Dude, You Can Totally Do This: Converting Marriott Bonvoy Points to Avios – The Ultimate Flex!
Let's be real, you've been stacking those Marriott Bonvoy points like a boss. Maybe you've been crashing at swanky resorts, or maybe you've just been putting all your spending on a co-branded credit card. Either way, you're sitting on a goldmine of points, and now you’ve got the travel itch—but for flights, not another hotel pillow mint. You’re asking the question that separates the travel rookies from the high-flyers: “Can I transfer my Marriott points to Avios?”
The short answer, my friend, is a huge, glorious YES! Get ready to trade your cozy hotel nights for some serious jet-setting. Avios are the loyalty currency for several major airline programs, including British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, and Qatar Airways Privilege Club. By converting your Bonvoy balance, you're basically unlocking a global network of flights. It’s like turning your hotel keycard into a VIP boarding pass.
But hold your horses! This ain't a magic trick. We gotta talk ratios, bonuses, and the whole shebang. We're going to dive deep into how to make this conversion happen, ensuring you squeeze every drop of value out of your hard-earned points. Think of this as your playbook for going from a pillow-fluffer to a mile-high club member (the family-friendly kind, of course!).
Step 1: Check Your Vitals (and Your Balances)
Before you start smashing that 'Transfer' button, you gotta make sure your accounts are straight. This is like checking your oil before a cross-country road trip—crucial, boring, but necessary.
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| Can I Transfer Marriott Points To Avios |
1.1 The "Matchy-Matchy" Rule
Your Marriott Bonvoy account and your chosen Avios program (say, British Airways Executive Club) need to be on the same page. I’m talking about your name. The first and last names on both accounts must be an exact match. No nicknames, no abbreviations, no maiden names on one and married on the other. If they don't match, the whole transfer will be a total washout, and nobody wants that kind of drama. Go ahead and update your profile if needed—it's super simple.
1.2 Know Your Ratio: The 3:1 Game
Here’s the deal: Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to most airline partners, including all Avios programs, at a 3:1 ratio.
QuickTip: Scan quickly, then go deeper where needed.
Translation: For every 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer, you get 1,000 Avios.
This is the standard rate. It's not a screaming deal, but it's a solid, reliable trade. Keep this in mind when you're doing your travel math.
1.3 The Bonvoy Bonus Sweetener: Get That Extra Gravy!
This is where things get spicy. Marriott throws in an awesome kicker to incentivize you to transfer a big chunk of points. For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer in a single transaction, Marriott will automatically tack on an extra 5,000 bonus Avios!
Pro Tip: Always, always transfer in increments of 60,000 to maximize this bonus. Sending 59,000 points? You lose the bonus. Sending 120,000 points? You get the bonus twice (50,000 total Avios)! Don't leave those free miles on the table—that's just a rookie mistake.
Step 2: The Digital Decathlon: Initiating the Transfer
Once you’ve confirmed your names and figured out your ideal transfer amount (hint: a multiple of 60,000!), it's time to actually move the points. No need to call a secret agent; it’s all online.
2.1 Navigate the Bonvoy Labyrinth
First things first, you've got to log into your Marriott Bonvoy account online. This usually takes two tries because you forgot your password, but that’s okay—we’ve all been there.
QuickTip: Look for lists — they simplify complex points.
Look for the 'Redeem' section on the main menu.
Under the redemption options, you'll need to find the link that says something like "Transfer Points to Miles," or maybe "Use Points/Certificates." They often hide the good stuff, so you might need to hunt around a little.
2.2 Picking Your Avios Partner
Marriott has a bunch of airline partners, but for Avios, you’ll be looking for one of the main players like:
British Airways Executive Club
Iberia Plus
Aer Lingus AerClub
Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Mind Blown: Since all of these Avios programs can usually be linked together and you can move Avios freely between them (at a 1:1 ratio!), the specific one you transfer the Marriott points to doesn't matter much. Pick the one whose flight you want to book or the one whose name you just like the sound of.
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2.3 Plug and Pray (Just Kidding, Just Plug)
Now you’ll be prompted to enter your frequent flyer membership number for the Avios program you chose. Double-check this number. Seriously. If you mess this up, your points will be flying into the digital abyss, and getting them back is like trying to convince your uncle his conspiracy theories are wrong—it's a nightmare.
Next, input the amount of Bonvoy points you want to transfer. Remember that 60,000 point magic number!
Step 3: The Waiting Game: When Will the Avios Land?
You’ve hit 'Confirm.' The deed is done. Now you're staring at your Bonvoy balance, which is suddenly much lower, and your airline account, which is still looking a little sparse. So, what’s the sitch?
Tip: Remember, the small details add value.
3.1 The Typical Time-Out
Marriott Bonvoy transfers are usually not instantaneous. They often take around 1 to 7 business days to complete. Yeah, I know, in the age of instant everything, that feels like forever, but trust the process. This is why you NEVER transfer points until you have confirmed the award availability you want to book!
3.2 Award Availability: Don't Be a Chump
Before you initiate the transfer, go onto the airline's website and make sure the reward flight you want is actually available for booking.
Crucial Insight: Points transfers are irreversible! Once your Bonvoy points morph into Avios, they are gone from the hotel world. If your dream flight disappears during the transfer time, you’ll be stuck with a bunch of Avios you might not immediately need. Confirm availability, then transfer. That’s the golden rule!
Step 4: Post-Transfer Power Move: Booking Your Flight
The email hits: "Your Avios balance has been updated!" Time to feel like a financial wizard!
Log into your Avios account (e.g., British Airways Executive Club) and see your shiny new balance, including that sweet, sweet 5,000 Avios bonus. Now you can use them to book that flight. Whether it’s a quick hop across Europe, a business-class flight to the other side of the pond, or just helping out a friend, you've successfully leveraged your hotel points for air travel. That's what we call a major win!
FAQ Questions and Answers
Tip: Focus more on ideas, less on words.
How to transfer Avios between different airline programs?
You can freely and instantly move Avios between your linked accounts at British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, and Qatar Airways Privilege Club at a 1:1 ratio by using the "Combine My Avios" tool on either the British Airways or Iberia website. This is why it doesn't matter which Avios partner you choose for the Marriott transfer.
What is the minimum amount of Marriott Bonvoy points I must transfer?
You must transfer a minimum of 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to an airline partner in a single transaction. Transfers must also be made in increments of 1,000 points.
How long does a Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to Avios typically take?
While some lucky ducks see it post in 24 hours, the average transfer time is usually between 1 and 7 business days. Always allow for at least a week, and never transfer until you've confirmed the flight availability you plan to book.
Is the 5,000 Avios bonus automatic, or do I need to request it?
The 5,000 bonus Avios is automatic whenever you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points in a single transaction. It is calculated and added by Marriott as part of the process, so you don't need to do anything extra, other than hitting that 60k sweet spot!
Can I transfer my Marriott Bonvoy points to a family member's Avios account?
Generally, no. Transfers must be to an airline loyalty account that is in your matching name. Marriott does allow you to transfer points to another member's Bonvoy account, but only up to 100,000 points per year, and then that family member would have to do the Avios conversion themselves.
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