All major hotel loyalty programs have different policies regarding combining points between accounts.
Hilton Honors is the best because you can instantly transfer points to any member online. You can also transfer up to 500,000 points to other members and receive up two million points per year per account. World of Hyatts has a great policy that allows you to combine points so you can redeem (with no limit).
Marriott Bonvoy is the largest loyalty program in the world. So how does Marriott Bonvoy's policy on combining points measure up? It may not be the best, but it can still be very useful. This morning I went through the process for combining points and wanted to share how it works.
What number of Marriott Bonvoy points are you able to combine?
Marriott Bonvoy allows you to combine points between accounts for free, subject to the following restrictions:
You can transfer up 100,000 points per year
Up to 500,000 points can be earned per calendar year
Points cannot be combined in increments of 1,000 points
With whom can you combine Marriott Bonvoy Points?
You don't have to be related to the person you are sharing points with or even share the same address. You can transfer your points to anyone.
There is a limit to how long accounts can remain active:
After a period of 30 days, you can add qualifying activity to your points.
You can combine points with anyone after you have had an account for at least 90 days without qualifying activity
Qualifying activities include any activity that earns or redeems points.
It is also worth noting that points you combine with members won't count towards the extension of your points expiration, if that's something you want (Bonvoy points usually expire after 24 month of inactivity).
Bonvoy points redeemable at St. Regis Maldives
How can you combine Marriott Bonvoy Points?
Combining Marriott Bonvoy points requires that you pick up the phone. However, it is a very quick process (assuming you are not on hold for a long time). Here's how it works:
Contact member support at 801.468.4000
You can use transfer points to get in touch with an agent. Next, enter your Bonvoy number.
Call the person who is interested in transferring points. They will be asked for some verification information (we were asked to give the Delta SkyMiles number as well as the email address)
Also, you will need the name and account number of the person to whom you are transferring points.
Once the process has been initiated, points should be transferred immediately
Why would you want Marriott Bonvoy points combined?
We know that points can be transferred, but the real question is how. Combining points between Marriott Bonvoy accounts can make sense in certain circumstances.
You can book a free night award if you don't have enough points to book from one account.
This is the best way to book a hotel stay for a friend, family member or relative.
You can transfer points to your spouse or friend if they have elite status. Then you would receive the perks that come with elite status.
Ford sends 100,000 Bonvoy points each year to me. Why? He has a large Bonvoy points balance and I have the higher Marriott status. We often travel together. Bonvoy points are more valuable in my account than in his. This allows us to redeem elite perks.
Redeem Bonvoy Points at Al Maha, Dubai
Bottom line
Although Marriott Bonvoy may not be the most generous in allowing members to combine points between accounts with their Bonvoy card, it is still an option worth knowing. It is possible to combine points in many situations, including to book travel or maximize elite benefits.
The main problem is the age restriction and the limitation on the number of points that you can transfer.
Are you a Marriott Bonvoy member? How was it?