Do you dream of soaring through the skies on an American Airlines flight, perhaps to a far-flung destination, all thanks to your hard-earned Marriott Bonvoy points? Well, you're in luck! While Marriott Bonvoy is primarily a hotel loyalty program, it offers an incredibly valuable feature: the ability to transfer your points to a wide array of airline partners, including American Airlines AAdvantage.
This guide will walk you through every single step of the process, ensuring you understand how to maximize your transfer and get closer to that dream trip. Let's dive in!
Soaring High: A Step-by-Step Guide to Transferring Marriott Points to American Airlines
Transferring points can sometimes feel like navigating a maze, but with this detailed breakdown, you'll be a pro in no time.
Step 1: Engage and Evaluate - Is This the Right Move for YOU?
Before you even think about clicking "transfer," let's consider if this is the best use of your Marriott Bonvoy points.
Think about your travel goals: Are you aiming for a specific American Airlines award flight? Do you need to top off your AAdvantage account for a redemption? Or are you just looking to diversify your miles?
Understand the transfer ratio: Marriott Bonvoy points generally transfer to American Airlines AAdvantage miles at a 3:1 ratio. This means for every 3 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer, you'll get 1 American Airlines AAdvantage mile. While it's not a 1:1 ratio, it's still a fantastic option, especially since American Airlines is an exclusive transfer partner for Marriott Bonvoy among major hotel programs.
Consider the 5,000 Mile Bonus (and its exception!): Typically, for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer to an airline partner, Marriott adds a bonus of 5,000 miles. However, it's crucial to note that this 5,000-mile bonus does NOT apply to American Airlines AAdvantage, Avianca LifeMiles, and Delta SkyMiles. This is a key detail to factor into your calculations.
So, ask yourself: Am I comfortable with the 3:1 ratio, knowing I won't get the 5,000-mile bonus for American Airlines? If the answer is yes, then proceed with confidence!
Step 2: Ensure Your Accounts Are Ready
This might seem obvious, but it's a critical pre-transfer check.
Sub-heading: Verify Your Marriott Bonvoy Account
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on the official Marriott website (marriott.com).
Check your point balance. Make sure you have enough points for the transfer you intend to make. Remember the 3:1 ratio!
Confirm your personal details. Your first and last name on your Marriott Bonvoy account must exactly match the first and last name on your American Airlines AAdvantage account. Any discrepancies could lead to delays or even a rejected transfer.
Sub-heading: Verify Your American Airlines AAdvantage Account
Ensure you have an active American Airlines AAdvantage account. If you don't have one, it's quick and free to sign up on the American Airlines website (aa.com).
Note your AAdvantage number. You'll need this during the transfer process.
Double-check your name on your AAdvantage account. Again, consistency is key!
Step 3: Initiate the Transfer on the Marriott Bonvoy Website
This is where the magic happens!
Navigate to the "Transfer Points to Miles" section:
Once logged into your Marriott Bonvoy account, look for the "Use Points" or "Redeem" section.
Within that, you'll typically find an option for "Transfer points to miles" or "Airline Transfer Partners." You can also often find a direct link by searching "transfer points to miles Marriott Bonvoy" on Google.
The direct link is usually:
https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/redeem/travel/points-to-miles.mi
Select American Airlines AAdvantage:
On the transfer page, you'll see a list of Marriott Bonvoy's airline partners. Scroll down and locate "American Airlines AAdvantage®".
Click on it to proceed.
Enter Transfer Details:
You will be prompted to enter the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer.
The system will automatically calculate the corresponding number of American Airlines AAdvantage miles you will receive based on the 3:1 ratio.
Remember: The minimum transfer is typically 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, and the maximum is 240,000 points per day.
Enter your American Airlines AAdvantage account number. Double-check this number very carefully! A single digit error can send your miles to the wrong account or cause the transfer to fail.
Review and Confirm:
Carefully review all the details of your transfer: the number of Marriott points, the number of AAdvantage miles, and your AAdvantage account number.
Once confirmed, transfers are generally irreversible. So, take your time here.
Agree to the terms and conditions and click "Confirm" or "Submit."
Step 4: Await the Transfer – Patience is a Virtue!
Unlike some other points transfers that are instant, Marriott Bonvoy point transfers to American Airlines AAdvantage are not immediate.
Typical Transfer Time: While some sources suggest 2 days, it can take anywhere from 2 to 7 business days for the miles to appear in your American Airlines AAdvantage account. In some rare cases, it might even take longer.
Check your AAdvantage account: Periodically log in to your American Airlines AAdvantage account to check if the miles have posted. You won't receive a notification from Marriott once they've transferred, though you might get an email confirmation of your transfer request.
Plan accordingly: If you're hoping to book a specific award flight, ensure you initiate the transfer with plenty of lead time to account for the processing period. Award availability can change rapidly.
Step 5: Utilizing Your Newly Acquired AAdvantage Miles!
Once your miles land in your AAdvantage account, the world is your oyster!
Book American Airlines Flights: Use your miles to book flights directly on American Airlines' website.
Explore Oneworld Alliance and Partner Airlines: American Airlines is part of the Oneworld alliance, which means you can also redeem your AAdvantage miles for flights on partner airlines like British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and more. This significantly expands your travel possibilities.
Consider Upgrades: AAdvantage miles can also be used for flight upgrades on American Airlines and select partner flights.
Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines, with quick answers:
How to Check My Marriott Bonvoy Point Balance?
You can check your Marriott Bonvoy point balance by logging into your account on the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com) or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your point total is usually displayed prominently on your account dashboard.
How to Find the "Transfer Points to Miles" Section on Marriott's Website?
Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account, then navigate to the "Use Points" or "Redeem" section. From there, look for an option titled "Transfer points to miles" or "Airline Transfer Partners."
How to Know if My Name Matches on Both Accounts?
Simply log into both your Marriott Bonvoy and American Airlines AAdvantage accounts and check the first and last name displayed in your profile information. They must be identical.
How to Get an American Airlines AAdvantage Account if I Don't Have One?
You can easily sign up for a free American Airlines AAdvantage account on the official American Airlines website (aa.com). Look for the "AAdvantage" or "Join" link.
How to Determine the Minimum and Maximum Points I Can Transfer?
Marriott Bonvoy generally allows transfers of a minimum of 3,000 points and a maximum of 240,000 points per day to airline partners. These amounts will be specified on the transfer page.
How to Know the Transfer Ratio for American Airlines AAdvantage?
The standard transfer ratio from Marriott Bonvoy to American Airlines AAdvantage is 3:1 (3 Marriott Bonvoy points for 1 AAdvantage mile).
How to Track the Status of My Point Transfer?
Marriott Bonvoy typically doesn't provide a real-time tracking system for point transfers to airlines. The best way to track it is to regularly check your American Airlines AAdvantage account for the miles to appear.
How to Expedite a Marriott Bonvoy Point Transfer to American Airlines?
Unfortunately, there is no official way to expedite a Marriott Bonvoy point transfer to American Airlines. The processing time (2-7 business days) is standard.
How to Use My American Airlines AAdvantage Miles After Transferring?
Once your AAdvantage miles arrive, you can use them to book American Airlines flights directly on aa.com, or redeem them for flights on Oneworld alliance and other partner airlines. You can also use them for upgrades on eligible flights.
How to Avoid Mistakes When Transferring Points?
To avoid mistakes, always double-check your American Airlines AAdvantage account number and the number of points you intend to transfer before confirming the transaction. Remember, transfers are typically irreversible.
