You can transfer Hilton Honors points to another person, but only through specific routes and with restrictions that depend on your account status and the recipient's relationship to you
Hilton allows point transfers between accounts, but the process is not automatic and comes with conditions. You cannot transfer points to a stranger or a business account. The recipient must have an active Hilton Honors account, and Hilton may ask you to prove your relationship to them. Transfers take 5 to 7 business days to complete, and once sent, points cannot be reversed.
The most common reason to transfer points is to consolidate balances before they expire, to give points to a family member, or to help someone reach a redemption threshold. Hilton charges a fee based on the number of points you send, and that fee comes from your account, not the recipient's.
Key Takeaways
- Hilton only transfers points between accounts where you can prove a personal relationship — typically immediate family, spouses, or domestic partners.
- You pay a transfer fee of $0.01 per 100 points transferred, deducted from your account balance before the transfer goes through.
- The recipient must have an active Hilton Honors account with their own member number before you can send points to them.
- Transfers take 5 to 7 business days, and Hilton may request documentation of your relationship before approving the transfer.
- Points expire after 24 months of account inactivity, so transferring points to an active account can prevent loss.
Who can receive your Hilton points
Hilton restricts transfers to people you have a documented personal relationship with. This includes spouses, domestic partners, parents, children, and siblings. You cannot transfer points to friends, colleagues, or anyone outside your immediate family unless you can demonstrate a legal or financial relationship (such as a power of attorney or guardianship).
The recipient must already have an active Hilton Honors account. If they do not, they need to create one before you can initiate the transfer. Their account must be in good standing — Hilton will not transfer points to a closed, suspended, or fraudulent account.
When you request a transfer, Hilton may ask for proof of your relationship. This can include a marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption papers, or a domestic partnership registration. Have these documents ready before you start the process, because delays in providing them will slow down the transfer.
The cost of transferring points
Hilton charges $0.01 for every 100 points you transfer. This means transferring 10,000 points costs $1.00, and transferring 100,000 points costs $100. The fee is deducted from your account, not charged to the recipient separately.
The fee is non-refundable once the transfer completes. If you change your mind after the transfer goes through, Hilton will not reverse it or refund the fee. This is why it is important to double-check the recipient's account number and the point amount before you confirm.
There is no maximum number of points you can transfer in a single transaction, but Hilton may flag unusually large transfers for review. If you are transferring more than 500,000 points at once, contact Hilton Honors customer service first to confirm there will be no delays.
How to request a transfer through Hilton's website
Log into your Hilton Honors account on the Hilton website or mobile app. Go to your account settings and look for the "Transfer Points" or "Manage Points" option — the exact label varies depending on which platform you use. Click on it and select "Transfer to Another Member."
Enter the recipient's Hilton Honors member number. This is a nine-digit number that appears on their membership card or in their account dashboard. Double-check this number carefully, because sending points to the wrong account cannot be undone. Enter the number of points you want to transfer and review the fee that will be charged.
Hilton will ask you to confirm your relationship to the recipient. Select the relationship that applies (spouse, parent, child, sibling, or other). If you select "other," you may be asked to provide documentation. Click "Submit" to send the request.
You will receive a confirmation email with a reference number. Keep this number in case you need to follow up with Hilton. The transfer will show as "pending" in your account until Hilton approves and processes it, which usually takes 5 to 7 business days.
Transferring points by phone or mail
If you cannot transfer points through the website, you can request a transfer by calling Hilton Honors customer service at 1-800-HILTONS (1-800-445-8667). Have your member number, the recipient's member number, the number of points to transfer, and your relationship to the recipient ready when you call.
The agent will walk you through the same process as the website, confirm the fee, and may ask for proof of your relationship. If Hilton needs documentation, the agent will tell you how to submit it — usually by email or mail. Transfers requested by phone take the same 5 to 7 business days as online transfers.
You can also mail a transfer request to Hilton Honors, but this is slower and rarely necessary. Call customer service to ask for the mailing address and the specific form to use. Mail transfers typically take 2 to 3 weeks because of processing time.
What happens after you request a transfer
Once you submit a transfer request, your points move to a "pending transfer" status. You cannot cancel the transfer after this point, so if you made a mistake, contact Hilton immediately and explain the error. Hilton may be able to reverse a transfer if you catch it within a few hours, but this is not may provide.
Hilton will review the transfer to confirm your relationship to the recipient and that both accounts are in good standing. If Hilton needs more information, it will contact you by email or phone. Respond as quickly as possible, because delays in providing documentation can extend the processing time.
Once approved, the points will appear in the recipient's account within 5 to 7 business days. The recipient will receive a notification that points have been added to their account. The transfer fee will be deducted from your account at the same time the points are transferred to the recipient.
Alternatives if you cannot transfer points directly
If the person you want to give points to is not may be able to access to receive a direct transfer, you have other options. You can book a hotel stay using your points and have the recipient stay in the room with you. The points are used, but the recipient benefits from the stay.
You can also use your points to purchase a Hilton gift card, which you can then give to the recipient. Hilton sells gift cards in denominations from $25 to $500, and you can purchase them with points through the Hilton website. The recipient can use the gift card to pay for a stay, though this is less efficient than a direct point transfer because the point-to-dollar value is usually lower.
If you are concerned about points expiring, you can extend the expiration date by staying at a Hilton property, making a purchase with a Hilton credit card, or transferring points to someone else's account. Any account activity resets the 24-month expiration clock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer points to someone who is not family?
Hilton only transfers points to people you have a documented personal relationship with — typically spouses, domestic partners, parents, children, and siblings. You cannot transfer points to friends or colleagues. If you have a legal relationship to someone outside immediate family (such as power of attorney), contact Hilton to ask whether that qualifies.
What if I send points to the wrong account number?
Once a transfer completes, it cannot be reversed. If you realize you sent points to the wrong account, contact Hilton Honors customer service immediately with your reference number. Hilton may be able to recover the points if you catch the error within a few hours, but this is not may provide. Always double-check the recipient's member number before confirming a transfer.
How long does a transfer take?
Most transfers take 5 to 7 business days from the time Hilton approves your request. If Hilton needs to verify your relationship or review your account, the process may take longer. You can check the status of your transfer in your account dashboard or by calling customer service with your reference number.
Do I have to pay tax on transferred points?
The IRS does not currently treat transferred Hilton points as taxable income to the recipient. However, tax law can change, and your situation may be different. Consult a tax professional if you are transferring a very large number of points or if you have questions about your specific circumstances.
Can I get my points back after I transfer them?
No. Once a transfer completes, the points belong to the recipient's account and cannot be returned to you. Hilton will not reverse a completed transfer except in cases of fraud or error, and even then, reversal is not may provide. Think carefully before you transfer points.