Unlock a World of Travel Benefits: Your Guide to Linking Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus Accounts!
Ever dreamt of your hotel stays boosting your airline status, or your flights earning you nights at luxurious resorts? Well, good news! The partnership between Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus, known as RewardsPlus, makes this a reality for eligible members. Linking your accounts opens up a fantastic array of reciprocal benefits, from elite status matches to bonus points and miles. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, step by step, and help you maximize your travel rewards.
Step 1: Are You Eligible to Reap the Rewards? Let's Find Out!
Before we dive into the linking process, let's confirm if you're eligible for the most exciting benefits. The core of the RewardsPlus program is reciprocal elite status. This means if you hold a certain elite tier in one program, you can receive a corresponding elite tier in the other.
Do you have Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite or Ambassador Elite status? If yes, congratulations! You are eligible for complimentary United MileagePlus Premier Silver status.
Do you have United MileagePlus Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, or Premier 1K status? If yes, fantastic! You are eligible for complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.
Even if you don't hold these specific elite statuses, you can still benefit from the partnership by earning bonus points and miles when converting between programs, or by participating in special promotions. So, everyone has something to gain!
Step 2: Ensure Your Accounts Are Ready for Linking
Before proceeding, make sure your Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus accounts are in good order. This includes:
Active Accounts: Both your Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus accounts must be active and in good standing.
Matching Personal Information: While not strictly required for linking, it's highly recommended that the name, email address, and mailing address on both your accounts are consistent. This can help prevent any issues during the status matching process. If your details differ, it's a good idea to update them before linking. You can typically do this in your online profile settings for each program.
Step 3: The Linking Process – Where the Magic Happens!
The linking process itself is relatively straightforward, primarily initiated through the United MileagePlus portal for the RewardsPlus program.
Sub-heading 3.1: Accessing the RewardsPlus Portal
Navigate to the Official RewardsPlus Website: Open your web browser and go to the official United MileagePlus | Marriott Bonvoy RewardsPlus page. This is often found by searching "Marriott United RewardsPlus" or directly accessing the United website's partnership section.
Locate the Registration Section: On the RewardsPlus page, you'll see a clear section dedicated to the preferred partnership and registration. It might say something like "Join today for exclusive access to benefits and promotions."
Sub-heading 3.2: Initiating the Link Based on Your Elite Status
The exact steps might vary slightly depending on which program's elite status you hold.
If you have United MileagePlus Premier Gold (or higher) status and want Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite:
Look for a section that says "Premier Gold and higher: Join our preferred partnership."
You'll likely be prompted to sign in to your United MileagePlus account.
Enter your MileagePlus number and password.
After logging in, you'll typically see a prompt to accept the terms and conditions of the RewardsPlus program. Read these carefully!
Click on a button like "Register for status" or "Join today."
Follow any additional on-screen instructions to confirm the linking and status match. The system will communicate with Marriott Bonvoy to verify your information and initiate the Gold Elite status grant.
If you have Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite (or Ambassador Elite) status and want United MileagePlus Premier Silver status:
Look for a section that says something like "Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite members and higher can register for this joint program to convert points to miles, enjoy complimentary United MileagePlus Premier Silver status and more."
You might be asked to select your Marriott Bonvoy elite status from a dropdown menu (e.g., Titanium Elite, Ambassador Elite).
Then, you will be prompted to sign in to your Marriott Bonvoy account.
After successful login, review and accept the terms and conditions.
Click on the button to initiate the status match. The system will then communicate with United MileagePlus to grant you Premier Silver status.
Sub-heading 3.3: Confirmation and Verification
Once you've completed the registration steps, you should receive a confirmation message on the screen. It's also a good idea to check your email for a confirmation from both Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus, confirming that your accounts have been linked and your status match is being processed.
Important Note: While the linking itself is often instant, the status match can take some time to reflect in your account. Allow a few days, or even up to 2-3 weeks, for the new elite status to appear in your respective profiles.
Step 4: Maximizing Your RewardsPlus Benefits
Now that your accounts are linked, let's explore how to get the most out of this powerful partnership!
Sub-heading 4.1: Reciprocal Elite Status Perks
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status (for United Premier Gold+ members):
25% bonus Marriott Bonvoy points on eligible stays.
Enhanced room upgrades, based on availability at check-in (suites typically excluded).
2 p.m. late checkout, based on availability.
Welcome gift of points at check-in.
Complimentary enhanced internet access.
United MileagePlus Premier Silver Status (for Marriott Bonvoy Titanium/Ambassador Elite members):
Complimentary access to Economy Plus® seating at check-in (when available).
Complimentary Premier Upgrade confirmations as early as day of departure (when available).
Premier Access® travel services, including designated ticket counter check-in lines, priority security lines, priority boarding, and priority baggage handling (where available).
One complimentary checked bag (70 lbs.) for travel within the U.S.
7 award miles for every dollar spent on United flights.
Sub-heading 4.2: Seamless Points and Miles Conversions
The RewardsPlus program also simplifies the process of converting points and miles between the two programs.
Converting Marriott Bonvoy Points to United MileagePlus Miles:
You can convert Marriott Bonvoy points into MileagePlus miles. The standard ratio is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 United Mile.
Bonus Alert! For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you convert, you'll receive a bonus of 10,000 MileagePlus miles! This effectively makes the conversion rate even better for larger transfers.
This is particularly useful if you need to top off your MileagePlus account for an award flight or if you find more value in United miles for your travel goals.
Converting United MileagePlus Miles to Marriott Bonvoy Points (for Premier members):
If you're a United Premier member, you can convert MileagePlus miles into Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1:1 ratio, up to 200,000 miles per calendar year.
This is excellent if you need to accumulate Marriott Bonvoy points for a hotel stay or if you have a surplus of United miles that you'd like to use for hotel awards.
Sub-heading 4.3: Exclusive Promotions and Offers
Keep an eye out for special, limited-time promotions offered through the RewardsPlus partnership. These can include:
Bonus earning opportunities for flights and stays booked through the partnership.
One-time bonuses for completing both a qualifying stay and a qualifying flight.
Challenges that can earn you additional perks like United PlusPoints for meeting specific flight spending thresholds.
Step 5: Troubleshooting Common Issues
While the process is generally smooth, you might encounter some hiccups. Here's what to do:
Status Not Reflecting: If your elite status doesn't update after a few weeks, first re-check the RewardsPlus website to ensure your accounts are indeed linked. If they are, gather your account numbers for both programs and contact the customer service for the program where you are expecting the new status to appear. Be prepared to explain that you have linked your accounts via RewardsPlus and your status match is not reflecting.
Incorrect Account Linked: If you accidentally linked the wrong account, or if there's a discrepancy, you'll need to contact customer service for both Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus. They can assist with unlinking and relinking if necessary. This can sometimes be a bit of a runaround, so be persistent!
Login Issues: Ensure you are using the correct login credentials for each program. If you've forgotten your password, use the "forgot password" option on their respective websites.
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to enjoying the amplified benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus RewardsPlus program! Happy travels and rewarding stays!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about linking Marriott and United accounts, with quick answers:
How to link Marriott and United accounts?
You can link your Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus accounts through the official United MileagePlus | Marriott Bonvoy RewardsPlus website by signing in with your elite-tier account details and following the registration prompts.
How to get Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status through United?
You can receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status if you hold United MileagePlus Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, or Premier 1K status by registering through the RewardsPlus program.
How to get United MileagePlus Premier Silver status through Marriott?
Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members are eligible to register through the RewardsPlus program for complimentary United MileagePlus Premier Silver status.
How to convert Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus miles?
You can convert Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus miles directly through your Marriott Bonvoy account, typically at a 3:1 ratio, with a bonus of 10,000 miles for every 60,000 points converted.
How to convert United MileagePlus miles to Marriott Bonvoy points?
United Premier members can convert MileagePlus miles to Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1:1 ratio, up to 200,000 miles per calendar year, through the RewardsPlus program.
How to check if my Marriott and United accounts are linked?
After attempting to link, check your elite status in both your Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus online accounts. You should also receive confirmation emails from both programs.
How to troubleshoot if my status match isn't showing after linking?
If your status isn't reflecting after a few weeks, verify your accounts are linked on the RewardsPlus site, then contact the customer service of the program where you are expecting the new status to appear.
How to unlink Marriott and United accounts?
There isn't a direct "unlink" button. If you need to unlink (e.g., due to incorrect account linking), you'll typically need to contact customer service for both Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus to request assistance.
How to earn PlusPoints through the Marriott and United partnership?
Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite members may be eligible for special promotions that allow them to earn United PlusPoints by meeting specific flight spending requirements on United or United Express.
How to ensure my personal information matches on both accounts?
Log in to your profile on both the Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus websites and update any inconsistent details (name, email, address) in your personal information sections.
