You've accumulated a fantastic stash of Marriott Bonvoy points, and now you're eyeing that dream United flight. Excellent choice! Converting your hard-earned hotel points into airline miles can be a super smart move if it aligns with your travel goals. But how exactly do you do it? Don't worry, we're here to guide you through every single step.
Let's turn those comfy hotel stays into exhilarating airborne adventures! Are you ready to unlock the skies with your Marriott Bonvoy points? Let's dive in!
Mastering the Transfer: How to Convert Marriott Bonvoy Points to United MileagePlus Miles
Converting Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus miles is a straightforward process, but understanding the nuances can help you maximize your value. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each stage, from understanding the conversion rates to executing the transfer and what to expect afterward.
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| How To Convert Marriott Points To United Miles |
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility and Account Linkage
Before you even think about transferring, ensure you meet the basic requirements and have your accounts in order.
Sub-heading 1.1: Be a Member of Both Programs
This might sound obvious, but it's the absolute first step! You must have active memberships in both:
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Marriott Bonvoy: This is where your points currently reside.
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United MileagePlus: This is where your miles will go.
If you're not yet a member of either, sign up! It's free and takes just a few minutes. Make sure the names on both accounts match exactly to avoid any transfer hiccups.
Sub-heading 1.2: Understand the RewardsPlus Partnership
Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus have a special partnership called RewardsPlus. This program offers enhanced benefits, including a more favorable conversion rate for United.
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For all members: You'll generally get a 3:1 conversion ratio (3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 United mile). However, here's the golden nugget: for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer, you receive an additional 10,000 United MileagePlus bonus miles! This effectively makes the transfer rate much better for larger increments.
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Example: Transferring 60,000 Marriott points normally gives you 20,000 United miles (60,000 / 3). With the RewardsPlus bonus, you get 20,000 + 10,000 = 30,000 United miles! This changes the effective ratio to 2 Marriott points for 1 United mile (60,000 / 30,000).
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For Premier members: If you hold United MileagePlus Premier Silver, Gold, Platinum, or 1K status, or Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite or Ambassador Elite status, you might have reciprocal benefits and even more favorable transfer options. Check the RewardsPlus website (getrewardsplus.com) for specifics related to your elite status.
Step 2: Calculate Your Optimal Transfer Amount
This is where the strategy comes in. Don't just transfer any random amount; aim for the sweet spot to maximize your value.
QuickTip: Keep going — the next point may connect.
Sub-heading 2.1: The Magic Number: 60,000
As mentioned, the 10,000 bonus miles kick in for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred. This means transferring in multiples of 60,000 points is always the most efficient way to convert.
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Avoid transferring less than 60,000: While you can transfer smaller amounts (the minimum is 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points), you won't get the valuable 10,000-mile bonus.
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Consider your target redemption: Before transferring, figure out how many United miles you actually need for your desired flight. Don't transfer more than necessary, as Marriott Bonvoy points can sometimes offer better value for hotel stays.
Sub-heading 2.2: Understand the Value Proposition
A general rule of thumb is that Marriott Bonvoy points are typically valued around 0.7 cents per point, while United miles are often valued around 1.3 cents per mile (these are general valuations and can vary greatly depending on redemption).
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Without the bonus: 60,000 Marriott points (worth approx. $420) convert to 20,000 United miles (worth approx. $260). This is a loss in value.
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With the 60,000-point bonus: 60,000 Marriott points (worth approx. $420) convert to 30,000 United miles (worth approx. $390). This is a much better conversion and can sometimes even be a break-even or slight gain, especially if you're getting outsized value from your United miles (e.g., for business or first-class redemptions).
Always do the math for your specific redemption! Sometimes, keeping points for hotel stays, especially for a 5th night free redemption, can be a better use of your Marriott points.
Step 3: Initiate the Transfer Online
Now for the actual transfer process. This is done through the Marriott Bonvoy website.
Sub-heading 3.1: Log In to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account
Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com) and log in to your account.
Sub-heading 3.2: Navigate to the Transfer Points Page
Once logged in:
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Hover over "Earn & Redeem" in the main navigation.
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Select "Transfer Points" or "Transfer Points to Miles" (the exact wording might vary slightly).
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You will likely be taken to a page listing all of Marriott's airline partners. Scroll down or search for United MileagePlus.
Tip: Revisit this page tomorrow to reinforce memory.
Sub-heading 3.3: Enter Transfer Details
On the United MileagePlus transfer page:
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Select United MileagePlus as your desired airline partner.
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Enter your United MileagePlus account number. Double-check this number carefully! An incorrect number could lead to delays or lost miles.
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Enter the amount of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer. Remember to aim for multiples of 60,000 for the best value. The system will usually show you the corresponding number of United miles you will receive, including the bonus.
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Confirm your details. Review everything one last time before proceeding.
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Agree to the terms and conditions.
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Submit your transfer request.
Step 4: Await the Transfer and Confirmation
The transfer isn't always instant, so be patient.
Sub-heading 4.1: Understand Transfer Times
Transfers from Marriott Bonvoy to United MileagePlus typically take 7-10 business days to complete. Some users report it can be faster, but it's best to assume the longer timeframe, especially if you have an immediate flight redemption in mind.
Sub-heading 4.2: Monitor Your Accounts
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Check your Marriott Bonvoy account: The points should be deducted from your Marriott Bonvoy balance almost immediately.
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Check your United MileagePlus account: Keep an eye on your United account. Once the transfer is complete, the miles (including the bonus) will appear in your balance. You usually won't receive a separate email notification from Marriott or United specifically for the completion of the transfer, so checking your United account is key.
Sub-heading 4.3: What to do if there are delays
If 10 business days have passed and your miles haven't appeared in your United account, first check your Marriott Bonvoy transfer history to confirm the request was processed on their end. If it shows as complete from Marriott's side, contact United MileagePlus customer service. Have your Marriott Bonvoy account details and the transfer confirmation handy.
Step 5: Redeem Your United Miles for Flights!
Congratulations! Your Marriott Bonvoy points are now United MileagePlus miles. You're ready to book that flight!
Tip: Every word counts — don’t skip too much.
Sub-heading 5.1: Search for Award Availability
Go to united.com and log in to your MileagePlus account. Search for flights using the "Book with miles" or "Award Travel" option. Be flexible with your dates if possible, as award availability can vary.
Sub-heading 5.2: Complete Your Booking
Once you find a suitable flight, proceed with the booking, using your newly transferred miles. Remember to account for any taxes and fees, which are usually paid in cash.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance?
You can easily check your Marriott Bonvoy points balance by logging into your account on the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com) or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your points balance is prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to find my United MileagePlus account number?
Your United MileagePlus account number can be found by logging into your account on the United Airlines website (united.com) or the United app. It's usually displayed on your profile page or within your account summary.
How to get the 10,000 bonus miles when converting Marriott to United?
You automatically receive a 10,000 MileagePlus bonus for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer in a single transaction. Simply transfer 60,000, 120,000, 180,000, or 240,000 points to receive the corresponding bonus.
QuickTip: Use CTRL + F to search for keywords quickly.
How to determine if converting Marriott points to United miles is a good value?
Compare the cash cost of a flight to the number of miles required for the same flight. Then, consider the cash value of the Marriott points you'd use. If the value you get per United mile (after the transfer) is significantly higher than what you'd get from a Marriott hotel redemption, it's likely a good value. The 60,000-point transfer bonus greatly improves the value proposition.
How to link my Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus accounts?
While not strictly required for point transfers, linking accounts through the RewardsPlus program (getrewardsplus.com) can offer reciprocal elite benefits if you have status with either program. This typically happens by registering your eligible elite status from one program to receive benefits in the other.
How to ensure my name matches on both Marriott and United accounts?
When signing up for both loyalty programs, ensure you use your full legal name exactly as it appears on your passport or government-issued ID. If there are discrepancies, contact customer service for both Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus to get them aligned before attempting a transfer.
How to transfer Marriott points to other airline partners besides United?
Marriott Bonvoy has over 35 airline partners. The process is similar to transferring to United: log into your Marriott Bonvoy account, go to the "Transfer Points to Miles" section, and select your desired airline partner. The transfer ratio is typically 3:1 for most partners, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred (United is unique with its 10,000-mile bonus).
How to check the status of my Marriott to United points transfer?
After initiating the transfer, you can usually see a record of the request in your Marriott Bonvoy account's activity or transfer history. However, to see if the miles have arrived in your United account, you'll need to log in to your United MileagePlus account and check your mileage summary.
How to use United miles once they are in my account?
Once your United miles are deposited, you can use them to book award flights on United Airlines or its Star Alliance partners directly through united.com. Simply select "Book with miles" when searching for flights.
How to deal with issues during the transfer process?
If you encounter any problems, such as an error message during the transfer or unexpected delays, first review the steps carefully. If the issue persists, contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service directly. Have your account numbers and any error messages or confirmation numbers ready to provide them with.
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