The Great Waiting Game: How Long Does It Really Take?
This is the question that keeps many points and miles enthusiasts up at night! While Marriott Bonvoy officially states that point transfers to airline partners can take up to one week to process, the reality for American Airlines AAdvantage can be a bit of a mixed bag.
Based on anecdotal evidence and data from various travel forums and trackers, transfers to American Airlines generally fall within a window of 2 to 7 business days. Some fortunate travelers report seeing their miles post in as little as 48 hours, while others have had to wait the full week, or even slightly longer in rare cases.
The key takeaway here is to never assume an instant transfer. If you're eyeing a specific award flight on American Airlines, especially one with limited availability, it's absolutely crucial to initiate your transfer well in advance. Award availability can disappear in a flash, and you don't want to be caught short because your points are still in transfer limbo.
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| How Long Does It Take For Marriott Points To Transfer To American Airlines |
Step 1: Prepare for Takeoff – Your Pre-Transfer Checklist
Before you even think about hitting that "transfer" button, a little preparation can save you a lot of headaches. This is where we engage you directly – think of it as your flight pre-check!
Check Your Balances and Goals
First things first, do you have enough Marriott Bonvoy points for the flight you want? Remember, Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to American Airlines AAdvantage at a 3:1 ratio. This means for every 3 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer, you'll receive 1 American Airlines AAdvantage mile.
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Minimum Transfer: You must transfer a minimum of 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per transaction.
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Maximum Transfer: You can transfer a maximum of 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per day.
Calculate how many AAdvantage miles you need and then multiply that by three to determine the Marriott Bonvoy points required. For example, if your American Airlines award flight costs 30,000 miles, you'll need 90,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (30,000 miles x 3 = 90,000 points).
Understand the Exchange Rate (and the Catch!)
As mentioned, the standard transfer ratio is 3:1. However, it's vital to note that Marriott Bonvoy offers a 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points you transfer to most airline partners. Unfortunately, American Airlines AAdvantage is one of the few exceptions that does NOT participate in this 5,000-mile bonus. So, while transferring 60,000 Marriott points to many other airlines would yield 25,000 miles (20,000 + 5,000 bonus), with American Airlines, you will only receive 20,000 AAdvantage miles. This is a significant point to consider when evaluating the value of your transfer.
Confirm Your American Airlines AAdvantage Account
Make sure you have an active American Airlines AAdvantage account and that you know your AAdvantage number by heart (or have it readily accessible). The name on your Marriott Bonvoy account and your American Airlines AAdvantage account must match exactly for the transfer to be successful. Any discrepancies could lead to significant delays or even a rejected transfer.
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Step 2: Initiating the Transfer – Your Digital Journey
Now that you're prepared, let's walk through the actual process of initiating the transfer on the Marriott Bonvoy website.
Logging In
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Head to the Marriott Bonvoy website: Go to
www.marriott.com
Navigating to the Right Place
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Find "Redeem Points": Once logged in, navigate to the "Redeem" or "Redeem Points" section. This is usually found in your account dashboard or under a "Marriott Bonvoy" dropdown menu.
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Select "Travel" or "Flights": Within the redemption options, look for "Travel," "Flights," or "Transfer Points to Miles." The exact phrasing might vary slightly depending on website updates, but it will clearly indicate airline transfers.
Selecting American Airlines AAdvantage
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Choose Your Airline Partner: You'll be presented with a list of Marriott Bonvoy's extensive airline transfer partners. Scroll down or use the search function to locate American Airlines AAdvantage.
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Review the Transfer Details: Before proceeding, the system will likely display the transfer ratio (3:1) and remind you of any minimums. Again, remember there's no 5,000 bonus for American Airlines transfers.
Entering Your Details and Points
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Enter Your American Airlines AAdvantage Number: Carefully input your AAdvantage frequent flyer number. Double and triple-check this for accuracy. A wrong number means your miles will go nowhere!
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Specify the Points to Transfer: Enter the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer. The system will automatically calculate the corresponding American Airlines AAdvantage miles you will receive based on the 3:1 ratio.
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Tip: Always transfer in increments that make sense for your desired award, considering the 3:1 ratio. For example, if you need 10,000 AAdvantage miles, transfer 30,000 Bonvoy points.
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Double-Check Everything!
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Confirm the Transfer: Review all the details on the final confirmation screen:
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The amount of Marriott Bonvoy points you're transferring.
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The amount of American Airlines AAdvantage miles you will receive.
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Your American Airlines AAdvantage account number.
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The understanding that the transfer is final and irreversible.
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Submit Your Request: Once you are confident everything is correct, confirm and submit your transfer request. You should receive an email confirmation from Marriott Bonvoy shortly after. Keep this email for your records.
Step 3: The Waiting Game – What to Expect Post-Transfer
You've done your part, and now the ball is in Marriott's (and American Airlines') court. This is the period where patience is truly a virtue.
Tracking Your Transfer
Tip: Revisit challenging parts.
Unfortunately, Marriott Bonvoy doesn't offer a real-time tracking system for point transfers to airlines. The best way to monitor your transfer is to periodically check your American Airlines AAdvantage account balance. You can do this by logging into your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website or through their mobile app.
When to Worry (and Who to Call)
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Within 2-3 business days: If you don't see any movement, this is still within the normal range. Don't panic.
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After 5 business days (or more): If your points haven't posted after 5 business days, it might be time to gently inquire.
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First, call Marriott Bonvoy customer service. They can verify if the transfer has been initiated from their end and provide you with a reference number.
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If Marriott confirms it's been sent, then contact American Airlines AAdvantage customer service. Provide them with the details of your transfer, including the reference number from Marriott, and inquire about the status.
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Be prepared for some back-and-forth. Sometimes, these transfers require manual intervention if there's a hiccup.
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Considering Award Availability Fluctuations
This is the biggest risk with non-instant transfers. The award seat you were hoping to book might disappear while your points are in transit.
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Have a Backup Plan: It's always a good idea to have a backup plan in mind, whether that's an alternative flight, different dates, or even another airline partner if feasible.
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Book a Hold (if possible): Some airlines (though less common these days) allow you to put award tickets on hold for a short period without having the miles in your account. Check American Airlines' policy if you're in a time-sensitive situation.
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Don't Transfer Unless Necessary: If you're only a few thousand miles short and the flight is very time-sensitive, sometimes it can be worth considering purchasing the remaining miles directly from American Airlines (though this is typically a less economical option).
Important Considerations Before You Transfer
Is it Worth It? The Value Proposition
While transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage is a valid option, it's not always the absolute best value. Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued more highly when redeemed for hotel stays, especially at higher-end properties or during peak seasons.
However, transferring to American Airlines can be a strategic move if:
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You have a specific, high-value American Airlines award in mind (e.g., business or first class, international routes).
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You need to top off your AAdvantage account for an immediate redemption.
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You have an excess of Marriott Bonvoy points that you don't foresee using for hotel stays in the near future.
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American Airlines is a particularly good fit for your travel goals due to their route network or loyalty to the Oneworld alliance.
Irreversible Nature of Transfers
Once you initiate a transfer of Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage miles, the transfer is final and irreversible. You cannot get your Marriott points back once they've been converted to AAdvantage miles. This reinforces the importance of careful planning and calculation.
Alternative Options to Consider
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If you need American Airlines miles quickly, or if the transfer time is too long for your needs, consider:
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Earning AAdvantage Miles Directly: Through American Airlines credit cards, flying American Airlines, or earning with AAdvantage partners.
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Buying AAdvantage Miles: American Airlines allows you to purchase AAdvantage miles directly, which are typically credited to your account instantly. However, this is usually very expensive and should only be considered in desperate situations or for small top-ups where the value of your redemption far outweighs the purchase cost.
Conclusion
Transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage miles is a valuable option for unlocking flights. While the official timeframe suggests "up to one week," you can generally expect your miles to post within 2 to 7 business days. Always err on the side of caution and initiate your transfer with plenty of lead time, especially for time-sensitive award bookings. By understanding the process, the transfer ratio (and the lack of bonus for AA), and the potential waiting period, you can effectively leverage your Marriott Bonvoy points to take to the skies with American Airlines. Happy travels!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to initiate a Marriott Bonvoy point transfer to American Airlines?
You can initiate a transfer by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account online, navigating to the "Redeem Points" section, selecting "Travel" or "Flights," and then choosing American Airlines AAdvantage as your transfer partner.
How to check the status of my Marriott Bonvoy point transfer to American Airlines?
Marriott Bonvoy does not offer real-time tracking. The best way to check the status is to regularly log in to your American Airlines AAdvantage account and monitor your miles balance.
How to ensure my Marriott Bonvoy to American Airlines transfer is successful?
Ensure the name on your Marriott Bonvoy account exactly matches the name on your American Airlines AAdvantage account, and double-check your AAdvantage number before confirming the transfer.
How to get bonus miles when transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines?
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Unfortunately, American Airlines AAdvantage is one of the few Marriott Bonvoy airline partners that does not receive the standard 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred.
How to transfer the minimum amount of Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines?
The minimum transfer amount is 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, which will yield 1,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles.
How to find the transfer ratio for Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines miles?
Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to American Airlines AAdvantage miles at a standard 3:1 ratio (3 Marriott points = 1 AAdvantage mile).
How to cancel a Marriott Bonvoy point transfer to American Airlines if I made a mistake?
Marriott Bonvoy point transfers to airline partners are generally final and irreversible once submitted. Carefully review all details before confirming your transfer.
How to speed up a Marriott Bonvoy to American Airlines point transfer?
There is no direct way to expedite the transfer process. It's best to plan ahead and allow the stated processing time (up to one week).
How to use American Airlines miles after receiving them from Marriott Bonvoy?
Once your AAdvantage miles post, you can use them to book award flights on American Airlines or its Oneworld alliance partners and other airline partners directly through the American Airlines website or by calling AAdvantage customer service.
How to determine if transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines is a good value?
Evaluate the cash cost of the American Airlines flight you want versus the number of AAdvantage miles required. Compare this value to how much you'd save by using your Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel stays. Generally, transferring is best for high-value airline redemptions or when you need to top off an existing AAdvantage balance.
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