Planning a dream getaway with your hard-earned Marriott Bonvoy points? Thinking of flying with Alaska Airlines, known for its excellent Mileage Plan and fantastic partner redemptions? That's a brilliant combination! But here's the crucial question that often pops up: "How long does it really take to transfer Marriott points to Alaska miles?"
It's a question that can make or break your award travel plans, especially when you're eyeing a specific flight with limited availability. So, let's dive deep into the process and give you a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to navigate this transfer, manage your expectations, and ultimately, get you closer to that amazing Alaska Airlines flight!
Understanding the Transfer Dynamics: Marriott Bonvoy to Alaska Mileage Plan
Before we get into the "how-to," let's set the stage. Marriott Bonvoy is a behemoth in the hotel loyalty world, offering a vast network of hotels and an impressive list of airline transfer partners – one of the largest, in fact! Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, on the other hand, is widely regarded as one of the most valuable frequent flyer programs due to its generous redemption rates on partner airlines. Combining these two can lead to some truly epic travel experiences.
The standard transfer ratio between Marriott Bonvoy and most airline partners, including Alaska Airlines, is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 airline mile. But here's where it gets even better: for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer, you'll receive a bonus of 5,000 airline miles. This means if you transfer 60,000 Marriott points, you'll get 20,000 Alaska miles (from the 3:1 ratio) + 5,000 bonus miles, for a total of 25,000 Alaska miles. This effectively boosts your transfer ratio to 2.4:1 when transferring in 60,000-point increments, which is highly recommended!
Now, for the main event: the transfer time. While many credit card points transfer instantly or within a day or two to airline partners, Marriott Bonvoy transfers tend to be on the slower side. For Alaska Airlines, the average transfer time is generally cited as 2 to 4 days. However, it's crucial to understand that this is an average, and transfers can sometimes take longer, even up to a week or more in rare cases. Factors like the day of the week you initiate the transfer, public holidays, and the volume of pending transfers can all play a role.
So, if you have a specific award flight in mind, it's always best to plan with a buffer. Don't wait until the last minute!
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| How Long Does It Take To Transfer Marriott Points To Alaska Miles |
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Transferring Marriott Points to Alaska Miles
Ready to turn those hotel stays into flight adventures? Let's get started!
Step 1: Engage Your Travel Dreams & Check Award Availability
Alright, imagine this: you're finally going to that dream destination you've been eyeing! Perhaps it's a first-class flight on Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, or a business class experience on Japan Airlines to Tokyo, both amazing redemption options with Alaska miles. Before you even think about transferring points, the absolute first and most critical step is to check for award availability on Alaska Airlines or its partner airlines.
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Why is this so important? Because Marriott Bonvoy point transfers are irreversible. Once those points leave your Marriott account and convert to Alaska miles, there's no going back. You don't want to transfer a significant chunk of points only to find out there are no award seats left for your desired dates or route.
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How to check:
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Go to the Alaska Airlines website (alaskaair.com).
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When searching for flights, make sure to select the "Use miles" option.
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Input your desired origin, destination, and travel dates.
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Browse the results. Look specifically for saver-level award availability, as these offer the best value for your miles. Partner award availability will also show up here.
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Pro Tip: Be flexible with your dates if possible. Award availability can fluctuate wildly, so having a few alternative dates in mind can significantly increase your chances of success.
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Tip: Write down what you learned.
Step 2: Log In to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account
Once you've confirmed that your dream award flight is available, it's time to initiate the transfer.
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Open your web browser and go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com).
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Click on the "Sign In" button, usually found in the top right corner of the page.
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Enter your Marriott Bonvoy member number or email address and your password.
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Click "Sign In" to access your account dashboard.
Step 3: Navigate to the "Transfer Points" Section
Finding the right spot can sometimes feel like a treasure hunt, but it's usually straightforward.
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Once logged in, look for a section related to "Redeem Points" or "Use Points." This is often found in the main navigation menu or under your account summary.
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Within the "Redeem Points" section, you'll typically find an option for "Flights" or "Transfer Points to Miles."
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Click on the appropriate link to proceed to the airline transfer page.
Step 4: Select Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan as Your Transfer Partner
Marriott Bonvoy boasts a long list of airline partners. You'll need to find Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan among them.
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On the transfer page, you'll see a dropdown menu or a list of airline loyalty programs.
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Scroll through the list until you find "Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™."
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Carefully select it to ensure your points are going to the correct program.
Step 5: Enter Your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Account Details
This is where you link your Marriott Bonvoy points to your Alaska Airlines account.
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You'll be prompted to enter your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account number. Double-check this number for accuracy. A single incorrect digit could cause significant delays or even loss of your transfer.
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Ensure that the name on your Marriott Bonvoy account exactly matches the name on your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account. Discrepancies can lead to the transfer being rejected.
Step 6: Specify the Number of Marriott Bonvoy Points to Transfer
Now comes the actual transfer amount.
QuickTip: Keep a notepad handy.
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Enter the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer.
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Remember the 3:1 transfer ratio and the 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred.
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For example: If you need 25,000 Alaska miles, you should transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. The system will typically show you the corresponding number of airline miles you will receive, including the bonus.
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There's usually a minimum transfer amount (often 3,000 points) and a maximum daily transfer limit (up to 240,000 points per day). Ensure your transfer falls within these limits.
Step 7: Review and Confirm Your Transfer
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This is your last chance to catch any errors.
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Review all the details carefully: the number of Marriott points being transferred, the expected Alaska miles, your Mileage Plan account number, and the names on the accounts.
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Marriott may send a verification code to your email as an added security measure. Enter this code if prompted.
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Read and agree to the terms and conditions of the transfer.
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Click "Confirm" or "Submit" to initiate the transfer.
Step 8: Monitor the Transfer Process
Once you've submitted the transfer, the waiting game begins.
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You will usually receive a confirmation email from Marriott Bonvoy acknowledging your transfer request. Keep this email for your records.
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While there isn't always a real-time tracking system, you can periodically check your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account balance to see if the miles have posted.
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Patience is key here. As mentioned, the transfer typically takes 2-4 business days, but it can sometimes extend to a week. Avoid calling Marriott or Alaska Airlines immediately after initiating the transfer, as they often can't expedite the process. If it goes significantly beyond the stated average, then it might be worth reaching out.
Managing Expectations and Important Considerations
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Timing is Everything: If you're aiming for a specific award flight, especially a high-demand one, initiate the transfer well in advance. Award availability can disappear quickly.
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Irreversible Transfers: Again, once you transfer Marriott points to an airline program, you cannot transfer them back. Be absolutely sure of your redemption plans.
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Matching Names: The names on your Marriott Bonvoy account and your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account must be identical. Any slight difference can cause the transfer to fail.
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Transfer Bonuses: Always aim to transfer in 60,000-point increments to maximize the 5,000-mile bonus. This significantly improves the value you get from your Marriott points.
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Alternative Options: If you're in a hurry and need Alaska miles instantly, consider other options like earning through an Alaska Airlines credit card, or purchasing miles directly (though this is often not the best value). However, for Marriott points, transferring is the standard method.
By following these steps and understanding the nuances of the transfer process, you'll be well on your way to leveraging your Marriott Bonvoy points for exciting flights with Alaska Airlines and its valuable partners!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to airline miles, with quick answers:
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy point balance?
Tip: Don’t just scroll to the end — the middle counts too.
You can check your Marriott Bonvoy point balance by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the official Marriott website (marriott.com) or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your point balance is prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to find my Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account number?
Your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account number can be found by logging into your account on the Alaska Airlines website (alaskaair.com). It's typically displayed on your profile or account summary page.
How to ensure my names match on both accounts?
When setting up your Marriott Bonvoy and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan accounts, ensure your first name, middle name (if applicable), and last name are entered exactly the same way. If you notice a discrepancy, contact customer service for either program to have it corrected before initiating a transfer.
How to determine the best time to transfer points?
The best time to transfer points is after you've found confirmed award availability for your desired flight on Alaska Airlines or its partners. Transferring speculatively is not recommended due to the irreversible nature of the transfer and the variable transfer times.
How to get the 5,000 bonus miles when transferring from Marriott?
To get the 5,000 bonus miles, you must transfer Marriott Bonvoy points in increments of 60,000. For every 60,000 Marriott points transferred to most airline partners (including Alaska Airlines), an additional 5,000 airline miles are added to your transfer.
QuickTip: Read again with fresh eyes.
How to confirm if my transfer was successful?
You will typically receive a confirmation email from Marriott Bonvoy after initiating the transfer. The most definitive way to confirm success is to periodically check your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account balance – the miles will appear there once the transfer is complete.
How to expedite a Marriott Bonvoy to Alaska Miles transfer?
Unfortunately, there's no way to reliably expedite a Marriott Bonvoy to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan transfer once it's initiated. The process is automated and typically follows its standard timeline. Planning ahead is the best strategy.
How to find out which other airlines Marriott partners with for transfers?
You can find a complete list of Marriott Bonvoy's airline transfer partners on the Marriott Bonvoy website under the "Redeem Points" or "Transfer Points to Miles" section. Marriott has one of the largest selections of airline partners.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for transfer issues?
If you encounter issues with your transfer (e.g., points not appearing after a significantly longer than average time), you can contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service via their website, phone, or live chat. Have your Marriott Bonvoy member number and transfer confirmation details ready.
How to use Alaska miles to book partner flights?
You can use your Alaska miles to book partner flights directly on the Alaska Airlines website (alaskaair.com). When searching for flights, select "Use miles," and the search results will display available flights on Alaska Airlines and its partner airlines.
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