Seamless Journeys: Your Ultimate Guide to Linking Marriott Bonvoy and Delta SkyMiles Accounts
Imagine this: you've just landed after a long flight, eager to check into your luxurious Marriott hotel. Wouldn't it be amazing if that flight had also earned you points towards your next free night, and your hotel stay contributed to your elite airline status? With the strategic linking of your Marriott Bonvoy and Delta SkyMiles accounts, this isn't just a dream – it's a reality!
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of connecting these two powerful loyalty programs, unlocking a world of enhanced travel benefits. Get ready to supercharge your rewards and make every journey more rewarding.
 |
| How Do I Link My Marriott And Delta Accounts |
Step 1: Are You Ready to Unlock a World of Rewards?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's make sure you're set up for success! Do you already have active memberships with both Marriott Bonvoy and Delta SkyMiles?
If you answered "No" to either, don't worry! The first crucial step is to sign up for both programs. They are free to join and are the gateway to unlocking incredible travel perks.
Marriott Bonvoy: Head over to
Marriott.com/loyalty.mi Delta SkyMiles: Visit
Delta.com/skymiles
Already a member of both? Fantastic! Let's move on to the core of linking your accounts.
Step 2: Understanding the Crossover Rewards Program
While there isn't a direct "link" button that instantly merges all aspects of your Marriott Bonvoy and Delta SkyMiles accounts for a true crossover rewards program in the traditional sense, what you can do is strategically set your earning preferences to maximize benefits across both. This involves choosing to earn airline miles for your hotel stays and vice versa where applicable, and leveraging specific partnerships that exist.
It's important to clarify: The partnership between Marriott Bonvoy and Delta SkyMiles primarily focuses on allowing you to earn SkyMiles for eligible Marriott stays and, for higher-tier elites, offering reciprocal benefits like waived fees or upgrades when flying Delta. It's not a seamless points transfer in both directions like some other airline-hotel partnerships.
Sub-heading: Key Benefits of Aligning Your Loyalty
Tip: Reread sections you didn’t fully grasp.
Even without a direct "one-click" link, aligning your earning preferences offers significant advantages:
Earn More Miles: For eligible Marriott Bonvoy stays, you can opt to earn Delta SkyMiles instead of Marriott Bonvoy points. This is particularly valuable if you prioritize accruing miles for future flights.
Accelerate Elite Status: While not a direct pathway, consistently choosing to earn miles can contribute to your overall Delta activity, indirectly helping with Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) or giving you more flexibility for award travel.
Streamlined Travel Planning: By being strategic with your earning, you ensure that every dollar spent on travel works harder for you, whether it's on a flight or a hotel room.
Step 3: Setting Your Marriott Bonvoy Earning Preference to Delta SkyMiles
This is where the magic largely happens for earning SkyMiles on your hotel stays.
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy Account: Go to Marriott.com and sign in with your credentials.
Navigate to Your Profile/Account Settings: Look for a section like "My Account," "Profile," or "Preferences." This is usually found by clicking on your name or a profile icon in the top right corner of the website.
Find "Earning Preferences" or "Airline Partners": Within your profile, you'll need to locate the section dedicated to earning preferences. It might be labeled "Earn Points & Miles," "Earning Preferences," or "Airline Partners."
Select "Miles" as Your Earning Preference: If you currently earn Marriott Bonvoy points for your stays, you'll see an option to switch to earning airline miles. Select this option.
Choose "Delta Air Lines SkyMiles": From the list of airline partners, carefully select "Delta Air Lines SkyMiles."
Enter Your Delta SkyMiles Number: You will be prompted to enter your Delta SkyMiles membership number. Double-check for accuracy! A single digit error can prevent you from earning miles.
Confirm and Save Changes: Review your selections and confirm the changes. Save your preferences.
Important Note: Your first and last name on your Marriott Bonvoy account must exactly match your first and last name on your Delta SkyMiles account for the miles to post correctly.
Sub-heading: Understanding Mile Earning Ratios
The number of SkyMiles you earn per dollar spent at Marriott properties varies by brand. Generally, you can expect:
2 miles per $1 USD spent on eligible charges at luxury and premium brands like The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, St. Regis, Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Westin, and more.
1 mile per $1 USD spent on eligible charges at select service brands like Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, AC Hotels, Moxy Hotels, and others.
Always review the specific earning rates on the Marriott Bonvoy website for the most up-to-date information.
Step 4: Leveraging Delta SkyMiles for Marriott Stays (Indirectly)
While you can't directly transfer SkyMiles to Marriott Bonvoy points at a favorable ratio, Delta does have partnerships that can help you with hotel stays.
Delta Stays: Delta offers a platform called "Delta Stays" where SkyMiles Members can earn miles when booking hotels directly through their portal. You can earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on the base hotel rate for every completed stay booked via Delta Stays. To earn miles, you must include your SkyMiles number at the time of booking.
Delta Vacations: If you're booking a flight + hotel package through Delta Vacations, you can earn bonus miles, in addition to flight miles. This is a great way to consolidate your travel bookings and maximize your SkyMiles earnings.
Keep in mind that when booking through Delta Stays or Delta Vacations, you are earning miles on your hotel booking, rather than using your SkyMiles to pay for the Marriott stay directly. If you want to use Marriott Bonvoy points for free nights, you'll need to accumulate them through Marriott Bonvoy stays or other Marriott earning opportunities.
QuickTip: Pause before scrolling further.
Step 5: Exploring Reciprocal Elite Benefits (Limited but Valuable)
Historically, there was a "Crossover Rewards" program that offered more direct reciprocal elite benefits between Delta and Marriott. While that specific program has evolved, there are still indirect advantages for higher-tier elites.
 |
Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite: These top-tier Marriott Bonvoy members may occasionally receive offers or status challenges that can lead to Delta SkyMiles Medallion Status. Keep an eye on your Marriott Bonvoy promotional emails and your account offers for these exclusive opportunities.
Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members: Similarly, Delta may offer promotions or status matches for their Medallion members with hotel programs.
These opportunities are often promotional and not a permanent, guaranteed benefit. It's crucial to stay updated on current offers from both loyalty programs.
Step 6: Utilizing Co-Branded Credit Cards for Dual Benefits
One of the most powerful ways to bridge the gap between Marriott and Delta is through co-branded credit cards.
Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards: Many Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offer accelerated earning of Marriott Bonvoy points on everyday spending and at Marriott properties. These points can then be redeemed for free nights, allowing you to save your Delta SkyMiles for flights. Some cards also offer elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, which can indirectly lead to opportunities for Delta benefits.
Delta SkyMiles American Express Credit Cards: These cards earn SkyMiles on your everyday spending and Delta purchases, helping you accumulate miles for flights. Certain Delta SkyMiles Amex cards also offer benefits like priority boarding, free checked bags, and even Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) waivers, enhancing your flight experience.
Consider holding one of each type of card to truly maximize your rewards across both hotels and flights.
Final Thoughts on Interlinking Your Travel Ecosystem
While Marriott Bonvoy and Delta SkyMiles don't have a fully integrated "link" button that seamlessly merges all benefits and points, by strategically setting your earning preferences, leveraging specific booking portals, and utilizing co-branded credit cards, you can create a powerful ecosystem that maximizes your rewards.
Remember, the key is to be proactive in managing your loyalty accounts and staying informed about any new partnerships or promotions that arise. Happy travels!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common "How to" questions regarding linking Marriott and Delta accounts, with quick answers:
QuickTip: A slow read reveals hidden insights.
How to check if my Marriott Bonvoy and Delta SkyMiles accounts are already linked?
There isn't a direct "linked" status you can check. Instead, verify your Marriott Bonvoy earning preference: log into your Marriott Bonvoy account, go to "Earning Preferences," and see if "Delta Air Lines SkyMiles" is selected as your preferred earning partner.
How to ensure my name matches on both Marriott and Delta accounts?
Log into each account separately and review your personal details (first and last name). If there's a discrepancy, contact the customer service for the account with the incorrect information to have it updated. This is crucial for successful mile posting.
How to switch from earning Marriott Bonvoy points to Delta SkyMiles for hotel stays?
Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account, navigate to "Profile" or "Account Settings," find "Earning Preferences," select "Miles," and then choose "Delta Air Lines SkyMiles" from the list of airline partners. Enter your SkyMiles number and save.
How to earn Delta SkyMiles on Marriott hotel stays?
Set your Marriott Bonvoy earning preference to "Delta Air Lines SkyMiles" in your Marriott Bonvoy account profile. You will then earn SkyMiles based on eligible spending at Marriott properties.
How to use Delta SkyMiles for Marriott hotel stays?
Tip: Reread tricky sentences for clarity.
You generally cannot directly use Delta SkyMiles to pay for Marriott hotel stays. However, you can book hotels through "Delta Stays" or "Delta Vacations" to earn SkyMiles on your hotel bookings.
How to get Marriott Bonvoy elite status through Delta SkyMiles?
There isn't a direct elite status match or transfer from Delta SkyMiles to Marriott Bonvoy. However, high-tier Delta Medallion members may occasionally receive promotional offers for Marriott Bonvoy elite status challenges.
How to get Delta SkyMiles Medallion status through Marriott Bonvoy?
Similarly, there isn't a direct path. However, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members may sometimes receive targeted offers for Delta SkyMiles Medallion Status matches or challenges.
How to earn both Marriott Bonvoy points and Delta SkyMiles on the same stay/flight?
Generally, you cannot double-dip and earn both Marriott Bonvoy points and Delta SkyMiles on the same eligible hotel stay. You must choose one earning preference (points or miles). However, you earn SkyMiles for flights and Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel stays, maximizing earnings independently.
How to troubleshoot if my SkyMiles aren't posting from Marriott stays?
First, ensure your Marriott Bonvoy earning preference is correctly set to Delta SkyMiles and your SkyMiles number is accurate. Then, check that your first and last names match on both accounts. If issues persist, contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service.
How to benefit from both loyalty programs without a direct link?
Focus on maximizing earning in each program independently. Use a Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card for hotel spending and a Delta SkyMiles American Express card for flight-related or everyday spending. Also, set your Marriott Bonvoy earning preference to Delta SkyMiles for eligible hotel stays.
 |
