You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another person, but only through specific routes and with restrictions on how many you can move at once.

Marriott allows point transfers between members in the same household or to another Bonvoy member you choose, but the process is not automatic. You initiate the transfer through your Bonvoy account online, the transfer takes 24 to 48 hours to complete, and Marriott charges a fee based on how many points you send. The recipient must have an active Bonvoy account before you start.

Transfers are permanent and non-refundable once completed. You cannot reverse a transfer or recover points sent by mistake. This matters because the fee structure means moving small amounts of points costs proportionally more than moving large amounts.

Key Takeaways

  • Marriott charges a fee to transfer points: $0.01 per point for transfers under 100,000 points, with lower per-point rates for larger transfers.
  • The recipient must already have an active Bonvoy account, and you need their membership number before you start the transfer.
  • Transfers take 24 to 48 hours to show in the recipient's account, and you cannot cancel or reverse a transfer once it begins.
  • You can transfer points only to household members or other Bonvoy members, and Marriott may ask for proof of household relationship if the names differ.

How to Start a Point Transfer Through Your Account

Log into your Bonvoy account on Marriott's website or mobile app. Go to the "Points" or "Manage Points" section — the exact label varies by app version, but it is always in the main menu. Look for an option labeled "Transfer Points" or "Send Points to Another Member."

Enter the recipient's Bonvoy membership number (not their name). You must have this number before you begin; Marriott will not let you search by name or email. The recipient can find their membership number on their Bonvoy card, in their account settings, or in any confirmation email from Marriott.

Enter the number of points you want to transfer. Marriott will show you the fee in real time — this is the only moment you see the exact cost before you commit. Review the fee, confirm the recipient's membership number one more time, and submit. You will receive a confirmation email with a transaction reference number.

Understanding Marriott's Point Transfer Fees

Marriott charges based on volume. For transfers of 1 to 99,999 points, the fee is $0.01 per point. For 100,000 to 199,999 points, it drops to $0.005 per point. For 200,000 points or more, the rate is $0.003 per point. These fees are paid by the person sending the points, not the recipient.

Example: transferring 50,000 points costs $500. Transferring 100,000 points costs $500 (at the lower rate). The fee is charged to your credit card on file immediately, even though the points themselves take 24 to 48 hours to arrive.

There is no minimum transfer amount, but Marriott does set a maximum: you cannot transfer more than 1 million points per calendar year to any single recipient. If you need to move more than that, you must wait until January 1 or split the transfer across multiple recipients.

Who You Can Transfer Points To

Marriott recognizes two categories of recipients: household members and other Bonvoy members. Household members are people who live at the same address as you. Other Bonvoy members can be anyone with an active account — a friend, family member in another city, or a colleague.

If you transfer to someone at a different address, Marriott may request proof that you know them or that the transfer is legitimate. This is rare but can happen if the transfer is large or if Marriott flags the account for other reasons. If asked, you can provide a statement explaining the relationship.

You cannot transfer points to a business account, a corporate Bonvoy account, or an account that has been closed. The recipient's account must be active and in good standing.

What Happens After You Submit the Transfer

Once you submit, Marriott processes the request within 24 to 48 hours. During this time, the points remain in your account — they do not disappear immediately. You will see a pending transfer in your account activity, and the recipient will receive a notification that points are on the way.

After 48 hours, the points move to the recipient's account and the transfer is complete. At this point, the transfer cannot be reversed. If you made a mistake — sent to the wrong person, sent the wrong amount, or changed your mind — you have no recourse through Marriott. You would have to ask the recipient to transfer the points back to you, and they would pay the fee to do so.

Both you and the recipient will receive confirmation emails showing the transaction reference number, the number of points transferred, and the date the transfer completed.

Reasons Marriott Might Decline or Delay a Transfer

Marriott will not process a transfer if the recipient's account does not exist, is closed, or is suspended. If you enter an incorrect membership number, the system will reject it before you pay the fee. Always double-check the number.

If either account has been flagged for fraud, unusual activity, or policy violations, Marriott may hold the transfer for manual review. This can add several days to the process. Marriott will contact you if this happens, usually by email to the address on file.

Transfers may also be delayed if Marriott is performing system maintenance or if there is high volume. During peak travel seasons or after major promotions, transfers can take longer than the standard 24 to 48 hours.

Alternatives to Transferring Points Directly

If you want to give someone the benefit of your points without transferring them, you can book a stay or award night for them using your points. You book the reservation in your own account but put their name as the guest. They check in and stay, and the points come out of your account. This avoids the transfer fee entirely.

You can also purchase points for someone else's account. Marriott allows point purchases, and you can direct them to another member's account. This is more expensive than transferring your own points — purchase rates are typically $0.01 to $0.015 per point depending on the promotion — but it does not have the same restrictions as transfers.

Some Bonvoy members also use the program's "Bring a Friend" promotions or refer other people to open accounts, which generates bonus points that can then be transferred. This is slower but costs nothing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer points to someone who does not have a Bonvoy account yet?

No. The recipient must have an active Bonvoy account before you start the transfer. If they do not have one, they can open an account for free on Marriott's website in about five minutes, and then you can transfer points to them.

What if I transfer points to the wrong person by mistake?

Marriott does not reverse transfers. You would have to contact the person who received the points and ask them to transfer them back to you. They would pay the transfer fee to do so. This is why it is critical to verify the membership number before you submit.

Do transferred points expire?

Transferred points follow the same expiration rules as any other Bonvoy points. Points expire if your account has no activity for 24 months. Activity includes earning, redeeming, or transferring points. Receiving a transfer counts as activity and resets the expiration clock on all your points.

Can I transfer points as a gift for a wedding or birthday?

Yes. There is no restriction on the reason for a transfer. You can transfer points to anyone with a Bonvoy account for any reason. Just remember that the fee applies regardless of the occasion.

Is there a limit to how many times I can transfer points in a year?

No limit on the number of transfers, but there is a limit on the total amount per recipient: 1 million points per calendar year to any single person. You can transfer to multiple people without restriction.