Hotel Booking Transfer Guide
Hotel guest-change rules can depend on the property, chain, rate, booking channel, loyalty benefit, and timing. Use this guide for orientation, then obtain the current rule and written confirmation for the specific reservation before listing.
Reviewed by the SpareHolidays · Updated 14 July 2026
| Provider | Name change | Fees | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyndham | Transfers Allowed | No published name change fee for standard reservations. | Changes should be made before check-in. No specific cutoff published. |
| Best Western | Transfers Allowed | No published name change fee. Points transfers between same-address accounts are free. | Property-specific cancellation and modification deadlines apply. |
| Choice Hotels | Transfers Allowed | No published name change fee. | Property-specific deadlines apply. |
| Expedia | Transfers Allowed | Expedia does not charge for guest name changes. Hotel fees may apply. | 24–48 hours before check-in (varies by property). |
| Hotels.com | Transfers Allowed | Hotels.com does not charge for guest name changes. Property fees may apply. | Property-specific deadlines apply. |
| Marriott | Limited / Case-by-Case | No published fee — name changes are effectively blocked as a fraud prevention measure. | Changes within 48 hours of check-in are especially scrutinized or blocked. |
| Hilton | Limited / Case-by-Case | No specific name change fee published. Non-refundable cancellation/rebook incurs a service fee. | Changes should be made before check-in. No specific cutoff published. |
| IHG | Limited / Case-by-Case | No name change fee (because it is not offered). Cancel and rebook at current rate. | Greater China: 7 days before stay date for guest registration. |
| Hyatt | Limited / Case-by-Case | No published name change fee. Points transfers are free but require paperwork. | Before check-in; some properties restrict changes after deposit is charged. |
| Accor | Limited / Case-by-Case | Modifications within 3 days of arrival may incur fees per property-specific conditions. | Property-specific; modifications close to arrival may be restricted. |
| Radisson | Limited / Case-by-Case | No published name change fee. | Name must be correct at time of booking. |
| NH Hotels | Limited / Case-by-Case | Post-deadline changes: full value of the accommodation. | Flexible rates: 2pm local time the day before arrival. Standard: 2pm, 24 hours before arrival. |
| Agoda | Limited / Case-by-Case | A small modification fee may apply (~$10 USD in some cases). Varies by booking. | Must be done before check-in; exact cutoff depends on property policy. |
| Booking.com | Not Transferable | N/A — name changes are not available as a service. | N/A. |
Transfers Allowed
Wyndham
Transfers AllowedWyndham is relatively flexible — you can book for someone else and the hotel updates guest info at check-in.
Conditions
- You can book a room for another person; the hotel updates the name at check-in
- Name modifications possible online or by phone
- Provide reservation number, current guest name, and new guest name
- Not all reservations support online modification; phone may be required
Fees
No published name change fee for standard reservations.
Deadline
Changes should be made before check-in. No specific cutoff published.
Best Western
Transfers AllowedBest Western allows booking reward nights for others and gifting award stays to immediate family members.
Conditions
- Can book reward nights for someone else by entering the guest's name during booking
- Gifting award stays limited to immediate family (spouse, partner, children, parents, siblings)
- Contact the hotel directly to change existing reservation details
- Cancellation and modification policies vary by individual property
Fees
No published name change fee. Points transfers between same-address accounts are free.
Deadline
Property-specific cancellation and modification deadlines apply.
Choice Hotels
Transfers AllowedChoice Hotels allows modifying guest names online, via app, or by contacting the hotel directly.
Conditions
- Guest name can be modified online or by contacting the hotel
- The name on the booking must match the guest's photo ID at check-in
- You can book for another person (pay with your card, reservation under their name)
- For reward nights: include the actual guest's name in the Special Request field
Fees
No published name change fee.
Deadline
Property-specific deadlines apply.
Expedia
Transfers AllowedExpedia allows free guest name changes on hotel bookings, though the hotel itself may impose restrictions.
Conditions
- Guest name changes are free through Expedia for hotel bookings
- The hotel may impose its own change fees or restrictions
- Most bookings have a 24–48 hour cutoff before check-in for penalty-free changes
- Non-refundable rates may prevent any modifications
Fees
Expedia does not charge for guest name changes. Hotel fees may apply.
Deadline
24–48 hours before check-in (varies by property).
Hotels.com
Transfers AllowedHotels.com (Expedia Group) allows free guest name changes, though the property may charge its own fees.
Conditions
- Guest name changes are free through Hotels.com
- Lodging suppliers may impose their own change fees
- You can book for someone else by entering the guest's details during booking
- Non-refundable bookings may restrict all modifications
Fees
Hotels.com does not charge for guest name changes. Property fees may apply.
Deadline
Property-specific deadlines apply.
Limited / Case-by-Case
Marriott
Limited / Case-by-CaseMarriott has significantly tightened name change policies — name changes on reservations are now flagged as potential fraud.
Conditions
- Name changes on award reservations are blocked, especially within 48 hours of check-in
- Members can gift up to 5 award stays per year (with M8 code)
- For paid reservations, name changes require removing the loyalty number and new payment details
- Free night certificates cannot be gifted to another person
- Accounts that frequently change names risk being flagged, audited, or banned
Fees
No published fee — name changes are effectively blocked as a fraud prevention measure.
Deadline
Changes within 48 hours of check-in are especially scrutinized or blocked.
Hilton
Limited / Case-by-CaseHilton is relatively flexible for paid bookings — you can call to change the primary guest name. Non-refundable rates are restricted.
Conditions
- You can add a second guest name to any reservation online
- Call the hotel or Hilton Honors to change the primary guest name (generally accepted)
- Non-refundable rates do not permit modifications including name changes
- The Hilton Honors member must be the primary guest to earn points and use elite perks
Fees
No specific name change fee published. Non-refundable cancellation/rebook incurs a service fee.
Deadline
Changes should be made before check-in. No specific cutoff published.
IHG
Limited / Case-by-CaseIHG does not officially support name changes — the standard process is to cancel and rebook.
Conditions
- Primary name changes are not supported; IHG recommends canceling and rebooking
- Additional guest names can be added if you specify at least 2 guests
- Customer service can sometimes add a second name and create a case reference
- You can book reward nights for someone else by entering their name during booking
- Greater China bookings: contact IHG at least 7 days before the stay
Fees
No name change fee (because it is not offered). Cancel and rebook at current rate.
Deadline
Greater China: 7 days before stay date for guest registration.
Hyatt
Limited / Case-by-CaseHyatt has historically been flexible with name changes via phone, but some properties now cancel and rebook instead.
Conditions
- Name changes historically handled via phone call to reservations
- Some properties now refuse name changes after deposits are charged
- Some agents cancel the original booking and create a new one in the new name
- You can book award stays in someone else's name from the start
- Points transfers require both members to sign a physical form (2–4 weeks processing)
Fees
No published name change fee. Points transfers are free but require paperwork.
Deadline
Before check-in; some properties restrict changes after deposit is charged.
Accor
Limited / Case-by-CaseAccor does not officially support changing the primary booking name — it is at the hotel's discretion.
Conditions
- Primary booking name cannot be changed online
- Additional guests can be added at check-in
- The hotel may accommodate a different guest if notified in advance
- If photo ID does not match the booking name, the hotel can refuse check-in
- Calling the reservation desk in advance is recommended
Fees
Modifications within 3 days of arrival may incur fees per property-specific conditions.
Deadline
Property-specific; modifications close to arrival may be restricted.
Radisson
Limited / Case-by-CaseRadisson requires that the guest name be correct at booking — mismatched names at check-in may result in cancellation.
Conditions
- Guest name must be updated before confirming the booking when booking for someone else
- Mismatched names between booker and guest at check-in may result in cancellation
- Reservations can be modified or cancelled online through your account
- No explicit policy on post-booking name changes; contact the hotel directly
Fees
No published name change fee.
Deadline
Name must be correct at time of booking.
NH Hotels
Limited / Case-by-CaseNH Hotels requires that the booking name match both the check-in ID and the credit card used.
Conditions
- Booking must be under the name of the person checking in
- Credit card must match the booking name
- No published policy for transferring reservations to another person
- Changes after the deadline incur a fee equal to the full accommodation value
Fees
Post-deadline changes: full value of the accommodation.
Deadline
Flexible rates: 2pm local time the day before arrival. Standard: 2pm, 24 hours before arrival.
Agoda
Limited / Case-by-CaseAgoda allows changing the primary guest name through 'Manage guests', but the property can refuse the change.
Conditions
- Change primary guest name via 'Manage guests' in the Upcoming Bookings section
- The property reserves the right to refuse a guest name change
- Some bookings require contacting Agoda Customer Support for changes
- Messaging the host before making the change is recommended
Fees
A small modification fee may apply (~$10 USD in some cases). Varies by booking.
Deadline
Must be done before check-in; exact cutoff depends on property policy.
Not Transferable
Booking.com
Not TransferableBooking.com does not allow changing the guest name on reservations. Reselling reservations is explicitly prohibited.
Conditions
- Guest name changes are not supported through Booking.com's platform
- Reselling reservations is explicitly prohibited by their rules
- Prepaid/non-refundable bookings: no changes of any kind
- Only recourse: contact the property directly and hope they accommodate
- Free cancellation bookings can theoretically be cancelled and rebooked in the new name
Fees
N/A — name changes are not available as a service.
Deadline
N/A.
Hotel guest-change policies can differ by property, rate, booking channel, loyalty benefit, and timing. Always confirm the current rule directly with the property or booking provider before listing.