Key Points

• Most major hotel programs allow point donations to verified charities, typically in increments of 1,000-10,000 points.
• Donated hotel points are generally not tax-deductible because you're giving away rewards, not cash or property.
• Charities use donated points to provide emergency housing, disaster relief accommodations, and rooms for families near medical facilities.

Introduction

Have more hotel points than you can use? Instead of letting them expire or booking a stay you don't need, you can put those points to work helping others. Major hotel loyalty programs partner with charitable organizations to convert your unused points into emergency housing, disaster relief accommodations, and rooms for families dealing with medical crises.

Here's everything you need to know about donating hotel points, from which programs accept donations to how charities actually use your contribution. If you're new to hotel rewards, check out our complete guide to hotel points to understand how these programs work.

Why Donate Hotel Points?

Hotel points have real value to charitable organizations. When you donate points, charities can book rooms for:

Emergency Housing Needs

• Families displaced by natural disasters
• Domestic violence survivors seeking safe shelter
• Individuals experiencing temporary homelessness

Medical Support

• Families traveling for specialized medical treatment
• Parents staying near children's hospitals
• Patients receiving extended care away from home

Community Services

• Foster care families
• Veterans transitioning to civilian life
• Families in crisis situations

Your donation provides immediate, tangible help when people need it most.

How to Donate Marriott Bonvoy Points

Marriott Bonvoy partners with multiple charitable organizations through their donation platform.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account
2. Navigate to "Use Points" and select "Donate Points"
3. Choose from available charitable partners
4. Select donation amount (minimum 1,000 points)
5. Confirm the transaction

Marriott Charitable Partners

American Red CrossYour points help provide emergency shelter and disaster relief housing. The Red Cross uses donated points to book rooms for disaster victims and relief workers responding to emergencies.

UNICEF USAPoints support UNICEF's global mission to help children in need. Marriott converts point donations to monetary contributions that fund UNICEF programs worldwide.

Feeding AmericaWhile primarily a food bank network, Feeding America uses donated points for staff travel to coordinate relief efforts and food distribution programs.

Want to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points for future donations or your own travel? Our complete Marriott Bonvoy guide explains the best earning strategies.

Donation Details

• Minimum donation: 1,000 points
• Increments: Any amount in 1,000-point increments
• Processing time: Immediate
• Receipt: Email confirmation sent

Marriott Bonvoy points donated to charity cannot be reversed once the transaction is complete.

Looking to maximize your Marriott points earning? The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex earns 6x points per dollar at Marriott properties, giving you more points to donate or use for travel.

How to Donate Hilton Honors Points

Hilton Honors offers point donations through their Hilton Honors Charitable Giving program.

Available Organizations

Feeding AmericaHilton's primary charitable partner receives point donations that help fight hunger across America. Hilton converts your points into monetary contributions supporting local food banks.

Direct ReliefPoints donated to Direct Relief help provide medical assistance and disaster relief internationally. The organization uses donated points to book accommodations for medical staff in crisis zones.

Make-A-WishYour donated Hilton points help grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. Many wishes involve travel, and donated points help cover accommodation costs.

Donation Process

1. Visit the Hilton Honors website
2. Go to "Use Points" section
3. Select "Donate to Charity"
4. Choose your preferred organization
5. Enter donation amount (minimum 10,000 points)
6. Confirm donation

Important Notes

• Minimum donation: 10,000 points
• Points convert at approximately 2.5 points per dollar donated
• No maximum donation limit
• Transaction is final once confirmed

If you're looking to build your Hilton points balance, check out our guide to the best Hilton credit cards to find the right earning strategy for your goals.

How to Donate IHG One Rewards Points

IHG One Rewards partners with several charitable organizations focused on housing and education.

Charitable Partners

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC)IHG's primary charitable partner uses donated points to provide housing for families with children receiving medical treatment. RMHC operates "home away from home" facilities near hospitals worldwide.

American Red CrossSimilar to other programs, donated IHG points support disaster relief and emergency shelter operations.

UNICEFPoints donated to UNICEF help fund programs supporting children's health, education, and protection globally.

Donation Steps

1. Log into IHG One Rewards account
2. Navigate to "Points" section
3. Select "Donate Points"
4. Choose charitable organization
5. Enter donation amount (minimum 1,000 points)
6. Complete donation

Program Specifics

• Minimum: 1,000 points
• Maximum single donation: 500,000 points
• No annual donation limit
• Points donated cannot be refunded

Learn more about earning and using IHG points in our IHG One Rewards complete guide, which covers everything from earning strategies to redemption sweet spots.

How to Donate World of Hyatt Points

World of Hyatt takes a different approach to charitable giving through their partnership with Points for Purpose.

Points for Purpose Program

Hyatt partners with crisis relief organizations to provide emergency accommodations directly. Rather than a traditional donation platform, Hyatt works with verified nonprofits to book rooms at reduced point rates.

How It Works

Verified charitable organizations can contact Hyatt directly to:

• Book rooms for disaster victims at reduced point rates
• Access emergency accommodation inventory
• Coordinate group bookings for relief workers

Individual Donations

World of Hyatt doesn't currently offer a direct point donation platform for individual members. However, you can:

1. Contact Hyatt customer service about specific charitable situations
2. Book rooms directly for individuals or families in need
3. Transfer points to verified organizations working with Hyatt

Hyatt's approach focuses on direct impact rather than point conversions, ensuring your contribution goes directly toward accommodations. To learn more about World of Hyatt's unique benefits and earning structure, read our World of Hyatt complete guide.

Other Hotel Programs

Wyndham Rewards

Wyndham Rewards offers point donations through their partnership with March of Dimes.

Donation Details:

• Minimum: 1,000 points
• Partner: March of Dimes
• Use: Supporting maternal and infant health programs
• Process: Through Wyndham Rewards account online

Choice Privileges

Choice Hotels partners with charitable organizations on a case-by-case basis but doesn't maintain a standard donation platform for individual members.

Best Western Rewards

Best Western occasionally offers point donation opportunities during disaster relief campaigns but doesn't have a permanent donation program.

Tax Implications of Donating Hotel Points

Here's what you need to know about taxes and point donations.

Generally Not Tax-Deductible

Hotel points donated to charity are typically not tax-deductible for several reasons:

Rewards Program TermsMost hotel loyalty programs state that points have no cash value and are promotional rewards, not property. The IRS generally doesn't allow deductions for giving away promotional rewards.

Cost Basis IssueYou didn't purchase the points directly, so you have no cost basis to deduct. Points earned through stays or credit card spending are considered rebates or discounts, not assets.

IRS PositionThe IRS has not issued clear guidance allowing deductions for donated loyalty points. Without explicit IRS approval, claiming a deduction creates audit risk.

Exceptions and Gray Areas

Purchased PointsIf you purchased hotel points directly with cash, you might have an argument for deducting the purchase price (not the point value). However, this remains legally unclear and risky.

Business ContextBusiness owners who earned points through business spending might have different considerations, but this gets extremely complicated. Consult a tax professional.

The Bottom Line on Taxes

Donate hotel points because you want to help, not for a tax deduction. The feel-good factor and actual impact on people in need should be your motivation.

How Charities Use Donated Hotel Points

Understanding how organizations use your donated points can help you choose where to contribute.

Emergency Housing Response

When disasters strike, organizations like the Red Cross immediately need accommodations for:

• Displaced families seeking temporary shelter
• Emergency response teams coordinating relief efforts
• Medical personnel providing disaster area care
• Volunteers supporting recovery operations

Your donated points book these critical rooms within hours of a disaster.

Medical Family Support

Ronald McDonald House Charities and similar organizations use donated points to:

• Supplement their own housing facilities during high-demand periods
• Provide overflow accommodations when their houses are full
• Help families traveling to specialized medical centers
• Support extended-stay situations for complex medical cases

Long-Term Programs

Organizations like UNICEF convert donated points to cash donations that fund:

• Education programs in developing countries
• Healthcare initiatives for children
• Emergency relief supplies
• Community development projects

Maximizing Your Charitable Impact

Want to make your point donation go further? Consider these strategies.

Donate During Promotional Periods

Some hotel programs occasionally offer matching donations during specific campaigns. Marriott and Hilton have both run promotions where they match member donations up to certain amounts.

Watch for announcements around:

• Giving Tuesday (Tuesday after Thanksgiving)
• Natural disaster response campaigns
• End-of-year charitable initiatives
• Program anniversary celebrations

Choose Direct-Impact Partners

Organizations that use points directly for hotel rooms (like Ronald McDonald House) often provide more immediate impact than those converting points to cash donations.

Consider Your Point Balance

If You Have Excess Points:Donating 10,000-25,000 points makes a meaningful difference without significantly impacting your travel plans.

If You're Strategic:Donate points from programs where you have the most balance or where points might expire soon. Our article on understanding hotel points explains expiration policies across all major programs.

If You're Churning Cards:Points earned from welcome bonuses on hotel credit cards make excellent charitable contributions if you don't need them for travel.

Alternatives to Point Donations

If your hotel program doesn't offer donations or you want different options, consider these alternatives.

Book Rooms Directly for Those in Need

Instead of donating points to an organization, you can:

• Book rooms for specific families you know who need help
• Contact local shelters about their accommodation needs
• Work with your church or community organization to identify recipients
• Coordinate with medical facilities about family housing needs

This approach gives you direct control and immediate visible impact.

Transfer Points to Travel Partners

Some hotel programs let you transfer points to airline partners. You could then donate airline miles to charity instead. Many airline programs have established charitable donation platforms with clear tax treatment. Learn more about transferring Marriott points to airlines for this alternative approach.

Use Points for Fundraising

Book a hotel stay using points, then donate the equivalent cash value you would have spent to charity. This gives you a tax-deductible cash donation rather than a non-deductible point donation.

Gift Points to Someone in Need

Rather than donating to organizations, transfer points to friends or family members who need help with travel expenses. Most programs allow point transfers for a small fee.

Common Questions About Donating Hotel Points

Can I get my donated points back if I change my mind?

No. All major hotel programs make point donations final and irreversible. Once you confirm the donation, the points immediately transfer to the charitable organization.

How do I know my points are actually being used for charity?

Major hotel programs partner with verified 501(c)(3) organizations. These charities report their activities publicly, and hotel companies provide annual summaries of their charitable giving programs.

Is there a minimum or maximum I can donate?

Most programs require minimum donations of 1,000-10,000 points. Maximum limits vary, but many programs allow donations up to your entire point balance.

Will donating points affect my elite status?

No. Donating points doesn't count toward elite status qualification, but it also doesn't hurt your existing status. Your elite benefits remain unchanged.

Can I donate someone else's points?

Not directly. You can only donate points from your own account. However, you could have points transferred to you first, then donate them, though this typically involves fees.

Do hotels ever match point donations?

Occasionally, yes. Marriott and Hilton have both offered matching programs during specific campaigns. These are relatively rare but worth watching for.

Making Your Decision

Deciding whether to donate hotel points comes down to your personal situation and values.

Consider Donating If:

• You have more points than you'll use before expiration
• You've achieved your travel goals for the year
• You want to help during disaster relief situations
• You're closing accounts and need to use points
• You feel called to support a specific charity

Keep Your Points If:

• You have travel plans where they'll provide value
• You're building toward a specific redemption goal
• You could transfer them to family who needs them
• You're within range of a valuable elite status tier (learn about Marriott elite status benefits)
• You might pool them with other points for a big trip

There's no wrong answer. Both using points for your own travel and donating them to help others are valid choices.

Taking Action

Ready to donate your hotel points? Here's what to do next:

1. Check your point balances across all hotel programs
2. Review expiration dates to identify points at risk
3. Research the charitable partners to find causes you care about
4. Calculate the impact - typically 10,000 points = 1-2 nights of emergency housing
5. Make your donation through your hotel program's platform
6. Track your contribution by saving the confirmation email

Remember, even small point donations make a real difference. A few thousand points you might not miss could provide a safe place to sleep for a family facing a crisis.

Conclusion

Donating hotel points offers a meaningful way to help others while putting your unused rewards to work. Whether you choose to support disaster relief through the Red Cross, help sick children's families via Ronald McDonald House, or contribute to global causes through UNICEF, your points create real impact for people in need.

The process is straightforward across all major hotel programs, typically taking just a few minutes online. While you won't receive a tax deduction, you'll gain something more valuable: the satisfaction of knowing your travel rewards helped someone during their most difficult moments.

Take a look at your hotel point balances today. If you find points sitting idle, consider turning them into emergency shelter, medical family support, or disaster relief housing for those who need it most. And if you want to earn more points for future donations or travel, explore our guides to the best Marriott credit cards, best Hilton credit cards, and best Hyatt credit cards.

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