Ever dreamed of jetting off on an American Airlines flight, using points you've diligently earned staying at Marriott properties? It's a fantastic way to maximize your loyalty, but the process of transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage miles comes with a crucial question: how long does it actually take? Unlike instant credit card point transfers, moving hotel points to airline miles often requires a bit of patience. So, let's dive deep into the process, understand the timelines, and equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions for your next award flight!
The Great Point Transfer: Marriott Bonvoy to American Airlines AAdvantage
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| How Long Does It Take To Transfer Marriott Points To American Airlines |
Step 1: Are You Ready to Transform Your Points into Flights?
Before we even talk about how long it takes, let's confirm you're prepared for this exciting conversion! Do you have a specific American Airlines award flight in mind? Is there availability for that flight? Remember, award space can be fleeting, so it's highly recommended to check availability on American Airlines' website before you initiate any transfer. This will help you avoid the disappointment of having miles in your AAdvantage account but no flight to book!
Step 2: Understanding the Transfer Ratio and Bonus
This is a critical aspect of your transfer.
Sub-heading: The Standard Transfer Ratio
Marriott Bonvoy points generally transfer to most airline partners, including American Airlines AAdvantage, at a 3:1 ratio. This means for every 3 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer, you'll receive 1 American Airlines AAdvantage mile.
For example: If you transfer 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you'll get 10,000 AAdvantage miles.
Sub-heading: The Missing Bonus for American Airlines
Here's a key point to note: While Marriott Bonvoy offers a 5,000 bonus miles for most airline partners when you transfer in increments of 60,000 points (meaning 60,000 Marriott points would yield 20,000 base miles + 5,000 bonus miles = 25,000 miles), American Airlines AAdvantage is one of the exceptions that does NOT receive this 5,000-mile bonus.
Therefore, if you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines, you will receive 20,000 AAdvantage miles. Keep this in mind when calculating your required points.
QuickTip: Absorb ideas one at a time.
Step 3: Initiating the Transfer – Your Online Journey
The transfer process itself is straightforward and done entirely online.
Sub-heading: Logging into Your Marriott Bonvoy Account
Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website.
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account using your credentials.
Navigate to the "Redeem Points" or "Use Points" section. You'll typically find an option for "Transfer Points to Miles" or "Airline Transfer Partners."
Sub-heading: Selecting American Airlines AAdvantage
From the list of airline partners, select American Airlines AAdvantage.
You'll be prompted to enter your American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer number. Ensure this number is correct and that the name on your Marriott Bonvoy account exactly matches the name on your AAdvantage account. Discrepancies can lead to delays or even rejection of the transfer.
Sub-heading: Specifying the Transfer Amount
Enter the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer.
Be aware of the minimum and maximum transfer limits:
Minimum Transfer: You must transfer a minimum of 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Maximum Transfer: You can transfer up to 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per day.
Double-check the displayed conversion to AAdvantage miles to ensure it aligns with your expectations (remembering the 3:1 ratio and no 5,000-mile bonus for AA).
Sub-heading: Confirming the Transfer
Review all the details carefully.
Confirm the transfer. You may receive an email confirmation from Marriott Bonvoy shortly after initiating the transfer. Keep this for your records.
Step 4: The Waiting Game – How Long Does it REALLY Take?
This is the million-dollar question! Unfortunately, unlike some instant point transfers, converting Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage miles is not instantaneous.
Sub-heading: The Official Word vs. Real-World Experience
Tip: Reflect on what you just read.
Marriott's official stance often suggests transfers can take up to 7 business days.
However, real-world experiences from travelers vary. Many report transfers completing within 2-4 business days. Some have seen it happen as quickly as 36-48 hours, while others have waited the full 7 business days or even slightly longer, especially if there are holidays or weekends involved.
Sub-heading: Factors Influencing Transfer Time
Several factors can influence how quickly your points arrive:
Day of the Week: Transfers initiated on a Friday or over the weekend will likely take longer as processing typically only occurs on business days.
Time of Day: Transfers initiated late in the day might only begin processing the next business day.
System Glitches: While rare, technical issues on either Marriott's or American Airlines' side can cause delays.
Volume of Transfers: During peak travel periods or promotions, there might be a higher volume of transfers, potentially leading to slightly longer processing times.
Sub-heading: What to Do During the Wait
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Resist the urge to call daily. While you can contact Marriott Bonvoy or American Airlines customer service if your transfer significantly exceeds the expected timeframe, calling every day won't speed up the process.
Check your AAdvantage account online. The miles will appear in your American Airlines AAdvantage account once the transfer is complete. You won't necessarily receive a direct notification from American Airlines.
Step 5: Post-Transfer Actions
Once the AAdvantage miles hit your account, you're ready to book!
Sub-heading: Booking Your American Airlines Award Flight
Log into your American Airlines AAdvantage account.
Search for your desired award flight.
Proceed with the booking process, using your newly transferred AAdvantage miles.
Remember to factor in any taxes and fees that may apply to your award redemption.
Sub-heading: What if the Miles Don't Arrive?
If it's been more than 7 business days and your AAdvantage miles still haven't appeared, it's time to take action:
Contact Marriott Bonvoy Customer Service first. Provide them with the details of your transfer, including the date and the number of points transferred. They can often provide a reference number or tracking information.
If Marriott confirms the transfer was successfully sent on their end, you can then contact American Airlines AAdvantage Customer Service with the information provided by Marriott.
Important Considerations Before Transferring
Irreversible Transfers: Once you transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage miles, the transfer is irreversible. You cannot convert AAdvantage miles back into Marriott Bonvoy points. Make sure you are committed to using those miles.
Award Availability Risk: This is perhaps the biggest risk. Because transfers aren't instant, the award space you saw when you initiated the transfer might be gone by the time your miles arrive. This is why having flexibility in your travel dates or being able to put an award on hold (if American Airlines allows it for your desired route) is extremely valuable.
Value Proposition: While transferring to airlines can unlock great value for premium cabin redemptions, always compare the value you're getting from the miles versus using your Marriott points for hotel stays. Sometimes, a high-value hotel redemption might be a better use of your Bonvoy points.
Matching Names: As reiterated, the name on your Marriott Bonvoy account and your American Airlines AAdvantage account must match exactly. Any discrepancies can cause significant delays or even prevent the transfer from completing.
By understanding these steps and considerations, you'll be well-prepared for a smooth (albeit not always speedy) transfer of your Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage miles!
Tip: Reread slowly for better memory.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy point balance?
You can easily 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 balance is prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to find my American Airlines AAdvantage number?
Your American Airlines AAdvantage number can be found by logging into your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website or app. It's usually displayed on your profile or membership details page. If you have a physical AAdvantage card, it will be printed there.
How to know if American Airlines allows award holds?
American Airlines' policy on award holds can vary by route, fare class, and AAdvantage status. The best way to determine if an award can be held is to go through the booking process on AA.com for the specific flight you're interested in. If a hold option is available, it will typically be presented before final confirmation.
How to calculate the value of my Marriott Bonvoy points before transferring?
To calculate the value, divide the cash price of a hotel stay by the number of points required for that stay. For airline transfers, consider the redemption value of the airline miles (e.g., how many miles for a specific flight) and compare it to the equivalent cash price of that flight. This will give you a "cents per point" or "cents per mile" value.
How to transfer Marriott points from one Bonvoy member to another?
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Marriott Bonvoy allows members to transfer points to another member's account. This can be done by contacting Marriott Bonvoy Member Services. There are annual limits (e.g., you can transfer up to 100,000 points and receive up to 500,000 points per calendar year).
How to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points quickly?
You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points quickly by staying at Marriott properties, using Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards for everyday spending, participating in Marriott Bonvoy promotions, and utilizing dining programs or online shopping portals affiliated with Marriott.
How to avoid transfer delays between Marriott and American Airlines?
While some delays are unavoidable, you can minimize them by ensuring the names on both accounts match exactly, transferring during business hours on weekdays (avoiding weekends and holidays), and initiating the transfer well in advance of your desired booking date.
How to use American Airlines AAdvantage miles for partner airline flights?
American Airlines AAdvantage miles can be used to book flights on American Airlines and its Oneworld alliance partners (e.g., British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines) and other non-alliance partners. You can search for and book these flights directly on the American Airlines website.
How to track the status of my Marriott point transfer?
Unfortunately, there isn't a real-time tracking system for Marriott point transfers to airlines. Your best bet is to monitor your American Airlines AAdvantage account online. You may receive an initial email confirmation from Marriott, but no further updates until the miles post.
How to decide if transferring points is the best redemption option?
Decide if transferring points is the best option by comparing it to other redemption possibilities. Consider the cash value of the flight you want to book, the cost in points for that flight, the number of Marriott points required for the transfer, and the value you could get by using those Marriott points for hotel stays instead. If the flight redemption offers significantly higher value (e.g., for business or first class tickets), it's often a good choice.
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