Thinking about that dream vacation or helping a friend get closer to a free night at a luxurious Marriott property? Transferring Marriott Bonvoy points can be a fantastic way to unlock incredible travel experiences. But like any good strategy, it comes with a few rules and steps to ensure a smooth process.
Ready to dive in and learn how to master the art of Marriott Bonvoy point transfers? Let's get started!
How to Transfer Points in Marriott Bonvoy: Your Complete Guide
Marriott Bonvoy offers two primary ways to transfer points: to another Marriott Bonvoy member or to one of their many airline partners. Both have distinct advantages and processes. We'll walk you through both, step by step!
Step 1: Decide Where Your Points Are Going (and to Whom!)
Before you even log in, it's crucial to know your destination. Are you pooling points with a loved one for a grand stay, or are you looking to convert them into airline miles for a flight? This initial decision will guide your entire process.
Option A: Transferring to Another Marriott Bonvoy Member
Why do this? This is perfect for families or friends who want to combine their points to reach a higher-tier redemption (like a free night at a luxury resort) or to simply help someone top off their account for an upcoming stay.
Key considerations: You'll need the recipient's full name and Marriott Bonvoy member number, exactly as they appear on their account. There are also specific limits and account activity requirements.
Option B: Transferring to an Airline Partner
Why do this? If you've got a specific flight redemption in mind and airline miles are scarce, converting your Marriott Bonvoy points can be an excellent alternative. Marriott has a vast network of airline partners!
Key considerations: The transfer ratio is typically 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 airline mile, with a bonus of 5,000 miles for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred to most partners. United MileagePlus is a preferred partner, offering a 10,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Bonvoy points transferred. Transfer times can vary, so plan ahead.
Once you have your recipient or airline in mind, you're ready for the next step.
Step 2: Understanding the Rules of the Game
Marriott Bonvoy has some important guidelines for point transfers. Familiarizing yourself with these before you initiate a transfer can save you time and frustration.
Sub-heading: Rules for Member-to-Member Transfers
Minimum Transfer: You must transfer a minimum of 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Increments: All transfers must be in increments of 1,000 points.
Annual Transfer Limit (Sender): You can transfer a maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year (January 1st to December 31st) from your account to other Marriott members. This is a combined total, meaning it doesn't matter if you send all 100,000 to one person or smaller amounts to multiple people.
Annual Receive Limit (Recipient): A member can receive a maximum of 500,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year from other members.
Account Activity Requirement: Both the sending and receiving Marriott Bonvoy accounts must have been active for:
30 days with qualifying activity (earning or redeeming points), OR
90 days without any qualifying activity.
No Fees! One of the best parts: Marriott Bonvoy does not charge any fees for transferring points between members.
Sub-heading: Rules for Transfers to Airline Partners
Transfer Ratio: Generally, 3 Marriott Bonvoy points = 1 airline mile.
Bonus Miles: For most airline partners, you'll receive an additional 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer.
United MileagePlus Bonus: If you transfer to United MileagePlus, you get an even better bonus: 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred.
Minimum Transfer: Minimum transfer amounts vary by airline but are typically low (e.g., 400 points to some partners, though it's always worth checking for the specific airline).
Maximum Transfer: You can typically transfer up to 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per day to airlines.
Name Match: Your name on your Marriott Bonvoy account must exactly match your name on your airline loyalty program account for the transfer to be successful.
Finality: Once points are transferred to an airline, they cannot be transferred back to Marriott Bonvoy.
Step 3: The Step-by-Step Process for Member-to-Member Transfers
Gone are the days of needing to call Marriott to transfer points! The process is now much more convenient online.
Sub-heading: Transferring Points Online
Log in to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account: Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com) and log in to your account (the one from which you want to send points).
Navigate to the Transfer Points Page:
You can often find this by going to your account dashboard, looking for "Manage Points" or "Use Points," and then finding an option like "Transfer Points" or "Share Points."
Pro Tip: The quickest way is often to use the direct transfer link, which Marriott provides. (A quick search for "Marriott Bonvoy transfer points to another member" should lead you there if you can't find it easily within your account).
Enter Recipient Details:
You will be prompted to enter the full name of the recipient and their Marriott Bonvoy member number. Double-check for accuracy! Any discrepancy could delay or reject the transfer.
Specify Transfer Amount: Enter the number of points you wish to transfer. Remember the 1,000-point minimum and 1,000-point increments.
Verify Your Identity: For security reasons, Marriott will likely ask you to verify your identity, often via a text message to your registered phone number or an email to your registered email address. Enter the code as prompted.
Review and Confirm: Carefully review all the details: recipient's name, member number, and the number of points.
Agree to Terms and Conditions: Tick the box to agree to Marriott Bonvoy's terms and conditions for point transfers.
Initiate Transfer: Click "Transfer Now" or a similar button to complete the request.
Sub-heading: What to Expect After Transferring
Processing Time: While Marriott states transfers can take up to 24 hours, many are instant. Your recipient might need to log out and back in to see the updated balance.
Confirmation: You should receive a confirmation message on screen and potentially an email confirming your transfer request.
Step 4: The Step-by-Step Process for Transfers to Airline Partners
Transferring to an airline partner is also a straightforward online process.
Log in to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account: Head to marriott.com and log in.
Navigate to the "Redeem Points" Section: Look for "Redeem Points" or "Use Points" in your account menu.
Select "Flights" or "Transfer Points to Airline Miles": Under the redemption options, you'll find a section for airline partners.
Choose Your Airline Partner: Select the specific airline loyalty program you wish to transfer your points to from the extensive list.
Enter Airline Loyalty Number: If you haven't already linked your airline loyalty account to your Marriott Bonvoy profile, you'll need to enter your frequent flyer number for that specific airline. Ensure the name on both accounts matches!
Enter Amount to Transfer: Input the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you want to convert. The system will typically show you the corresponding number of airline miles you'll receive, including any applicable bonuses. Remember the 3:1 ratio and the 60,000-point bonus thresholds.
Review and Confirm: Double-check the airline, your frequent flyer number, and the number of points/miles.
Agree to Terms and Conditions: Accept the terms and conditions.
Complete Transfer: Finalize the transfer request.
Sub-heading: What to Expect After Transferring to Airlines
Processing Time: Marriott's terms state that transfers to airlines generally take about a week, though some can be faster. This is a critical point to remember, especially if you're trying to book a time-sensitive award flight.
Irreversibility: As mentioned, once points are transferred to an airline, they cannot be transferred back to your Marriott Bonvoy account. Make sure you're certain about your redemption!
Step 5: Post-Transfer Considerations and Maximizing Value
Congratulations, your points are on their way! Now, let's think about a few important details.
Sub-heading: Point Expiration and Activity
Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 months of inactivity. This means if there's no qualifying earning or redeeming activity on your account for 24 consecutive months, your points will be forfeited.
Does transferring points count as activity? Receiving or gifting Marriott Bonvoy points to another member does NOT prevent your points from expiring. However, transferring points to an airline partner DOES count as qualifying activity and resets your 24-month clock.
To avoid expiration, make sure you have some form of qualifying activity on your account every two years (e.g., a paid stay, redeeming points for a stay, earning points with a co-branded credit card, or transferring to an airline partner).
Sub-heading: Strategic Transfer Tips
Combine and Conquer: Member-to-member transfers are invaluable for combining points with family or friends to book higher-value redemptions that individually you might not be able to afford.
Airline Transfer Bonuses: Keep an eye out for occasional transfer bonuses from Marriott to specific airlines. These limited-time offers can significantly increase the value of your transfer!
Avoid Speculative Transfers: Unless there's a fantastic transfer bonus, it's generally best to only transfer points to an airline when you have a specific flight redemption in mind. Points are more flexible within the Marriott ecosystem, and once converted to airline miles, they are subject to that airline's rules and potential devaluations.
Value Assessment: Before transferring to an airline, do a quick calculation. Is the value you're getting from the airline miles (e.g., for a premium cabin redemption) greater than the value you'd get from using those Marriott Bonvoy points for a hotel stay? This helps you maximize your rewards.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some common questions about transferring Marriott Bonvoy points:
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
You can check your Marriott Bonvoy points balance by logging into your account on the Marriott Bonvoy website or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your current points total will be prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to find my Marriott Bonvoy member number?
Your Marriott Bonvoy member number is typically displayed on your account dashboard when you log in to the Marriott Bonvoy website or mobile app. It's usually a 9-digit number.
How to ensure my name matches for airline transfers?
Before transferring to an airline, double-check that the exact full name registered on your Marriott Bonvoy account matches the exact full name on your airline frequent flyer account. Minor discrepancies can cause transfer failures. If they don't match, you may need to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service or the airline to correct it before initiating the transfer.
How to reverse a Marriott Bonvoy point transfer?
You cannot reverse a Marriott Bonvoy point transfer once it has been completed. Transfers are final, whether to another member or to an airline partner. This is why it's crucial to double-check all details before confirming.
How to transfer points if I'm short on the minimum?
If you're slightly short on the minimum transfer amount (e.g., 1,000 points for member-to-member), you'll need to earn additional points. This could be through a Marriott stay, using a Marriott co-branded credit card, or even purchasing a small amount of points if permitted by Marriott.
How to transfer points from a closed Marriott account?
You generally cannot transfer points from a closed Marriott Bonvoy account. If an account is closed, any unredeemed points are typically forfeited immediately. It's essential to transfer or redeem points before closing an account.
How to use transferred points for a booking?
Once the points appear in the recipient's Marriott Bonvoy account (for member-to-member transfers) or the airline's loyalty account (for airline transfers), they are immediately available for use like any other points. Simply proceed with your desired hotel or flight booking through the respective program's website.
How to find out which airlines are Marriott Bonvoy partners?
You can find a comprehensive list of Marriott Bonvoy's airline transfer partners on the Marriott Bonvoy website, typically within the "Redeem Points" or "Transfer Points to Airline Miles" section.
How to deal with delayed point transfers?
While many transfers are quick, some can take longer. If your points haven't appeared within the stated timeframe (e.g., 24 hours for member-to-member, up to a week for airlines), first try logging out and back into the account. If they're still missing, contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service with your transfer confirmation details.
How to avoid common transfer mistakes?
To avoid common mistakes:
Verify recipient details: Ensure the full name and member number are exact for member-to-member transfers.
Check name match: For airline transfers, confirm your name is identical on both accounts.
Understand limits and increments: Stick to the minimums, maximums, and increment requirements.
Be aware of transfer times: Don't transfer last minute for time-sensitive redemptions, especially to airlines.
Know the rules: Familiarize yourself with the terms for both types of transfers.
