You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another account, but only through Marriott's official transfer system, and the receiving account must already exist
Marriott allows you to move points from your Bonvoy account to someone else's account using their Points Transfer feature. The receiving person must have an active Marriott Bonvoy account with their own membership number. You cannot transfer points to an email address or create an account as part of the transfer — the destination account has to be set up first.
Transfers are permanent and non-refundable once completed. Marriott charges a fee based on how many points you're moving: the cost starts at $10 USD for transfers under 10,000 points and increases in tiers up to $99 USD for transfers of 100,000 points or more. The exact fee schedule varies slightly by country, so check Marriott's current rates before you initiate the transfer.
The transfer itself typically completes within 24 to 48 hours after you submit it through your account. There is no way to reverse a transfer after it goes through, so verify the recipient's membership number and account details before you confirm.
Key Takeaways
- The person receiving your points must already have an active Marriott Bonvoy account with a membership number before you can transfer to them.
- Marriott charges a fee for every transfer, ranging from $10 to $99 depending on the number of points, and you pay the fee from your own account.
- Transfers complete within 24 to 48 hours and cannot be reversed, so double-check the recipient's membership number before you submit.
- You can transfer points to multiple people in separate transactions, but each transfer incurs its own fee.
How to initiate a transfer through your Marriott account
Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account on Marriott's website or mobile app. Go to your account settings or profile menu and look for an option labeled "Transfer Points" or "Send Points" — the exact wording varies by region. Click that option to open the transfer form.
Enter the recipient's Marriott Bonvoy membership number in the required field. This is the 10-digit number that appears on their Bonvoy card or in their account profile — not their name or email. If you don't have their membership number, ask them to log into their account and find it in their profile section or on any Marriott confirmation email they've received.
Enter the number of points you want to transfer. The system will show you the fee for that amount before you confirm. Review the fee, confirm the membership number one more time, and submit the transfer. You will receive a confirmation email with a reference number.
What happens after you submit the transfer
The points leave your account immediately after you submit, and the fee is charged to your Marriott account at the same time. The recipient's account will show the incoming points within 24 to 48 hours. They will also receive a notification email from Marriott confirming the transfer.
Once the points appear in the recipient's account, they can use them to book hotel stays, flights through Marriott's travel partners, or other redemptions available through the Bonvoy program. There is no waiting period or additional step required on their end.
Situations where you cannot transfer points
You cannot transfer points to an account that does not yet exist. If the person you want to send points to is not a Marriott Bonvoy member, they must create an account first — this takes a few minutes on Marriott's website and requires only an email address and basic information.
You also cannot transfer points to accounts that have been closed or suspended. If the recipient's account is inactive or flagged, Marriott will reject the transfer. Ask the recipient to confirm their account is active before you attempt the transfer.
Marriott does not allow transfers to or from corporate accounts, and some regional restrictions may apply depending on where you and the recipient are located. Check Marriott's transfer policy for your country if you are transferring internationally.
Alternatives if you want to move points without paying a fee
Marriott occasionally runs promotions that waive or reduce transfer fees, usually around holidays or during special member events. These promotions are announced through your Bonvoy account email and on the Marriott website. If you can wait, monitoring for these offers can save you money on larger transfers.
If you want to help someone use your points without transferring ownership, you can add them as an authorized user on your Bonvoy account. This lets them book redemptions using your points without the points changing hands. The authorized user feature does not cost anything and can be revoked at any time.
You can also book a hotel stay or flight for someone else using your own points without transferring them. When you search for a reservation, you can enter the recipient's name and details even though you are paying with your points. This keeps the points in your account and gives you more control over the redemption.
What to do if a transfer fails or gets stuck
If you submitted a transfer and the points did not appear in the recipient's account after 48 hours, contact Marriott customer service with your transfer confirmation number. They can check the status and tell you whether the transfer is still processing, was rejected, or encountered an error.
If Marriott rejected the transfer, the most common reasons are an incorrect membership number, a closed or suspended account, or a regional restriction. The rejection email from Marriott will usually explain why. Verify the membership number and account status with the recipient, then try again if the issue is fixed.
If the transfer was rejected and you were charged a fee, contact Marriott to request a refund of the fee. They typically reverse the charge if the transfer failed on their end, though you may need to provide the rejection confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer points to someone who doesn't have a Marriott account yet?
No. The recipient must create a Marriott Bonvoy account first and provide you with their membership number. Account creation is free and takes a few minutes on Marriott's website. Once their account is active, you can transfer points to them.
What is the fee for transferring 50,000 points?
Marriott's fee structure varies by region and changes periodically, so you should check the current rates in your country before you transfer. The fee is shown to you in the transfer form before you confirm, so you will know the exact cost before your points leave your account.
Can I cancel a transfer after I submit it?
No. Once you submit a transfer, it cannot be cancelled. The points and the fee are processed immediately. If you made a mistake, contact Marriott customer service right away, but they cannot may provide a reversal if the transfer has already completed.
Do transferred points expire?
Marriott Bonvoy points do not expire as long as your account remains active and you have at least one may have access to activity every 24 months. Transferred points follow the same expiration rules as any other points in the account. The recipient's account activity will reset their expiration timer.
Can I transfer points back to my own account if I change my mind?
No. Transfers are one-way and permanent. If you transferred points to someone else and want them back, you would have to ask that person to transfer them back to you, and you would both pay fees for the second transfer.