Unlock the Skies: Your Ultimate Guide to Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points to Aeroplan
Have you ever found yourself dreaming of that next incredible trip, perhaps to a bustling European city, a serene Asian retreat, or the vibrant landscapes of North America? And then, you remember all those Marriott Bonvoy points you've diligently collected. What if I told you that those hotel points could be your ticket to making those flight dreams a reality?
It's true! Marriott Bonvoy, one of the world's largest loyalty programs, offers an incredible perk: the ability to transfer your hard-earned points to a multitude of airline partners, including Air Canada's Aeroplan program. This guide will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring your points take flight towards your next adventure.
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| How To Transfer Marriott Points To Aeroplan |
Step 1: Are You Ready to Transform Your Points into Flights?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's confirm you're in the right place. Do you have a significant stash of Marriott Bonvoy points sitting in your account? Are you eyeing a specific flight redemption with Aeroplan, or perhaps looking to top up your Aeroplan balance for a future award? If your answer to these questions is a resounding "Yes!", then you're ready to proceed. Transferring points can be an excellent strategy to maximize their value, especially for premium cabin redemptions, where Aeroplan truly shines.
It's important to remember that once you transfer points from Marriott Bonvoy to Aeroplan, the transfer is irreversible. So, take a moment to consider your travel goals and ensure this is the best use of your valuable points.
Step 2: Understanding the Marriott Bonvoy to Aeroplan Transfer Ratio & Bonus
Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to maximizing your points!
Sub-heading: The Standard Transfer Ratio
Marriott Bonvoy generally transfers points to most airline partners, including Aeroplan, at a 3:1 ratio. This means that for every 3 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer, you'll receive 1 Aeroplan point.
For example, if you transfer 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you'll get 10,000 Aeroplan points.
Sub-heading: The Incredible 5,000 Mile Bonus
Here's where the value truly kicks in! Marriott Bonvoy offers a fantastic bonus: for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer to an airline partner (including Aeroplan), you'll receive an additional 5,000 bonus miles. This effectively sweetens the deal.
Let's do the math for 60,000 points:
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60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (at 3:1 ratio) = 20,000 Aeroplan points
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Plus the 5,000 bonus miles = 25,000 Aeroplan points total!
This means that when you transfer in increments of 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, your effective transfer ratio improves from 3:1 to 2.4:1 (60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points / 25,000 Aeroplan points). This is a significant improvement and should be a strong motivator to transfer in these optimal chunks if your travel plans allow.
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Step 3: Ensuring Your Accounts are Ready
Before initiating the transfer, there are a couple of crucial checks to perform.
Sub-heading: Active Marriott Bonvoy Account
Ensure your Marriott Bonvoy account is in good standing and has been active for at least 30 days (with qualifying activity) or 90 days (without qualifying activity). While most active members won't have an issue, it's a good administrative check.
Sub-heading: Matching Names
For security and fraud prevention, the first and last name on your Marriott Bonvoy account must exactly match the first and last name on your Aeroplan account. If there's any discrepancy, even a minor one, your transfer could be delayed or rejected. It's best to rectify any differences before you start the transfer process. Contact Marriott Bonvoy or Aeroplan customer service if you need to update your details.
Sub-heading: Having an Aeroplan Account
This might seem obvious, but if you don't already have an Aeroplan account, you'll need to create one. It's a quick and free process that you can complete on the Air Canada website. Make a note of your Aeroplan membership number, as you'll need it for the transfer.
Step 4: Initiating the Transfer Process Online
This is where your points begin their journey! The process is relatively straightforward and is done through the Marriott Bonvoy website.
Sub-heading: Log In to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account
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Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com).
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Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account using your member number or email address and password.
Sub-heading: Navigate to the "Transfer Points to Miles" Section
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Once logged in, look for the "Use Points" or "Redeem Points" section.
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Within this section, you'll typically find an option for "Transfer Points to Miles" or "Airline Transfer Partners." This is the link you're looking for.
Sub-heading: Select Aeroplan as Your Partner
Tip: Watch for summary phrases — they give the gist.
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On the airline transfer page, you'll see a list of Marriott Bonvoy's many airline partners.
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Scroll down or search for "Air Canada Aeroplan." Click on it to select it as your desired transfer partner.
Sub-heading: Enter Your Aeroplan Account Details
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You'll be prompted to enter your Aeroplan membership number. Double-check this number for accuracy to avoid any transfer issues.
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Confirm that your name matches the name on your Aeroplan account, as discussed in Step 3.
Sub-heading: Specify the Number of Points to Transfer
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Enter the total number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer.
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Remember the minimum transfer amount is typically 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, and transfers usually occur in increments of 1,000 points.
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Crucially, if you want to maximize your value, aim for transfers in 60,000-point increments to trigger that valuable 5,000 Aeroplan bonus. For example, transfer 60,000, 120,000, 180,000, etc.
Sub-heading: Review and Confirm Your Transfer
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Carefully review all the details on the confirmation page: the number of Marriott Bonvoy points being transferred, the expected Aeroplan points you'll receive (including the bonus, if applicable), and your Aeroplan account number.
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Read and agree to the terms and conditions.
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Click the "Confirm" or "Submit" button to finalize your transfer request.
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Step 5: Patience is a Virtue: Waiting for Your Points to Post
After successfully submitting your transfer request, the waiting game begins.
Sub-heading: Transfer Timeframe
Marriott Bonvoy states that transfers to most airline partners, including Aeroplan, typically take 2 to 5 business days. However, some users report transfers completing within 48 hours, while others might take slightly longer, especially for a first-time transfer. It's generally not an instant process.
Sub-heading: Checking Your Aeroplan Account
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Periodically check your Aeroplan account balance online. You'll see the transferred points appear once the process is complete.
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Keep in mind that the 5,000 bonus miles (if you transferred in 60,000-point increments) might post separately or be included in the main transfer, depending on Aeroplan's processing.
Sub-heading: What if There's a Delay?
If your points haven't appeared after 5-7 business days, don't panic!
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First, reconfirm your Aeroplan membership number on your Marriott Bonvoy transfer confirmation.
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Then, contact Marriott Bonvoy Member Services. Have your transfer confirmation number ready. They can investigate the status of your transfer.
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If Marriott confirms the transfer has been sent, but they still aren't in your Aeroplan account, then contact Aeroplan customer service with the details provided by Marriott.
Step 6: Redeeming Your Newly Acquired Aeroplan Points!
Congratulations! Your Marriott Bonvoy points have successfully transformed into Aeroplan points, opening up a world of travel possibilities.
QuickTip: Return to sections that felt unclear.
Sub-heading: Explore Aeroplan's Extensive Network
Aeroplan allows you to redeem points not only on Air Canada flights but also on its vast network of Star Alliance partner airlines (like United, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, etc.) and other non-alliance partners. This significantly expands your redemption options to destinations worldwide.
Sub-heading: Search for Award Flights
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Log in to your Aeroplan account on the Air Canada website.
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Use their flight search tool to look for award availability. Be flexible with your dates and destinations for the best results.
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Consider searching for "Fixed Points Travel" or "Aeroplan Flight Rewards" to see the redemption charts and optimize your value.
Sub-heading: Consider the Value
Aeroplan points generally offer the best value when redeemed for flights, especially for business or first-class redemptions. You can also use them for hotel stays, car rentals, or merchandise through the Aeroplan eStore, but the value per point is usually lower for these options. Aim for a redemption value of at least 1.5 cents per point (CAD) or more for flight awards.
Now that your points are in Aeroplan, the world is truly your oyster! Happy travels!
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 by using the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your current points balance will be prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to find my Aeroplan membership number?
Your Aeroplan membership number can be found by logging into your Aeroplan account on the Air Canada website (
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to a different airline partner?
The process for transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to other airline partners is very similar to transferring to Aeroplan. You'll log into your Marriott Bonvoy account, navigate to the "Transfer Points to Miles" section, and then select your desired airline partner from the list. The transfer ratios and any associated bonuses may vary by partner.
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How to determine the best value for my Marriott Bonvoy points?
The "best value" for Marriott Bonvoy points is highly subjective and depends on your travel goals. Generally, transferring to airline partners (especially with the 60,000-point bonus) for premium cabin flight redemptions often yields the highest value. Redeeming for free hotel nights, particularly at high-category hotels during peak season, can also be excellent value. Compare the cash price of a flight or hotel stay with the points required to determine your "cents per point" value.
How to avoid transfer delays when moving points?
To avoid transfer delays, ensure your names on both the Marriott Bonvoy and Aeroplan accounts match exactly. Double-check your Aeroplan membership number when entering it. Also, initiating transfers during regular business hours and not close to public holidays might help with quicker processing.
How to combine Marriott Bonvoy accounts to pool points?
Marriott Bonvoy allows members to transfer points to another member's account, provided both accounts are in good standing. This is typically done by calling Marriott Bonvoy Member Services. You can transfer up to 100,000 points per calendar year to another member, and receive up to 500,000 points per calendar year.
How to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points quickly?
You can earn more Marriott Bonvoy points by staying at Marriott properties, using Marriott co-branded credit cards for your everyday spending, taking advantage of bonus point promotions, and participating in Marriott Bonvoy Moments experiences.
How to track the status of my Marriott Bonvoy points transfer?
While there isn't a direct real-time tracker, you can monitor the status by checking your Marriott Bonvoy account's activity history. Once the points leave your Marriott account, you'll need to check your Aeroplan account to see when they post.
How to redeem Aeroplan points for the best flights?
To redeem Aeroplan points for the best flights, be flexible with your travel dates and consider alternative airports. Search for "Aeroplan Flight Rewards" and look for flights on Star Alliance partners, which can sometimes offer better availability or routes. Booking well in advance, especially for popular routes or premium cabins, is also key.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy or Aeroplan customer service for assistance?
For Marriott Bonvoy assistance, you can typically find their customer service contact numbers on their official website under the "Contact Us" or "Help" section. Similarly, for Aeroplan support, visit the Air Canada website and look for their customer service contact information. Have your account details and any relevant transaction IDs ready for quicker assistance.
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