Ready to turn those American Airlines AAdvantage miles into incredible Marriott Bonvoy hotel stays? You've come to the right place! While it might not be as straightforward as a direct "transfer" button, there's a specific pathway to make this happen, and it involves a bit of a workaround. Let's dive in and unlock the world of hotel redemptions with your airline miles.
The Journey: From AAdvantage Miles to Marriott Bonvoy Stays
It's important to understand upfront that you cannot directly transfer American Airlines AAdvantage miles into Marriott Bonvoy points. This is a common misconception, as many hotel and airline loyalty programs have direct transfer partnerships. However, there's a specific method to bridge this gap, which we'll explore in detail.
The key lies in the fact that Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to American Airlines AAdvantage miles. This means the typical flow is from Marriott to American Airlines, not the other way around. Therefore, to use your AAdvantage miles for Marriott stays, you'll need to leverage programs that do allow transfers to Marriott Bonvoy, and then utilize your AAdvantage miles for flights if that's your primary goal.
But wait, if you have American Airlines AAdvantage miles and you want to use them for a Marriott stay, it generally means you need to use a different strategy.
Here's the crucial point: While you cannot directly transfer AAdvantage miles to Marriott Bonvoy points, you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to AAdvantage miles. This means if you have Marriott points and want AAdvantage miles, that's possible.
However, if your goal is to use your existing AAdvantage miles for a Marriott stay, the direct transfer isn't an option. Instead, you'll need to consider using your AAdvantage miles for American Airlines flights and earning Marriott Bonvoy points through other means (e.g., Marriott stays, Marriott co-branded credit cards, or transferring points from other transferable credit card programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards if they align with your overall strategy).
Therefore, this guide will focus on how to utilize your Marriott Bonvoy points to earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles, which is the established transfer pathway between these two programs. If your ultimate goal is a Marriott stay, you should consider earning Marriott Bonvoy points directly rather than trying to route AAdvantage miles to Marriott.
Let's assume for the purpose of this detailed guide that you have Marriott Bonvoy points and want to transfer them to American Airlines AAdvantage miles. This is a common and supported transaction.
Step 1: Are You Ready to Convert? Understanding the Why and How
Before you even think about hitting that transfer button, let's make sure you're making the smartest move for your travel goals. Why do you want to convert your Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage miles? Is it for a specific flight redemption? Do you need to top off your AAdvantage account for an award flight? Understanding your objective is crucial, as transfer ratios can sometimes make this conversion less valuable than other redemption options.
Consider this: Marriott Bonvoy points are generally more flexible and can be used for a wide range of hotel stays, often providing good value. When you convert them to airline miles, you're essentially choosing a specific type of redemption.
Are your Marriott Bonvoy and American Airlines AAdvantage accounts linked? While not strictly required for the transfer from Marriott, having matching names on both accounts is essential. Ensure your personal details are consistent to avoid any hiccups.
What You'll Need:
Active Marriott Bonvoy Account: With a sufficient balance of points.
Active American Airlines AAdvantage Account: Ensure your account details (especially your name) match your Marriott Bonvoy account.
Internet Access: The entire process is done online.
Step 2: Navigate to the Marriott Bonvoy Transfer Page
This is where the magic begins! Marriott Bonvoy has a dedicated portal for converting your hard-earned hotel points into airline miles.
Sub-heading: Logging In and Finding the Right Section
Go to the official Marriott Bonvoy website. Open your web browser and head to Marriott.com.
Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account. Use your credentials to access your personal dashboard. If you're not already logged in, you'll be prompted to do so.
Locate the "Redeem Points" section. Once logged in, look for a menu or link that says "Redeem" or "Redeem Points." This is usually found in the main navigation or within your account summary.
Find "Flights" or "Transfer Points to Miles." Within the redemption options, you'll typically see categories like "Hotel Stays," "Experiences," and "Flights" or "Travel." Click on the "Flights" or a similarly named section that specifically mentions transferring points to airline miles. Alternatively, you might see a direct link like "Transfer Points to Miles." (As per Marriott's website, you can find this under "Transfer Your Miles to Points" or by looking for "How to Transfer Points to Miles | Airline Transfer Partners | Marriott Bonvoy" through a search).
Step 3: Select American Airlines AAdvantage as Your Partner
Marriott Bonvoy partners with a vast number of airlines, making it one of the most versatile hotel loyalty programs for airline transfers.
Sub-heading: Choosing Your Airline
Browse the list of airline partners. You'll see an extensive list of airlines. Scroll down until you find "American Airlines AAdvantage." It's usually listed alphabetically.
Click on the American Airlines AAdvantage logo or link. This will initiate the transfer process specifically for AAdvantage miles.
Step 4: Understand the Transfer Ratio and Minimums
This is a critical step where you'll see the conversion rate and any rules associated with the transfer. Pay close attention here!
Sub-heading: Decoding the Numbers
Observe the Transfer Ratio: For American Airlines AAdvantage, the standard transfer ratio from Marriott Bonvoy is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 American Airlines AAdvantage mile. This means for every 3 Bonvoy points you transfer, you'll receive 1 AAdvantage mile.
Minimum Transfer Amount: There's usually a minimum number of points you can transfer. For Marriott Bonvoy, the minimum transfer amount to airline partners is typically 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Transfers must be in increments of 1,000 points thereafter.
The "No Bonus" Caveat: While Marriott Bonvoy offers a 5,000 bonus mile incentive for most airline partners when you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (effectively making the ratio 60,000 points = 25,000 miles), American Airlines AAdvantage is an exception. You do not receive this 5,000 bonus with AAdvantage transfers. This means the 3:1 ratio remains constant, regardless of the volume you transfer. This is an important detail to consider when evaluating the value of your transfer.
Maximum Transfer Amount: There's also a daily maximum transfer limit, typically 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per day to airline partners.
Step 5: Input Your AAdvantage Account Details and Transfer Amount
Accuracy is paramount in this step. Double-check everything before confirming!
Sub-heading: Filling in the Blanks
Enter your American Airlines AAdvantage account number. Carefully type in your AAdvantage membership number. It's crucial that this number is correct.
Confirm your AAdvantage account holder's name. The name on your Marriott Bonvoy account must match the name on your American Airlines AAdvantage account. If they don't match, the transfer will likely be rejected.
Specify the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you wish to transfer. Enter the amount in increments of 1,000 points, keeping the minimum and maximum limits in mind. The system will usually show you the corresponding number of AAdvantage miles you will receive based on the 3:1 ratio.
Step 6: Review and Confirm Your Transfer
This is your last chance to catch any errors!
Sub-heading: Final Checks
Review all the details. Double-check your AAdvantage account number, the amount of Marriott Bonvoy points you're transferring, and the estimated AAdvantage miles you'll receive.
Read and accept the terms and conditions. There will be a checkbox to confirm you understand and agree to the transfer terms.
Click "Submit" or "Confirm." Once you're confident all details are accurate, click the button to finalize your request.
Step 7: Await the Transfer and Monitor Your AAdvantage Account
The transfer isn't instantaneous, so a little patience is required.
Sub-heading: What to Expect Next
Confirmation Email: You should receive an email confirmation from Marriott Bonvoy acknowledging your transfer request.
Transfer Timeframe: Transfers from Marriott Bonvoy to airline partners can typically take up to one week to process. In some cases, it might be faster, but it's best to allow for this timeframe, especially if you're planning a time-sensitive award redemption.
Check Your AAdvantage Account: Periodically log in to your American Airlines AAdvantage account to see when the miles have posted. Once they appear, you're all set to book your American Airlines award flights!
Important Considerations and Tips:
Value Assessment: Always do the math! A 3:1 transfer ratio means you're effectively getting 1 mile for every 3 points. Consider if this is the best use of your Marriott Bonvoy points, especially since there's no bonus for AAdvantage transfers. Sometimes, using your Bonvoy points for hotel stays directly might yield higher value.
Irreversible Transfers: Once you transfer points from Marriott Bonvoy to an airline partner, the transfer is irreversible. You cannot convert AAdvantage miles back into Marriott Bonvoy points.
Alternative Strategies for Marriott Stays with Airline Miles: If you have American Airlines miles and truly want a Marriott stay, consider this: can you use your AAdvantage miles for flights that would otherwise cost you cash, and then use that saved cash to pay for a Marriott stay or purchase Marriott Bonvoy points (if a good promotion is available)? This can sometimes be a more effective strategy than indirect transfers.
Marriott Bonvoy Co-branded Credit Cards: If Marriott hotel stays are a primary goal, obtaining a Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card is often the most efficient way to accumulate Bonvoy points directly.
10 Related FAQ 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 or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app. Your point balance is prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to find the official Marriott Bonvoy website for point transfers?
The official Marriott Bonvoy website is
How to ensure my American Airlines AAdvantage account name matches my Marriott Bonvoy account?
When you log into both your Marriott Bonvoy and American Airlines AAdvantage accounts, go to your "Profile" or "Account Information" section. Verify that your first and last names are identical in both profiles. If there's a discrepancy, contact customer service for either program to get it corrected before attempting a transfer.
How to calculate the exact number of AAdvantage miles I'll receive from my Marriott Bonvoy points?
Divide your desired Marriott Bonvoy points by 3. For example, if you transfer 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you will receive American Airlines AAdvantage miles. Remember, no bonus applies to AAdvantage transfers.
How to know the minimum Marriott Bonvoy points required for an airline transfer?
The minimum transfer amount for most Marriott Bonvoy airline partners, including American Airlines AAdvantage, is 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Transfers must be made in increments of 1,000 points.
How to identify if an airline partner offers a bonus for Marriott Bonvoy point transfers?
Marriott Bonvoy typically offers a 5,000 bonus mile incentive for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred to most airline partners. However, specific partners like American Airlines, Avianca, and Delta are exceptions and do not offer this bonus. Check the specific airline's terms on the Marriott transfer page.
How to track the status of my Marriott Bonvoy to AAdvantage mile transfer?
After initiating the transfer, you should receive a confirmation email from Marriott Bonvoy. While there isn't typically a real-time tracker, you can periodically log into your American Airlines AAdvantage account to see when the miles have posted.
How to cancel a Marriott Bonvoy point transfer to an airline?
Once a transfer from Marriott Bonvoy to an airline partner is submitted and confirmed, it is generally irreversible. Always double-check your details before finalizing.
How to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points to facilitate future airline transfers?
You can earn more Marriott Bonvoy points through hotel stays at Marriott properties, using Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards for everyday spending, participating in Marriott Bonvoy promotions, and even by transferring points from other transferable credit card programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards (if they transfer to Marriott Bonvoy).
How to use American Airlines AAdvantage miles for flights after the transfer?
Once your AAdvantage miles appear in your American Airlines AAdvantage account, you can use them to book award flights directly on the American Airlines website (aa.com) or through their reservations center. You can search for available award seats and redeem your miles for your chosen flights.
