Ever dreamed of combining your Marriott Bonvoy points with a friend or family member to snag that dream vacation or a luxurious hotel stay you couldn't quite reach on your own? Well, you're in luck! Marriott Bonvoy makes it remarkably easy to transfer points between accounts, and unlike some other loyalty programs, they don't charge a fee for it. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring a smooth and successful transfer.
Sending Marriott Bonvoy Points: Your Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide
Whether you're pooling points for a grand family getaway, helping a friend top off their account for an award night, or simply consolidating your points, understanding the process is key. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Are You Ready to Share the Marriott Bonvoy Love?
Before you even think about transferring points, let's make sure you're eligible! This is where we engage you directly. Take a moment to check these crucial points:
Account Activity: Has your Marriott Bonvoy account been active for at least 30 days with qualifying activity (like earning or redeeming points)? Or, if there's been no activity, has it been open for 90 days? Both the sender and receiver accounts must meet this criterion. This is a common hurdle, so be sure both accounts are seasoned enough.
Recipient's Details: Do you have the exact full name and Marriott Bonvoy member number of the person you want to send points to? This is absolutely critical for a successful transfer. Even a slight mismatch can cause delays or rejection.
Point Increments: Are you planning to transfer points in increments of 1,000? Marriott only allows transfers in these specific blocks.
Annual Limits: Are you aware of the annual limits for sending and receiving points? You can transfer a maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year to other members. On the flip side, a member can receive a maximum of 500,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year. Keep these caps in mind, especially for large transfers or multiple transactions.
If you answered "yes" to all of these, then congratulations! You're good to go. If not, address any outstanding issues before proceeding.
Step 2: Accessing the Marriott Bonvoy Transfer Tool
Marriott has made the process much more convenient by allowing online transfers, saving you from lengthy phone calls.
Sub-heading: The Direct Link Method (The Easiest Way!)
The simplest and most direct route is to use Marriott's dedicated online point transfer tool. While it can sometimes be a bit "buried" on their website, a direct link often exists. A quick Google search for "Marriott Bonvoy transfer points to another member" should lead you to the correct page.
Once you find the link, simply click on it to be redirected to the transfer portal. You'll likely need to log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account first.
Sub-heading: Navigating Through Your Marriott Bonvoy Account (If You Can't Find the Link)
If for some reason the direct link isn't readily available or you prefer to navigate through your account:
Log In: Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (Marriott.com) and log in to your account.
Locate "About Marriott Bonvoy": Once logged in, look for a section or link titled "About Marriott Bonvoy" or "Loyalty Program." This is usually found in the footer or a main navigation menu.
Find "How to Use Points/Certificates": Within the "About Marriott Bonvoy" section, search for "How to Use Points/Certificates."
Scroll to "Share Your Points": Scroll down this page until you see a section or link that says "Share your Points" or "Combine Marriott Points."
Access the "Point Transfer Tool Online": This will usually contain a link to the actual online point transfer tool.
Step 3: Filling Out the Transfer Form
Once you're on the Marriott Bonvoy point transfer page, you'll see a form to complete.
Your Information (Sender): Your Marriott Bonvoy member number and name will typically be pre-filled or requested at this stage. Double-check that all your details are accurate.
Recipient's Information: This is where precision is paramount.
Recipient's Full Name: Enter the exact full name of the person receiving the points, as it appears on their Marriott Bonvoy account.
Recipient's Marriott Bonvoy Member Number: Input their correct 9-digit Marriott Bonvoy member number. Accuracy here prevents delays.
Transfer Amount: Specify the number of points you wish to transfer. Remember, this must be in increments of 1,000 points. The system will likely prevent you from entering any other increment. The minimum transfer is generally 1,000 points, and the maximum is 100,000 per calendar year.
Review and Consent: Carefully review all the information you've entered. Make sure the recipient's name and number are correct, and the point amount is what you intend to send. You'll then need to agree to the terms and conditions for the transfer. Read them if you haven't already!
Initiate Transfer: Click on the "Transfer Now" or similar button to submit your request.
Step 4: Verification and Confirmation
For security purposes, Marriott will likely implement a verification step.
Identity Verification: You will usually receive a text message or email with a verification code to the contact information associated with your Marriott Bonvoy account. Have your phone or email readily accessible.
Enter Verification Code: Input the code into the designated field on the website.
Confirmation: Once verified, you'll receive a confirmation message that your transfer request has been made. Marriott states that transfers can take up to an hour, but in many cases, they are instant.
Step 5: Checking the Transfer Status
After completing the transfer, it's a good idea to confirm its success.
Your Account: Log back into your Marriott Bonvoy account. You should see the points deducted from your balance. The transaction will typically be labeled as "points sharing."
Recipient's Account: Advise the recipient to log into their Marriott Bonvoy account. If the transfer was instant, they should see the new points reflected in their balance immediately. If not, they might need to log out and log back in, or wait a short while.
And there you have it! You've successfully transferred Marriott Bonvoy points. This simple process can open up a world of new travel possibilities for you and your loved ones.
10 Related FAQ Questions: Your Marriott Bonvoy Point Transfer Queries Answered!
Here are some common questions you might have about sending Marriott Bonvoy points, with quick, concise answers.
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy account activity?
You can check your Marriott Bonvoy account activity by logging into your account on the Marriott Bonvoy website and navigating to your "Activity" or "My Account" section, which typically provides a detailed history of points earned and redeemed.
How to find my Marriott Bonvoy member number?
Your Marriott Bonvoy member number is usually displayed prominently on your account dashboard after you log in on the Marriott Bonvoy website or mobile app. It's also often included in Marriott Bonvoy emails.
How to transfer Marriott points to an airline?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to various airline frequent flyer programs through the Marriott Bonvoy website, typically found under the "Use Points" or "Transfer Points to Miles" section. The transfer ratio is generally 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 airline mile, with a bonus of 5,000 miles for every 60,000 points transferred to most partners.
How to purchase Marriott Bonvoy points as a gift?
You can purchase Marriott Bonvoy points as a gift for another member directly through the Marriott Bonvoy "Gift Points" storefront, accessible via the Marriott Bonvoy website. There are annual limits on how many points can be purchased or received as a gift.
How to know if my account is active enough for a transfer?
Your Marriott Bonvoy account is considered active enough for a point transfer if it has had qualifying activity (earning or redeeming points) within the last 30 days, or if it has been open for at least 90 days without any activity.
How to deal with a rejected Marriott Bonvoy point transfer?
If your Marriott Bonvoy point transfer is rejected, first re-verify the recipient's full name and member number for exact matching. Also, ensure both accounts meet the activity requirements and that you haven't exceeded any annual transfer limits. If issues persist, contact Marriott Bonvoy Member Support.
How to combine Marriott Bonvoy points with a spouse or family member?
You can combine Marriott Bonvoy points with a spouse or family member by using the online point transfer tool, following the steps outlined in this guide. The process is the same for any eligible Marriott Bonvoy member.
How to use transferred Marriott points for a hotel booking?
Once the points are transferred and appear in the recipient's account, they can be used like any other Marriott Bonvoy points. Simply log into the recipient's account on the Marriott Bonvoy website or app and proceed with a standard award night booking.
How to avoid common mistakes when transferring Marriott points?
To avoid common mistakes, always double-check the recipient's full name and member number, ensure both accounts meet the activity criteria, transfer in 1,000-point increments, and be mindful of the annual transfer and receive limits.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for point transfers?
If you encounter any issues or have questions that the online tools can't answer, you can contact Marriott Bonvoy Member Support directly. Their contact information (phone numbers and sometimes chat options) can typically be found on the "Contact Us" section of the Marriott Bonvoy website.
