Unleash Your Travel Dreams: A Comprehensive Guide to Converting Marriott Bonvoy Points to Aeroplan Miles
Ever dreamed of that elusive business class flight across the globe or a luxurious getaway to a far-flung destination, all on points? If you're sitting on a stash of Marriott Bonvoy points and eyeing an Air Canada Aeroplan redemption, you're in the right place! Converting your Marriott Bonvoy points to Aeroplan miles can unlock incredible travel opportunities, especially for flights. This lengthy guide will walk you through every single step of the process, provide crucial insights, and answer all your burning questions.
Ready to turn your hotel stays into flights? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Understand the Value Proposition – Is This the Right Move for You?
Before you hit that "transfer" button, it's crucial to understand the exchange rate and potential value. Don't just blindly convert!
The Core Conversion Rate:
Marriott Bonvoy generally transfers to most airline partners, including Aeroplan, at a 3:1 ratio. This means 3 Marriott Bonvoy points equal 1 Aeroplan mile.
The Sweet Bonus:
Here's where it gets interesting! When you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to an airline partner, Marriott throws in an additional 5,000 bonus miles.
So, transferring 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points doesn't just get you 20,000 Aeroplan miles (60,000 / 3).
Instead, you'll receive a total of 25,000 Aeroplan miles (20,000 + 5,000 bonus). This effectively improves the ratio to 2.4:1 (60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for 25,000 Aeroplan miles).
Is it "Worth" It?
This is subjective and depends on how you value your points.
Marriott Bonvoy points are typically valued around 0.7 to 0.9 cents per point when redeemed for hotel stays.
Aeroplan miles can be quite valuable, especially for premium cabin flights (business or first class) on Air Canada or its Star Alliance partners. Their value can range from 1.4 cents to over 2 cents per point, depending on the redemption.
Think about it: If you get 25,000 Aeroplan miles for 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, and you can redeem those 25,000 Aeroplan miles for a flight worth, say, $500, then your Marriott points are essentially getting you ~$0.0083 per point ($500 / 60,000). Compare that to the 0.9 cents per point you might get for a hotel stay.
The key takeaway: While the base 3:1 ratio might seem steep, the 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points makes the conversion much more attractive, especially if you have a specific high-value Aeroplan redemption in mind. Always compare the cash cost of a flight versus the miles required to determine your personal value.
Step 2: Ensure You Have Both Accounts Ready
This might seem obvious, but it's a critical prerequisite.
Sub-heading: Your Marriott Bonvoy Account
Active and in Good Standing: Make sure your Marriott Bonvoy account is active and has sufficient points for the transfer. You'll need to be a member of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.
Login Credentials: Have your Marriott Bonvoy member number and password handy.
Sub-heading: Your Aeroplan Account
Active Aeroplan Membership: You must have an active Aeroplan account. If you don't, it's quick and free to sign up on the Air Canada Aeroplan website.
Matching Names: Crucially, the name on your Marriott Bonvoy account MUST exactly match the name on your Aeroplan account. Any discrepancy can lead to delays or rejection of your transfer.
Step 3: Initiate the Transfer Through the Marriott Bonvoy Website
This is where the magic happens! The transfer process is initiated directly from your Marriott Bonvoy account.
Step 3.1: Log in to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account
Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com).
Click on "Sign In" and enter your member number or email address and password.
Step 3.2: Navigate to the "Transfer Points to Miles" Section
Once logged in, hover over "Marriott Bonvoy" in the top navigation bar.
Look for a section related to "Redeem Points" or "Use Points".
Within that section, you should find an option like "Transfer Points to Miles" or "Transfer Points to Airlines." Click on it.
Pro Tip: Sometimes, this section can be a bit hidden. You might need to look under "Travel Partners" or "Airline & Travel Partners."
Step 3.3: Select Air Canada Aeroplan as Your Preferred Airline Partner
You'll see a list of Marriott Bonvoy's airline partners. Scroll down or use the search function to find "Air Canada Aeroplan."
Double-check that you're selecting the correct program to avoid any accidental transfers.
Step 3.4: Enter Your Aeroplan Account Information
You will be prompted to enter your Aeroplan account number.
Verify the number carefully to prevent points from going to the wrong account. Remember, the names on both accounts must match.
Step 3.5: Specify the Number of Marriott Bonvoy Points to Transfer
This is a critical step for maximizing your value.
Input the amount of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer.
Recommendation: Always transfer in increments of 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to maximize the 5,000-mile bonus. For example:
60,000 Marriott points = 25,000 Aeroplan miles
120,000 Marriott points = 50,000 Aeroplan miles
180,000 Marriott points = 75,000 Aeroplan miles
There's usually a minimum transfer amount, which is typically 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Step 3.6: Review and Confirm Your Transfer Request
Before finalizing, a summary page will display the details of your transfer, including:
The number of Marriott Bonvoy points you are transferring.
The equivalent number of Aeroplan miles you will receive (including the 5,000-mile bonus if applicable).
Your Aeroplan account number.
Thoroughly review all the information. Once confirmed, point transfers are generally irreversible.
Agree to the terms and conditions.
Click "Submit" or "Confirm Transfer."
Step 4: Patience is a Virtue: Awaiting Your Aeroplan Miles
Unlike some instant point transfers, Marriott Bonvoy to airline transfers are not instantaneous.
Sub-heading: Typical Transfer Timeframes
While some transfers can complete in a few days, the general expectation for Marriott Bonvoy to Aeroplan transfers is approximately 4 days. However, it can sometimes take up to a week or even longer (Marriott's terms often state "approximately six weeks," but Aeroplan transfers are generally faster).
Important Note: Transfer times can vary based on various factors, including system processing times and any potential manual reviews.
Sub-heading: What to Expect After Transferring
You will usually receive an email confirmation from Marriott Bonvoy acknowledging your transfer request.
Keep this confirmation for your records.
You won't see the Aeroplan miles immediately in your Aeroplan account. It's a waiting game.
Sub-heading: Checking Your Aeroplan Account
Periodically check your Aeroplan account balance online.
Log in to your Aeroplan account on the Air Canada website (
aircanada.com/aeroplan Once the miles post, you'll see them reflected in your balance.
Step 5: Utilizing Your Newly Acquired Aeroplan Miles!
Congratulations! Your Marriott Bonvoy points have successfully transformed into Aeroplan miles. Now for the exciting part: planning your next adventure!
Sub-heading: Exploring Aeroplan Redemption Options
Aeroplan offers a vast array of redemption possibilities:
Flights (The Sweet Spot!): This is generally where you'll get the most value. You can book flights on Air Canada and its extensive network of Star Alliance partners (like United, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, ANA, and many more).
Tip: Look for "sweet spots" on the Aeroplan redemption chart, especially for business or first-class awards, which often provide outsized value.
Hotels and Car Rentals: While possible, redeeming Aeroplan miles for hotels and car rentals typically offers lower value compared to flight redemptions.
Merchandise and Gift Cards: These usually represent the least valuable redemption options. Avoid these unless you have no other use for your miles.
Aeroplan eStore: You can redeem for various products, but again, value tends to be lower.
Sub-heading: Searching for Award Availability
Use the Air Canada Aeroplan website to search for award flights.
Be flexible with your dates and destinations if possible, as award availability can be limited, especially for popular routes and premium cabins.
Consider using tools like ExpertFlyer or other award search engines to help find availability on Star Alliance partners.
Sub-heading: Booking Your Award Travel
Once you find suitable award availability, proceed with booking directly on the Aeroplan website.
Be aware of any taxes, fees, and surcharges that may apply to your award booking. Aeroplan is generally good about not passing on excessive surcharges for its own flights, but partner flights can sometimes have higher fees.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about converting Marriott Bonvoy points to Aeroplan miles, with quick answers:
How to find the Marriott Bonvoy "Transfer Points" section?
You can typically find it by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account, then navigating to "Use Points" or "Redeem Points," and looking for "Transfer Points to Miles" or "Airline & Travel Partners."
How to ensure my name matches on both accounts?
When signing up for both Marriott Bonvoy and Aeroplan, ensure you use your legal name exactly as it appears on your passport or government ID. If there's a discrepancy, contact the respective loyalty program's customer service to get it corrected before initiating a transfer.
How to get the 5,000 bonus Aeroplan miles?
You automatically receive the 5,000 bonus Aeroplan miles for every block of 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer in a single transaction.
How to know if a transfer bonus is active?
Occasionally, Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy may offer promotional transfer bonuses, which would temporarily increase the conversion rate. These are usually announced on their respective websites or through loyalty program newsletters. Always check for current promotions before transferring!
How to check the status of my point transfer?
Marriott Bonvoy will usually send an email confirmation after you initiate the transfer. Beyond that, the best way to check is by periodically logging into your Aeroplan account to see if the miles have posted.
How to reverse a point transfer if I made a mistake?
Generally, point transfers from Marriott Bonvoy to airline partners are irreversible. This is why it's crucial to double-check all details before confirming. In rare cases of technical errors, you might try contacting Marriott Bonvoy customer service, but success is not guaranteed.
How to calculate the effective value of my points after transfer?
Divide the cash cost of the flight or redemption you desire by the total Marriott Bonvoy points you transferred to get the cents per point (CPP) value. For example, if a $600 flight costs 25,000 Aeroplan miles, and you transferred 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for those miles, your effective value is $600 / 60,000 = $0.01 per point, or 1 cent per point.
How to find the best Aeroplan redemption values?
Focus on booking premium cabin flights (Business or First Class) on Air Canada or its Star Alliance partners, especially for long-haul routes. These often provide the highest value per mile. Flexibility with dates and destinations can also uncover better deals.
How long do Aeroplan miles remain valid after transfer?
Aeroplan miles have an inactivity policy. Your miles will expire if there's no activity (earning or redeeming) on your account for 18 consecutive months. A transfer from Marriott Bonvoy counts as activity and will reset the clock.
How to ensure award availability for my desired flight before transferring?
This is a critical strategy. Before you transfer a large sum of Marriott points, find the specific award flight you want to book on the Aeroplan website and ensure there is availability. While you can't hold an award without the miles in your account, seeing it available gives you confidence. Remember that availability can change, so transfer and book as quickly as possible.
