Have you accumulated a mountain of Marriott Bonvoy points, perhaps from business travel, credit card spending, or numerous hotel stays, and now you're wondering how to convert them into something more tangible, like cold, hard cash? While Marriott Bonvoy's official terms and conditions generally prohibit the direct "selling" of points, there are established, albeit unofficial, methods and reputable third-party brokers who facilitate this process. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about navigating this grey area, ensuring a smooth and secure transaction.
The Nuance of "Selling" Marriott Bonvoy Points
First things first: it's crucial to understand that Marriott Bonvoy's official terms and conditions typically forbid the sale or barter of points. This is a common policy among loyalty programs designed to prevent fraudulent activity and maintain the integrity of their rewards systems. However, a thriving secondary market exists where individuals and businesses are willing to purchase your points, often for their own travel or for clients. These transactions operate by leveraging the legitimate mechanisms of point transfers or award bookings.
Why would someone want to buy your points? Simple. They might need a large quantity of points for an upcoming trip, but don't have enough themselves, or they might be able to get a better value by buying points from you than by purchasing them directly from Marriott or through other means. For you, it's a way to unlock the monetary value of points you might not otherwise use for travel.
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| How To Sell Marriott Bonvoy Points |
A Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Your Marriott Bonvoy Points
Ready to turn those points into cash? Let's break down the process.
Step 1: Evaluate Your Points and Their Value – Are your points sitting idle? Let's find out what they're truly worth!
Before you even think about contacting a buyer, you need to understand the potential value of your Marriott Bonvoy points. This will help you set realistic expectations and negotiate effectively.
Understanding Point Valuation
General Market Value: The value of Marriott Bonvoy points fluctuates, but generally, they are valued by third-party buyers anywhere from 0.45 cents to 0.9 cents per point. This can vary based on market demand, the quantity of points you're selling, and the buyer's current needs.
How Much Do You Have? Most reputable buyers will have a minimum point requirement, often starting from 70,000 points or more. If you have fewer points, it might be harder to find a buyer or you might get a lower rate.
Quick Calculation
To get a rough idea, if you have 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points and a buyer offers you 0.7 cents per point, you could potentially receive $700.
Step 2: Research Reputable Third-Party Brokers – Choosing the right partner is paramount for a safe transaction.
Tip: Don’t overthink — just keep reading.
Since direct selling is against Marriott's terms, you'll be working with a third-party broker. This is the most crucial step to ensure a safe and successful transaction.
What to Look For:
Established Reputation: Look for companies with a long history in the miles and points buying industry. Websites like The Miles Market and SellMyMiles are examples of such brokers.
Positive Reviews and Testimonials: Check independent review platforms (like Google Reviews, Trustpilot, or even travel forums on Reddit) for feedback from other users. Look for consistent positive experiences regarding payment speed, security, and customer service.
Clear Process and Transparency: A reliable buyer will have a transparent process for getting a quote, submitting your information, and receiving payment. They should clearly explain how they facilitate the transfer.
Security Measures: Inquire about their security protocols for handling your login credentials. Reputable buyers use encrypted forms and do not store your information after the transaction.
Payment Method and Speed: Understand how you'll be paid (e.g., PayPal, bank transfer) and the typical timeframe for payment. Many promise fast payment, often within a few hours or 24 hours.
Warning: Be Wary of Unsolicited Offers or Deals That Seem Too Good to Be True. These could be scams. Always do your due diligence.
Step 3: Get a Quote and Compare Offers – Shop around to maximize your return!
Once you've identified a few potential brokers, it's time to get some quotes.
The Quoting Process:
Online Forms: Most brokers have a simple online form where you input the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to sell and your contact information.
Instant or Quick Quotes: Many offer instant quotes or promise to get back to you within a short timeframe (e.g., 24 hours).
No Obligation: A reputable company will provide a quote with no obligation to sell. This allows you to compare offers from different buyers.
Comparing Offers:
Per-Point Rate: Focus on the "cents per point" offer. Even a small difference can add up significantly with large point quantities.
Minimum Requirements: Ensure your points meet their minimum requirements for the quoted rate.
Fees (Rare but Check): Confirm there are no hidden fees that would reduce your net payout.
Step 4: Accept the Offer and Provide Account Details – Proceed with caution and security in mind.
If you're satisfied with an offer, you'll proceed to accept it. This typically involves securely providing your Marriott Bonvoy account login details.
Secure Submission:
Tip: The details are worth a second look.
Encrypted Forms: Always ensure you are submitting your sensitive information through an encrypted and secure platform (look for "https://" in the URL and a padlock icon).
Limited Access: The buyer will access your account solely to verify the point balance and facilitate the transfer or booking. They should not store your credentials long-term.
Change Your Password (Optional but Recommended): For added peace of mind, you might consider changing your Marriott Bonvoy password after initiating the sale and after the points have been transferred.
Important Note: The buyer's method of "transferring" points often involves them booking a hotel stay for their client using your points. This is typically done through a legitimate award redemption within the Marriott Bonvoy system.
Step 5: Receive Your Payment – The moment you've been waiting for!
This is where your Marriott Bonvoy points transform into tangible value.
Payment Speed:
Fast Payouts: A key differentiator for reputable buyers is their speed of payment. Many boast payments within a few hours or the same business day, before they even utilize your points.
Payment Methods: Common payment methods include PayPal, bank transfers, or other electronic payment services. Confirm the method that works best for you.
Verification:
You may receive a confirmation from the buyer once the payment has been sent.
It's always a good idea to verify the payment in your chosen account before the transaction is fully complete.
Step 6: The Buyer Handles the Point Utilization – Your part is done!
Once you've been paid, your involvement in the process is largely complete.
Behind the Scenes:
The buyer will now use your points to book hotel stays for their clients or transfer them to another account if permissible under specific circumstances (though direct member-to-member transfers are usually limited by Marriott).
You should monitor your Marriott Bonvoy account to see the points deducted, confirming the transaction's completion.
Potential Risks and Considerations
While selling points can be a convenient way to monetize them, it's important to be aware of the potential downsides:
Tip: Break long posts into short reading sessions.
Marriott's Terms and Conditions: As mentioned, Marriott generally prohibits the sale of points. If Marriott discovers you've sold your points, they could potentially close your account, confiscate your points, or even ban you from the program. However, reputable third-party brokers have methods to minimize this risk, often by booking award stays directly.
Security Concerns: Providing your login credentials to a third party always carries a degree of risk. Choose a broker with a proven track record of security and privacy.
Value vs. Redemption: You'll almost always get less cash value for your points than if you were to redeem them for high-value hotel stays yourself, especially at luxury properties where point redemptions can offer exceptional value. Consider if selling is truly the best option compared to an aspirational redemption.
Point Expiration: If your points are nearing expiration and you have no immediate travel plans, selling them might be a better option than letting them go to waste.
Alternatives to Selling Marriott Bonvoy Points
Before you commit to selling, consider these legitimate ways to use your points, which might offer a better return:
Hotel Stays: This is the primary and often most valuable way to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points. Look for "sweet spots" where the cash price of a hotel room is very high, but the point redemption is relatively low.
Transfer to Airline Partners: Marriott Bonvoy has numerous airline transfer partners, often at a 3:1 ratio (3 Marriott Bonvoy points for 1 airline mile), with a bonus of 5,000 miles when you transfer 60,000 points. This can be a great way to book expensive flights.
Marriott Bonvoy Moments: Redeem points for unique experiences, from culinary events to sports packages.
Cash + Points: If you don't have enough points for a full award stay, you can often combine points and cash.
Gift Cards & Merchandise: While generally offering poor value, these are options if you truly have no travel plans.
Donate Points: You can donate points to various charities.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to get a quick quote for selling Marriott Bonvoy points?
You can get a quick quote by visiting the websites of reputable third-party miles and points brokers like The Miles Market or SellMyMiles and filling out their online quote request form.
How to ensure the security of my Marriott Bonvoy account when selling points?
To ensure security, only use brokers with encrypted websites (look for "https://" and a padlock icon), read reviews about their security practices, and consider changing your Marriott Bonvoy password after the transaction is complete and before the points are used.
How to know if a Marriott Bonvoy points buyer is legitimate?
Look for buyers with a long history in the industry, overwhelmingly positive customer reviews on independent platforms, transparent processes, and clear communication regarding their procedures and payment.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another person?
Marriott Bonvoy allows members to transfer points to another member's account, but typically with limitations (e.g., a maximum of 100,000 points per calendar year) and often for a fee, and usually only by contacting Member Support. Third-party buyers often don't rely on this direct transfer, but rather use your points for award bookings.
Tip: Focus on one point at a time.
How to calculate the cash value of my Marriott Bonvoy points?
Multiply the number of points you have by the per-point rate offered by a buyer. For example, 50,000 points at 0.7 cents/point = $350.
How to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for the best value if I don't sell them?
The best value for Marriott Bonvoy points is typically found when redeeming them for hotel stays at high-category properties, especially during peak seasons when cash rates are high, or by transferring them to airline partners for premium cabin award flights.
How to avoid losing Marriott Bonvoy points due to expiration?
Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 months of inactivity. To prevent expiration, you need to have qualifying earning or redemption activity within that timeframe, such as a hotel stay, a credit card purchase on a Marriott co-branded card, or a points redemption.
How to find the minimum points required to sell to a third-party broker?
Most brokers list their minimum point requirements on their websites, which commonly range from 50,000 to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points or more.
How to receive payment after selling Marriott Bonvoy points?
Reputable buyers usually offer payment via popular electronic methods such as PayPal, bank transfers, or other secure online payment platforms. Confirm your preferred method with the buyer.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service regarding point transfers or issues?
You can contact Marriott Bonvoy Member Support directly through their official website, phone numbers listed on the site, or their social media channels for any official inquiries related to your account or points.
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