So, you're planning a trip and need to add someone to your Marriott reservation? Excellent! Whether it's a travel companion, a family member, or someone who needs to check in before you, knowing the proper steps will save you a lot of hassle. Let's get this sorted so you can focus on the exciting parts of your upcoming stay!
The Importance of Adding a Guest to Your Marriott Reservation
Adding a guest to your Marriott reservation is more than just a formality. It ensures a smooth check-in process for everyone involved, especially if the primary guest (the one who booked the reservation) isn't arriving first. It also helps with security and can be crucial for accessing room keys or even for the additional guest to utilize any elite benefits if applicable. While you can usually select up to two guests when making a new reservation online, adding an additional name after the fact requires a slightly different approach.
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| How To Add Someone To Marriott Reservation |
Step 1: Understand Marriott's Policy on Adding Guests
First things first, let's understand the general guidelines Marriott has in place. This will set your expectations and guide you on the best course of action.
Sub-heading: Key Considerations Before You Start
Primary Guest Presence: Generally, the primary guest (the one whose name is on the reservation and often the Marriott Bonvoy account holder) is expected to be present at check-in.
Checking in First: If the additional guest needs to check in before you, it's absolutely crucial to have their name added to the reservation. Without it, the hotel might not allow them to access the room.
Online vs. Phone/Hotel: While some minor modifications can be done online, adding an additional name to an existing reservation often requires direct communication with Marriott or the hotel. This is a key point to remember!
Paid vs. Award Stays: The process is largely similar for both paid reservations and those booked with Marriott Bonvoy points or Free Night Awards. However, for award stays, gifting the reservation to someone else has a specific process if the primary member will not be present at all.
Step 2: Accessing Your Marriott Reservation
Before you can add anyone, you need to find your reservation! There are a couple of ways to do this.
Sub-heading: For Marriott Bonvoy Members (Recommended)
If you're a Marriott Bonvoy member and made the reservation while logged in, this is the easiest route.
QuickTip: Read with curiosity — ask ‘why’ often.
Visit Marriott.com: Go to the official Marriott website.
Sign In: Click on "Sign In" at the top right corner and enter your Marriott Bonvoy account details (email/member number and password).
Navigate to "My Trips": Once logged in, click on "My Trips" or "Trips" (depending on the website layout) usually found at the top of the page.
Locate Your Reservation: You'll see a list of your upcoming reservations. Find the one you wish to modify and click on it to expand the details.
Sub-heading: For Guests Without a Marriott Bonvoy Account or Not Logged In
If you booked as a guest or simply didn't log in, you'll need your confirmation details.
Visit Marriott.com: Go to the official Marriott website.
Look Up a Reservation: On the homepage or under the "My Trips" section, look for "Look Up a Reservation" or "Find a Reservation."
Enter Details: You'll typically need to enter:
Your Confirmation Number
The Check-in Date
The First Name on the Reservation
The Last Name on the Reservation
Find Reservation: Click on "Find Reservation" to retrieve your booking.
Step 3: Attempting Online Modification (with a caveat)
While Marriott's online system allows for some modifications like changing dates or the number of guests, directly adding a secondary guest's name to an existing reservation is generally not possible online or via the mobile app. This is an important distinction.
Sub-heading: What You Can Often Do Online (But Won't Add a Second Name)
Adjusting Number of Guests: You might see an option to modify the "number of guests" for a room. While you can change it from 1 to 2, this typically doesn't allow you to input the second guest's specific name. It merely reflects the occupancy. If you try this and it prompts you to enter a name, great! But more often than not, it won't.
Modifying Stay Details: You can usually change dates or room types online, but these functions are separate from adding an additional named guest.
The key takeaway here is: if you need to add a specific name to the reservation for check-in purposes, move on to Step 4.
Step 4: The Most Effective Way – Contacting Marriott Directly
This is almost always the most reliable and recommended method for adding a named guest to an existing Marriott reservation.
Sub-heading: Option A: Call Marriott Customer Service
QuickTip: Treat each section as a mini-guide.
This is generally the most straightforward approach.
Locate the Customer Service Number: Find the appropriate Marriott customer service number for your region. You can usually find this on the Marriott website under "Contact Us" or "Help."
Tip: If you are a Marriott Bonvoy Elite member, you might have a dedicated elite member line. Use it for potentially faster service!
Have Your Details Ready: Before you call, ensure you have:
Your Confirmation Number
The Primary Guest's Name on the reservation
The Check-in Date
The Full Name (First and Last) of the guest you want to add
Your Marriott Bonvoy Member Number (if applicable)
Explain Your Request: Clearly state that you need to add an additional guest's name to your existing reservation. Specify if this guest will be arriving before you.
Confirmation: The agent will typically be able to add the name to the reservation. Always ask for confirmation that the name has been added and if there's any updated confirmation number or email you should receive.
Sub-heading: Option B: Contact the Hotel Directly
This can be a good alternative, especially if your arrival is imminent.
Find Hotel Contact Information: Go to the Marriott website, search for the specific hotel where you have the reservation, and locate their direct phone number.
Call the Front Desk/Reservations: Call the hotel and ask to speak with the front desk or reservations department.
Provide Reservation Details: Give them your confirmation number and the primary guest's name.
Request Guest Addition: Explain that you need to add another guest's name to the reservation, especially if they will be checking in before you.
Verify Information: Confirm the spelling of the added guest's name.
Ask for Confirmation: Inquire if you'll receive an updated confirmation or if the added name will be visible on your online reservation (sometimes it is, sometimes it's an internal note).
Step 5: Verifying the Addition
After contacting Marriott or the hotel, it's wise to double-check that the name has been added.
Check Your Online Reservation (After a Few Hours/Next Day): Log back into your Marriott Bonvoy account or use the "Look Up a Reservation" tool. While the system might not display the second guest's name explicitly, sometimes the "number of guests" field will reflect the update.
Request Email Confirmation: When you speak with the agent, specifically ask them to send an email confirming the change. This provides written proof.
Call Again (If Necessary): If you don't see any indication or receive confirmation within 24 hours, don't hesitate to call again to ensure the change was processed correctly.
Pro-Tip: The "Second Guest Trick" (Use with Caution)
Some travelers, especially Marriott Bonvoy elite members, use what's unofficially known as the "second guest trick." This involves making the reservation in your name and then calling the hotel to add another guest's name, stating they will arrive first. The intention behind this is often to allow the primary member to still earn points and elite night credits, and potentially extend elite benefits to the arriving guest, even if the primary member doesn't physically check in.
However, please be aware:
This is not an official policy.
The hotel may still require the primary guest's presence at check-in, or for their credit card to be on file and authorized.
You might not earn points or elite night credits if you, as the primary member, do not stay in the room. Marriott's terms generally require the member to personally stay and pay for the room to earn benefits.
Elite benefits are not guaranteed for the second guest if the primary member is not present.
For straightforward travel with a companion where both will eventually be at the hotel, simply adding their name as described in Step 4 is sufficient and most reliable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
QuickTip: Short pauses improve understanding.
How to add someone to a Marriott reservation if I booked through a third party?
If you booked your Marriott reservation through an online travel agency (OTA) like Expedia, Booking.com, or a travel agent, you must contact that third party first. Marriott often cannot directly modify reservations made through external channels. The third party will then communicate with Marriott on your behalf or advise you on the next steps.
How to add a child to a Marriott reservation?
Generally, when making a reservation, you specify the total number of adults and children. If you need to add a child to an existing reservation, follow the same steps as adding an adult guest (contact Marriott customer service or the hotel directly). Ensure the room type can accommodate the additional person.
How to add a guest to a Marriott Bonvoy points reservation?
The process is the same as for a paid reservation. You'll need to call Marriott customer service or the hotel directly to add an additional guest's name to a reservation made with Marriott Bonvoy points or a Free Night Award.
How to add a name to a Marriott reservation for early check-in by another guest?
This is a common scenario. Follow Step 4 (contact Marriott customer service or the hotel directly) and explicitly state that the added guest will be arriving before you and needs to be able to check in. This ensures the hotel notes it on your reservation.
How to ensure my added guest receives elite benefits?
QuickTip: Don’t just scroll — process what you see.
Marriott Bonvoy elite benefits are generally tied to the member's stay. While hotels are often accommodating, if the elite member (primary guest) is not present at check-in or during the stay, the added guest may not receive all benefits. The safest way to ensure benefits is for the elite member to be present.
How to remove a guest from a Marriott reservation?
If you need to remove an additional named guest, you can also do this by contacting Marriott customer service or the hotel directly. Provide your reservation details and request the removal.
How to change the primary name on a Marriott reservation?
Changing the primary name on a reservation can be more complex, especially if it's an award stay or if the original booker won't be present at all. While some hotels might allow it, it often involves a direct discussion with Marriott or the hotel, and may even require canceling and rebooking in the new name, which could lead to rate changes or cancellation penalties. It's best to call Marriott Bonvoy customer service for specific guidance in this situation.
How to add multiple guests to a Marriott reservation?
For reservations with more than two guests, you can often specify the total number of guests when booking online. However, if you need to add specific names for each additional adult beyond the primary guest, it's best to call Marriott customer service or the hotel directly, just as you would for a single additional guest.
How to add a guest to a Marriott reservation last minute?
If you're trying to add a guest shortly before check-in or on the day of arrival, it's highly recommended to call the hotel directly. They will have the most up-to-date information and can make the necessary adjustments efficiently.
How to confirm the added guest can pick up the key?
After adding the guest's name via phone, it's always a good idea to confirm with the agent that the added guest will be able to pick up the key upon arrival, especially if you won't be there. They should confirm that the name is now officially linked to the reservation for check-in purposes.
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