How Long Does It Take to Transfer Marriott Bonvoy Points to Miles? Your Ultimate Guide to Timelines and Strategies
Ever dreamt of jetting off on a dream vacation, funded entirely by your hard-earned Marriott Bonvoy points? You're not alone! Transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to airline miles is a fantastic way to unlock incredible flight redemptions, especially for business or first-class experiences. But there's a crucial question that often leaves aspiring award travelers scratching their heads: "How long does it actually take for those points to land in my airline account?"
Well, let's dive deep into the fascinating (and sometimes frustrating!) world of Marriott Bonvoy point transfers. Spoiler alert: it's not always instantaneous, and planning is key!
Step 1: Are You Ready to Take Flight with Your Points?
Before we even talk about transfer times, let's make sure you're geared up for this journey. Have you already identified the specific flight award you want to book? This is perhaps the most critical first step. Award availability, especially for premium cabins, can be fleeting. You wouldn't want your points to land just as your dream flight vanishes!
Pro Tip: Always check award availability with the airline directly before initiating your Marriott Bonvoy transfer. Some airlines, like American Airlines, even allow you to put award flights on hold for a few days, which can be a lifesaver while you await your points.
Step 2: Understanding the Marriott Bonvoy Transfer Landscape
Marriott Bonvoy boasts an impressive list of airline partners – one of the largest in the loyalty program world. This gives you a vast array of options for redeeming your points. However, the transfer process and, more importantly, the transfer speed can vary significantly between partners.
2.1 The Standard Transfer Ratio and Bonus Miles
For most airline partners, Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a standard 3:1 ratio. This means 3 Marriott Bonvoy points equal 1 airline mile.
The Sweet Spot: Marriott offers a fantastic bonus! For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer, you'll receive an additional 5,000 bonus miles. This effectively makes the transfer ratio 3:1.25 (or 2.4:1 if you consider the bonus), significantly improving the value of your points.
Note: A few airlines, like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Avianca LifeMiles, do not participate in this 5,000-mile bonus. United MileagePlus is an exception, often offering an even larger bonus (e.g., 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred).
2.2 Minimum and Maximum Transfer Amounts
You can typically transfer between 3,000 and 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per day. It's important to be mindful of these limits, especially if you're planning a large redemption.
Step 3: Delving into Transfer Times by Airline Partner
Now for the main event: how long will your points take to appear? This is where it gets a bit less predictable. While Marriott's terms generally state that points transfer within about a week, real-world experiences show a wide range.
Below is a general guide to average transfer times, but always remember these are averages and your experience may vary:
Almost Instant (1-2 Days):
British Airways Executive Club
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles (often 1 day)
Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
JetBlue TrueBlue (ratio 6:1)
LATAM Airlines LATAM Pass
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Southwest Rapid Rewards
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
United MileagePlus (often 1-2 business days, though some reports indicate longer)
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer
A Few Days (2-4 Days):
Aegean Airlines Miles+Bonus
Aeromexico Rewards
Air Canada Aeroplan
Air France/KLM Flying Blue
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™
American Airlines AAdvantage® (often 1-2 days in practice, despite general longer estimates)
Copa Airlines ConnectMiles
Emirates Skywards®
Etihad Guest
South African Airways Voyager
Up to a Week or More (5-7+ Days):
Air China PhoenixMiles
Alitalia MilleMiglia
ANA Mileage Club
Cathay Pacific Cathay
China Southern Airlines Sky Pearl Club
Hainan Airlines Fortune Wings Club
Iberia Plus
Japan Airlines JAL Mileage Bank (can be 7-14 days or more)
Korean Air Skypass
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Saudia Alfursan
Potentially Very Long (Avoid if possible for urgent needs):
Frontier Airlines FRONTIER Miles (reports of over a month)
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go (reports of significant delays)
THAI Airways Royal Orchid Plus (reports of 14+ days)
3.1 Factors Influencing Transfer Times
Airline Processing Speed: The biggest variable is the airline itself. Some airlines have more efficient systems for processing incoming points than others.
Day of the Week: Transfers initiated on weekends or holidays will naturally take longer, as they typically won't be processed until the next business day.
System Glitches: While rare, technical issues can occasionally cause delays.
Fraud Prevention: Some airlines or Marriott may hold transfers for a short period for security checks, particularly for large amounts.
Step 4: The Transfer Process - A Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to make the transfer? Here's how to do it:
4.1 Accessing Your Marriott Bonvoy Account
Log In: Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com) and log in to your account.
Navigate to Redeem Points: Once logged in, look for the "Redeem Points" or "Use Points" section. This might be under your account dashboard or a main menu.
Select "Flights" or "Transfer Points to Miles": Within the redemption options, you'll find a section related to transferring points to airline partners. This might be explicitly labeled "Transfer Points to Miles" or found under a "Flights" category.
4.2 Choosing Your Airline Partner
Select Desired Airline: From the list of Marriott Bonvoy's airline partners, carefully select the airline you wish to transfer your points to. Double-check the name to avoid mistakes!
Enter Frequent Flyer Number: You'll need to provide your frequent flyer program account number for the chosen airline. Ensure it's accurate!
4.3 Initiating the Transfer
Input Points to Transfer: Enter the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you want to transfer. Remember the 3:1 ratio and consider transferring in increments of 60,000 to maximize your bonus miles.
The system will usually show you the corresponding number of airline miles you will receive, including any applicable bonuses.
Review and Confirm: Before finalizing, thoroughly review all the details: the airline, your frequent flyer number, and the amount of points/miles. Once confirmed, these transfers are generally irreversible.
Submit Request: Click the "Transfer" or "Confirm" button to initiate the transfer. You may receive an email confirmation.
Step 5: Monitoring and Following Up
Once you've initiated the transfer, it's a waiting game.
5.1 Checking Your Airline Account
Regularly Monitor: It's a good idea to check your airline frequent flyer account daily for the transferred miles.
Keep Records: Note down the date and time you initiated the transfer. This will be helpful if you need to follow up.
5.2 What to Do if There's a Delay
Wait the Acknowledged Time: Before panicking, allow for the estimated transfer time for your specific airline partner.
Contact Marriott Bonvoy Customer Service: If the stated average transfer time has passed and your miles haven't appeared, contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service. Provide them with your transfer details and confirmation number.
Contact the Airline: If Marriott confirms the transfer was processed on their end, but the miles aren't in your account, reach out to the airline's frequent flyer program customer service.
Step 6: Strategic Considerations for Transfers
Don't Transfer Speculatively: Only transfer points when you have a specific award in mind and have confirmed availability. Miles, once transferred, cannot be converted back to Marriott Bonvoy points.
Build a Buffer: If your travel dates are flexible, consider transferring points a few weeks in advance to avoid last-minute stress.
Consider Point Purchase: If you're just a few thousand miles short for an urgent redemption and don't want to wait for a transfer, purchasing points directly from the airline might be a quicker (though often more expensive) option.
Maximize the 60,000 Point Bonus: Always aim to transfer in multiples of 60,000 points to get the most value out of your Bonvoy balance.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
You can check your Marriott Bonvoy points balance by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account on their website or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your current points total will be prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to find Marriott Bonvoy's airline transfer partners?
You can find a complete list of Marriott Bonvoy's airline transfer partners on the Marriott Bonvoy website under the "Redeem Points" or "Travel Partners" section. They typically list all participating airlines and their respective transfer ratios.
How to get bonus miles when transferring Marriott points?
To get bonus miles, ensure you transfer Marriott Bonvoy points in increments of 60,000. For every 60,000 points transferred (to most partners), Marriott will add an additional 5,000 miles to your airline account.
How to know the exact transfer ratio for a specific airline?
The standard transfer ratio for most airlines is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 airline mile. However, it's always best to verify the specific ratio for your chosen airline on the Marriott Bonvoy transfer page, as there are a few exceptions (e.g., Air New Zealand, JetBlue).
How to put an airline award ticket on hold?
The ability to put an airline award ticket on hold varies by airline. Some airlines, like American Airlines AAdvantage, offer a temporary hold option for award bookings, typically for a few days. Check the specific airline's website or call their reservations line to inquire about hold policies.
How to cancel a Marriott Bonvoy point transfer?
Once a Marriott Bonvoy point transfer to an airline partner is initiated and processed, it is generally irreversible. Therefore, it's crucial to double-check all details before confirming the transfer.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for transfer issues?
You can contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service via phone (their contact number is usually listed on the website) or through their online chat support. Have your Marriott Bonvoy account number and transfer details ready.
How to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points?
You can earn more Marriott Bonvoy points by staying at Marriott properties, using Marriott co-branded credit cards for your spending, participating in Bonvoy promotions, and even through partners like Uber and Eat Around Town.
How to determine if transferring points to miles is a good value?
To determine if transferring points is a good value, compare the cash cost of a flight with the number of miles required for the same flight. Divide the cash cost by the number of miles to get the "cents per mile" (CPM) value. Generally, anything above 1.5-2 cents per mile is considered a good redemption, especially for premium cabins.
How to avoid long transfer times for urgent bookings?
For urgent bookings, consider airlines known for quicker transfer times (e.g., Delta, British Airways, United, Singapore Airlines). If time is extremely critical, you might need to purchase miles directly from the airline if they offer that option, or consider using other transferable points currencies (like Amex Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards) which often transfer instantly to airline partners.
