Dreaming of soaring through the skies with Alaska Airlines, but your Marriott Bonvoy points are firmly grounded in your hotel account? You've come to the right place! Transferring your hard-earned Marriott Bonvoy points to Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan can unlock incredible flight redemptions, from cozy domestic hops to luxurious international adventures on Alaska's impressive network of partners.
Let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to make this transfer as smooth as a first-class landing.
Your Ultimate Guide: Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points to Alaska Airlines
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| How Do I Transfer Marriott Points To Alaska Airlines |
Step 1: Are You Ready to Take Flight? Before we even think about transferring, let's make sure you're geared up for this journey!
This guide assumes you already have a Marriott Bonvoy account with a healthy stash of points and an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account. If you don't have either, now's the time to set them up!
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Marriott Bonvoy: Head to the
Marriott Bonvoy website -
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: Similarly, visit the
Alaska Airlines website
Remember: The name on your Marriott Bonvoy account and your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account must match exactly for a successful transfer. This is a crucial detail often overlooked!
Step 2: Understanding the Exchange Rate and the Bonus
Before you click that "transfer" button, it's vital to grasp the economics of this transaction.
Sub-heading: The Standard Conversion Ratio
Marriott Bonvoy points generally transfer to most airline partners, including Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, at a 3:1 ratio. This means for every 3 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer, you'll receive 1 Alaska Airlines mile.
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Example: If you transfer 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you'll get 10,000 Alaska Airlines miles.
Sub-heading: The Lucrative 5,000 Mile Bonus
QuickTip: Reading carefully once is better than rushing twice.
Here's where the magic truly happens! Marriott Bonvoy offers a fantastic incentive: for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer to an airline partner (excluding a few specific ones, but Alaska Airlines is included in this bonus!), you'll receive an additional 5,000 bonus miles.
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Example: If you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you'll get:
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20,000 Alaska Airlines miles (from the 3:1 ratio)
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PLUS 5,000 bonus Alaska Airlines miles
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Total: 25,000 Alaska Airlines miles!
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This bonus significantly improves the effective transfer rate from 3:1 to 2.4:1 (60,000 Marriott points yielding 25,000 miles). Always aim to transfer in increments of 60,000 points if you can, to maximize this valuable bonus!
Step 3: Initiating the Transfer - The Online Portal
Now that you're well-versed in the transfer mechanics, let's get to the actual process.
Sub-heading: Accessing the Transfer Page
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Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy Account: Go to the
Marriott Bonvoy website -
Navigate to the "Redeem Points" Section: Once logged in, look for a section related to "Redeem Points," "Use Points," or "Transfer Points to Miles." This is usually found under your account summary or a dedicated "Ways to Use Points" menu.
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Tip: A direct link is often available on the Marriott Bonvoy site under "Use Points" -> "Transfer Points to Miles."
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Select "Transfer Points to Miles": Click on the option that allows you to convert your hotel points into airline miles.
Sub-heading: Choosing Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
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Find Alaska Airlines: On the list of airline transfer partners, locate "Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™." Marriott Bonvoy has a vast list of partners, so you might need to scroll down or use a search function.
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Enter Your Mileage Plan Number: You'll be prompted to enter your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account number. Double-check this number carefully to avoid any errors!
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Specify the Amount to Transfer: Enter the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer.
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Important: Remember the minimum transfer is usually 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, and the maximum is 240,000 points per day. And as discussed, aim for multiples of 60,000 for the bonus!
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The system should automatically calculate the equivalent number of Alaska Airlines miles you will receive, including the 5,000-mile bonus if applicable.
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Sub-heading: Review and Confirm
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Review the Details: Carefully review all the information on the confirmation screen: the number of Marriott points being transferred, the number of Alaska Airlines miles you'll receive, and your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account number.
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Agree to Terms and Conditions: Read and accept the terms and conditions for the transfer.
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Confirm the Transfer: Click the final "Transfer" or "Confirm" button to submit your request. You may receive an email confirmation of your transfer request.
Step 4: The Waiting Game - Transfer Timeframes
Once you've initiated the transfer, it's time to be patient.
QuickTip: Pause before scrolling further.
Sub-heading: Typical Transfer Speeds
Marriott Bonvoy point transfers to airline partners are not instantaneous. While some programs transfer quicker, transfers to Alaska Airlines typically take anywhere from 1 to 7 business days. Some users have reported transfers completing within 24-48 hours, while others might experience the full week.
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Don't panic if they don't show up immediately! It's a manual process on Marriott's end before the miles are credited by Alaska.
Sub-heading: Monitoring Your Account
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Check Your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Account: Periodically log in to your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account to see if the miles have posted.
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Check Your Marriott Bonvoy Account Activity: You can also check your Marriott Bonvoy activity history to see the status of your transfer request.
Step 5: Redeeming Your Alaska Airlines Miles
Congratulations! Your Marriott Bonvoy points are now glorious Alaska Airlines miles. Now for the fun part: booking your next adventure!
Sub-heading: The Power of Alaska's Mileage Plan
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is renowned for its valuable redemption options, especially on its diverse range of airline partners, including members of the oneworld alliance and other independent partners. This opens up a world of possibilities far beyond just Alaska Airlines flights.
Sub-heading: Searching for Award Flights
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Visit the Alaska Airlines Website: Head to
alaskaair.com -
Select "Use Miles": When searching for flights, make sure to select the "Use miles" option.
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Enter Your Travel Details: Input your desired origin, destination, dates, and number of passengers.
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Explore Partner Availability: Alaska's search engine will show you availability on both Alaska Airlines flights and its partner airlines. This is where the true value often lies! Look for redemptions on airlines like Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines (a non-alliance partner), Qantas, and British Airways for incredible international experiences.
Important Considerations and Pro Tips:
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Award Availability is Key: Just because you have the miles doesn't guarantee award availability. Start searching for your desired flights before you transfer your points. This helps ensure your miles can be used for your specific travel plans.
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Dynamic Pricing: While Alaska Mileage Plan is generally good for fixed-price awards on partners, their own flights can sometimes have dynamic pricing, meaning the mileage cost fluctuates with demand.
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Expiration Policies: Be aware of both Marriott Bonvoy and Alaska Airlines' points/miles expiration policies. Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 months of inactivity, while Alaska Airlines miles do not expire.
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Transferring to Other Airlines: Marriott Bonvoy has over 38 airline transfer partners. While Alaska Airlines is an excellent choice, always compare redemption values with other partners to see where your points might yield the most value for your travel goals.
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Taxes and Fees: Remember that even award tickets typically incur taxes and carrier-imposed fees. These will vary depending on the airline and route.
QuickTip: Focus on one paragraph at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy point balance?
You can check your Marriott Bonvoy point balance by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the official Marriott website or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your point balance is typically displayed prominently on your account dashboard.
How to find Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account number?
Your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account number can be found by logging into your Alaska Airlines account on their website. It's usually displayed on your profile page or account summary. You can also find it on any communication from Alaska Airlines, such as emails or statements.
How to confirm if my Marriott and Alaska accounts match?
The easiest way to confirm if your names match is to log into both your Marriott Bonvoy and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan accounts and compare the name displayed on each profile. If there's any discrepancy, contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service to update your name on their end before attempting a transfer.
How to avoid transfer errors and delays?
To avoid errors and delays, ensure your names on both accounts match perfectly. Double-check your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account number before submitting the transfer. Also, be aware of the minimum and maximum transfer amounts and always transfer in increments of 60,000 points to get the bonus.
How to track my Marriott to Alaska points transfer?
QuickTip: Look for contrasts — they reveal insights.
After initiating the transfer, you can often track the status within your Marriott Bonvoy account activity history. While specific real-time tracking isn't available for airline transfers, this will show if the request has been processed by Marriott. Otherwise, regularly check your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account.
How to get the 5,000 bonus miles with Marriott transfers?
The 5,000 bonus miles are automatically added to your airline mileage total for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer in a single transaction to most airline partners, including Alaska Airlines. You don't need to do anything extra beyond transferring in multiples of 60,000 points.
How to know if Alaska Airlines is a good redemption partner for my Marriott points?
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is generally considered a strong redemption partner due to its valuable award chart for partner airlines (especially for international premium cabins) and lack of mileage expiration. Compare potential flight redemptions on Alaska and its partners against the cash cost of the flight to determine the value you'd be getting.
How to deal with a transfer that hasn't posted after 7 business days?
If your miles haven't posted after 7 business days, first re-check both your Marriott Bonvoy and Alaska Airlines accounts thoroughly. If they are still missing, contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service with your transfer confirmation details. They can investigate the issue and provide an update.
How to maximize the value of my transferred Alaska Airlines miles?
To maximize value, target high-value redemptions on Alaska's partner airlines, especially for long-haul international flights in business or first class, where the per-mile value is typically highest. Be flexible with your travel dates and destinations to find the best award availability.
How to use Alaska Airlines miles for international travel?
Once the miles are in your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account, you can use them to book international travel on Alaska's extensive network of partner airlines. Simply use the "Use miles" search function on the Alaska Airlines website and look for flights operated by partners like Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qantas, or British Airways to your desired international destination.
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