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How to Transfer Marriott Bonvoy Points

7 minute read 07 November 2024
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Written by: Scott Laird

Marriott Bonvoy points are primarily used to book hotel stays at Marriott properties, and that’s really their best value. Points can also be used to book flights, purchase retail items, or bid for Marriott Moments. You can also transfer Bonvoy points to 37 airline programs. 

Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners 

Marriott has a large number of airline partners available for transfer. Transfer rates are pretty much the same (3 Bonvoy points:1 airline mile or point) across all airlines except Air New Zealand. You’ll earn a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred. Additionally, United MileagePlus members receive bonus points when transferring Mariott Bonvoy points. 

United MileagePlus members get 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred.

  • Aegean Miles+Bonus
  • Aer Lingus AerClub
  • AeroMexico ClubPremier
  • Air Canada Aeroplan
  • Air China PhoenixMiles
  • Air France – KLM Flying Blue
  • Air New Zealand Airpoint (200:1 transfer rate)
  • Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
  • American Airlines AAdvantage
  • ANA Mileage Club
  • Asiana Airlines Asiana Club
  • Avianca Lifemiles
  • British Airways Executive Club
  • Cathay Pacific  Asia Miles
  • China Southern Airlines Sky Pearl Club
  • Copa Airlines ConnectMiles
  • Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
  • Emirates Skywards
  • Etihad Guest
  • Frontier Airlines Miles
  • Hainan Airlines Fortune Wings Club
  • Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
  • Iberia Plus
  • InterMiles
  • Japan Airlines JAL Mileage Bank
  • LATAM  Airlines LATAM Pass
  • Qantas Frequent Flyer
  • Qatar Airways Privilege Club
  • Saudia Alfursan
  • Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
  • Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
  • TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go
  • Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
  • Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
  • United Airlines MileagePlus
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
  • Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer
  • Vueling Club

How much are Marriott Bonvoy points worth? 

This is where it gets tricky. Bonvoy points transfer to most airline programs at a 3:1 ratio, but the airline programs have slightly different values for their points, or some airlines might offer more favorable redemption rates. It helps to fully research all the available options with your existing airline mileage programs before choosing one to transfer points to. 

Another wrinkle is that transfers aren’t instant – Marriott’s terms and conditions say that, in most cases, points are transferred within one week (sometimes faster, sometimes slower), which can be frustrating if you’re hoping to grab some award availability before the price increases or sells out. 

Read more about the value of Marriott Bonvoy points

How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to airline partners

The process of transferring Marriott Bonvoy points is the same for each partner. Simply choose the program you want to transfer miles to. 

Step 1: Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account

Step 2: Click “Flights” under “Redeem Points”

screenshot of redeeming Bonvoy points

Step 3: Choose the program you want to transfer to

If your frequent flyer account number for that program is already stored in your Marriott Bonvoy account, it will auto-populate. If you don’t have it stored, you’ll need to enter it. 

Step 4: Select the number of points you want to transfer. 

The corresponding number of airline miles earned will appear in the next field, including any applicable threshold bonuses. 

Step 5: Confirm your transfer. 

The transfer time varies by airline but can take up to a week. 

transferring Bonvoy points to a partner

Tips for transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to travel partners

  • Remember, transfers aren’t instant: Transfers can take up to a week to process, so if you have a specific flight in mind, it could sell out, or the redemption rate can increase before your transfer is completed. 
  • Check the cost to purchase points: If you just need an account top-up to book an award flight right away, it may be more advantageous to purchase points. Those are typically instantaneous, and it may be a better strategy if you don’t want to wait for the points to transfer.
  • Stay flexible: Keep a lot of date or flight time options open in case the one you want sells out while you’re waiting for the points to transfer. 

The best Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners

  • United MileagePlus: Marriott considers United MileagePlus a preferred partner, and the main difference is a more generous bonus. For most programs, transferring 60,000 Bonvoy points earns a bonus of 5,000 miles. For United, the bonus is 10,000 miles. 
  • Bonus exceptions to watch out for:  While the bonus is more generous on United and most other programs offer the 5,000 bonus for every 60,000 Bonvoy points transferred, several airlines offer no bonus at all, including:
    • American Airlines AAdvantage
    • Avianca LifeMiles
    • Delta SkyMiles
    • Because Air New Zealand points are so valuable (1 point = 1 New Zealand Dollar in airfare), their transfer rate is 200:1. When redeeming 60,000 Bonvoy points, the Air New Zealand bonus is 75 points.

How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points between accounts 

From your account, click on “Manage Points,” then “Transfer Points.” 

transfering Bonvoy points between accounts

Fill out the form with the account you’d like to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to, in increments of 1,000 points. You can transfer up to 100,000 Bonvoy points per year from your account. 

initiating a transfer with Bonvoy

When to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points between accounts

You can do this if you want to send points you’ve already earned as a gift to a friend or relative (you can also buy points as a gift in a similar process). This can be a good option if you have a family member who is close to a redemption but needs a couple of points to top off their account. 

See more for fewer points. CTA

Frequently asked questions about transferring Marriott Bonvoy points

Should you transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to a partner or redeem them through Marriott Bonvoy’s portal?

Marriott Bonvoy’s portal is generally a poor redemption value for booking flights. But if you have a lot of points and are having difficulty using otherwise, it can be a good option — particularly if you don’t want to wait for a transfer to an airline mileage program to process. 

How long does it take to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to a travel partner? 

Marriott Bonvoy provides very little detail about how long the process takes, only saying in their terms and conditions it “generally takes about a week.” Some may be near-instantaneous, while others may take some time. This is perhaps one of the most frustrating aspects of points transfers with Marriott Bonvoy.

Can you transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to someone else?

Yes, you can transfer already-earned Bonvoy points from your account to someone else’s account – up to 100,000 total points in a calendar year. You can also buy points to be deposited directly into their account if you don’t want to use your own points.

Can you transfer points back to Marriott Bonvoy once you have transferred them to a partner? 

No. Point transfers are final and cannot be reversed.

Which cards earn transferable Marriott Bonvoy points? 

All Marriott Bonvoy points are transferable. Marriott Bonvoy offers five credit cards to earn points: 

  • Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card from Chase
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card from Chase
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
  • Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

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Scott Laird
Written by:

Scott Laird

Scott developed a passion for travel during frequent childhood trips between homes in Anchorage, Alaska and Kaua'i. Scott is a frequent contributor to Condé Nast Traveler, Fodor's Travel Guide, TravelPulse, and TravelAge West. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Alaska Pacific University and a Master of Science in Airline Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Although a worldwide traveler, when not in Dallas, he can typically be found in Europe, on the US West Coast, Alaska, Hawai'i, or the Islands of Tahiti.

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