Unleashing the Power of Your Marriott Bonvoy Points: A Comprehensive Transfer Guide
Ever stared at your Marriott Bonvoy points balance, dreaming of that luxurious stay or an epic flight, but feeling like you're just a few thousand points short? Or perhaps you have a travel buddy or family member who could really use a boost for their next redemption? Good news! Marriott Bonvoy offers incredible flexibility when it comes to transferring your hard-earned points. But the question often arises: "How many Marriott points can I transfer?"
This comprehensive guide will not only answer that question in detail but also walk you through the entire process, empowering you to maximize your Marriott Bonvoy experience. So, buckle up, because we're about to dive deep into the world of points transfers!
Step 1: Understanding the "Why" and "Who" of Marriott Point Transfers
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to transfer points, let's understand why you might want to and who you can transfer them to. This initial step is crucial for strategic points management.
Why Transfer Your Marriott Bonvoy Points?
There are several compelling reasons to consider transferring your Marriott Bonvoy points:
To Consolidate Points for a Big Redemption: Perhaps you and a travel companion both have Marriott points, but neither of you has enough individually for that dream suite or extended stay. Combining your points into one account can unlock incredible possibilities.
Helping a Friend or Family Member: Marriott Bonvoy allows you to transfer points to any other member. This is a fantastic perk for assisting loved ones who might be short on points for their own travel plans.
Topping Off an Account for an Award: Maybe you're just a few thousand points shy of booking a specific award night, and a transfer from another account can bridge that gap, saving you from having to pay cash or buy points at a higher rate.
Maximizing Elite Status Benefits: If you're traveling with someone who has higher Marriott Bonvoy elite status, transferring points to their account (and having them book the stay) could potentially unlock benefits like complimentary breakfast, lounge access, or late checkout for your joint trip.
Transferring to Airline Partners: This is a major use case! Marriott Bonvoy points can be incredibly valuable when transferred to a wide array of airline loyalty programs, often offering better value than redeeming for hotel stays directly, especially with transfer bonuses.
Who Can You Transfer Marriott Bonvoy Points To?
This is a simple but important distinction. Marriott Bonvoy allows you to transfer points to:
Another Marriott Bonvoy Member: You can transfer points to any other Marriott Bonvoy member's account. They don't have to be family or living at the same address. This makes it incredibly flexible for sharing points with friends, colleagues, or anyone else you wish to help out.
Airline Loyalty Programs: This is a separate process altogether, allowing you to convert your Marriott Bonvoy points into airline miles for flight redemptions. We'll cover this in more detail later.
Step 2: Navigating the Limits: How Many Marriott Bonvoy Points Can You Transfer?
Now for the core of the question! Marriott Bonvoy has specific limits in place for points transfers, which are crucial to understand before you initiate a transfer.
Transferring Points to Another Marriott Bonvoy Member: The Nitty-Gritty
When transferring points to another Marriott Bonvoy member, here are the key limits and rules:
Maximum Transfer Out (Per Calendar Year): You can transfer up to a maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points per calendar year (January 1st to December 31st) from your account. This limit applies to the aggregate of all transfers you initiate.
Maximum Receive In (Per Calendar Year): A Marriott Bonvoy member can receive a maximum of 500,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points per calendar year into their account. This is great news if multiple people want to contribute to one person's balance for a big redemption.
Minimum Transfer Increment: Points must be transferred in increments of 1,000 points. You cannot transfer, for example, 500 points or 1,550 points.
Account Age Requirement: To be eligible to transfer or receive points, both your account and the recipient's account must meet certain age criteria:
With Activity: If the account has had activity (earning or redeeming points), it must be open for at least 30 days.
Without Activity: If the account has had no activity, it must be open for at least 90 days.
Transferring Points to Airline Loyalty Programs: A Different Ballgame
The rules and transfer amounts for converting Marriott Bonvoy points to airline miles are different.
Standard Transfer Ratio: For most airline partners, the standard transfer ratio is 3 Marriott Bonvoy Points : 1 Airline Mile.
Bonus for 60,000 Point Transfers: This is where the real value often lies! When you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points to an airline partner in a single transaction, Marriott will add an additional 5,000 airline miles to your transfer. This effectively makes the ratio 60,000 Marriott points = 25,000 airline miles (or 2.4 Marriott points : 1 airline mile), significantly improving the value.
No Annual Limit (Typically): Unlike transfers to another member, there isn't typically an advertised annual limit on how many points you can transfer to airline partners. However, it's always wise to check specific airline partner terms.
Minimum Transfer Amounts: These vary by airline partner, but commonly start at 3,000 points (yielding 1,000 miles).
United Airlines Special Bonus: United MileagePlus has a unique partnership. For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred to United, you'll receive a 10,000-mile bonus, meaning 60,000 Marriott points become 30,000 United miles (a 2:1 ratio!), making it one of the most lucrative transfer options.
Step 3: The Step-by-Step Guide to Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points
Now that you know the limits, let's get to the practical steps of making those transfers happen. The process differs slightly depending on whether you're transferring to another member or to an airline.
Sub-heading: Transferring Points to Another Marriott Bonvoy Member
Marriott has made this process much simpler in recent years, allowing for online transfers.
Log In to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account:
Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (Marriott.com).
Click on "Sign In" and enter your member number or email and password.
Navigate to the Points Transfer Tool:
Once logged in, hover over "Marriott Bonvoy" in the top navigation.
Look for an option like "How to Use Points/Certificates" or "Redeem Points."
Scroll down the page until you find a section titled "Share Your Points" or "Combine Marriott Points." There should be a link to the "Point Transfer Tool Online."
Alternatively, you can often find a direct link by searching "transfer points" in the Marriott Bonvoy help section.
Initiate the Transfer:
On the points transfer page, you'll be prompted to enter information for both the sender (you) and the recipient.
You'll need the recipient's Marriott Bonvoy member number and their last name.
Enter the number of points you wish to transfer (remembering the 1,000-point increments and the 100,000-point annual outbound limit).
Confirm and Verify:
Review all the details carefully.
Marriott may send a text message or email verification to your registered contact information to confirm the transfer. Follow the prompts to authorize the transaction.
Processing Time:
Transfers between Marriott Bonvoy accounts are generally very quick, often appearing in the recipient's account within 24 hours. In some cases, it can be almost instantaneous.
Sub-heading: Transferring Points to an Airline Loyalty Program
This process is also done online and is generally straightforward.
Log In to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account:
Just like before, head to Marriott.com and log in.
Access the Transfer Points to Miles Page:
From your account dashboard, navigate to the "Earn Points" or "Use Points" section.
Look for an option related to "Transfer Points to Miles" or "Airline Partners."
A quick search for "Marriott Bonvoy transfer to airlines" often leads directly to the correct page.
Select Your Desired Airline Partner:
You'll see a list of participating airline loyalty programs.
Carefully select the airline you want to transfer to, ensuring you have an existing account with that airline. The name on your Marriott Bonvoy account must match the name on your airline loyalty account for the transfer to be successful.
Enter Transfer Details:
Input your airline loyalty program member number.
Specify the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer. Remember the 3:1 ratio and the important 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred. It's almost always best to transfer in multiples of 60,000 if you're looking for maximum value.
Review and Confirm:
Double-check all the information, especially your airline frequent flyer number and the points amount.
Confirm the transfer.
Processing Time:
Transfers to airline partners are not instantaneous. They typically take anywhere from 24 hours to up to 7 business days (and sometimes longer, depending on the airline). Plan accordingly, especially if you have an urgent flight redemption in mind.
Step 4: Maximizing Your Transfers & Avoiding Pitfalls
While transferring points is a powerful tool, a little strategy goes a long way.
Strategic Considerations:
Always Aim for the 60,000 Point Bonus (to Airlines): Unless you only need a small top-off, transferring in increments of 60,000 points to airline partners is almost always the most efficient way to convert your Bonvoy points into miles, thanks to the 5,000-mile bonus.
Check Airline Award Availability FIRST: Before transferring points to an airline, always verify that the award space for your desired flight is available. Points transfers are irreversible!
Compare Redemption Values: Sometimes, using your Marriott Bonvoy points for a hotel stay might yield better value than transferring them to an airline, or vice-versa. Do your research! NerdWallet, for example, often values Marriott Bonvoy points around 0.9 cents per point, while airline miles can vary wildly.
Beware of Expiration Dates: Both Marriott Bonvoy points and airline miles have expiration policies. Ensure that by transferring points, you're not simply moving them from one expiring account to another. Generally, activity in your Marriott Bonvoy account (like earning or redeeming points) extends the expiration of all your points for another 24 months.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid:
Incorrect Member Number: Double-check the recipient's Marriott Bonvoy or airline loyalty program number. A single digit off can delay or completely derail your transfer.
Name Mismatch: For airline transfers, the name on your Marriott Bonvoy account must exactly match the name on your airline loyalty account.
Ignoring Transfer Limits: Trying to transfer more than 100,000 points out in a calendar year to another member will simply result in the transfer being denied.
Last-Minute Airline Transfers: Do not rely on quick transfers to airline partners for immediate award bookings. Allow ample time.
Unused Airline Miles: Don't transfer a huge sum of points to an airline if you don't have a concrete plan to use them. Airline miles can be subject to devaluations.
Step 5: Beyond the Basics: Other Points Transfer Scenarios
While the primary focus is on transferring out of Marriott Bonvoy, it's worth noting that you can also transfer points into your Marriott Bonvoy account from certain other programs.
Transferring from Credit Card Programs
Many travel-focused credit cards allow you to transfer their proprietary points to Marriott Bonvoy. Some common examples include:
Chase Ultimate Rewards: Often transfers at a 1:1 ratio. This can be a great way to top off your Marriott Bonvoy balance.
American Express Membership Rewards: Also often transfers at a 1:1 ratio. Amex sometimes offers transfer bonuses to Marriott Bonvoy, making it an even better deal.
The process for these transfers involves logging into your credit card rewards portal and initiating the transfer from there. Always check the current transfer ratios and any potential bonuses before proceeding.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to transfer Marriott points to a spouse?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to your spouse just like any other Marriott Bonvoy member, following the same online process and limits (max 100,000 points out per calendar year, min 1,000, and account age requirements).
How to transfer Marriott points to a friend?
Transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to a friend works exactly the same way as transferring to a spouse or any other member. You'll need their Marriott Bonvoy member number and last name.
How to transfer Marriott points to an airline?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account, go to the "Transfer Points to Miles" section, select the desired airline partner, enter your frequent flyer number, and specify the number of Marriott points to transfer (ideally in 60,000-point increments for the bonus).
How to check Marriott Bonvoy points transfer history?
You can typically view your points activity and transfer history by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account online and navigating to your "Activity" or "My Account" section.
How to reverse a Marriott Bonvoy points transfer?
Once a Marriott Bonvoy points transfer (either to another member or to an airline) has been initiated and processed, it is generally irreversible. Always double-check details before confirming.
How to avoid fees when transferring Marriott Bonvoy points?
There are no fees for transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to another Marriott Bonvoy member. When transferring to airline partners, you are simply converting points, not incurring additional fees from Marriott.
How to get bonus miles when transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to airlines?
Transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to most airline partners in increments of 60,000 points to receive a 5,000 bonus airline miles for each 60,000 points transferred. For United MileagePlus, the bonus is even higher at 10,000 miles for every 60,000 points.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points from an old account to a new one?
If you have multiple Marriott Bonvoy accounts, you can typically combine them into one, allowing you to consolidate points. Contact Marriott Bonvoy Member Support for assistance with account consolidation.
How to use transferred Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel stays?
Once points are transferred to a recipient's Marriott Bonvoy account, they can be used like any other points in that account to book award nights, experiences, or other Marriott Bonvoy redemptions.
How to know if a Marriott Bonvoy points transfer was successful?
You will usually receive an email confirmation from Marriott Bonvoy once a transfer is complete. Additionally, you can check your points activity in your Marriott Bonvoy account and the recipient's account (if you have access) to confirm the new balance.
