Do you have a stash of Marriott Bonvoy points sitting idle, and dreaming of using them for an American Airlines flight? You've come to the right place! While Marriott Bonvoy points are typically best used for hotel stays, there are specific scenarios where transferring them to American Airlines AAdvantage can be a savvy move. This lengthy guide will walk you through every step, helping you decide if it's the right choice for you and how to execute it flawlessly.
How to Transfer Points from Marriott Bonvoy to American Airlines AAdvantage: A Step-by-Step Guide
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| How To Transfer Points From Marriott To American Airlines |
Step 1: Are You Sure This Is the Right Move for You? Let's Assess!
Before you even think about hitting that transfer button, let's address the most crucial question: Is transferring your Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage truly the best use of your valuable points? This isn't always a straightforward "yes."
The General Rule: Generally, Marriott Bonvoy points offer their highest value when redeemed for hotel stays, especially when utilizing their "Stay 5, Pay for 4" benefit on award redemptions.
The Transfer Ratio: Marriott Bonvoy points typically transfer to American Airlines AAdvantage miles at a 3:1 ratio. This means 3 Marriott Bonvoy points convert to 1 AAdvantage mile.
The Missing Bonus: Unlike transfers to many other airline partners (where you get a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred), American Airlines AAdvantage is one of the exceptions that does NOT receive this bonus. This makes the effective value per point lower than with other partners.
When it Might Make Sense:
Topping Off an Account: If you're just a few thousand AAdvantage miles short of an amazing redemption (e.g., a first-class flight on a partner airline like Qatar Airways Qsuites or Japan Airlines), transferring Marriott points can be a lifesaver, especially since American Airlines doesn't have many other flexible point transfer partners.
Specific Sweet Spots: American Airlines AAdvantage sometimes has "sweet spots" in its award chart, particularly for partner airlines, where the mileage cost is comparatively low for a high-value flight (e.g., certain international business or first-class redemptions). If you've identified such a redemption and lack other ways to accrue AAdvantage miles, Marriott can be a viable option.
Limited Earning Opportunities: If your primary point-earning strategy is through Marriott stays or co-branded credit cards, and you need American Airlines miles for a specific flight, this could be your best avenue.
No Immediate Hotel Stays Planned: If you have a large balance of Marriott points and no immediate hotel stays on the horizon, but a flight redemption with American Airlines is calling your name, it might be worth considering.
Think carefully about your travel goals and the value you're getting from your points! Once transferred, points cannot be reversed.
Step 2: Log In to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account
This is the easiest step!
Navigate to the official Marriott Bonvoy website:
www.marriott.com Click on the "Sign In" or "Log In" button, usually located in the top right corner of the page.
Enter your Marriott Bonvoy username or email address and your password.
Step 3: Access the "Transfer Points to Miles" Section
Once you're logged in, you need to find the correct page to initiate the transfer.
Tip: Avoid distractions — stay in the post.
On the Marriott Bonvoy homepage, look for a menu option that says "Redeem" or "My Account."
Under "Redeem," you'll typically find a section related to "Travel" or "Points."
Look for a link or button that specifically states "Transfer Points" or "Transfer Points to Miles" or "Travel Packages." Marriott sometimes changes the exact wording or placement, but it will be intuitively located within the redemption options. You can often find it under "Earn/Redeem" or "Use Points."
Pro-Tip: If you're having trouble finding it, use the search bar on the Marriott website or look for "Travel Partner Programs" or "Airline Transfer Partners."
Step 4: Select American Airlines AAdvantage as Your Transfer Partner
On the "Transfer Points" page, you'll see a list of Marriott Bonvoy's extensive airline partners.
Scroll through the list or use a search function to find "American Airlines AAdvantage."
Click on American Airlines AAdvantage to select it as your desired transfer partner.
Step 5: Enter Your American Airlines AAdvantage Account Details
This is where you link your two loyalty accounts.
You will be prompted to enter your American Airlines AAdvantage account number. Double-check this number very carefully to ensure it's accurate. An incorrect number will lead to transfer failures or points being lost in limbo.
Crucially, the name on your Marriott Bonvoy account MUST match the name on your American Airlines AAdvantage account. If the names don't match exactly, the transfer will likely be rejected.
Step 6: Determine and Enter the Number of Marriott Bonvoy Points to Transfer
Now for the points!
Understand the Transfer Ratio: As mentioned, the standard ratio is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 American Airlines AAdvantage mile.
Minimum Transfer: The minimum number of Marriott Bonvoy points you can transfer is typically 3,000 points.
Maximum Transfer: You can transfer a maximum of 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per day.
No Bonus: Remember, transfers to American Airlines AAdvantage do not receive the 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred that many other airline partners do. So, if you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you will receive 20,000 AAdvantage miles (60,000 / 3).
Input the Amount: Enter the desired number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer. The system will usually automatically calculate the equivalent number of AAdvantage miles you will receive.
Step 7: Review and Confirm Your Transfer
Before finalizing, take a moment to review all the details.
Tip: Look for small cues in wording.
Verify all information: Check your AAdvantage account number, the amount of Marriott points you're transferring, and the corresponding AAdvantage miles you will receive.
Read the terms and conditions: Familiarize yourself with any specific terms related to point transfers, including the irrevocable nature of the transfer.
Click "Confirm" or "Submit": Once you are satisfied with all the details, proceed with the confirmation. You may receive an email or on-screen confirmation of your request.
Step 8: Await the Transfer and Track Your Miles
The waiting game begins!
Transfer Time: While some transfers can be quick, transfers from Marriott Bonvoy to American Airlines AAdvantage are generally not instant. They can take anywhere from 2 to 7 business days (and sometimes even longer in rare cases). Do not plan for last-minute redemptions if you are relying on these transfers.
Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your American Airlines AAdvantage account for the miles to post. You can log in periodically to check your balance. Marriott may also send you an email confirmation once the transfer is complete.
Contact Support (If Needed): If the miles haven't posted after 7 business days, you can contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service to inquire about the status of your transfer. Have your transfer confirmation number ready.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines:
How to check the current transfer ratio from Marriott Bonvoy to American Airlines?
The standard transfer ratio is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 American Airlines AAdvantage mile. This information is consistently available on the Marriott Bonvoy "Transfer Points to Miles" page on their website.
How to get bonus miles when transferring Marriott points to American Airlines?
Unfortunately, transfers from Marriott Bonvoy to American Airlines AAdvantage do not receive the 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred that are offered with many other airline partners.
Tip: Reread complex ideas to fully understand them.
How to find my American Airlines AAdvantage account number?
You can find your American Airlines AAdvantage account number by logging into your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website, on your AAdvantage physical card (if you have one), or on any past email communications from American Airlines.
How to know if my Marriott Bonvoy and American Airlines accounts match names?
When initiating the transfer, Marriott requires the name on your Bonvoy account to exactly match the name on your AAdvantage account. If your names differ (e.g., due to a recent marriage, legal name change, or simply a typo), the transfer may fail. Contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service if you need to update your name on your Bonvoy account.
How to speed up a Marriott to American Airlines point transfer?
Generally, there's no way to speed up the transfer process. Marriott states it can take up to 7 business days. While some transfers might process quicker, it's best to assume the full timeframe. Transfers are not ideal for urgent, last-minute bookings.
How to cancel a Marriott Bonvoy to American Airlines point transfer?
Once a transfer request is submitted and processed, it is irreversible. Points cannot be transferred back from American Airlines AAdvantage to Marriott Bonvoy.
QuickTip: Every section builds on the last.
How to determine if transferring points is a good value for a specific flight?
To determine value, compare the cash cost of the American Airlines flight with the number of AAdvantage miles required. Then, consider how many Marriott points you'd need to transfer to get those AAdvantage miles (at a 3:1 ratio). Compare the "value" of the Marriott points used for the flight versus what you might get from them for a hotel stay. Many travel blogs and points calculators can help you with these valuations.
How to find American Airlines award availability before transferring points?
It is highly recommended to find and confirm award availability on American Airlines (or its partner airlines if you plan to book one) before initiating the transfer. You can do this on the American Airlines website or by calling their reservations line. Some airlines allow you to "hold" an award for a few days, which can be beneficial while awaiting the transfer.
How to transfer Marriott points to someone else's American Airlines account?
You cannot directly transfer your Marriott Bonvoy points to someone else's American Airlines AAdvantage account. The names on the accounts must match. If you want to help someone with a flight, you could potentially transfer your Marriott points to their Marriott Bonvoy account first (Marriott allows point transfers between members, often with a fee and limits), and then they could initiate the transfer to their AAdvantage account.
How to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points for future transfers?
You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points through hotel stays at Marriott properties, by using Marriott co-branded credit cards (such as those offered by Chase and American Express), participating in Marriott Bonvoy promotions, and even by transferring points from other flexible rewards programs like American Express Membership Rewards (though direct transfer to airlines is usually better from Amex).
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