Unlocking Joint Adventures: A Comprehensive Guide to Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points to Your Spouse
Hey there, fellow travel enthusiast! Ever found yourself staring at two separate Marriott Bonvoy accounts, one with enough points for a weekend getaway and the other just a little short for that dream suite? Or perhaps your spouse has elite status, and you want to consolidate points to leverage those fantastic perks for your next vacation? If so, you've landed in the perfect place! Transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to your spouse can unlock incredible travel opportunities, and thankfully, Marriott makes the process relatively straightforward. Let's dive into this step-by-step guide and get those points pooled for your next unforgettable adventure!
Step 1: Are You Eligible to Share the Bonvoy Love? (Engage!)
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty, let's quickly check if you and your spouse are ready to share your hard-earned Bonvoy points. It's like preparing for a tandem skydive – you both need to be properly equipped!
Here's what Marriott requires for a smooth transfer:
Both accounts must be active and in good standing: This means no red flags or issues with either account.
Account Age Requirement:
If there has been activity on your account (earning or redeeming points), both accounts must have been open for at least 30 days.
If there has been no activity on your account, both accounts must have been open for at least 90 days. This is to prevent fraudulent transfers.
Minimum Transfer Amount: You must transfer a minimum of 1,000 points.
Transfer Increments: Points must be transferred in increments of 1,000 points. So, you can transfer 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 points, and so on.
Annual Transfer Limit (Sender): You can transfer a maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points from your account to other accounts within a calendar year (January 1st to December 31st). This limit applies in aggregate across all transfers you initiate.
Annual Receiving Limit (Recipient): An account can receive a maximum of 500,000 points from other accounts within a calendar year.
Does that sound like you? Great! Then let's move on to the actual transfer process.
Step 2: Navigate to the Marriott Bonvoy Points Transfer Tool
Marriott has made significant improvements to its point transfer process, allowing members to complete it online. No more waiting on hold!
Sub-heading: Finding the Direct Link (The Quick Path)
The easiest way to initiate the transfer is by going directly to Marriott's dedicated "Share Your Points" page. You can usually find this by searching "Marriott Bonvoy transfer points" or "Marriott Bonvoy share points" on Google. Many travel blogs and forums also provide direct links.
Sub-heading: Navigating from Your Marriott Bonvoy Account (The Explorer's Path)
If you prefer to navigate through your Marriott Bonvoy account, here's the general route:
Log In: Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (Marriott.com) and log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account. Make sure you're logging into the account from which you want to send the points.
Locate "About Marriott Bonvoy": Once logged in, look for a section related to "About Marriott Bonvoy" or "Loyalty Program." This might be in the main navigation, a footer, or under a "My Account" or "Profile" dropdown.
Find "How to Use Points/Certificates": Within the "About Marriott Bonvoy" section, you should see an option like "How to Use Points/Certificates" or "Redeem Points." Click on this.
Discover "Share Your Points": Scroll down on the "How to Use Points" page. You'll typically find a link or a section titled "Share Your Points" or "Point Transfer Tool Online." Click on this.
Congratulations, you've found the portal to point-sharing paradise!
Step 3: Fill Out the Combine Marriott Points Form
Now that you're on the transfer page, it's time to input the details for the transfer. Accuracy is key here, just like double-checking your passport before an international trip!
Your Information (Sender): Your Marriott Bonvoy account details (name, member number) should generally be pre-filled as you are logged in.
Recipient's Information (Your Spouse): This is where you'll enter your spouse's details:
First Name: Enter their exact first name as it appears on their Marriott Bonvoy account.
Last Name: Enter their exact last name as it appears on their Marriott Bonvoy account.
Marriott Bonvoy Member Number: Crucially, enter your spouse's Marriott Bonvoy member number. Make sure this is correct!
Amount to Transfer: Enter the number of points you wish to transfer. Remember, this must be in increments of 1,000 points.
Pro Tip: If you're trying to book a specific award night, calculate the exact number of points needed and transfer that amount (or a little more, just in case).
Review and Confirm:
Carefully review all the information you've entered. A small typo can cause delays or even a failed transfer.
You will likely need to check a box confirming that you understand the terms and conditions, including that the transfer is final and irreversible. Read these thoroughly to ensure you're comfortable.
Submit the Transfer: Once everything looks correct, click the "Transfer Now" or "Submit" button.
That's it! You've initiated the transfer. Now for the waiting game... but usually, it's not a long one!
Step 4: Confirmation and Processing
After you submit the transfer, Marriott will process your request.
Confirmation Message: You should receive an on-screen confirmation that your transfer request has been submitted. You may also receive a text or email asking you to confirm the transfer, which acts as an additional security measure.
Point Transfer Timeframe: In most cases, Marriott Bonvoy point transfers between accounts are instantaneous. You might just need to log out of your account and log back in to see the updated balance. However, in some instances, it could take up to 24 hours. If you don't see the points reflected within a few hours, give it a bit more time.
Voilà! Your points are now united with your spouse's, ready for that incredible redemption!
Important Considerations and Best Practices
While transferring points is generally smooth, keep these points in mind:
No Fees! One of the best aspects of transferring Marriott Bonvoy points between members is that there is no fee involved. This is a huge advantage compared to some other loyalty programs.
Fifth Night Free Benefit: If you're pooling points for a longer stay, remember Marriott Bonvoy's "fifth night free" benefit on award stays. By combining points into one account, you can often save a significant amount when booking five consecutive nights on points.
Leveraging Elite Status: If one spouse has a higher Marriott Bonvoy elite status (e.g., Platinum, Titanium, Ambassador Elite), it's highly recommended to transfer points to their account and book the reservation from there. This ensures you both enjoy the benefits associated with their status, such as complimentary breakfast, lounge access, room upgrades, and late checkout.
Points Expiration: Points transfers do not count as qualifying activity to extend the expiration date of your points. If your points are about to expire, transferring them won't reset the clock. Make sure there's another qualifying activity (like a stay, credit card spend, or buying points) within 24 months to keep your account active.
Non-Transferable Benefits: Remember that elite night credits, lifetime status, and Free Night Certificates are not transferable between accounts. Only the points can be moved.
Online Tool Preference: Marriott strongly encourages using the online transfer tool. If you encounter any issues or the online tool isn't working, then contacting Marriott Bonvoy Guest Services (phone number usually found on their website or the back of your co-branded credit card) would be the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points if my spouse doesn't have an account?
Your spouse will need to create a free Marriott Bonvoy account before you can transfer points to them. The process is quick and easy on the Marriott website.
How to find my spouse's Marriott Bonvoy member number?
Your spouse can find their Marriott Bonvoy member number by logging into their account on Marriott.com, checking their digital membership card in the Marriott Bonvoy app, or on any past correspondence from Marriott.
How to transfer more than 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points in a year?
You can only transfer a maximum of 100,000 points from your account per calendar year. If you need to transfer more, you would have to wait until the next calendar year. However, your spouse can receive up to 500,000 points in a calendar year from multiple sources.
How to know if my Marriott Bonvoy account is "in good standing"?
Generally, if you can log in, earn points, and redeem points without issues, your account is in good standing. If there are any discrepancies or suspected fraudulent activity, Marriott may put a hold on your account.
How to transfer Marriott points if the online tool isn't working?
If you're having trouble with the online tool, you should contact Marriott Bonvoy Member Support directly. Their contact details can typically be found on the Marriott Bonvoy website under the "Help" or "Contact Us" sections.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to a non-spouse?
Marriott's policy generally allows point transfers to any other member, not just spouses, provided both accounts meet the eligibility criteria (active, age, limits). However, the most common reason for transferring points is between household members.
How to reverse a Marriott Bonvoy point transfer?
Unfortunately, Marriott Bonvoy point transfers are final and irreversible once completed. This is why it's crucial to double-check all details before confirming the transfer.
How to ensure my points don't expire after transferring them?
Transferred points do not extend the expiration date of your points. To keep your points active, you or your spouse (for the received points) must have a qualifying activity in your respective accounts at least once every 24 months.
How to best utilize transferred Marriott Bonvoy points?
The best way to utilize transferred points is often for award night redemptions, especially leveraging the "fifth night free" benefit. Also, if one member has elite status, booking from their account can unlock valuable perks.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for points transfer issues?
You can contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service by calling their dedicated Member Support line (in the U.S. and Canada, it's typically (800) 627-7468), or by emailing bonvoy.program@marriott.com. Some regions may also offer a live chat option on their website.
