Thinking of trading in your luxurious Marriott stays for an exotic adventure to Japan? You're in luck! Transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to Japan Airlines (JAL) Mileage Bank is a fantastic way to unlock flights to the Land of the Rising Sun, especially if you've been diligently accumulating those hotel points. While it might seem a bit intricate at first, this guide will walk you through every single step to ensure a smooth and successful transfer.
Your Gateway to Japan: Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points to JAL Mileage Bank
Japan Airlines, a oneworld alliance member, offers an excellent redemption value for flights, especially for those looking to experience their renowned service and lie-flat seats in business or first class. By leveraging your Marriott Bonvoy points, you can potentially save a significant amount of money on airfare, allowing you to splurge more on delicious ramen and bullet train adventures!
Step 1: Are You Ready for Takeoff? (Assess Your Point Balance and JAL Needs)
Before we dive into the mechanics, let's start with a quick check-in. Do you have enough Marriott Bonvoy points? What kind of JAL award flight are you aiming for? Understanding your goal is crucial.
Check Your Marriott Bonvoy Balance: Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account at Marriott.com. Take note of your current point total.
Understand the Transfer Ratio: Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to JAL Mileage Bank at a 3:1 ratio. This means for every 3 Marriott Bonvoy points, you'll receive 1 JAL mile.
The Golden Bonus: Here's where it gets interesting! For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer in a single transaction, Marriott will add a bonus of 5,000 JAL miles. This effectively makes the transfer ratio even better when transferring in 60,000-point increments (e.g., 60,000 Marriott points become 20,000 JAL miles + 5,000 bonus miles = 25,000 JAL miles). Always aim for these increments if possible to maximize your value!
Research JAL Award Availability and Costs: This is perhaps the most critical step to do before initiating any transfer. JAL's award availability can be elusive, especially for premium cabins.
Utilize JAL's Website: Go to JAL's website (jal.co.jp) and log in to your JAL Mileage Bank account. If you don't have one, create one – it's free and essential.
Search for Award Flights: Navigate to the "Redeem award flights" section, then choose "Book International Award Tickets." Enter your desired dates and routes. Be flexible with your dates if possible, as award space fluctuates.
Note Down Mileage Requirements: JAL has a distance-based award chart for its own flights, meaning the number of miles required depends on the distance flown. For partner airlines (like oneworld members), they often have separate charts. Make sure you know how many JAL miles you'll need for your desired flight. Remember to account for taxes and fees, which will need to be paid in cash.
Pro Tip: Don't transfer your points until you've confirmed award availability! Points transfers are generally irreversible, and you don't want to be stuck with JAL miles you can't use.
Step 2: Initiating the Transfer – The Digital Bridge
Once you've confirmed award availability and have a clear idea of the miles you need, it's time to bridge your Marriott Bonvoy points to JAL Mileage Bank.
Log in to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account: Head over to Marriott.com and sign in.
Navigate to Transfer Points:
From your account dashboard, look for options like "Redeem" or "Use Points."
You'll typically find a section related to "Transfer Points to Miles" or "Airline Transfer Partners."
Direct Link (if available and working): Often, a quick search for "Marriott Bonvoy transfer points to airlines" on Google will lead you to the exact page.
Select Japan Airlines JAL Mileage Bank: From the list of airline partners, find and select "Japan Airlines JAL Mileage Bank."
Enter Transfer Details:
Enter your JAL Mileage Bank account number. Double-check this number carefully to avoid delays or issues.
Specify the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer. Remember to aim for multiples of 60,000 points to trigger that valuable 5,000 bonus mile increment. The minimum transfer is typically 3,000 Marriott points, and the maximum is 240,000 points per day.
Confirm the transfer ratio and the total JAL miles you will receive, including any applicable bonuses.
Review and Confirm: Carefully review all the details of your transfer request. Once confirmed, the process is usually irreversible.
Submit Your Request: Click the "Transfer" or "Confirm" button to initiate the transfer.
Step 3: The Waiting Game (and What to Do During It)
Transfers from Marriott Bonvoy to airline partners are not instantaneous. This is where a bit of patience comes in.
Expect Processing Time: Marriott states that transfers to Japan Airlines can take anywhere from 7 to 14 days or even more. While some users report quicker transfers, it's best to assume the longer end of the spectrum.
Monitor Your JAL Account: Periodically check your JAL Mileage Bank account online to see if the miles have posted.
Stay Vigilant on Award Availability: Crucially, continue to monitor the JAL award availability for your desired flights. While the miles are in transit, someone else could book your desired award. If award space is extremely limited, you might consider booking a refundable backup option with cash (if available) or having a Plan B for your miles.
Contact Support if Needed: If your miles haven't appeared after a reasonable amount of time (e.g., 2 weeks), you can contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service or JAL Mileage Bank for an update. Have your transfer confirmation number ready.
Step 4: Booking Your JAL Award Flight – The Sweet Reward!
Once your Marriott Bonvoy points have successfully transformed into JAL Mileage Bank miles, it's time to secure your flight!
Log back into your JAL Mileage Bank account.
Search for Award Flights Again: Even if you confirmed availability before, re-confirm it now that your miles are in your account. Award space is dynamic and can change.
Select Your Desired Flights: Choose the flights that match your travel plans and the availability you found.
Complete the Booking Process: Follow the prompts to finalize your award booking. You will be required to pay any applicable taxes, fees, and surcharges using a credit card.
Receive Confirmation: Once the booking is complete, you'll receive an e-ticket and confirmation email. Congratulations! You've successfully transferred your Marriott Bonvoy points and booked your JAL flight.
Important Note on Taxes and Fees: While you're using miles for the "fare," you're still responsible for government-imposed taxes, airport fees, and potentially fuel surcharges. These can sometimes be substantial, so factor them into your overall travel budget.
Related FAQ Questions
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy point balance?
You can check your Marriott Bonvoy point balance by logging into your account on the Marriott.com website or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app.
How to create a Japan Airlines Mileage Bank account?
You can create a JAL Mileage Bank account for free on the official Japan Airlines website (jal.co.jp) by navigating to the "JAL Mileage Bank" section and selecting "Enroll."
How to find out the transfer ratio from Marriott Bonvoy to JAL?
The standard transfer ratio is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 JAL mile. Additionally, you receive a 5,000 JAL mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred in a single transaction.
How to determine how many JAL miles I need for a flight?
You can determine the number of JAL miles needed by searching for award flights on the JAL website (jal.co.jp) under the "Redeem award flights" section, as JAL uses a distance-based award chart for its own flights.
How to ensure award availability before transferring points?
Always search for your desired award flights on the Japan Airlines website before initiating the Marriott Bonvoy transfer. This confirms that the award space you want is available.
How to maximize the value of my Marriott Bonvoy point transfer?
To maximize value, always transfer Marriott Bonvoy points in increments of 60,000 points to receive the 5,000 bonus JAL miles.
How to track the status of my Marriott Bonvoy to JAL transfer?
You can check your JAL Mileage Bank account periodically after initiating the transfer. Marriott typically doesn't provide real-time tracking for airline transfers.
How to resolve issues if my miles don't appear in my JAL account?
If your miles haven't appeared after the estimated transfer time (7-14 days), contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service first with your transfer confirmation number. If they can't resolve it, contact JAL Mileage Bank.
How to pay for taxes and fees on JAL award tickets?
Taxes, fees, and surcharges for JAL award tickets are paid using a credit card during the final booking process on the Japan Airlines website.
How to know if transferring Marriott points to JAL is the best option for my travel goals?
Evaluate the cash cost of your desired flight versus the value you're getting from your Marriott points (considering the transfer ratio and bonus). Compare JAL's redemption rates with other Marriott airline partners that might also serve your desired destination.
