Traveling is often about experiences, but sometimes, it's also about optimizing those experiences. If you're a Marriott Bonvoy member, you know the power of those points – free nights, upgrades, and incredible stays worldwide. But what if you have more points than you need, or you want to combine forces with a friend or family member for that dream vacation? Or perhaps you're looking to turn those hotel stays into flights? This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about transferring Marriott Bonvoy points, step by step.
Ready to unlock the full potential of your Bonvoy points? Let's dive in!
Understanding Marriott Bonvoy Point Transfers: The Basics
Before we jump into the "how-to," let's grasp the core concepts. Marriott Bonvoy offers a fantastic feature: the ability to transfer points to other members and, crucially, to a vast network of airline partners. Each type of transfer has its own rules and benefits.
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| How To Transfer Marriott Bonvoy Points |
Why Transfer Marriott Bonvoy Points?
There are several compelling reasons you might consider transferring your points:
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Pooling for a Big Redemption: You and a travel companion might each have a decent stash of points, but not quite enough for that luxurious suite you've been eyeing. Transferring points to one account can consolidate them for a single, higher-value redemption.
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Leveraging Elite Status: If one person in your travel group has higher Marriott Bonvoy elite status (e.g., Platinum, Titanium, or Ambassador), it often makes sense to book the stay under their account to enjoy benefits like complimentary breakfast, lounge access, and potential room upgrades. You can transfer points to their account to facilitate this.
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Utilizing the 5th Night Free Benefit: When you book a five-night award stay with points, Marriott Bonvoy gives you the fifth night free. If you have enough points for, say, two nights in one account and two in another, combining them into one can get you that valuable free night.
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Preventing Point Expiration: While transferring points to another member doesn't reset the expiration clock for the recipient's points, if you're the sender and your points are nearing expiration, transferring them out to someone who will use them can prevent them from being lost.
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Converting to Airline Miles: For those who value flight redemptions, transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to airline miles can open up a world of travel possibilities, especially for premium cabin international flights.
Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points to Another Member
This is perhaps the most common type of transfer and is incredibly useful for family and friends traveling together. The good news? Marriott makes this process surprisingly easy and, even better, it's free!
Step 1: Are You Ready to Share the Wealth? Log In and Assess Your Points!
First things first, let's get you logged in. Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com) and sign in to your account. Take a moment to view your current point balance. Do you have enough for what you're planning? Is the recipient's account ready to receive them?
Important Considerations Before You Transfer:
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Account Status: Both the sending and receiving Marriott Bonvoy accounts must be in good standing.
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Account Age: Both accounts involved in the transfer must have been open for at least 30 days with qualifying activity (like earning or redeeming points) or 90 days without any qualifying activity. This helps prevent fraudulent activity.
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Minimum and Increment: You must transfer a minimum of 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, and all transfers must be in increments of 1,000 points.
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Annual Limits:
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You can transfer a maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year from your account.
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You can receive a maximum of 500,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year into your account.
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No Fee: There is no fee to transfer points between Marriott Bonvoy members. This is a huge benefit!
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Online Only (Mostly): While historically you might have needed to call, Marriott now primarily facilitates online transfers between members.
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No Expiration Extension: Be aware that receiving points via transfer does not extend the expiration date of your Marriott Bonvoy points. Your points still expire after 24 months of inactivity.
Step 2: Navigate to the Point Transfer Page
Once logged in, you'll need to find the dedicated point transfer page. The easiest way to do this is to directly use the URL:
Alternatively, you can usually find it by navigating through your account:
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Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
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Go to "My Account" or "Profile."
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Look for a section related to "Use Points" or "Redeem Points."
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Within that section, you should find an option for "Transfer Points" or "Share Your Points."
Tip: Reading in chunks improves focus.
Step 3: Enter Recipient Details and Transfer Amount
On the point transfer page, you'll see a form where you'll input the necessary information.
Sub-heading: Accurate Information is Key!
This is a critical step. You'll need to provide:
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Recipient's First Name: Exactly as it appears on their Marriott Bonvoy account.
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Recipient's Last Name: Exactly as it appears on their Marriott Bonvoy account.
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Recipient's Marriott Bonvoy Number: Double-check this for accuracy.
Sub-heading: Deciding on the Quantity
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Enter the number of points you wish to transfer. Remember the minimum of 1,000 and increments of 1,000.
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Be mindful of the annual transfer limits (100,000 out, 500,000 in).
Step 4: Verify Your Identity
For security purposes, Marriott will likely send a verification code to the email address or phone number associated with your Marriott Bonvoy account (the sender's account).
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Check your email or phone for the code.
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Enter the code in the designated field on the transfer page.
Step 5: Review and Confirm the Transfer
Before finalizing, you'll have a chance to review all the details you've entered.
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Confirm the recipient's name, Bonvoy number, and the amount of points.
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Read and agree to the terms and conditions. These terms usually state that the transfer is final and the points become the recipient's property.
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Click the "Transfer Now" or "Submit" button to complete the request.
Sub-heading: What to Expect After Confirmation
You should receive a confirmation message on the screen, summarizing the transfer. Marriott states that points should typically appear in the recipient's account within 24 hours, though many members report it happening almost instantly. If the recipient doesn't see the points right away, advise them to log out and log back into their account.
Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points to Airline Miles
This is another powerful redemption option for Marriott Bonvoy members. With over 38 airline partners, you have a wide array of choices for converting your hotel points into flights.
Reminder: Revisit older posts — they stay useful.
Step 1: Dreaming of a Free Flight? Understand the Conversion Ratio and Partners!
Before you transfer, it's crucial to understand how your Bonvoy points convert to airline miles.
Sub-heading: The Golden 3:1 Ratio
For most of Marriott's airline partners, the conversion rate is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points = 1 airline mile.
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However, there's a fantastic bonus! For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer to an airline, you'll receive an additional 5,000 bonus miles. This effectively makes a 60,000 point transfer yield 25,000 airline miles (60,000 / 3 = 20,000 + 5,000 bonus = 25,000 miles). This significantly improves the value of your transfer!
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United Airlines is a special case: When you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus, you receive a 10,000 bonus miles, making it an even more attractive 3:1 + 10,000 bonus, or an effective 2:1 ratio for every 60,000 points transferred (60,000 / 3 = 20,000 + 10,000 bonus = 30,000 miles).
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Some exceptions exist: American Airlines, Avianca LifeMiles, and Delta SkyMiles do not offer the 5,000 bonus miles on 60,000-point transfers. Air New Zealand also has a unique 200:1 ratio. Always confirm the specific airline's terms before transferring.
Sub-heading: Explore the Extensive List of Airline Partners
Marriott boasts an impressive list of airline partners, including but not limited to:
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Aeromexico Club Premier
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Air Canada Aeroplan
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Air China PhoenixMiles
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Air France-KLM Flying Blue
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Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
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American Airlines AAdvantage
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Asiana Airlines Asiana Club
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British Airways Executive Club
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Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
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Copa Airlines ConnectMiles
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Delta SkyMiles
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Emirates Skywards
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Ethiopian Airlines ShebaMiles
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Etihad Guest
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EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
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GOL Smiles
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Hainan Airlines Fortune Wings Club
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Iberia Plus
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Japan Airlines JAL Mileage Bank
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Korean Air Skypass
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LATAM Pass
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Lufthansa Miles & More
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Qantas Frequent Flyer
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Qatar Airways Privilege Club
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Saudia Alfursan
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Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
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South African Airways Voyager
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Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
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Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
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United MileagePlus
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Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
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Vistara Club Vistara
Step 2: Navigate to the Transfer Points to Miles Page
Similar to transferring to another member, you'll access this through the Marriott Bonvoy website.
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Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
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Go to "My Account" or "Profile."
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Look for "Use Points" or "Redeem Points."
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Find the option specifically for "Transfer Points to Miles" or "Airline & Travel Partners."
Step 3: Select Your Desired Airline Partner
On the transfer page, you'll see a list of Marriott's airline partners.
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Carefully select the airline loyalty program to which you want to transfer your points.
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Ensure you have an active account with that airline's loyalty program and that your name on the Marriott Bonvoy account exactly matches your name on the airline loyalty account. Any discrepancies can cause delays or prevent the transfer.
Step 4: Enter Your Airline Loyalty Program Information and Transfer Amount
You'll need to input:
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Your airline loyalty program membership number.
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The number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer.
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Remember the minimum transfer amount (often 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, though always check for the specific airline) and the potential 60,000-point bonus increments.
Tip: Use the structure of the text to guide you.
Sub-heading: Strategic Transferring for Maximum Value
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Always aim for transfers in multiples of 60,000 points to maximize the 5,000 (or 10,000 for United) bonus miles. For example, if you need 50,000 airline miles, it's better to transfer 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to get 50,000 miles (20,000 from the first 60k + 5k bonus + 20,000 from the second 60k + 5k bonus) than to transfer 150,000 points which would only yield 50,000 miles without maximizing the bonus.
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Consider the daily transfer limit when transferring to airlines: a maximum of 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per day.
Step 5: Review and Confirm the Transfer
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Double-check all the details: airline program selected, your airline membership number, and the Marriott Bonvoy points being transferred.
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Read and agree to the terms and conditions. Transfers to airline partners are generally final and cannot be reversed.
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Click "Transfer Now" or "Submit."
Sub-heading: Processing Time for Airline Transfers
Unlike transfers to another member, which are often instant, transfers to airline partners can take longer. Marriott advises allowing up to one week for the miles to post to your airline account. In some cases, it might be quicker, but plan accordingly, especially if you're looking to book a time-sensitive award flight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another Marriott Bonvoy member?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another member online via the Marriott website. Log in to your account, navigate to the "Transfer Points" section, and enter the recipient's full name (as it appears on their account) and Marriott Bonvoy member number, along with the desired transfer amount (in 1,000-point increments).
How to find the Marriott Bonvoy points transfer page online?
The easiest way is to use the direct URL:
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to airline miles?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on the website, go to the "Transfer Points to Miles" section (usually found under "Use Points" or "Redeem Points"), select your desired airline partner, enter your airline loyalty program number, and specify the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer.
How to ensure my Marriott Bonvoy points transfer is successful?
QuickTip: Every section builds on the last.
To ensure a successful transfer, double-check that both the sending and receiving accounts are in good standing and meet the age requirements (30 days with activity or 90 days without). For transfers to other members, ensure the recipient's name and Bonvoy number exactly match their account details. For airline transfers, ensure your name on both accounts matches.
How to avoid fees when transferring Marriott Bonvoy points?
There are no fees when transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to another Marriott Bonvoy member. When transferring to airline partners, the conversion is based on a ratio, and no direct fees are charged by Marriott for the transfer itself.
How to maximize the value of Marriott Bonvoy points transferred to airline miles?
To maximize value, always transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to airline partners in increments of 60,000 points. This earns you an additional 5,000 bonus miles (or 10,000 for United MileagePlus), significantly improving the effective conversion rate.
How to know the minimum and maximum limits for Marriott Bonvoy point transfers?
For transfers to another member: a minimum of 1,000 points (in 1,000-point increments), a maximum of 100,000 points out per calendar year, and a maximum of 500,000 points in per calendar year. For airline transfers, the minimum is typically 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, and the daily maximum is 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
How to deal with Marriott Bonvoy point transfers that don't appear in the recipient's account?
For transfers to another Marriott member, they usually appear instantly or within 24 hours. If not, advise the recipient to log out and back in. For airline transfers, allow up to a week. If points still haven't appeared after the stated timeframe, contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points if I have multiple accounts?
If you have multiple Marriott Bonvoy accounts under your own name, you can combine them into a single account. This is a separate process from transferring to another member. You can usually find the "Combine Accounts" option on the Marriott website within your profile or by searching the help center.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to take advantage of elite status benefits?
To leverage elite status, transfer points from the non-elite member's account to the elite member's account. The elite member then books the award stay, ensuring all travelers on that reservation can enjoy the associated benefits like complimentary breakfast or lounge access.
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