Have you ever dreamt of that dream vacation but found yourself just a few points shy of a free night at a luxurious Marriott property? Or perhaps you and a travel companion are pooling resources to make a bigger redemption? If so, then understanding how to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points is an absolute game-changer! It's a fantastic way to maximize your loyalty earnings and unlock incredible travel experiences.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about transferring Marriott Bonvoy points, from limits and rules to the actual step-by-step process. Let's dive in!
Demystifying Marriott Bonvoy Point Transfers: Your Ultimate Guide
Marriott Bonvoy offers a highly flexible loyalty program that allows members to transfer points to other Bonvoy members and even to a plethora of airline partners. This flexibility can be incredibly valuable for reaching redemption goals faster, helping out friends or family, or diversifying your travel rewards.
Step 1: Understanding the "Why" and "Who" of Point Transfers
Before we get into the "how," let's consider why you might want to transfer points and who you can transfer them to.
Why Transfer Points?
Pooling Points for a Bigger Redemption: This is one of the most common reasons. If you and a partner, family member, or friend each have Marriott Bonvoy points, combining them can help you afford a higher-tier hotel stay or a longer vacation than you could individually.
Helping Out a Fellow Traveler: Maybe a loved one is just a few thousand points short of a free night. Transferring some of your surplus points can be a generous gesture.
Leveraging Elite Status: If one person has a higher elite status with Marriott Bonvoy (e.g., Titanium or Ambassador), transferring points to their account before booking can allow you to benefit from their perks like complimentary breakfast, lounge access, or potential room upgrades.
Topping Off an Airline Account: Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to a wide array of airline partners, which can be useful if you're close to an airline award redemption but need a few more miles.
Who Can You Transfer Points To?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to any other Marriott Bonvoy member. There's no requirement for them to be family members, though it's often used for that purpose. Both the sender and the recipient must have active Marriott Bonvoy accounts.
Step 2: Unveiling the Transfer Limits: How Many Points Can You Move?
This is crucial information, so pay close attention! Marriott Bonvoy has clear limits on how many points you can transfer and receive.
Sub-heading: Sending Points: Your Outgoing Limit
You can transfer up to a maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points per calendar year to other Bonvoy accounts.
This is a combined total – it doesn't matter if you send all 100,000 points to one person or smaller amounts to multiple people. Once you hit that 100,000-point threshold for the calendar year, you cannot send any more points until the next calendar year begins.
Sub-heading: Receiving Points: Your Incoming Limit
A member can receive a maximum of 500,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points per calendar year from other Bonvoy members.
This generous limit means you can accumulate a significant amount of points from various sources if needed for a large redemption.
Sub-heading: Minimum Transfer Amount and Increments
The minimum transfer amount for points between Marriott Bonvoy accounts is 1,000 points.
All transfers must be made in increments of 1,000 points. So you can transfer 1,000, 2,000, 10,000, etc., but not 1,500 or 10,500.
Sub-heading: The Best Part: No Transfer Fees!
One of the most appealing aspects of Marriott Bonvoy point transfers between members is that there is no fee! This makes it a truly valuable benefit, allowing you to move points freely without incurring extra costs.
Step 3: Understanding Account Eligibility and Activity
To ensure a smooth transfer, both accounts involved need to meet certain criteria.
Sub-heading: Account Age and Activity
Both Marriott Bonvoy accounts (the sender's and the receiver's) involved in the transfer must have been open for at least 30 days with qualifying activity (earning or redeeming points).
Alternatively, if there has been no qualifying activity, the accounts must have been open for at least 90 days. This is a security measure to prevent fraudulent point transfers.
Step 4: The Step-by-Step Guide to Transferring Points Online
Gone are the days of having to call customer service for a point transfer! Marriott has made the process much more convenient.
Sub-heading: Option 1: Online Transfer (Recommended)
This is the easiest and fastest method.
Log In to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account: Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (Marriott.com) and log in to the account from which you want to send points.
Navigate to the Transfer Points Page: While the exact navigation might vary slightly, you'll typically find this option under "Redeem" or within your account profile. A direct link is often available on the Marriott Bonvoy help pages.
Enter Recipient's Information: You will need the following information for the recipient:
Their full name, exactly as it appears on their Marriott Bonvoy account.
Their Marriott Bonvoy member number.
Specify Transfer Amount: Enter the number of points you wish to transfer, ensuring it meets the minimum of 1,000 points and is in increments of 1,000.
Verify Your Identity: For security purposes, Marriott will likely ask you to verify your identity via a text message or email to the contact information on your account. Enter the code you receive.
Review and Confirm: Double-check all the details you've entered – the recipient's name, member number, and the number of points. Once everything looks correct, agree to the terms and conditions and click "Transfer Now" or a similar button.
Confirmation: You should receive an immediate confirmation message that your transfer request has been made. While Marriott states it can take up to an hour, most online transfers are instantaneous. If the recipient doesn't see the points immediately, advise them to log out and log back in to their account.
Sub-heading: Option 2: Transferring Points by Phone (If Online Fails or Preferred)
While the online method is preferred, you can still call Marriott Bonvoy Customer Service if you encounter issues or prefer to speak with a representative.
Gather Your Information: Have your Marriott Bonvoy member number and the recipient's full name and member number ready.
Call Customer Service: Dial the Marriott Bonvoy customer service number (e.g., +1-800-627-7468 for North America).
Explain Your Request: Inform the representative that you wish to transfer points to another member.
Provide Details and Verify: They will ask for your account details and the recipient's details. Be prepared to answer security questions to verify your identity.
Confirm Transfer: The representative will process the transfer and confirm the details with you.
Step 5: Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points to Airline Partners
This is a different type of transfer with its own set of rules and considerations. Marriott Bonvoy points can be an excellent way to top up an airline mileage account for a specific award redemption.
Sub-heading: The Transfer Ratio
For most airline partners, Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a ratio of 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 airline mile.
This means if you transfer 30,000 Marriott points, you'll generally receive 10,000 airline miles.
Sub-heading: The 5,000 Mile Bonus
Marriott offers a fantastic bonus: for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer to an airline partner, you'll receive an additional 5,000 bonus miles.
So, if you transfer 60,000 Marriott points, you'll get 20,000 airline miles + 5,000 bonus miles = 25,000 airline miles total. This effectively improves the transfer ratio to 2.4:1 when transferring in increments of 60,000. It's always best to aim for these 60,000-point increments to maximize value.
Sub-heading: Maximum Transfer to Airlines
There's typically a daily maximum on how many points you can transfer to airline partners, often around 240,000 points per day. Check the specific airline partner's transfer page for precise limits.
Sub-heading: Important Considerations for Airline Transfers
Value Proposition: While transferring to airlines can be useful, remember that NerdWallet values Marriott Bonvoy points at around 0.9 cents each when redeemed for hotel stays. Transferring to airlines at a 3:1 ratio (or even 2.4:1 with the bonus) means you need to get good value from your airline miles to make it worthwhile. Generally, the best value from Marriott points is usually for hotel stays.
Name Match: The name on your Marriott Bonvoy account must exactly match the name on your frequent flyer program account for the transfer to be successful.
Transfer Time: Transfers to airline partners are generally not instant and can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks to process. Plan accordingly if you have an urgent flight redemption.
Irreversible: Once points are transferred to an airline, they cannot be converted back to Marriott Bonvoy points.
Sub-heading: How to Transfer to Airline Partners
Log In to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account: As with member-to-member transfers, start by logging into your account on Marriott.com.
Navigate to Transfer Points to Miles: Look for the "Transfer Points to Miles" or "Airline Partners" section under the "Redeem" tab.
Select the Airline Partner: Choose from the extensive list of Marriott's airline partners.
Enter Transfer Amount: Input the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer. Remember to aim for increments of 60,000 points to get the bonus!
Provide Airline Frequent Flyer Number: Enter your frequent flyer program account number for the chosen airline.
Confirm and Submit: Review all details carefully, agree to the terms, and submit your transfer request.
Step 6: Common Pitfalls and Tips for a Smooth Transfer
Even with clear instructions, sometimes things can go awry. Here are some common issues and helpful tips.
Sub-heading: Double-Check Everything
Account Numbers: Always double-check the recipient's Marriott Bonvoy member number. A single incorrect digit can lead to delays or issues.
Name Match: For both member-to-member and airline transfers, ensure the names on the accounts match exactly.
Increment Adherence: Make sure your transfer amount adheres to the 1,000-point increments for member-to-member transfers and consider the 60,000-point increments for airline transfers to maximize the bonus.
Sub-heading: Account Activity is Key
If your account or the recipient's account is new or has been inactive, ensure it meets the 30 or 90-day activity requirement before attempting a transfer.
Sub-heading: Keep Records
It's a good practice to take a screenshot of your confirmation page after an online transfer or note down the confirmation number if transferring by phone. This can be helpful if you need to follow up with Marriott.
Sub-heading: Be Patient with Airline Transfers
Do not expect airline transfers to be instantaneous. Give yourself ample time, especially if you're trying to book a time-sensitive award flight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common "How to" questions about transferring Marriott Bonvoy points, with quick answers:
How to transfer Marriott points to another person?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account online, navigate to the "Transfer Points" section, enter the recipient's full name and member number, specify the amount (min 1,000, in 1,000-point increments), verify your identity, and confirm.
How to transfer Marriott points to an airline?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account online, go to "Transfer Points to Miles" under the "Redeem" section, select the airline partner, enter your frequent flyer number and the amount of Marriott points (aim for 60,000-point increments for the bonus), and confirm.
How to find the Marriott Bonvoy transfer points limit to another member?
You can transfer a maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year to other Bonvoy members. A member can receive up to 500,000 points per calendar year.
How to transfer Marriott points to a family member?
The process is the same as transferring to any other member: use the online transfer tool, provide their full name and member number, and follow the steps. There are no special "family" accounts; each member has their own.
How to avoid fees when transferring Marriott points?
There are no fees when transferring Marriott Bonvoy points between two Marriott Bonvoy members. However, be aware of potential fees if you're looking to purchase points or if you're transferring points from another loyalty program to Marriott Bonvoy (which is a different process).
How to ensure my Marriott point transfer is successful?
Double-check the recipient's name and Marriott Bonvoy member number for accuracy, ensure both accounts meet the 30/90-day activity requirement, and stick to the 1,000-point transfer increments.
How to check the status of a Marriott point transfer?
Online transfers between members are usually instant. For airline transfers, you may need to wait a few days and then check your airline mileage account directly. If you have concerns, contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service.
How to get the 5,000 bonus miles when transferring Marriott points to airlines?
To receive the 5,000 bonus miles, you must transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to an airline partner in increments of 60,000 points. For example, transferring 60,000 points gets you 20,000 miles + 5,000 bonus = 25,000 miles.
How to combine Marriott Bonvoy accounts if I have more than one?
If you have multiple Marriott Bonvoy accounts in your own name, you can request to combine them through Marriott's dedicated online form or by contacting customer service. This is different from transferring points to another individual.
How to know which airline partners Marriott Bonvoy transfers to?
Marriott Bonvoy has an extensive list of over 40 airline partners. You can find the complete, up-to-date list and their transfer ratios on the official Marriott Bonvoy website under the "Transfer Points to Miles" section.
