Do you dream of luxurious hotel stays, unforgettable vacations, or simply making your travel budget stretch further? If you're sitting on a stash of points from credit cards, airline programs, or other loyalty schemes, then transferring them to Marriott Bonvoy could be your golden ticket! Marriott Bonvoy is one of the largest and most rewarding hotel loyalty programs in the world, boasting an incredible portfolio of brands ranging from the opulent Ritz-Carlton to the family-friendly Fairfield Inn.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of transferring your valuable points to Marriott Bonvoy, unlocking a world of travel possibilities. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Discover Your Point Sources – Where Are Your Treasures Hiding?
Before you can transfer points, you need to know where they are! Take a moment to think about all the loyalty programs and credit cards you currently use. This is often the most overlooked, yet crucial, first step.
Credit Card Reward Programs: Do you have a premium travel credit card? Many popular cards offer transferable points that can be converted to Marriott Bonvoy. Think about programs like:
Chase Ultimate Rewards: A powerhouse for travel enthusiasts! Many Chase Sapphire and Ink Business cards earn Ultimate Rewards points.
American Express Membership Rewards: Another incredibly flexible program with a wide array of transfer partners, including Marriott Bonvoy.
Other bank-specific reward programs: Some banks like Capital One and Citi also have their own transferable points, so it's worth checking their travel partner lists.
Airline Loyalty Programs: While less common for direct transfers to Marriott (it's usually the other way around), some airline programs, especially those with partnerships, might allow for point conversions. United MileagePlus has a notable partnership with Marriott Bonvoy, allowing Premier Silver members and above to convert miles to Marriott points.
Other Hotel Loyalty Programs: In rare cases, some smaller hotel loyalty programs might have agreements to transfer points to Marriott Bonvoy. However, this is generally not the primary way to acquire Bonvoy points.
Action: Gather your login details for all your credit card and airline loyalty accounts. You'll need them to check your point balances and initiate transfers.
Step 2: Understand the Transfer Ratios and Minimums
Not all point transfers are created equal. The transfer ratio tells you how many Marriott Bonvoy points you'll receive for every point you transfer from your source program. This is critical for determining the value of your transfer.
Chase Ultimate Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy: Generally, Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio. This means 1,000 Chase points will become 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. The minimum transfer amount is usually 1,000 points, in increments of 1,000.
American Express Membership Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy: American Express Membership Rewards also typically transfer at a 1:1 ratio to Marriott Bonvoy. The minimum transfer amount is often 1,000 points, in increments of 1,000.
United MileagePlus to Marriott Bonvoy (for eligible members): For United MileagePlus Premier Silver members and above, miles can be converted to Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1:1 ratio, with a maximum of 200,000 miles per member per year.
Important Note on Value: While a 1:1 transfer ratio sounds good, remember that the value of points can differ between programs. Marriott Bonvoy points are typically valued around 0.9 cents per point by many travel experts. So, if you're transferring points from a program where they might be worth more (e.g., Chase Ultimate Rewards often value higher when redeemed directly for travel), ensure the Marriott redemption offers enough value to justify the transfer.
Action: Identify the exact transfer ratio for your specific point source to Marriott Bonvoy. This information is usually found on the transfer partner page of your credit card or airline loyalty program's website.
Step 3: Ensure Your Marriott Bonvoy Account is Ready
Before you initiate any transfer, make sure your Marriott Bonvoy account is in good standing and ready to receive points.
Active Account: Your Marriott Bonvoy account should be active. If you don't have one, it's free and easy to sign up on the Marriott Bonvoy website.
Name Match: Crucially, the name on your transferring account (e.g., your Chase or Amex account) must exactly match the name on your Marriott Bonvoy account. Even minor discrepancies can cause transfer delays or failures. If there's a mismatch, contact the respective loyalty program to correct it before initiating the transfer.
Account Age/Activity (for point sharing): If you plan to transfer points between Marriott Bonvoy members (which is also possible!), there are specific rules regarding account age and activity. For sending or receiving points, accounts generally need to be active for at least 30 days with qualifying activity, or 90 days without any qualifying activity.
Action: Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account. Verify your personal details, especially your name. If you don't have an account, sign up for one now!
Step 4: Initiating the Transfer – A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
The process for initiating a transfer will vary slightly depending on your point source. Here's a general guide for the most common ones:
Sub-heading: Transferring from Chase Ultimate Rewards
Log in to your Chase Ultimate Rewards account: Go to the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal (usually accessible through your Chase credit card account).
Navigate to "Transfer to Travel Partners": Look for a section related to "Transfer points" or "Transfer to travel partners." This is often found under the "Travel" tab or a dropdown menu near your point balance.
Select Marriott Bonvoy: From the list of travel partners, choose Marriott Bonvoy.
Enter Account Details: You'll be prompted to enter your Marriott Bonvoy member number and confirm your name. Double-check these details for accuracy.
Specify Transfer Amount: Enter the number of Chase Ultimate Rewards points you wish to transfer. Remember to adhere to the minimum transfer amounts and increments (typically 1,000 points).
Review and Confirm: Carefully review all the details of your transfer. Once confirmed, transfers are generally irreversible.
Submit Request: Click "Submit" or "Confirm Transfer."
Sub-heading: Transferring from American Express Membership Rewards
Log in to your American Express Membership Rewards account: Access your Membership Rewards portal, usually through your Amex online account.
Find "Transfer Points": Look for an option to "Transfer Points" or "Link & Transfer Points" to travel partners.
Select Marriott Bonvoy: Choose Marriott Bonvoy from the list of airline and hotel partners.
Add/Select Marriott Bonvoy Account: If you haven't linked your Marriott Bonvoy account before, you'll need to add it by providing your Marriott Bonvoy member number and verifying your personal information. If already linked, simply select it.
Enter Transfer Amount: Input the number of Membership Rewards points you want to transfer, adhering to the minimums and increments (often 1,000 points).
Review and Confirm: Review all the transfer details. Once submitted, these transfers are typically final.
Complete Transfer: Click to complete your redemption.
Sub-heading: Transferring from United MileagePlus (for eligible members)
This transfer is a bit more specific due to the RewardsPlus partnership.
Visit the RewardsPlus portal: Go to the dedicated RewardsPlus website (often linked from both United and Marriott's sites, e.g.,
united.com/rewardsplus Sign in with your United MileagePlus account: You'll need to log in with your United credentials.
Link Accounts (if not already linked): The portal will guide you to link your Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus accounts if they aren't already. Ensure your names match.
Initiate Transfer: Follow the on-screen prompts to convert your MileagePlus miles to Marriott Bonvoy points. Remember the 1:1 ratio and the annual maximum for this specific transfer (200,000 miles).
Confirm: Review and confirm the transfer.
Step 5: Waiting for Your Points to Arrive
The transfer time can vary depending on the loyalty program.
Chase Ultimate Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy: Points usually post within 4 days.
American Express Membership Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy: Most transfers are processed within 1 business day, but can sometimes take up to 14 days if further verification is needed.
United MileagePlus to Marriott Bonvoy: While not explicitly stated for this direction, point transfers from credit card partners typically process within a few days. If transferring between Marriott Bonvoy members, it can be as quick as 24 hours.
Pro-Tip: If you need the points for a specific redemption soon, factor in the potential transfer time. It's always best to initiate transfers well in advance of when you plan to book your award stay.
Step 6: Maximizing Your Marriott Bonvoy Points
Once your points are in your Marriott Bonvoy account, the real fun begins! Here are some ways to get the most out of them:
Free Night Stays: This is the most popular redemption. Marriott Bonvoy uses dynamic pricing, meaning the points required for a free night can vary. Look for off-peak dates for the best value.
Cash + Points: If you don't have enough points for a full free night, you can often combine points and cash. This can be a great way to stretch your points further.
PointSavers: Keep an eye out for PointSavers rates, which offer discounted point redemptions at select hotels for limited periods.
Marriott Bonvoy Moments: Redeem points for unique, curated experiences, from concerts and culinary events to sporting events and VIP access. These can offer exceptional value.
Transfer to Airline Miles: Interestingly, you can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to a wide array of airline loyalty programs. The general ratio is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 airline mile. Plus, you get a bonus of 5,000 miles for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred to airline miles (effectively making it 60,000 Marriott points = 25,000 airline miles). This can be a strategic move if you find a fantastic flight redemption!
Consider Transfer Bonuses: Periodically, credit card programs like Chase and American Express offer transfer bonuses to Marriott Bonvoy. For example, you might see a "20% bonus" or "50% bonus" when transferring points. Always be on the lookout for these, as they significantly increase the value of your transfer!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about transferring points to Marriott Bonvoy, 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 Marriott Bonvoy website or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app.
How to Find Out Which Credit Cards Transfer to Marriott Bonvoy?
Major credit card programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards transfer to Marriott Bonvoy. Check the "Transfer to Travel Partners" section of your specific credit card's rewards portal for an up-to-date list.
How to Transfer Points to Another Marriott Bonvoy Member?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to another member online through the Marriott Bonvoy website's "Share Points" tool. Both accounts must be active and meet certain age/activity requirements. There's a minimum of 1,000 points and a maximum of 100,000 points you can send per year, and 500,000 points you can receive per year.
How to Know if There's a Transfer Bonus to Marriott Bonvoy?
Transfer bonuses are typically advertised on the websites of the credit card reward programs (e.g., Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards) during promotional periods. Keep an eye on travel blogs and forums for announcements.
How to Reverse a Point Transfer to Marriott Bonvoy?
Unfortunately, point transfers to Marriott Bonvoy are generally irreversible. Once points are transferred, they cannot be transferred back to the original program. Always confirm your details before submitting.
How to Maximize the Value of My Marriott Bonvoy Points?
To maximize value, aim for redemptions during off-peak dates, consider using "Cash + Points" for flexibility, look for PointSavers rates, and explore unique experiences through Marriott Bonvoy Moments. Comparing the cash cost of a stay to the points required can help you determine good value.
How to Sign Up for a Marriott Bonvoy Account?
You can sign up for a free Marriott Bonvoy account directly on the Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com) by clicking "Join Now" or "Sign Up."
How to Know the Minimum Points for a Marriott Bonvoy Transfer?
The minimum transfer amount from most credit card partners like Chase and American Express is typically 1,000 points, in increments of 1,000. For transfers between Marriott Bonvoy members, the minimum is also 1,000 points.
How to Transfer United Miles to Marriott Bonvoy Points?
United MileagePlus Premier Silver members and above can transfer miles to Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1:1 ratio through the Marriott Bonvoy-United MileagePlus RewardsPlus partnership website.
How to Use Marriott Bonvoy Points for Flights or Car Rentals?
While primarily for hotel stays, Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to a wide range of airline loyalty programs (typically 3:1 ratio with a bonus for every 60,000 points). You can also redeem points for car rentals and other travel activities through the Marriott Bonvoy portal.
