The Ultimate Guide to Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points to Another Person
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you're just a few thousand Marriott Bonvoy points shy of that dream redemption? Or perhaps a friend or family member needs a boost to book their perfect getaway, and you have an abundance of points sitting in your account? The good news is, Marriott Bonvoy offers a fantastic, and free, way to transfer points between members!
This detailed guide will walk you through the process, helping you consolidate points for that incredible award stay or empower someone else's travel dreams. Let's get started, shall we?
Step 1: Are You Ready to Share the Bonvoy Love? Understand the Eligibility Requirements
Before you dive into transferring points, it's crucial to understand the rules. Marriott has some specific criteria both the sender and receiver must meet. Don't skip this step, as it can save you a lot of hassle later!
Account Age Matters: Both the Marriott Bonvoy account transferring points and the account receiving points must meet certain age requirements:
If the account has had qualifying activity (earning or redeeming points), it must have been open for a minimum of 30 days.
If the account has had no qualifying activity, it must have been open for at least 90 days.
What counts as qualifying activity? Earning points from a stay, redeeming points for an award night, or even purchasing points.
Minimum Transfer Amount: You must transfer a minimum of 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Transfer Increments: All point transfers must be in increments of 1,000 points. So, you can transfer 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, and so on, but not 1,500 or 2,345 points.
Annual Transfer Limits (Sender): As the sender, you can transfer a maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year to other Marriott 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.
Annual Receive Limits (Receiver): As the receiver, you can receive a maximum of 500,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year from other members. This is great news if multiple people want to contribute to your redemption!
No Elite Benefits Transfer: It's important to remember that elite night credit, lifetime status, and free night certificates are non-transferable. Only the points themselves can be moved.
No Fee: One of the best aspects of this program is that there is no fee for transferring points between Marriott Bonvoy members. It's completely free!
Step 2: Accessing the Marriott Bonvoy Points Transfer Tool Online
Gone are the days of needing to call Marriott customer service to transfer points! While calling is still an option, the process is now much more streamlined online.
Sub-heading: Option A: Direct Link (Recommended for Speed)
The fastest way to initiate a transfer is by using the direct Marriott Bonvoy points transfer link.
Navigate to the Transfer Page: Open your web browser and go to the official Marriott Bonvoy points transfer page. You'll typically find this by searching "Marriott Bonvoy transfer points to another member" or directly via a link from the Marriott Bonvoy website's "Redeem Points" section.
Log In: You'll be prompted to log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account. Ensure you log in with the account from which you want to send points.
Sub-heading: Option B: Through Your Account (If you prefer to navigate)
If you prefer to find the option within your Marriott Bonvoy account:
Log In to Your Account: Go to the Marriott Bonvoy website (Marriott.com) and log in to your account.
Navigate to "How to Use Points/Certificates": Once logged in, look for a section related to your "Account" or "Profile." You'll usually find an option like "About Marriott Bonvoy" and then "How to Use Points/Certificates."
Find "Share Your Points": Scroll down to the bottom of the "How to Use Points" section. You should see a link or heading that says "Share Your Points" or "Combine Marriott Points." Click on this.
Access the Online Transfer Tool: This will lead you to the "Point Transfer Tool Online." Click on it to proceed.
Step 3: Filling Out the Transfer Form – Precision is Key!
Now you're on the transfer form. This is where you'll input the details for the transfer. Accuracy here is paramount to a successful transfer.
Your Information (Sender): Your Marriott Bonvoy account information (name and membership number) should be pre-filled as the sender. Double-check that this is correct.
Recipient's Information: This is where you enter the details of the person receiving the points:
Recipient's Full Name: Enter their full name exactly as it appears on their Marriott Bonvoy account. Even a slight discrepancy can cause the transfer to fail.
Recipient's Marriott Bonvoy Membership Number: Carefully input their Marriott Bonvoy membership number. This is a crucial identifier.
Amount to Transfer: Enter the number of points you wish to transfer. Remember the rules from Step 1:
Minimum: 1,000 points
Increments: Must be in multiples of 1,000 (e.g., 5,000, 10,000)
Maximum: Up to 100,000 points per calendar year from your account.
Review and Agree to Terms: Carefully review all the information you've entered. Make sure the recipient's name and membership number are absolutely correct. Then, you'll need to tick a box to agree to the terms and conditions of the transfer. It's a good idea to quickly scan these terms if you haven't already.
Initiate Transfer: Click on "Transfer Now" or a similar button to submit your request.
Step 4: Verification and Confirmation – The Final Stretch
For security purposes, Marriott will require you to verify your identity before the transfer is completed.
Security Verification: You will likely receive a verification code via text message to the phone number associated with your Marriott Bonvoy account, or an email to your registered email address.
Enter Verification Code: Enter the code into the provided field on the website.
Confirmation: Once the code is successfully entered, you'll receive a confirmation message indicating that your transfer request has been made.
Sub-heading: What to Expect After Transferring
Transfer Time: While Marriott states transfers can take up to an hour, in many cases, they are instantaneous.
Checking Account Balances: Advise the recipient to log out and then log back into their Marriott Bonvoy account to see the updated points balance. Your account will also reflect the deduction.
Troubleshooting: If the points don't appear after an hour or two, try logging out and logging back in. If they still don't show up, it's time to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service (contact details provided in the FAQ section below).
Step 5: Utilizing the Transferred Points – Happy Travels!
Once the points are in the recipient's account, they can be used for any eligible Marriott Bonvoy redemption, including:
Award Stays: Booking free nights at any Marriott Bonvoy participating hotel worldwide. This is often the primary reason for transferring points!
Marriott Bonvoy Moments: Redeeming points for unique, curated experiences.
Transferring to Airline Miles: While generally not recommended due to less favorable conversion rates compared to direct airline transfers from flexible points currencies (like Amex Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards), this is an option if needed.
Remember, if the transfer was done to consolidate points for an award stay, the person with higher Marriott Bonvoy elite status should ideally book the reservation to maximize benefits like free breakfast, room upgrades, and late checkout.
Related FAQ Questions:
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to Marriott Bonvoy points transfers, with quick answers:
How to Check My Marriott Bonvoy Points Balance?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott.com or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your current points balance will be prominently displayed on your account summary page.
How to Find My Marriott Bonvoy Membership Number?
Your membership number is displayed on your account summary page after you log in to Marriott.com or the Marriott Bonvoy app. It's usually a 9-digit number.
How to Ensure a Successful Marriott Point Transfer?
Double-check the recipient's full name and Marriott Bonvoy membership number for exact accuracy. Ensure both accounts meet the age requirements (30 days with activity, 90 days without). Transfer in increments of 1,000 points.
How to Transfer Marriott Points if the Online Tool Isn't Working?
If you encounter issues with the online transfer tool, you can call Marriott Bonvoy Customer Service. In India, you can call 1800 258 2555. For other regions, find your local number on the Marriott Bonvoy "Loyalty Customer Support" page.
How to Transfer Marriott Points to an Airline Partner?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to various airline partners directly from your Marriott Bonvoy account online. Navigate to the "Redeem Points" section and look for "Transfer Points to Miles." Note that conversion rates vary by airline.
How to Transfer Marriott Points to a Spouse or Family Member?
The process is the same as transferring to any other member. You'll need their full name and Marriott Bonvoy membership number, and both accounts must meet the eligibility criteria. There's no requirement for the recipient to be a family member.
How to Track the Status of a Marriott Points Transfer?
Once you complete the transfer online, you'll receive a confirmation message. The points are often instant, but if not, check your account and the recipient's account after an hour or two. If they haven't appeared, contact customer service.
How to Cancel a Marriott Points Transfer?
Once a Marriott Bonvoy points transfer is initiated and confirmed, it is generally final and irreversible. Double-check all details before confirming the transfer.
How to Earn More Marriott Bonvoy Points to Transfer?
You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points by staying at Marriott hotels, using Marriott co-branded credit cards, transferring points from partners like American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards (though typically not recommended for value), participating in promotions, and referring friends.
How to Contact Marriott Bonvoy Customer Service for Points-Related Queries?
For Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Points inquiries, you can call +1 (801) 468-4000 (US/Canada). For general customer service in India, the number is 1800 258 2555. You can also find global contact numbers on the Marriott Bonvoy website's "Help" or "Contact Us" sections.
