I have done this many times for my parents. I make the reservation and add my parents to the reservation by calling either the hotel or the bonvoy line. Some hotels will require a credit card authorization before check in so make sure you ask about that ahead of time. You likely won't earn points (under the program, you only earn points if you occupy the room). More often than not, my parents have gotten my benefits such as lounge access and breakfast credit, which also isn't suppose to happen, but I assume that was the location's choice to make.