Hey there, savvy traveler! Are you ready to unlock a world of exciting travel possibilities by linking your Marriott Bonvoy and American Airlines AAdvantage accounts? Imagine earning points and miles effortlessly, bringing your dream vacations and flights closer than ever. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring you maximize the benefits of these fantastic loyalty programs. Let's dive in!
The Power Duo: Marriott Bonvoy and American Airlines AAdvantage
Before we get into the "how-to," let's understand why linking these accounts is such a smart move. Marriott Bonvoy is one of the largest hotel loyalty programs in the world, boasting an incredible portfolio of brands from luxury to extended stay. American Airlines AAdvantage is a major player in the airline industry, offering extensive routes and a robust loyalty program. By connecting them, you essentially create a super-powered travel earning machine!
The core benefit is the ability to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage miles, and in some cases, earn AAdvantage miles on your Marriott stays. This flexibility allows you to consolidate your rewards and use them where they offer the most value – whether that's a luxurious hotel suite or a free flight to your dream destination.
Step 1: Are You Ready to Connect? (Checking Your Eligibility)
Before you begin, let's make sure you have the foundational elements in place. Don't skip this critical first step!
Sub-heading: Do You Have Accounts?
Marriott Bonvoy Account: You'll need an active Marriott Bonvoy membership. If you don't have one, head over to the Marriott Bonvoy website and sign up. It's free and takes just a few minutes.
American Airlines AAdvantage Account: Similarly, you'll need an AAdvantage account. If you're not already a member, sign up on the American Airlines website. Also free and quick!
Sub-heading: Matching Names are Key!
Crucial Detail: Ensure that the first and last names on both your Marriott Bonvoy and American Airlines AAdvantage accounts match exactly. Even a slight discrepancy can cause issues with linking and point transfers. If there's a difference, contact the respective loyalty program's customer service to get it corrected before proceeding. This will save you a lot of hassle later!
Step 2: The Primary Connection – Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points to AAdvantage Miles
The most common and valuable way to "link" these programs is by transferring your Marriott Bonvoy points directly to American Airlines AAdvantage miles. This is done primarily through the Marriott Bonvoy portal.
Sub-heading: Accessing the Transfer Portal
Log In to Your Marriott Bonvoy Account: Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website (marriott.com) and log in using your credentials.
Navigate to "Redeem Points": Once logged in, look for a section related to "Redeem Points" or "Use Points." This is usually found in your account dashboard or a dedicated "Loyalty Program" menu.
Find "Transfer Points to Miles": Within the redemption options, you'll typically see a link or a section for "Transfer Points to Miles" or "Airline Partners." Click on this.
Sub-heading: Selecting American Airlines AAdvantage
Browse Airline Partners: You'll be presented with a long list of Marriott Bonvoy's airline partners. Scroll down or use a search function to find "American Airlines AAdvantage."
Understand the Transfer Ratio: Marriott Bonvoy points generally transfer to most airline partners, including American Airlines AAdvantage, at a 3:1 ratio. This means for every 3 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer, you'll receive 1 AAdvantage mile.
Sub-heading: Inputting Your Transfer Details
Enter AAdvantage Number: You'll be prompted to enter your American Airlines AAdvantage membership number. Double-check this for accuracy!
Specify Amount to Transfer: Marriott typically requires a minimum transfer of 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, and transfers must be in increments of 1,000 points.
Strategic Tip: The 60,000 Point Bonus! This is where you can significantly boost your miles. For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer to most airline partners, Marriott adds a bonus of 5,000 airline miles. While some partners are excluded from this bonus, American Airlines AAdvantage is generally eligible. So, if you transfer 60,000 Marriott points, you'll receive 20,000 AAdvantage miles (60,000 / 3) + 5,000 bonus miles = 25,000 AAdvantage miles! Always aim for increments of 60,000 points if you can to maximize this bonus.
Review and Confirm: Carefully review all the details of your transfer, including the number of Marriott points being debited and the AAdvantage miles you'll receive. Confirm the transaction.
Sub-heading: Patience is a Virtue (Transfer Times)
Typical Transfer Time: While some transfers can be quicker, Marriott states that most points transfers will process within approximately 7 days (1 week). It's important to keep this in mind, especially if you're trying to book a time-sensitive award flight.
What to do if it takes longer: If after 7 business days your miles haven't appeared in your AAdvantage account, contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service. Have your transfer confirmation details ready.
Step 3: Earning AAdvantage Miles Directly on Marriott Stays (An Indirect Link)
While there isn't a direct "linking" mechanism that automatically credits both programs for every activity, you can set your Marriott Bonvoy earning preference to earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles instead of Marriott Bonvoy points for your hotel stays.
Sub-heading: Changing Your Earning Preference
Log In to Marriott Bonvoy: Access your Marriott Bonvoy account online.
Go to "Profile" or "Account Settings": Look for a section that allows you to manage your profile or account settings.
Find "Earning Preferences": Within your profile, there should be an option for "Earning Preferences" or "Earning Choices."
Select "Airline Miles": Change your earning preference from "Marriott Bonvoy Points" to "Airline Miles."
Choose American Airlines AAdvantage: From the list of airline partners, select American Airlines AAdvantage and enter your AAdvantage membership number.
Save Changes: Don't forget to save your updated preferences!
Sub-heading: Understanding the Earning Rate
Varies by Marriott Brand: The rate at which you earn AAdvantage miles for your Marriott stays varies depending on the Marriott brand. Generally, you can expect to earn 1-2 AAdvantage miles per USD spent on qualifying charges at most Marriott properties.
Important Consideration: While this is a direct way to earn AAdvantage miles, you will forgo earning Marriott Bonvoy points for those stays. You need to decide which currency is more valuable to you for each trip. For many, earning Marriott Bonvoy points and then strategically transferring them in 60,000-point increments can offer greater overall value due to the transfer bonus.
Step 4: Maximizing Your Linked Benefits (Beyond Basic Transfers and Earning)
Now that your accounts are effectively "linked" through the ability to transfer and earn, let's explore ways to maximize this synergy.
Sub-heading: Leveraging AAdvantage Hotels for Miles & Loyalty Points
American Airlines has its own hotel booking platform, AAdvantage Hotels (powered by Rocket Travel). When you book through this platform, you can earn AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points (which count towards AAdvantage elite status) on your hotel stays, even at Marriott properties.
Caveat: Booking through a third-party platform like AAdvantage Hotels often means you won't earn Marriott Bonvoy points or elite night credits for that stay. Always weigh the benefits (AAdvantage miles/Loyalty Points) against the drawbacks (no Bonvoy points/elite credits) before booking. This is an alternative way to earn miles on hotel stays, not a direct linking of your accounts for mutual benefits.
Sub-heading: Consider Co-Branded Credit Cards
While not a direct "linking" of loyalty programs, having co-branded credit cards for both Marriott Bonvoy and American Airlines AAdvantage can supercharge your earning potential.
Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards: These cards earn Marriott Bonvoy points at accelerated rates on Marriott stays and everyday purchases, which you can then transfer to AAdvantage.
American Airlines AAdvantage Credit Cards: These cards earn AAdvantage miles on your everyday spending and American Airlines purchases, bringing you closer to award flights.
Using both strategically ensures you're always earning valuable rewards for your travel and daily expenses.
Step 5: Monitoring Your Points and Miles
Once you've set up your earning preferences or initiated a transfer, it's essential to keep an eye on your balances.
Sub-heading: Checking Your Marriott Bonvoy Account
Regularly log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account to see your point balance and transaction history. This is where you'll initiate any future transfers to American Airlines.
Sub-heading: Checking Your American Airlines AAdvantage Account
Similarly, log in to your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website. You'll see your AAdvantage mileage balance and any miles that have posted from your Marriott transfers or eligible hotel stays.
Related FAQ Questions
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage miles by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account online, navigating to the "Redeem Points" section, selecting "Transfer Points to Miles," choosing American Airlines AAdvantage, and entering your desired transfer amount.
How to earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles on Marriott stays?
You can earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles on Marriott stays by changing your Marriott Bonvoy earning preference from "Points" to "Airline Miles" and selecting American Airlines AAdvantage as your preferred airline partner within your Marriott Bonvoy account profile.
How to know the transfer ratio from Marriott to American Airlines?
The standard transfer ratio from Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage miles is 3:1, meaning 3 Marriott Bonvoy points convert to 1 AAdvantage mile.
How to get a bonus when transferring Marriott points to AAdvantage miles?
You can get a 5,000 AAdvantage mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer to American Airlines AAdvantage (for a total of 25,000 AAdvantage miles for 60,000 Marriott points transferred).
How to ensure my names match for a successful transfer?
To ensure your names match, carefully verify that the first and last names on both your Marriott Bonvoy and American Airlines AAdvantage accounts are identical. If not, contact customer service for each program to request a correction before attempting a transfer.
How to check the status of a Marriott to AAdvantage transfer?
You can check the status of a transfer by reviewing your Marriott Bonvoy account activity. If the miles don't appear in your AAdvantage account within 7 business days, contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service.
How to use AAdvantage Hotels to earn miles on Marriott properties?
You can use the AAdvantage Hotels platform (
How to determine if earning Marriott points or AAdvantage miles is better for a hotel stay?
Consider your immediate travel goals. If you need AAdvantage miles for an upcoming flight redemption or to achieve AAdvantage elite status, earning miles directly might be better. If you primarily use Marriott for free nights or elite status, sticking with Marriott Bonvoy points (and then transferring when advantageous) is usually preferred.
How to find my American Airlines AAdvantage number?
You can find your American Airlines AAdvantage number by logging into your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website or by checking your AAdvantage welcome kit or email communications from American Airlines.
How to contact Marriott Bonvoy customer service for transfer issues?
You can find contact information for Marriott Bonvoy customer service on the official Marriott website, typically under the "Help" or "Contact Us" sections. Have your account details and transfer confirmation handy when you call.
