to use transferred Marriott Bonvoy points for a hotel stay?
Once the points appear in the recipient's account, they can use them like any other earned points to book free nights directly through the Marriott Bonvoy website or app.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to airline miles instead of another member?
Marriott Bonvoy also allows transfers to numerous airline partners. You'll find this option under the "Redeem Points" section, typically labeled "Points to Miles." Note that these transfers have different ratios and terms (usually 3 Marriott points to 1 airline mile, with bonuses for transferring 60,000 points).
How to combine multiple small point balances into one Marriott Bonvoy account?
Each person with a small balance can initiate a transfer of their points (up to 100,000 per year) to the desired central account (which can receive up to 500,000 points per year).
How to know if a Marriott Bonvoy transfer counts towards the monthly/annual transaction limit?
Both sending and receiving points count as a "transaction." So, if you send points to one person, that's one transaction for you. If someone sends points to you, that's also one transaction for you. Remember the limits of 2 per month and 6 per year.
How to determine the best strategy for transferring Marriott Bonvoy points for a family trip?
Identify the family member with the highest elite status. Consolidate points into their account (up to the 500,000 annual receive limit) to leverage their benefits for the entire stay. Also, aim to book in increments of 5 nights to maximize the "Stay for 5, Pay for 4" benefit.
