How Long Does It Really Take to Transfer Marriott Bonvoy Points to United MileagePlus? Your Essential Guide to Seamless Travel Planning!
Ever found yourself staring at a dream award flight on United, only to realize your points are sitting happily in your Marriott Bonvoy account? You're not alone! Many savvy travelers leverage the flexibility of hotel points to unlock incredible flight redemptions. But the big question that often arises is: "How long will it actually take for my Marriott points to show up in my United MileagePlus account?"
This can be a nail-biting waiting game, especially when award availability is fleeting. Fear not, fellow traveler! This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, shed light on typical transfer times, and equip you with the knowledge to make your points transfer as smooth as possible.
The Marriott Bonvoy to United MileagePlus Transfer: An Overview
Marriott Bonvoy offers a fantastic perk: the ability to transfer your hard-earned hotel points to a wide array of airline partners, including United MileagePlus. This opens up a world of possibilities for booking flights, especially for those who might accumulate more hotel points than airline miles.
Key things to remember before you even start:
Transfer Ratio: For most airline partners, Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio (3 Marriott Bonvoy points convert to 1 airline mile). However, with United MileagePlus, there's a special bonus through the RewardsPlus partnership. For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer to United, you receive an additional 10,000 bonus miles, making the effective ratio 2:1 (60,000 Marriott points = 30,000 United miles). This is a significantly better deal than with most other partners!
Minimum Transfer: The minimum transfer amount to most airline partners is 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Irreversibility: Once you transfer points, they cannot be transferred back to your Marriott Bonvoy account. So, be absolutely certain of your redemption plans before initiating the transfer.
Step-by-Step Guide: Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points to United MileagePlus
Ready to make those points fly? Here's how to do it:
Step 1: Log In to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account (And Get Excited for Your Trip!)
First things first, let's get you logged in! Head over to the official Marriott Bonvoy website. Enter your username and password. If you haven't logged in recently, take a moment to ensure all your details are up to date. This is where your travel dreams begin to take shape!
Step 2: Navigate to the "Redeem Points" Section and Choose "Flights"
Once you're logged in, look for the "Redeem" or "Redeem Points" option in the main navigation. This is usually found in the top menu or within your account dashboard. Under "Redeem Points," you'll typically find a section dedicated to "Travel" or "Flights." Click on "Flights" to proceed.
Step 3: Select United MileagePlus as Your Preferred Airline Partner
On the "Flights" redemption page, you'll see a list of Marriott's airline transfer partners. Scroll down or search for "United MileagePlus." Marriott has a vast network of partners, so take your time to locate United.
Step 4: Enter Your United MileagePlus Account Information
This is a crucial step! You'll need to accurately input your United MileagePlus frequent flyer number.
Double-check every digit to avoid any delays or misdirected transfers.
If your account number is already linked or stored in your Marriott Bonvoy profile, it may auto-populate. If not, carefully type it in.
Step 5: Specify the Number of Marriott Bonvoy Points You Wish to Transfer
Now comes the math! Enter the amount of Marriott Bonvoy points you want to transfer.
Remember the optimal transfer strategy for United: Transfer in increments of 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to maximize the 10,000 bonus United miles. For example, if you transfer 60,000 Bonvoy points, you'll receive 30,000 United miles. If you transfer 120,000 Bonvoy points, you'll get 60,000 United miles.
The system will usually show you the corresponding number of United miles you will receive, including any bonus miles.
Step 6: Review and Confirm Your Transfer Request
Before hitting that final "Confirm" button, take a deep breath and review all the details.
Verify the number of Marriott points you're transferring.
Confirm the resulting United miles.
Most importantly, double-check your United MileagePlus account number one last time.
You'll likely need to agree to the terms and conditions.
Once you confirm, the transfer process officially begins!
The Waiting Game: How Long Does It Really Take?
This is where the rubber meets the road. While Marriott's official terms might state "approximately one week," and some reports suggest "3 days," the reality can vary.
General Expectations for United MileagePlus Transfers:
Common Range: Most transfers to United MileagePlus typically complete within 1 to 5 business days.
Optimistic Scenarios: Some users have reported transfers completing as quickly as 24-48 hours. These are often the exceptions rather than the rule.
Less Common Scenarios: In rare instances, transfers can take up to 7-10 business days, or even longer in exceptional circumstances. This can be due to system issues, verification processes, or other unforeseen delays.
Weekend and Holiday Impact: Transfers initiated on weekends or holidays will generally not be processed until the next business day, effectively extending the waiting period.
What Contributes to the Variation in Transfer Times?
Marriott's Processing Time: Marriott has its own internal processing queue for point transfers.
United's Receiving Time: Once Marriott sends the request, United's system needs to process and credit the miles to your account.
Volume of Transfers: During peak travel seasons or promotional periods, the volume of transfers might increase, potentially slowing down processing times.
Account Verification: Occasionally, a transfer might be flagged for manual review, especially if it's a large sum or the first time you're transferring to that particular airline.
Technical Glitches: While uncommon, technical issues on either Marriott's or United's end can cause delays.
Pro Tips for a Smoother Transfer Experience
Plan Ahead, Always: If you have a specific award flight in mind, especially a highly sought-after one, initiate the transfer well in advance. Do not wait until the last minute. Award availability can disappear quickly.
Consider Placing a Hold (If Possible): Some airlines allow you to place an award flight on hold for a certain period (e.g., 24-72 hours) without immediately having the miles in your account. Check United's policy for this. This can buy you crucial time while waiting for your points to transfer.
Start with a Smaller Test Transfer (Optional): If you're transferring a very large sum for the first time, you might consider doing a small test transfer (e.g., the minimum 3,000 points) to get a feel for the transfer speed before committing to a larger amount.
Document Everything: Keep a record of the date and time you initiated the transfer, the confirmation number provided by Marriott, and the amount of points transferred. This information will be invaluable if you need to follow up.
Monitor Your Accounts: Check both your Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus accounts regularly for updates on the transfer status.
Contact Customer Service (If Necessary): If your points haven't appeared after the typical 5 business days, reach out to Marriott Bonvoy customer service first, as they initiated the transfer. Have your documentation ready. If they confirm the transfer was sent, then you may need to contact United MileagePlus.
The Verdict: Don't Expect Instantaneous, But Be Prepared!
While it's not an instantaneous process like transferring points within the same loyalty program or some credit card to airline transfers, transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus is generally reliable. The most common timeframe is 1 to 5 business days. By understanding the process, planning ahead, and knowing what to expect, you can navigate this transfer smoothly and successfully redeem your points for your next United flight!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check the status of my Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to United?
You can typically check the status by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account and looking at your points activity or transfer history. You won't see a "pending" status on the United side until the miles are actually there.
How to get the best transfer ratio from Marriott to United?
To get the best effective transfer ratio of 2:1, always transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus in increments of 60,000 points, which yields 30,000 United miles (including a 10,000 bonus).
How to link my Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus accounts?
While not strictly required for a point transfer, having a RewardsPlus partnership between Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus can offer reciprocal elite benefits. You can typically link them via the Marriott Bonvoy or United MileagePlus travel partner pages.
How to know if United has received my transferred Marriott points?
You will know United has received your points when they appear in your MileagePlus account balance. You won't receive a separate notification from United before the miles are credited.
How to find my United MileagePlus account number for the transfer?
Your United MileagePlus account number can be found by logging into your United Airlines account on their website or app, usually displayed prominently in your profile or dashboard.
How to transfer Marriott points if I'm short a few for my desired redemption?
You can sometimes purchase additional Marriott Bonvoy points to top up your account, though this is generally not the most economical option. Evaluate the cost of purchasing points versus the value of your redemption.
How to put a United award flight on hold while waiting for points to transfer?
United Airlines does not generally offer a hold option for award flights. Your best strategy is to monitor availability and transfer points when you see the award space you want, understanding the risk that it might disappear.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for transfer issues?
You can find contact information for Marriott Bonvoy customer service on the "Contact Us" section of their official website, usually via phone or online chat.
How to avoid transfer delays when moving points from Marriott to United?
Initiate transfers during weekdays, well in advance of your desired booking, and ensure all account information (especially your United MileagePlus number) is entered correctly.
How to determine if transferring Marriott points to United is a good value?
Compare the cash cost of the United flight to the value you place on your Marriott Bonvoy points. With the 2:1 effective transfer ratio for United (when transferring in 60k increments), it can be a good value for high-cost flights, especially in premium cabins.
