How to Transfer American Airlines AAdvantage Miles to Marriott Bonvoy: A Comprehensive Guide
Ever found yourself with a surplus of American Airlines AAdvantage miles, but your next big trip is calling for a luxurious Marriott stay? Or perhaps you're just a few points shy of that dream redemption at a Marriott Bonvoy property? The thought of converting your hard-earned airline miles into hotel points might seem like a complex maze, but fear not! While direct transfers from American Airlines AAdvantage to Marriott Bonvoy are not possible in the traditional sense, this guide will unpack the nuances of point transfers and help you understand how to best leverage your loyalty currencies for your travel goals.
Ready to unlock the potential of your points? Let's dive in!
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| How To Transfer Aa Miles To Marriott |
Understanding the Landscape: Airlines and Hotels
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it's crucial to understand a fundamental principle in the world of loyalty programs: direct transfers between different loyalty programs (like an airline program to a hotel program, or vice-versa) are often limited or non-existent. This is primarily because these programs are designed to keep you within their own ecosystem.
However, there are sometimes indirect pathways or specific partnerships that allow for some flexibility. In the case of American Airlines AAdvantage and Marriott Bonvoy, the primary avenue for point movement is from Marriott Bonvoy to AAdvantage, not the other way around. This means you generally cannot convert your AAdvantage miles directly into Marriott Bonvoy points.
So, Can You Really Transfer AA Miles to Marriott?
The short answer is no, not directly. American Airlines AAdvantage does not offer a direct transfer option to convert your AAdvantage miles into Marriott Bonvoy points.
However, if your goal is to acquire Marriott Bonvoy points using loyalty currency, you might need to consider alternative strategies:
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Earning Marriott Bonvoy points directly: This is the most straightforward way. Earn points through Marriott hotel stays, co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit cards, or Marriott's dining and shopping programs.
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Transferring from other transferable points programs: If you have points with programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, or Capital One Venture Rewards, these do often transfer to Marriott Bonvoy. This could be a way to effectively "convert" points you earned on travel (even if not directly from AA miles) into Marriott points.
Now, let's explore the process that is possible: transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage miles. While this isn't what the user explicitly asked for, understanding this direct relationship is vital for anyone navigating these two loyalty programs, and it highlights why the reverse isn't typically offered.
Step 1: Confirming Your Goal – Why Transfer?
Before you even think about moving points, ask yourself: What is my ultimate travel goal?
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Do you desperately need a specific Marriott hotel stay and you're just a few points short?
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Are you looking to empty out a small AAdvantage balance you don't foresee using for flights?
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Or perhaps you have a large Marriott Bonvoy balance and want to top up your AAdvantage account for a flight redemption?
Understanding your motivation will help you determine if a transfer (or an alternative strategy) is truly the best use of your valuable loyalty currencies. Keep in mind that transferring points often comes with a devaluation, so it's generally recommended only when you have a specific, high-value redemption in mind.
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Step 2: Accessing the Marriott Bonvoy Transfer Portal (for Bonvoy to AA)
Since we've established that direct AA to Marriott transfers aren't a thing, let's look at the actual process of transferring points from Marriott Bonvoy to American Airlines AAdvantage. This is a common and viable option for many travelers.
Sub-heading: Logging into Your Marriott Bonvoy Account
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Open your web browser and navigate to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (
www.marriott.com -
Locate the "Sign In" button, usually found in the top right corner of the page.
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Enter your Marriott Bonvoy Member Number or Email Address and your password.
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Click "Sign In" to access your account dashboard. Double-check your login details to avoid any frustration!
Sub-heading: Navigating to the "Transfer Points" Section
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Once logged in, look for a section related to "Use Points" or "Redeem Points." This is often found in the main navigation menu or under your profile.
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Within the redemption options, you should find a link specifically for "Transfer Points to Miles" or "Airline Transfer Partners." This is your golden ticket! Marriott Bonvoy has a dedicated page for this, and it lists all their airline partners.
Step 3: Understanding the Transfer Ratio and Bonuses
This is where the math comes in, and it's crucial to pay attention to get the best value.
Sub-heading: The Standard 3:1 Ratio
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For most airline partners, including American Airlines AAdvantage, Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio. This means 3 Marriott Bonvoy points equal 1 airline mile.
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For example, if you transfer 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you will receive 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles.
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Sub-heading: The 5,000 Bonus Miles (Crucial for Value!)
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Marriott Bonvoy offers a significant bonus: For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer to a participating airline program, Marriott will add an extra 5,000 bonus miles.
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This is a game-changer! If you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you'll typically receive 20,000 AAdvantage miles (from the 3:1 ratio) PLUS an additional 5,000 bonus miles, for a total of 25,000 AAdvantage miles.
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Important Note: While this bonus applies to most partners, American Airlines AAdvantage, Avianca LifeMiles, and Delta SkyMiles are explicitly excluded from this 5,000 bonus. This is a critical detail that often catches people by surprise. So, for American Airlines, it's a straight 3:1 transfer without the bonus.
Wait, what? Yes, you read that right. While the 5,000 bonus is a fantastic perk for many other airlines, it does not apply to AAdvantage. This means the effective transfer ratio for AAdvantage is consistently 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 AAdvantage mile, regardless of the quantity transferred. This makes transferring to AAdvantage less appealing compared to other partners that do offer the bonus.
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Step 4: Initiating the Transfer
Once you're on the "Transfer Points to Miles" page and have considered the ratios, it's time to make the transfer.
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Sub-heading: Selecting American Airlines AAdvantage
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From the list of airline partners, find and select "American Airlines AAdvantage." The list is usually alphabetical.
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Carefully read any terms and conditions displayed for the American Airlines transfer.
Sub-heading: Entering Your AAdvantage Account Details
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You will be prompted to enter your American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer number.
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Crucially, the first and last name on your Marriott Bonvoy account MUST EXACTLY MATCH the first and last name on your American Airlines AAdvantage account. Any discrepancy can lead to the transfer being rejected or significantly delayed.
Sub-heading: Specifying the Number of Points to Transfer
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Enter the desired number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer.
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Minimum Transfer: There's usually a minimum transfer amount, typically 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
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Maximum Transfer: There's also a daily maximum, usually 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Sub-heading: Confirming the Transfer
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Review all the details carefully: the number of points, your AAdvantage number, and the resulting miles.
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Confirm the transfer. You might receive an email confirmation from Marriott Bonvoy acknowledging your request.
Step 5: Waiting for the Miles to Post
Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to points transfers.
Sub-heading: Transfer Times
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Marriott Bonvoy states that in most cases, miles will be posted to your frequent flyer account within 7 days (1 week).
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However, sometimes it can take longer, up to several weeks. It's generally not an instantaneous process.
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If you need the miles for an imminent redemption, factor in this processing time. It's not advisable for last-minute bookings.
Sub-heading: Verifying the Transfer
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Periodically check your American Airlines AAdvantage account balance online.
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Once the miles appear, you're all set to use them for your desired flight redemption!
Important Considerations and Warnings
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Irreversibility: Once you transfer points from Marriott Bonvoy to American Airlines AAdvantage, the transfer is irreversible. You cannot convert the AAdvantage miles back into Marriott Bonvoy points. This is why careful planning in Step 1 is so important.
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Devaluation: Generally, hotel points (like Marriott Bonvoy) are often valued differently than airline miles. Transferring between programs almost always involves a "devaluation" in terms of raw numerical value. However, the value you get from a specific redemption (e.g., a high-value business class flight or a luxurious hotel stay) can make it worthwhile.
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Exclusion of 5,000 Bonus Miles: As mentioned, remember that American Airlines AAdvantage is one of the few partners that does not receive the 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred. This significantly impacts the effective transfer ratio and might make other airline partners more attractive for a transfer if you have flexibility.
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Name Match: This cannot be stressed enough. Ensure your first and last names are identical on both your Marriott Bonvoy and American Airlines AAdvantage accounts. A simple middle initial discrepancy can cause issues.
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Speculative Transfers: Avoid transferring points "just because." Only transfer when you have a concrete redemption in mind and have confirmed award availability for your desired flight.
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Conclusion
While the dream of directly converting American Airlines AAdvantage miles into Marriott Bonvoy points remains elusive, understanding the reverse process – transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage miles – is a valuable tool for maximizing your loyalty rewards. Always prioritize understanding the transfer ratios, potential bonuses (or lack thereof), and the irreversibility of the transaction to ensure you're making the most strategic move for your travel aspirations. Happy travels!
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to find the Marriott Bonvoy points transfer page?
You can find the Marriott Bonvoy points transfer page by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the official website (marriott.com), then navigating to the "Use Points" or "Redeem Points" section, and looking for "Transfer Points to Miles" or "Airline Transfer Partners."
How to check the current transfer ratio between Marriott Bonvoy and American Airlines AAdvantage?
The current transfer ratio between Marriott Bonvoy and American Airlines AAdvantage is typically 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 AAdvantage mile. This information is consistently listed on Marriott's "Airline Transfer Partners" page.
How to ensure my names match for a successful point transfer?
To ensure your names match for a successful point transfer, verify that the first and last name registered on your Marriott Bonvoy account is identical to the first and last name on your American Airlines AAdvantage account. Any discrepancies can cause transfer delays or rejections.
How to know if there's a bonus for transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines?
Currently, there is no 5,000 bonus mile offer for transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage. This bonus applies to most other airline partners, but AAdvantage is an exception.
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How to find my American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer number?
Your American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer number can be found by logging into your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website (aa.com), or by checking a previous booking confirmation or your AAdvantage membership card.
How to track the status of my Marriott Bonvoy to American Airlines miles transfer?
You can track the status of your Marriott Bonvoy to American Airlines miles transfer by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account and checking your points activity or by periodically logging into your American Airlines AAdvantage account to see if the miles have posted.
How to use the transferred AAdvantage miles for flights?
Once the transferred AAdvantage miles appear in your American Airlines AAdvantage account, you can use them by searching for award flights on the American Airlines website (aa.com) or through their app, just as you would with any other AAdvantage miles.
How to get more Marriott Bonvoy points if I can't transfer from AA?
If you can't transfer from AA, you can get more Marriott Bonvoy points by staying at Marriott properties, using Marriott co-branded credit cards, participating in Marriott's dining or shopping programs, or transferring points from other flexible loyalty programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards (if applicable).
How to decide if transferring Marriott points to AA is a good value?
Decide if transferring Marriott points to AA is a good value by comparing the value of the Marriott points for hotel stays versus the value of the AAdvantage miles for your desired flight redemption, considering the 3:1 transfer ratio and the absence of the 5,000 bonus for AA transfers.
How to avoid common mistakes when transferring loyalty points?
Avoid common mistakes when transferring loyalty points by always double-checking account names, confirming transfer ratios and any applicable bonuses (or lack thereof), understanding that transfers are irreversible, and only transferring when you have a specific, high-value redemption in mind.
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