Ever Wondered About the Ultimate Flexibility of Your Marriott Bonvoy Points? Let's Dive In!
Hey there, fellow travel enthusiast! Have you ever found yourself with a stash of Marriott Bonvoy points, dreaming of that perfect getaway, but then a question pops into your head: "How many times can I actually transfer these points?" Perhaps you're looking to pool points with a family member for a big redemption, or maybe you're eyeing a flight with an airline partner. Whatever your reason, understanding the ins and outs of Marriott Bonvoy point transfers is key to maximizing your travel rewards. So, let's embark on this detailed journey together, shall we?
This comprehensive guide will break down everything you need to know about transferring your Marriott Bonvoy points, with clear, step-by-step instructions and important considerations. Get ready to become a Marriott point transfer pro!
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| How Many Times Can You Transfer Marriott Points |
Step 1: Understanding the Basics of Marriott Bonvoy Point Transfers
Before we get into the "how-to," it's crucial to grasp the fundamental rules governing Marriott Bonvoy point transfers. This program offers remarkable flexibility, but there are important limits and conditions to be aware of.
Types of Transfers
Marriott Bonvoy allows for two primary types of point transfers:
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Transfers to another Marriott Bonvoy member: This is incredibly useful for combining points with family or friends to reach a higher award redemption level.
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Transfers to airline loyalty programs: A fantastic option if you prefer to use your points for flights rather than hotel stays, converting them into airline miles.
Key Transfer Limits and Conditions
Marriott has some specific rules in place to ensure fair usage of the program. These are vital to remember:
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Minimum Transfer Amount: You must transfer a minimum of 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per transaction.
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Transfer Increments: All transfers must be made in increments of 1,000 points. You can't transfer 1,500 points, for example; it has to be 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, and so on.
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No Fees: One of the best aspects of transferring Marriott points to another member is that it's completely free! This is a significant advantage compared to some other loyalty programs that charge a fee for point transfers.
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Account Age and Activity: Both the sending and receiving Marriott Bonvoy accounts must be in good standing.
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If the account has had qualifying activity, it needs to be open for at least 30 days.
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If there has been no qualifying activity, the account must have been open for at least 90 days. This is a crucial detail, especially if you're trying to quickly pool points with a newly created account.
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Step 2: Transferring Points to Another Marriott Bonvoy Member
Tip: Slow down at important lists or bullet points.
This is often the most common type of transfer, especially for families or groups looking to book a larger award stay. Marriott's policy here is quite generous.
Sub-heading: How Many Times Can You Transfer Points to Another Member?
This is where it gets interesting! Marriott Bonvoy has both monthly and annual limits on the number of transactions and the total points you can transfer or receive.
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Maximum Transactions Per Month: You are limited to two (2) transfer transactions (either giving or receiving points) per calendar month.
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Maximum Transactions Per Year: You can engage in a maximum of six (6) transfer transactions (giving or receiving points) per calendar year.
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Maximum Points Transferred (Giving): You can transfer up to a maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year from your account to other member accounts.
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Maximum Points Received (Receiving): A member can receive up to a maximum of 500,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year from other member accounts.
What does this mean in practice? You could, theoretically, transfer points to a different person six times a year, or receive points from six different people. The total amount transferred out of your account cannot exceed 100,000 points in a year, and the total received into your account cannot exceed 500,000 points in a year.
Sub-heading: Step-by-Step Guide to Transferring Points to Another Member Online
Marriott has made this process quite straightforward online.
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Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy Account: Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website and log in with your credentials.
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Navigate to the Transfer Points Page:
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Once logged in, hover over "My Account" or "Profile" (the exact wording might vary slightly).
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Look for an option like "Use Points," "Redeem Points," or "Transfer Points."
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You'll typically find a dedicated "Transfer Points" section under the "Earn & Use" or "Redeem" menu.
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Direct Link Tip: Many travel blogs and forums provide direct links to the Marriott Bonvoy point transfer page, which can save you a bit of searching.
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Enter Recipient Information:
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You will be prompted to enter the recipient's Marriott Bonvoy Member Number and their First Name and Last Name exactly as they appear on their Marriott Bonvoy account. Accuracy is crucial here to avoid any delays or issues.
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Specify Transfer Amount:
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Enter the number of points you wish to transfer. Remember, it must be in increments of 1,000 points and meet the minimum 1,000 points requirement.
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Ensure you are within your annual transfer limit of 100,000 points.
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Review and Confirm:
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Carefully review all the details you've entered. Double-check the recipient's information and the transfer amount.
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Confirm that you understand the terms and conditions.
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Complete the Transfer:
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Click the "Transfer" or "Submit" button to finalize the request.
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You should receive a confirmation email shortly after.
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Instantaneous Transfers: In most cases, point transfers between Marriott Bonvoy accounts are instantaneous, meaning the points should appear in the recipient's account almost immediately, allowing for quick redemptions.
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Sub-heading: Important Considerations for Member-to-Member Transfers
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No Elite Night Credit or Status Transfer: While points can be transferred, Elite Night Credit, Lifetime Status, and Free Night Certificates are non-transferable. If you're transferring points to book a stay, the elite benefits will only apply if the booking is made from an account that holds that elite status.
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Points Expiration and Transfers: Receiving or transferring points does not reset the 24-month expiration clock for your Marriott Bonvoy points. To keep your points from expiring, you need to have a "qualifying activity" (e.g., a paid stay, earning points with a co-branded credit card, converting points to miles).
Step 3: Transferring Points to Airline Loyalty Programs
Marriott Bonvoy has an extensive list of airline partners, offering a valuable alternative for your points.
QuickTip: Read line by line if it’s complex.
Sub-heading: How Many Times Can You Transfer Points to Airlines?
When it comes to airline transfers, the "how many times" question is typically addressed by daily and overall limits.
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Daily Transfer Limit: You can transfer between 3,000 and 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per day to airline partners. This daily limit is on a total basis, meaning it applies across all airline transfers you might make in a single day, not per airline.
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Transfer Ratio: For most airline partners, the transfer ratio is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 airline mile.
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Bonus Miles: One of the most attractive features is that for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer to airline miles, Marriott will add a bonus of 5,000 additional miles. This effectively turns a 3:1 ratio into a 2.4:1 ratio for every 60,000 points transferred, which is a fantastic deal! (Note: This bonus usually doesn't apply to specific airlines like American Airlines AAdvantage, Avianca LifeMiles, and Delta SkyMiles, and there might be different bonuses for some partners like United MileagePlus).
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No Annual Limit on Transfers Out to Airlines (beyond daily): Unlike member-to-member transfers, there isn't an explicit annual limit on the number of times you can initiate a transfer to airlines, as long as you adhere to the daily point transfer limits. You can transfer up to 240,000 points every day if you wished, limited by your points balance.
Sub-heading: Step-by-Step Guide to Transferring Points to Airline Programs
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Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy Account: As with member transfers, start by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account.
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Access the Points to Miles Transfer Page:
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Navigate to the "Redeem" or "Use Points" section.
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Look for an option like "Transfer Points to Miles," "Airline Transfer Partners," or similar.
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Marriott Bonvoy has a dedicated page listing all its airline partners and their respective transfer ratios.
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Select Your Desired Airline Partner: Choose from the extensive list of Marriott's airline transfer partners. Ensure your name on your Marriott Bonvoy account exactly matches your name on your chosen frequent flyer program account.
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Enter Your Frequent Flyer Program Details: Provide your frequent flyer program membership number for the selected airline.
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Specify Transfer Amount (in Marriott Bonvoy Points):
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Enter the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer.
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The system will usually display the equivalent number of airline miles you will receive, including any bonuses.
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Remember the minimum 3,000 points and the daily 240,000 points limit.
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Review and Confirm:
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Carefully review the transfer details, including the airline, your frequent flyer number, and the points/miles conversion.
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Important Note: Once points are transferred to an airline program, they cannot be transferred back to your Marriott Bonvoy account. Transfers are generally final.
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Complete the Transfer:
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Submit your transfer request.
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Transfer times to airline programs can vary. While some may be relatively quick (e.g., within 24-48 hours), others can take up to 5 business days or sometimes even longer. It's wise to plan ahead for airline redemptions.
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Sub-heading: Strategic Tips for Airline Transfers
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Leverage the 60,000 Point Bonus: Always try to transfer in multiples of 60,000 points to maximize the 5,000 bonus miles. This makes your points significantly more valuable.
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Check for Transfer Bonuses: Occasionally, Marriott or specific airline partners will offer promotional transfer bonuses, adding even more miles to your transfer. Keep an eye out for these!
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Compare Redemption Values: Before transferring, always compare the value you'd get from using your points for a Marriott hotel stay versus converting them to airline miles. Sometimes, a direct hotel redemption offers better value.
In Summary: How Many Times Can You Transfer Marriott Points?
To recap the "how many times" question:
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To Another Marriott Bonvoy Member: You can transfer points up to 6 times per calendar year (as either sender or receiver), with a maximum of 100,000 points transferred out and 500,000 points received in your account annually. Each transfer counts towards your 2 monthly transaction limit.
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To Airline Loyalty Programs: You can initiate transfers to airlines multiple times a day/year as long as you adhere to the daily limit of 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. There's no set "number of times" limit beyond the daily point cap.
Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effectively managing your Marriott Bonvoy points and making the most of your travel opportunities!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to transfer Marriott points to a family member?
Tip: Use the structure of the text to guide you.
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another Marriott Bonvoy member (including family) online via your account. Both accounts must be open for at least 30 or 90 days (depending on activity), and you'll need the recipient's full name and Bonvoy member number.
How to combine Marriott points from multiple accounts?
To combine Marriott points from multiple accounts, you essentially transfer points from one Marriott Bonvoy account to another. The limits apply per sending and receiving account (e.g., 100,000 points sent out, 500,000 points received in per year).
How to find the Marriott Bonvoy point transfer page?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on the official website. Navigate to "My Account" or "Profile," then look for sections related to "Use Points" or "Redeem Points." You should find a specific link for "Transfer Points" or "Gift Points."
How to transfer Marriott points to United Airlines?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus at a 3:1 ratio. For every 60,000 Marriott points transferred, you also receive a 10,000 bonus miles with United, making it a very favorable transfer.
How to transfer Marriott points to British Airways Avios?
Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to British Airways Executive Club Avios at a 3:1 ratio. Remember to transfer in increments of 60,000 Marriott points to earn the 5,000 bonus Avios.
QuickTip: Skim the intro, then dive deeper.
How to transfer Marriott points to Delta SkyMiles?
Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to Delta SkyMiles at a 3:1 ratio. Note that the standard 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred generally does not apply to Delta SkyMiles.
How to transfer Marriott points to an American Airlines AAdvantage account?
Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to American Airlines AAdvantage at a 3:1 ratio. Similar to Delta, the 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred typically does not apply to AAdvantage.
How to avoid Marriott points expiration when transferring?
Transferring or receiving Marriott Bonvoy points does not reset your points expiration clock. To prevent points from expiring, you need a "qualifying activity" such as a paid stay, earning points with a co-branded credit card, or converting points to airline miles (though not vice-versa or member-to-member transfers).
How to transfer Marriott points for free?
Transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to another Marriott Bonvoy member is completely free. There are no fees involved for this type of transfer, making it a very cost-effective way to pool points.
How to gift a Marriott award stay to someone else?
While you can transfer points to another member for them to book their own award stay, you can also book an award stay directly from your account and designate it as a "Gifted Award Redemption Stay" for another guest. You must contact Member Support to add the recipient's name to the reservation. You are limited to five (5) gifted award reservations per calendar year.
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