You're sitting on a stash of Marriott Bonvoy points, and the open road (or, more accurately, the open sky) is calling your name! While hotel stays are fantastic, sometimes a well-timed flight redemption can unlock incredible value. So, how do you take those valuable Marriott Bonvoy points and transform them into airline miles, getting you closer to your dream vacation? Let's dive in!
Converting Marriott Points to Airline Miles: Your Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Marriott Bonvoy points to airline miles is a popular strategy for maximizing the value of your rewards. It opens up a world of possibilities, from economy hops to luxurious first-class experiences. Ready to make your points take flight? Let's get started!
Step 1: Are You Ready to Take Off? (Assess Your Needs and Goals)
Before you even think about clicking "transfer," let's do a quick pre-flight check.
What's your travel goal? Are you aiming for a specific international flight in business class, or just need to top off an account for a domestic trip? Understanding your objective will help you determine if transferring points is the best strategy and which airline partner to choose.
Do you have enough points? Marriott Bonvoy points typically transfer at a 3:1 ratio to most airline partners. This means 3,000 Marriott points become 1,000 airline miles. However, there's a sweet bonus! For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer, you'll receive an additional 5,000 bonus miles (for most partners). This effectively makes the transfer ratio for 60,000 points 60,000 Marriott points : 25,000 airline miles (a 2.4:1 ratio). Knowing this helps you strategize your transfer amounts.
Do you have an existing airline loyalty account? You'll need a frequent flyer account with the airline you want to transfer to, and the name on your Marriott Bonvoy account must exactly match the name on your airline loyalty account. If they don't, the transfer could be rejected.
Think carefully: While converting points to miles can be great, sometimes hotel redemptions offer even better value. Compare the cost of your desired flight in cash versus miles, and also consider what kind of hotel stay you could get with those same points.
Step 2: Navigate to the Marriott Bonvoy Transfer Page
This is where the magic begins online.
Log In: Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com) and log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account. Ensure you have your username and password handy.
Find the "Transfer Points" Section: Once logged in, navigate to the "Use Points" or "Redeem Points" section. You'll typically find a link related to "Transfer Points to Miles" or "Airline Transfer Partners." This might be under a "Travel" or "Flights" tab. Look for clear, descriptive headings.
Self-Help Tip: If you're having trouble finding it, use the website's search bar and type "transfer points to miles."
Step 3: Choose Your Preferred Airline Partner
Marriott Bonvoy boasts one of the most extensive lists of airline transfer partners in the loyalty program world. You have a plethora of choices!
Browse the List: On the transfer page, you'll see a comprehensive list of Marriott's airline partners. Take your time to review them.
Consider Your Destination and Alliance:
If you have a specific destination in mind, consider which airlines fly there and which loyalty program might offer the best redemption rates.
Think about airline alliances. For example, if you want to fly a Star Alliance airline but don't have enough points with one of their direct partners, transferring Marriott points to a Star Alliance member (like United, Air Canada Aeroplan, or Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer) could be your solution.
Special Considerations:
Most airlines transfer at the 3:1 ratio with the 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points.
United MileagePlus: Marriott has a preferred partnership with United. For every 60,000 Marriott points transferred to United MileagePlus, you receive a 10,000 bonus miles, making it an effective 2:1 transfer ratio (60,000 Marriott points : 30,000 United miles). This is a particularly strong redemption.
Airlines with No Bonus: American Airlines AAdvantage, Avianca LifeMiles, and Delta SkyMiles do not receive the 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred. Keep this in mind when evaluating value.
Air New Zealand: This is an outlier with a 200:1 transfer ratio, and generally not a recommended option due to poor value.
Step 4: Enter Your Frequent Flyer Details and Desired Points
Accuracy is key here to ensure a smooth transfer.
Select the Airline: Click on the airline partner you've chosen from the list.
Enter Your Frequent Flyer Number: Carefully type in your frequent flyer account number for the selected airline. Double-check for any typos!
Input Points to Transfer: Enter the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to convert.
Minimum Transfer: The minimum transfer amount is typically 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Maximum Transfer: You can transfer a maximum of 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per day.
Strategic Transfer Amounts: As mentioned, aim for increments of 60,000 points to maximize the 5,000 bonus miles (for eligible partners). For example, if you need 30,000 airline miles, transfer 60,000 Marriott points to get the 20,000 standard miles + 5,000 bonus miles (total 25,000), and then transfer another 15,000 Marriott points to get the remaining 5,000 miles. This might be more efficient than transferring a non-60,000 increment directly. The system should automatically show you the corresponding number of airline miles you will receive, including any applicable bonuses.
Step 5: Review and Confirm Your Transfer
This is your last chance to verify all the details.
Review the Summary: Before finalizing, carefully review all the information: the airline selected, your frequent flyer number, and the number of Marriott Bonvoy points being transferred and the corresponding airline miles you will receive.
Agree to Terms and Conditions: Read and agree to the terms and conditions for the point transfer.
Confirm Transfer: Click the "Confirm" or "Transfer" button to initiate the process. You may receive an email confirmation.
Step 6: Patience, Young Skywalker! (Wait for the Miles to Post)
Transfers are not always instant.
Processing Time: While some transfers can be quick (a few days), Marriott states that it generally takes up to one week for the airline miles to appear in your frequent flyer account. In rare cases, it can take longer.
Check Your Airline Account: Periodically log in to your airline loyalty program account to check if the miles have posted.
Contact Support (If Needed): If after the stated processing time your miles haven't appeared, gather your Marriott Bonvoy transfer confirmation details and contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for assistance.
Important Note: Once a transfer is initiated, it is generally irreversible. You cannot transfer airline miles back to Marriott Bonvoy points. So, be absolutely certain of your decision before confirming!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about converting Marriott points to airline miles, with quick answers:
How to choose the best airline partner for Marriott point transfers?
Research award availability and redemption rates for your desired flights, consider airline alliances, and factor in the bonus miles offered for every 60,000 points transferred. United MileagePlus often offers a superior bonus.
How to get the most value when transferring Marriott points?
Always aim to transfer in increments of 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to receive the 5,000 bonus miles (for eligible partners), maximizing your effective transfer ratio.
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance before transferring?
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on marriott.com; your points balance will be prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to ensure my name matches on both Marriott and airline accounts?
During the transfer process, the system will often verify this. If you have any discrepancies (e.g., middle name vs. no middle name), it's best to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service to ensure a smooth transfer or update your profile beforehand.
How to find out the exact transfer ratio for a specific airline partner?
The Marriott Bonvoy "Transfer Points to Miles" page on their website lists the specific transfer ratio for each partner. Most are 3:1.
How to transfer Marriott points if I don't have enough for a 60,000-point increment?
You can still transfer points in smaller increments (minimum 3,000 points), but you won't receive the 5,000 bonus miles. Evaluate if it's still a good value for your specific redemption.
How to know when the bonus miles will apply to my transfer?
The 5,000 bonus miles apply automatically when you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (or multiples thereof) in a single transaction to most eligible airline partners. The transfer page will typically show the total miles you'll receive.
How to deal with potential delays in mileage posting?
Allow the full stated processing time (up to one week or more). If miles still haven't posted, gather your Marriott Bonvoy transfer confirmation and contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service.
How to reverse a Marriott point transfer to airline miles?
Unfortunately, point transfers from Marriott Bonvoy to airline miles are generally final and irreversible. Double-check all details before confirming.
How to find the full list of Marriott Bonvoy airline transfer partners?
You can find the most current and complete list of Marriott Bonvoy airline transfer partners on the official Marriott Bonvoy website, typically under the "Use Points" or "Redeem Points" section.
