Originally Posted by
escapefromphl
The "proper" Marriott way is to gift the award certificate. This can only be done on the phone as a new reservation with points. If setup properly you wont receive elite night credit nor the person staying your elite benefits. The person staying should get their own benefits. This is the 100% above board way to do do it that will work for international stays. You do need to make sure it is setup properly though, as there seems to be room for error.
You're correct. Perhaps I remember incorrectly but in the past (years ago), I believe there was a way on the web site to book an award reservation for someone else. This would have been pre-merger with Starwood. I remember doing it for a couple of trips with extended family. In any case it would be much easier and quicker to do if the MR website supported this functionality. Regardless as you (and others noted) changing the name on the reservation (i.e. gifting it) by calling MR is currently the only correct way to do it.
--Jon