So, you've been diligently earning Marriott Bonvoy points, perhaps through hotel stays, co-branded credit cards, or even promotions. Now, you're eyeing a fantastic flight redemption with American Airlines and wondering how to bridge the gap between your hotel loyalty and your airline aspirations. You're in the right place! Transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage miles is a valuable strategy for many travelers. While it's crucial to understand the nuances, it can unlock incredible award travel opportunities.
Let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to help you seamlessly convert your Marriott Bonvoy points into American Airlines AAdvantage miles.
Understanding the Basics: Marriott Bonvoy & AAdvantage
Before we begin the transfer process, let's quickly grasp the fundamentals:
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Marriott Bonvoy: This is Marriott International's loyalty program, allowing you to earn and redeem points at their vast portfolio of hotels and resorts worldwide. Marriott Bonvoy points are highly versatile, offering redemptions for free nights, experiences, and, importantly, transfers to numerous airline partners.
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American Airlines AAdvantage: This is American Airlines' frequent flyer program. You earn AAdvantage miles by flying with American Airlines and its oneworld alliance partners, using co-branded credit cards, and engaging with various partners. These miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel benefits.
The ability to transfer between these two programs provides flexibility, especially if you have a surplus of hotel points but need airline miles for a specific flight.
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| How To Transfer Marriott Points To Aadvantage |
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Transferring Marriott Points to AAdvantage
Are you ready to turn those Marriott Bonvoy points into your next American Airlines adventure? Let's get started!
Step 1: Check Your Balances and Eligibility – Are You Ready to Fly?
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First things first, log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account. Do you have enough points to make a meaningful transfer?
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Minimum Transfer: Marriott requires a minimum transfer of 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to airline partners.
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Transfer Ratio: The standard transfer ratio from Marriott Bonvoy to American Airlines AAdvantage is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 AAdvantage mile.
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Bonus on Bulk Transfers: This is where you can maximize your value! For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer, Marriott will add a bonus of 5,000 AAdvantage miles. This effectively improves the ratio for larger transfers. For example, transferring 60,000 Marriott points results in 20,000 AAdvantage miles (from the 3:1 ratio) + 5,000 bonus miles = 25,000 AAdvantage miles total.
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Daily Limit: Be aware of the daily transfer limit: You can transfer a maximum of 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per day to airlines.
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Next, ensure you have an active American Airlines AAdvantage account. If not, it's quick and free to sign up on the American Airlines website (aa.com). Crucially, the name on your Marriott Bonvoy account and your AAdvantage account must match exactly for the transfer to be successful.
QuickTip: Pause when something feels important.
Step 2: Navigate to the Marriott Bonvoy Transfer Page
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This is where the magic happens!
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Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (Marriott.com).
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Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
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Once logged in, look for the "Redeem" section or a similar menu option related to "Use Points."
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You'll typically find a link for "Transfer Points to Miles" or "Transfer Points to Airline Miles." A direct link can often be found at
www.marriott.com/loyalty/redeem/travel/points-to-miles.mi.
Step 3: Select American Airlines AAdvantage as Your Partner
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On the transfer page, you'll see a list of Marriott Bonvoy's extensive airline partners.
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Scroll down or use the search function to locate "American Airlines AAdvantage®."
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Click on American Airlines AAdvantage to proceed.
Step 4: Enter Your AAdvantage Account Details and Transfer Amount
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You will be prompted to enter your American Airlines AAdvantage account number. Double-check this for accuracy! An incorrect number will lead to a failed transfer and potential delays.
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Enter the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer.
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Remember the 3,000 point minimum and the 60,000 point increments for the bonus miles. If you transfer less than 60,000 points, you won't get the 5,000-mile bonus. For instance, if you transfer 30,000 Marriott points, you'll get 10,000 AAdvantage miles (30,000 / 3). If you transfer 60,000 Marriott points, you'll get 25,000 AAdvantage miles (60,000 / 3 + 5,000 bonus).
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The system should automatically display the equivalent number of AAdvantage miles you will receive. Review this carefully!
Step 5: Confirm Your Transfer and Complete the Process
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Before finalizing, you'll likely see a summary of your transfer, including the Marriott points being deducted and the AAdvantage miles you're expected to receive.
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Read through the terms and conditions associated with the transfer. These usually cover aspects like the non-reversibility of transfers and processing times.
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You may be asked to verify your identity, possibly through an email code or security questions.
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Once you're satisfied, confirm the transfer.
Step 6: Wait for the Miles to Post to Your AAdvantage Account
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This is the patience-testing part! While some transfers can be quick, transfers from Marriott Bonvoy to AAdvantage typically take around 2 business days. However, it's always wise to allow up to a week (or even longer in rare cases) for the miles to appear in your AAdvantage account.
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Keep an eye on your AAdvantage account online. You'll see the miles appear as a deposit once the transfer is complete.
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Pro-Tip: If you're booking a time-sensitive award, factor in the transfer time. It's generally not advisable to transfer points for an immediate redemption, as award availability can change.
Important Considerations and Tips for Maximizing Your Transfer
Tip: A slow, careful read can save re-reading later.
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Value Proposition: Understand the value. Marriott Bonvoy points are typically valued lower than AAdvantage miles. While exact valuations vary, many sources suggest Marriott points are worth around $0.007-$0.009 each, while AAdvantage miles can be worth $0.012-$0.017 or more, especially for premium cabin redemptions. Transferring 3:1 (or effectively 2.4:1 with the bonus) means you're giving up more Marriott points for fewer airline miles. Only transfer if you have a specific, high-value AAdvantage redemption in mind.
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The 60,000 Point Sweet Spot: Always try to transfer in increments of 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to take advantage of the 5,000 bonus AAdvantage miles. This significantly improves your effective transfer ratio.
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Check Award Availability First: Never transfer points speculatively. Before initiating any transfer, always check American Airlines AAdvantage for the specific award availability you're targeting. Miles transferred cannot be reversed back to Marriott Bonvoy points.
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Name Matching is Key: We can't stress this enough. If your Marriott Bonvoy account name doesn't precisely match your American Airlines AAdvantage account name (including middle initials, if applicable), the transfer will likely fail.
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Consider Other Options: While transferring to AAdvantage can be great, remember Marriott Bonvoy partners with many other airlines. Sometimes, a different airline partner might offer a better redemption for your desired route. Always compare!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy point balance?
You can easily check your Marriott Bonvoy point balance by logging into your account on the Marriott Bonvoy website (Marriott.com) or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your point balance is prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to find my American Airlines AAdvantage number?
Your American Airlines AAdvantage number can be found by logging into your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website (aa.com). It's typically displayed on your profile page or within your account summary. It's also usually printed on your AAdvantage membership card if you have one.
How to create an American Airlines AAdvantage account?
To create an American Airlines AAdvantage account, visit the American Airlines website (aa.com) and look for the "AAdvantage" section. There will be an option to "Join AAdvantage" or "Enroll Now." Follow the prompts to provide your personal details and create your account. It's free and takes only a few minutes.
Tip: Don’t skip the details — they matter.
How to know the current transfer ratio from Marriott to AAdvantage?
The current standard transfer ratio from Marriott Bonvoy to American Airlines AAdvantage is 3:1 (3 Marriott points for 1 AAdvantage mile). However, always verify this on the official Marriott Bonvoy "Transfer Points to Miles" page, as terms can occasionally change. Remember the 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred.
How to estimate how many AAdvantage miles I will receive?
To estimate, divide your Marriott Bonvoy points by 3. Then, for every full increment of 60,000 Marriott points you are transferring, add an additional 5,000 AAdvantage miles. For example, 120,000 Marriott points / 3 = 40,000 AAdvantage miles. Plus, two 5,000-mile bonuses (for each 60k increment) = 10,000 miles. Total: 50,000 AAdvantage miles.
How to ensure my name matches on both accounts?
Log in to both your Marriott Bonvoy account and your American Airlines AAdvantage account. Compare the names exactly as they appear on each profile. If there are any discrepancies (e.g., a missing middle name, an abbreviation), contact the respective loyalty program's customer service to have it corrected before initiating a transfer.
How to check the status of my Marriott to AAdvantage transfer?
QuickTip: Pause after each section to reflect.
Marriott typically sends an email confirmation once your transfer request has been initiated. You won't get a real-time tracking number, but you can check your AAdvantage account online daily. The miles will simply appear once the transfer is complete. If it's been longer than the expected timeframe (e.g., more than 7 business days), you can contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for assistance.
How to reverse a Marriott to AAdvantage point transfer?
Unfortunately, point transfers from Marriott Bonvoy to airline partners, including American Airlines AAdvantage, are generally final and irreversible. This is why it's crucial to confirm award availability and double-check all details before initiating the transfer.
How to get the best value from AAdvantage miles?
The best value from AAdvantage miles often comes from redeeming them for international flights in premium cabins (Business or First Class), especially on American Airlines' oneworld partners. Look for "sweet spots" in their award chart and be flexible with your travel dates to find lower-mileage redemptions.
How to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points for future transfers?
You can earn more Marriott Bonvoy points through various methods:
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Staying at Marriott hotels.
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Using Marriott co-branded credit cards for everyday spending.
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Taking advantage of Marriott Bonvoy promotions.
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Transferring points from other flexible points programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards (though often not advisable due to unfavorable ratios).
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