Unlock Your Next Adventure: A Comprehensive Guide to Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points to United MileagePlus
Dreaming of soaring through the skies on a United flight, but your Marriott Bonvoy points are just sitting there? You're in luck! Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus have a fantastic partnership that allows you to convert your hotel loyalty points into valuable airline miles. This guide will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring you maximize your travel rewards and get closer to your dream destination.
Ready to Take Flight? Let's Get Started!
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's confirm you're in the right place. Do you have a Marriott Bonvoy account with a stash of points and a United MileagePlus account ready to receive those miles? If so, fantastic! You're already halfway there. If not, don't worry, we'll touch on how to set those up quickly.
Transferring points from a hotel loyalty program to an airline program can be a strategic move, especially if you have a specific flight redemption in mind or find better value for your points by converting them into miles. With the unique partnership between Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus, there are even additional bonuses to consider!
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| How To Transfer Marriott Points To United |
Step 1: Understand the Transfer Ratio and Bonus!
This is where the magic (and the math!) happens. Knowing the conversion rate and any potential bonuses is crucial for making an informed decision.
Sub-heading: The Standard Transfer Rate
The general transfer ratio for Marriott Bonvoy points to most airline partners is 3:1. This means that for every 3 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer, you'll receive 1 airline mile.
Sub-heading: The United MileagePlus Advantage – A Special Bonus!
Here's where United stands out from many other Marriott airline partners. Thanks to the "RewardsPlus" partnership between United and Marriott, you get an extra boost when transferring to United MileagePlus.
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For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer, Marriott will automatically add an extra 5,000 miles.
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On top of that, United MileagePlus members receive an additional 10,000 bonus miles when converting 60,000 Marriott points to United miles.
So, let's break that down:
QuickTip: Reflect before moving to the next part.
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You transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
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You initially get 20,000 United miles (60,000 / 3).
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Marriott adds 5,000 bonus miles.
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United adds another 10,000 bonus miles.
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Total United Miles Received: 35,000 United Miles for every 60,000 Marriott points!
This effective transfer rate for 60,000 Marriott points to United is roughly 1.71:1 (60,000 Marriott points for 35,000 United miles), which is significantly better than the standard 3:1. This bonus makes transferring to United a particularly attractive option.
Important Note: You can transfer a minimum of 3,000 Marriott points and a maximum of 240,000 points per day.
Step 2: Ensure Your Accounts Are Ready
Before you initiate the transfer, double-check that your Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus accounts are in order.
Sub-heading: Membership and Matching Names
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Both accounts must be under the same name. If the names on your Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus accounts don't match exactly, your transfer might be delayed or rejected. It's a simple, but crucial, detail.
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You must be a member of both programs. If you're not already, sign up for free:
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Join Marriott Bonvoy: [Link to Marriott Bonvoy enrollment page - You'd insert the actual link here]
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Join United MileagePlus: [Link to United MileagePlus enrollment page - You'd insert the actual link here]
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Sub-heading: Account Access
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Make sure you have your login credentials for both your Marriott Bonvoy account on the Marriott website and your United MileagePlus account on United's website.
Step 3: Initiating the Transfer – The Online Process
The transfer process is primarily done online through the Marriott Bonvoy website.
Sub-heading: Navigating to the Transfer Page
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Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account. Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (
marriott.com/loyalty/home.mi -
Once logged in, navigate to the "Redeem Points" or "Use Points" section.
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Look for an option related to "Travel" or "Airline Partners" or "Transfer Points to Miles." Typically, it's found under "Use Points" > "Travel" > "Transfer Points to Miles."
Sub-heading: Selecting United Airlines
Tip: Read at your own pace, not too fast.
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On the "Transfer Points to Miles" page, you'll see a list of various airline partners. Scroll down or use the search function to find "United MileagePlus®".
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Select United MileagePlus as your desired airline program.
Sub-heading: Entering Transfer Details
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You will be prompted to enter your United MileagePlus account number. Double-check that you enter it correctly to avoid any issues.
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Enter the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer. Remember the bonus structure: it's most efficient to transfer in increments of 60,000 points to maximize your bonus miles.
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The system should display the estimated number of United miles you will receive, including the bonus. Always confirm this before proceeding.
Sub-heading: Confirming the Transfer
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Review all the details carefully: your MileagePlus number, the Marriott points being transferred, and the expected United miles.
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Read and agree to the terms and conditions.
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Click on the "Transfer" or "Confirm" button to submit your request.
Step 4: Patience is a Virtue – Awaiting Your Miles
Once you've submitted your transfer request, it's time to play the waiting game.
Sub-heading: Transfer Timeframes
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While some transfers can be instant or take just a few hours, transfers from Marriott Bonvoy to United MileagePlus typically take between 2 to 7 business days to process. In some cases, it could take up to two weeks.
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It's highly recommended to initiate the transfer well in advance of when you plan to book your United award flight, especially if you're aiming for a popular route or a limited-availability award.
Sub-heading: Checking Your United Account
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Periodically check your United MileagePlus account balance online to see if the miles have posted. You won't receive a separate notification from United when they arrive, so you'll need to monitor your account.
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If the miles haven't appeared after a reasonable timeframe (e.g., 7 business days), you can contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for assistance.
Step 5: Utilizing Your Newly Acquired United Miles
Once your United miles land in your MileagePlus account, the sky's the limit (literally!).
Sub-heading: Searching for Award Flights
QuickTip: Break reading into digestible chunks.
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Log in to your United MileagePlus account on united.com.
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Use their award flight search engine to find flights using your miles. Remember that award availability can fluctuate, so being flexible with your travel dates and destinations can often lead to better deals.
Sub-heading: Maximizing Value
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Consider flying United's Star Alliance partners for unique routing options or to access destinations not directly served by United. Your MileagePlus miles can be redeemed on any Star Alliance airline.
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Look for "saver" awards, which typically offer the best value for your miles.
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Be aware of any taxes and fees associated with award tickets, which will still need to be paid in cash.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to transferring Marriott points to United miles, with quick answers:
How to check my current Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
You can check your Marriott Bonvoy points balance by logging into your account on the Marriott Bonvoy website or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app.
How to find the Marriott Bonvoy points to miles transfer page?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account, then navigate to "Use Points" or "Redeem Points," and look for "Travel" or "Airline Partners" or "Transfer Points to Miles."
How to ensure my name matches on both Marriott and United accounts?
During registration or by contacting customer service for both programs, verify that your first name, last name, and middle initial (if applicable) are identical on both your Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus accounts.
How to know if there's a special bonus for transferring Marriott points to United?
QuickTip: Focus on one paragraph at a time.
Marriott Bonvoy has a standing "RewardsPlus" partnership with United MileagePlus, which includes a 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred, in addition to Marriott's own 5,000 bonus. Always check the Marriott website for any current, limited-time promotional bonuses.
How to confirm the transfer was successful?
You will typically receive an email confirmation from Marriott Bonvoy after submitting your transfer request. The miles will appear in your United MileagePlus account once processed.
How to track the status of my Marriott to United points transfer?
While there isn't a direct "tracker," you can check your United MileagePlus account periodically. If it's been longer than the estimated transfer time (7 business days), contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service.
How to cancel a Marriott points transfer to United?
Once a transfer request is submitted and confirmed, it is generally irreversible. Transfers are usually final.
How to get help if my Marriott points don't appear in my United account?
First, wait the full estimated processing time (up to 7-10 business days). If the miles still haven't appeared, contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service with your transfer confirmation details.
How to determine if transferring points is the best use of my Marriott Bonvoy points?
This depends on your travel goals. Compare the value you get from a hotel stay redemption versus the value of a United award flight. Consider the specific flight you want and how many miles it requires, especially with the United transfer bonus.
How to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points to transfer?
You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points by staying at Marriott properties, using Marriott co-branded credit cards, participating in promotions, and through partnerships like Uber and Eat Around Town.
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