Have you ever dreamed of turning those accumulated Marriott Bonvoy points into exciting American Airlines AAdvantage miles, ready to whisk you away on your next adventure? Well, you're in luck! While not always the absolute most optimal redemption, transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage miles is possible and can be incredibly useful in specific situations. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring you maximize your travel rewards.
Understanding the Basics: Ratios and Bonuses
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's quickly grasp the fundamentals.
Standard Transfer Ratio: For most airline partners, including American Airlines AAdvantage, Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio. This means 3 Marriott Bonvoy points convert to 1 airline mile.
60,000 Point Bonus (Important Note for AA!): For most airline partners, Marriott offers a bonus of 5,000 miles for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer. This effectively makes the ratio for 60,000 points 60,000 points = 25,000 miles (20,000 base + 5,000 bonus), or a better 2.4:1 ratio. However, it's crucial to note that American Airlines AAdvantage is one of the exceptions to this rule; you do not receive the 5,000 bonus miles when transferring to AAdvantage. This means the 3:1 ratio applies consistently for all transfers to American Airlines.
Now, let's get those points moving!
Step 1: Confirm Your American Airlines AAdvantage Needs and Availability! (Don't Skip This!)
This is arguably the most critical step. Before you even think about transferring a single Marriott point, you must have a specific flight redemption in mind and confirm its availability with American Airlines AAdvantage. Why? Because Marriott Bonvoy point transfers are irreversible. Once your points are miles, they're miles, and you can't get them back to Marriott Bonvoy.
Sub-heading: Why Confirming is Key
Award Availability Fluctuates: Airline award space is highly dynamic. A seat available today might be gone tomorrow. You don't want to transfer thousands of points only to find your desired flight is no longer available.
Value Maximization: You'll want to ensure the value you're getting from your AAdvantage miles justifies the transfer. Research award charts and compare redemption values to cash fares.
No Bonus for AA: Since there's no 5,000-mile bonus for transferring to AAdvantage, the 3:1 ratio is fixed. This makes it even more important to ensure you're getting a good redemption value.
Sub-heading: How to Confirm Availability
Visit the American Airlines Website: Go to aa.com and log in to your AAdvantage account.
Search for Award Travel: Use the "Book travel with miles" option. Input your desired origin, destination, dates, and number of passengers.
Note Down Flight Details: If you find a flight that works for you, note down the flight numbers, dates, times, and the required AAdvantage miles. Consider taking a screenshot for your records.
Consider a Hold (If Available): American Airlines AAdvantage sometimes allows you to put award space on hold for a few days. This is an excellent feature that buys you time for the Marriott transfer to process. Check if this option is available for your desired flight.
Step 2: Log In to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account
Once you've confirmed your AAdvantage award availability, it's time to initiate the transfer from the Marriott Bonvoy side.
Sub-heading: Accessing the Transfer Portal
Go to Marriott Bonvoy's Official Website: Open your web browser and navigate to
www.marriott.com/loyalty/redeem/travel/points-to-miles.mi Log In: Enter your Marriott Bonvoy Member Number or Email and Password.
Step 3: Initiate the Point Transfer
Now you're on the page to transfer your hard-earned Marriott Bonvoy points to airline miles.
Sub-heading: Selecting American Airlines AAdvantage
Find the "Transfer Points to Miles" Section: On the page, you'll see a list of airline partners.
Select "American Airlines AAdvantage": Scroll down or use the search function to locate American Airlines AAdvantage from the extensive list of partners. Click on it.
Sub-heading: Entering Transfer Details
Enter Your AAdvantage Number: Carefully input your American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer number. Double-check this for accuracy! A wrong number could send your miles into the void.
Specify the Number of Marriott Bonvoy Points: This is where you input the amount of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer.
Remember the 3:1 ratio: If you need 30,000 AAdvantage miles, you'll need to transfer 90,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Minimum Transfer: There's usually a minimum transfer amount, typically 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Maximum Transfer: You can generally transfer between 3,000 and 240,000 points per day.
Step 4: Review and Confirm the Transfer
Before finalizing, take a moment to review all the details.
Sub-heading: Checking Your Work
Verify Airline Program: Ensure "American Airlines AAdvantage" is selected.
Confirm AAdvantage Number: Seriously, check this again!
Review Points to Transfer: Make sure the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you're transferring is correct and aligns with the AAdvantage miles you need. The system should show you the equivalent AAdvantage miles you will receive.
Understand the Terms and Conditions: Read through any terms and conditions associated with the transfer. This often includes disclaimers about transfer times and the irreversibility of the transaction.
Click "Convert" or "Transfer Now": Once everything looks correct, proceed to confirm the transfer.
Step 5: Wait for the Miles to Post
After confirming the transfer, it's a waiting game.
Sub-heading: Transfer Timeframes
Typical Transfer Time: Transfers from Marriott Bonvoy to American Airlines AAdvantage typically take approximately 2-7 business days. Some users have reported it happening faster (within 48 hours), while others have experienced slightly longer waits.
Factors Affecting Time: The actual transfer time can vary based on the day of the week you initiate the transfer, any pending transfers, and the processing speed of both Marriott Bonvoy and American Airlines.
No Instant Transfers: Unlike some credit card point transfers, Marriott Bonvoy transfers are never instant.
Sub-heading: Monitoring Your AAdvantage Account
Check Periodically: Keep an eye on your American Airlines AAdvantage account online. The miles will appear there once the transfer is complete.
Contact Customer Service (If Needed): If the miles haven't posted after the estimated timeframe, you can contact both Marriott Bonvoy and American Airlines customer service for assistance. Have your Marriott Bonvoy transfer confirmation number ready.
Step 6: Book Your American Airlines Flight!
Once the AAdvantage miles hit your account, it's time for the exciting part!
Sub-heading: Finalizing Your Redemption
Log In to AAdvantage: Return to aa.com and log in to your AAdvantage account.
Search for Your Confirmed Flight: Search for the exact flight you had previously confirmed.
Redeem Your Miles: Proceed with the booking using your newly transferred AAdvantage miles. Pay any applicable taxes and fees.
Enjoy Your Trip! You've successfully converted your hotel stays into flights!
Frequently Asked Questions
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 (marriott.com) or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your point balance is usually prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to find the official Marriott Bonvoy points to miles transfer page?
The official Marriott Bonvoy points to miles transfer page can be found at www.marriott.com/loyalty/redeem/travel/points-to-miles.mi. You can also typically find it by navigating through the "Redeem Points" section of your Marriott Bonvoy account.
How to know if American Airlines AAdvantage is a Marriott Bonvoy transfer partner?
Yes, American Airlines AAdvantage is a direct transfer partner of Marriott Bonvoy. You can verify this by checking the list of airline partners on the Marriott Bonvoy "Transfer Points to Miles" page.
How to calculate the number of Marriott points needed for AAdvantage miles?
To calculate the Marriott points needed, multiply the desired AAdvantage miles by 3. For example, if you need 25,000 AAdvantage miles, you'll need to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points.
How to put an American Airlines award flight on hold?
To put an American Airlines award flight on hold, search for award travel on aa.com. If the option is available for your chosen itinerary, you'll typically see a "Hold" button during the booking process before you enter payment information.
How to ensure my AAdvantage number is correct during transfer?
Carefully re-read and double-check your AAdvantage number when you input it into the Marriott Bonvoy transfer form. A common mistake is a typo, so visually confirm each digit.
How to track the status of my Marriott Bonvoy point transfer?
Marriott Bonvoy's website may provide a limited status update for your transfer within your account activity. However, the best way to track it is by regularly checking your American Airlines AAdvantage account for the miles to appear.
How to reverse a Marriott Bonvoy points transfer?
Unfortunately, Marriott Bonvoy points transfers to airline miles are irreversible. Once the transfer is initiated and processed, the points cannot be converted back to Marriott Bonvoy points. This is why confirming availability beforehand is crucial.
How to get the 5,000 bonus miles when transferring Marriott points?
The 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred applies to most Marriott Bonvoy airline partners. However, American Airlines AAdvantage is an exception, and you will not receive this bonus when transferring to AAdvantage.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for transfer issues?
You can contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service through their official website by finding their "Contact Us" section, which typically provides phone numbers and sometimes chat or email options. Have your Marriott Bonvoy member number and transfer details ready.
