Do you want to elevate your travel experience? Imagine enjoying exclusive perks both on the ground with luxurious hotel stays and in the air with seamless flights. Linking your Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus accounts through their RewardsPlus program is your ticket to unlocking a world of enhanced benefits! This guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you maximize your travel rewards.
The Power of RewardsPlus: Why Link Your Accounts?
The partnership between Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus, known as RewardsPlus, is designed to give elite members of each program reciprocal benefits in the other. This means:
Complimentary Elite Status: Eligible Marriott Bonvoy elite members can receive United MileagePlus Premier Silver status, and eligible United MileagePlus Premier members can receive Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.
Bonus Earning Opportunities: You can earn bonus Marriott Bonvoy points on United flights and bonus United MileagePlus miles on Marriott stays.
Enhanced Point and Mile Transfers: Special transfer ratios for converting points between the two programs, including bonuses.
These benefits can significantly enhance your travel comfort and savings. Ready to dive in? Let's get started!
How To Link Marriott And United |
Step 1: Are You Eligible? Check Your Current Elite Status!
Before you begin the linking process, it's crucial to confirm if you meet the eligibility criteria for the RewardsPlus program. Don't worry if you're not an elite member yet; this guide is still useful for understanding the process once you achieve status!
Sub-heading: Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status for United MileagePlus Benefits
To receive complimentary United MileagePlus Premier Silver status, you generally need to hold one of the following Marriott Bonvoy elite statuses:
Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Sub-heading: United MileagePlus Premier Status for Marriott Bonvoy Benefits
To receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, you typically need to hold one of the following United MileagePlus Premier statuses:
Tip: Reread sections you didn’t fully grasp.
United MileagePlus Premier Gold
United MileagePlus Premier Platinum
United MileagePlus Premier 1K
United MileagePlus Global Services
Important Note: Status obtained through a status match or challenge with either program might not qualify you for the RewardsPlus benefits. The status usually needs to be earned through stays/flights or via co-branded credit cards that grant direct elite status.
Step 2: Gather Your Account Information
This might seem obvious, but having your loyalty program details readily available will make the linking process much smoother.
Your Marriott Bonvoy Member Number and Password
Your United MileagePlus Member Number and Password
Pro-Tip: If you've forgotten your login details, take a moment to reset them on the respective Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus websites before proceeding.
Step 3: Navigate to the RewardsPlus Registration Page
The linking process primarily takes place on a dedicated RewardsPlus partnership page.
Sub-heading: Finding the Right Portal
There are a few ways to access the RewardsPlus registration:
Direct Link: The most straightforward way is to go directly to the official RewardsPlus website, which is typically
getrewardsplus.com
or through a dedicated page on the Marriott Bonvoy or United MileagePlus websites. Look for "Marriott Bonvoy United" or "RewardsPlus" in their partner sections.Marriott Bonvoy Website: On the Marriott Bonvoy site, navigate to the "Earn Airline Miles" or "Travel Partners" section. You'll likely find a link or information about the United partnership there.
United MileagePlus Website: Similarly, on the United Airlines website, look for the "MileagePlus Partners" or "Hotel Partners" section.
Be careful to ensure you are on the official and secure RewardsPlus registration page.
Tip: Write down what you learned.
Step 4: Initiate the Linking Process
Once you're on the RewardsPlus registration page, you'll see options to link your accounts based on your elite status.
Sub-heading: For Marriott Bonvoy Elite Members Linking to United
If you hold Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite or Ambassador Elite status:
Look for the section that states something like "Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite members and higher can register for this joint program to convert points to miles, enjoy complimentary United MileagePlus Premier Silver status and more."
You will typically be prompted to sign in with your Marriott Bonvoy account.
After successful login, the system will usually attempt to automatically locate your corresponding United MileagePlus account. If it doesn't, you may be asked to manually enter your MileagePlus number.
Review the terms and conditions carefully and then accept them to complete the request.
Sub-heading: For United MileagePlus Premier Members Linking to Marriott
If you hold United MileagePlus Premier Gold status or higher:
Look for the section that mentions "United MileagePlus Premier Gold members and higher can register for this joint program to convert miles to points, enjoy complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and more."
You will likely be prompted to sign in with your United MileagePlus account.
Similar to the above, the system may try to auto-populate your Marriott Bonvoy account, or you might need to enter your Marriott Bonvoy member number manually.
Read and agree to the terms and conditions before finalizing your registration.
Step 5: Confirmation and Waiting Period
After submitting your linking request, you should receive a confirmation message.
Sub-heading: What to Expect Next
Tip: The middle often holds the main point.
Confirmation Email: Keep an eye on your email inbox (and spam folder!) for a confirmation email from either Marriott Bonvoy or United MileagePlus.
Processing Time: It's important to be patient. While some linkages can be almost immediate, it can often take 7-10 business days for your new reciprocal elite status to reflect in your accounts. In some cases, it might even take a few weeks.
Verify Your Status: Once the waiting period has passed, log in to both your Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus accounts to verify that your new elite status has been granted. Check your profile details and benefits sections within each loyalty program.
Troubleshooting Tip: If after the stated processing time, your status hasn't updated, check the FAQs section at the end of this post for common issues and troubleshooting steps.
Step 6: Maximize Your New Benefits!
Congratulations! Your accounts are linked, and you're ready to enjoy the enhanced perks.
Sub-heading: Leveraging Your Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status (if applicable)
25% Bonus Points: Earn 25% more Marriott Bonvoy points on eligible hotel purchases.
Enhanced Room Upgrades: Subject to availability, you may receive a complimentary upgrade to a preferred room.
2 PM Late Checkout: Enjoy a later checkout time, subject to availability at participating hotels.
Welcome Gift: Often a choice of bonus points or a complimentary amenity upon arrival.
Complimentary Enhanced Internet Access: Stay connected with faster Wi-Fi.
Sub-heading: Leveraging Your United MileagePlus Premier Silver Status (if applicable)
Complimentary Checked Bag: One free checked bag (up to 70 lbs) when flying in Economy.
Mileage Bonus: Earn a bonus on the miles you fly.
Preferred Seating: Access to preferred seats at booking for you and companions.
Economy Plus Seating: Access to Economy Plus at check-in (subject to availability).
Group 2 Boarding: Board earlier than general boarding groups.
Eligible for Complimentary Upgrades: Though relatively low on the upgrade list, you're now eligible for complimentary upgrades on some flights.
Sub-heading: Transferring Points and Miles
Marriott Bonvoy to United MileagePlus: You can convert Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus miles. The standard ratio is 3 Marriott points to 1 United mile, but you get a 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer, making it a more favorable conversion for United miles than many other airline partners.
United MileagePlus to Marriott Bonvoy: If you are a United Premier member, you can convert United miles to Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1:1 ratio, up to a certain annual limit.
Always consider the value of your points and miles before initiating transfers. Sometimes, direct redemptions offer better value.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about linking Marriott and United accounts:
Tip: Look for examples to make points easier to grasp.
How to check if my accounts are already linked? The easiest way is to log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account and navigate to your "Member Benefits" or "Partner Programs" section. Similarly, check your United MileagePlus account under "My Account" or "Partners." If linked, you should see evidence of the reciprocal status or a direct link to the RewardsPlus program within your profile.
How to troubleshoot if my status doesn't update after linking? First, allow the full processing time (7-10 business days). If still not updated, try logging out and back into both accounts. If the issue persists, contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service and United MileagePlus customer service, as sometimes the issue can lie with either program's system. Be prepared to provide screenshots of your elite status in the originating program.
How to re-link my accounts if they become unlinked?
While the linking is generally long-term, sometimes re-verification or re-registration is required, especially if your elite status changes. Simply revisit the getrewardsplus.com
website and follow the linking steps again, signing in with your current elite-tier account first.
How to earn United miles on Marriott stays and Marriott points on United flights? Once your accounts are linked, ensure your loyalty numbers are added to your reservations. For Marriott stays, add your Bonvoy number. For United flights, make sure your MileagePlus number is on your booking. There may also be specific promotions or landing pages to book through to earn bonus points/miles.
How to convert Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus miles? Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account, go to the "Redeem Points" section, and select "Transfer Points to Miles." Choose United MileagePlus from the list of airline partners and follow the prompts to complete the transfer, keeping the 60,000 point bonus in mind.
How to convert United MileagePlus miles to Marriott Bonvoy points? If you are a United Premier member, you can convert miles to Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1:1 ratio. This is typically done through your United MileagePlus account or the RewardsPlus portal. There might be an annual cap on how many miles you can convert.
How to know if my elite status was "earned" or "granted" for eligibility? Generally, if you achieved status through actual nights stayed (Marriott) or flights taken (United), it's considered "earned." If you received status via a promotional status match from another program, or purely through a credit card that offers status without a spending requirement, it might be considered "granted" and could exclude you from RewardsPlus eligibility. Check the specific RewardsPlus terms and conditions for definitive clarification.
How to contact customer service for linking issues? For Marriott Bonvoy, you can typically find their customer service numbers on the Marriott website under "Help" or "Contact Us." For United MileagePlus, similar contact information is available on the United Airlines website. Be sure to explain you are calling about the RewardsPlus partnership.
How to check the current benefits of RewardsPlus?
The most up-to-date benefits and terms are always available on the official getrewardsplus.com
website or the dedicated partnership pages on the Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus websites. Benefits can sometimes be adjusted, so it's good to refer to the source.
How to use my new elite status benefits effectively? Always ensure your linked loyalty program number is on your reservation when booking flights with United or stays with Marriott. Familiarize yourself with the specific benefits of your new status (e.g., late checkout, upgrades, bonus earning) so you can actively request or utilize them during your travels.