Do you have a stash of Marriott Bonvoy points sitting in your account, eagerly awaiting their next adventure? Perhaps you're eyeing a dream flight with United Airlines, but wondering how to bridge the gap between your hotel loyalty and your air travel aspirations. You've come to the right place! Transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus miles is a fantastic way to unlock incredible flight redemptions, especially with the unique partnership benefits between these two travel giants.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring a smooth and rewarding transfer process. Let's get those points ready to take flight!
The Power of Partnership: Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus
Before we dive into the "how," let's briefly touch upon why this transfer is particularly appealing. Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus have a special "RewardsPlus" partnership. This means that while the standard transfer ratio for most airlines is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 airline mile (with a 5,000 bonus for every 60,000 points transferred), United offers an enhanced bonus.
For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer to United MileagePlus, you'll receive a 10,000-mile bonus on top of the standard conversion. This effectively makes the transfer ratio 2 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 United mile when transferring in increments of 60,000. This is a significantly better deal than with most other airline partners!
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Transferring Marriott Points to United Miles
Ready to convert those hotel stays into flight adventures? Follow these steps meticulously to ensure a successful transfer.
Step 1: Confirm Your Accounts and Eligibility
Are you a member of both programs? This might seem obvious, but it's the crucial first hurdle. * Marriott Bonvoy Account: Ensure you have an active Marriott Bonvoy loyalty account. If not, head over to the Marriott Bonvoy website and sign up. It's free and quick! * United MileagePlus Account: Similarly, you need a United MileagePlus frequent flyer account. If you don't have one, enroll on the United Airlines website. * Matching Names: This is paramount! The name on your Marriott Bonvoy account must exactly match the name on your United MileagePlus account. Even a minor discrepancy can cause the transfer to fail. Double-check for any typos or differing middle initials. If your names don't match, you may need to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service to update your profile before proceeding.
Step 2: Log In to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account
Navigate to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com). * Secure Login: Locate the "Sign In" button, usually in the top right corner, and enter your Marriott Bonvoy member number or email address and password. * Take a moment to verify your point balance. Make sure you have enough points for your desired transfer. Remember the bonus structure: transferring in increments of 60,000 points will give you the best value.
Step 3: Find the "Transfer Points" Section
Once logged in, you'll need to find the specific page for transferring points to airline partners. * Navigation: Look for sections like "Redeem Points," "Use Points," or "Earn & Redeem." Often, under "Redeem Points," you'll find an option related to "Travel" or "Airline Partners." * Direct Link: For convenience, you can often find a direct link by searching "Marriott Bonvoy transfer points to miles" on Google, which will lead you to a page like "How to Transfer Points to Miles | Airline Transfer Partners | Marriott Bonvoy" on marriott.com.
Step 4: Select United MileagePlus as Your Preferred Airline
On the "Transfer Points to Miles" page, you'll see a list of Marriott's airline partners. * Dropdown Menu/List: Scroll through the list or use a search function to find "United MileagePlus®." * Confirm the Ratio: While selecting, you'll likely see a note about the transfer ratio (typically 3:1) and the special bonus for United (the 10,000 miles for every 60,000 points). This reconfirms you're on the right track for maximizing your value.
Step 5: Enter Your United MileagePlus Account Details and Transfer Amount
This is where you specify the transfer. * United MileagePlus Number: Carefully enter your 10-digit United MileagePlus account number. Double-check this to prevent your miles from going into the wrong account! * Number of Marriott Bonvoy Points to Transfer: Input the quantity of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer. * Strategic Transfer Increments: As mentioned, aim for multiples of 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (e.g., 60,000, 120,000, 180,000, 240,000). This ensures you get the maximum 10,000 bonus United miles for each block. * Minimum Transfer: Be aware that there's usually a minimum transfer amount, often 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. * Maximum Transfer: There's also a daily maximum transfer limit, typically 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per day.
Step 6: Review and Confirm Your Transfer
Before finalizing, review all the details one last time. * Summary: The page should display a summary of your transfer, including the number of Marriott points you're transferring and the estimated number of United miles you will receive, including the bonus. * Terms and Conditions: Read and accept the terms and conditions for the point transfer. * Confirmation: Click the "Confirm" or "Submit" button to initiate the transfer. You may receive a confirmation code via email or on the screen. Keep this for your records.
Step 7: Await Your United Miles
Now comes the waiting game! * Transfer Time: While some transfers can be almost immediate, transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus typically takes anywhere from 1 to 7 business days. In some cases, it might take a bit longer. * Check Your United Account: Periodically log in to your United MileagePlus account to check if the miles have posted. You'll usually see them appear as a "partner transfer" or similar description. * Don't panic if they don't show up instantly. It's a common characteristic of loyalty program transfers to have a processing period. If it's been more than 7-10 business days, then it's time to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service.
Important Considerations Before You Transfer
Value Proposition: While the 2:1 effective ratio to United is good, always consider the value you're getting. NerdWallet values Marriott Bonvoy points at approximately 0.9 cents each and United miles at around 1.2 cents each. This means 60,000 Bonvoy points ($540 in value) convert to 30,000 United miles ($360 in value). While it's not a 1:1 value preservation, the ability to book flights, especially premium cabin redemptions, can sometimes outweigh the direct monetary conversion.
Irreversibility: Once you transfer points from Marriott Bonvoy to United MileagePlus, the transfer is irreversible. You cannot convert United miles back to Marriott Bonvoy points (though United MileagePlus Premier members can transfer miles to Bonvoy points, this is a separate and typically less favorable transaction).
Specific Redemptions: It's generally recommended to transfer points only when you have a specific flight redemption in mind. Don't transfer speculatively, as award availability can change, and you want to ensure you can use your miles soon after they post.
Expiration Policies: United MileagePlus miles generally do not expire, which is a great benefit. Marriott Bonvoy points, however, can expire if there's no qualifying activity in your account for 24 consecutive months. Transferring points is a qualifying activity, but be mindful of your Bonvoy expiration if you're not actively staying at Marriott properties.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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. Your current point total is typically displayed prominently on your account dashboard.
How to check my United MileagePlus mile balance?
Log in to your United MileagePlus account on the United Airlines website or through the United app. Your current mileage balance will be displayed on your account summary page.
How to ensure my names match on both accounts?
Before transferring, carefully compare the full name registered on your Marriott Bonvoy account with the full name on your United MileagePlus account. If there are any discrepancies, contact the respective loyalty program's customer service to request a name correction before initiating the transfer.
How to get the 10,000 bonus United miles?
To receive the 10,000 bonus United miles, you must transfer Marriott Bonvoy points in increments of 60,000 points. For example, transferring 60,000 points will yield 20,000 standard miles + 10,000 bonus miles = 30,000 United miles.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for transfer issues?
You can usually find Marriott Bonvoy customer service contact information (phone numbers, email, or live chat) on the "Contact Us" section of their website. Be prepared with your Marriott Bonvoy account number and details of your transfer attempt.
How to contact United MileagePlus customer service for missing miles?
If your transferred miles don't appear in your United MileagePlus account within the expected timeframe, you can contact United Airlines customer service, specifically their MileagePlus support, providing your MileagePlus number and details of the Marriott transfer.
How to determine if transferring points is the best value for me?
Consider the cash price of the flight you want to book with United versus the value of your Marriott points if redeemed for hotel stays. If the flight redemption offers significant savings or access to a premium experience you wouldn't otherwise pay for, transferring can be worthwhile.
How to find the official Marriott Bonvoy transfer page?
You can typically find the transfer page by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account and navigating to the "Redeem Points" or "Use Points" section, then looking for options related to "Travel" or "Airline Partners." Alternatively, searching "Marriott Bonvoy transfer points to miles" on Google often yields the direct link.
How to deal with slow transfer times?
While it can be frustrating, patience is key. Most transfers fall within the 1-7 business day window. If it goes beyond that, first check your junk/spam folders for any communication, then contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service with your transfer confirmation details.
How to maximize the value of my transferred United miles?
To maximize the value of your United miles, look for "sweet spots" in their award chart, often for international business or first-class flights on United or their Star Alliance partners. Be flexible with your travel dates and consider booking well in advance for the best award availability.
