Yo, Listen Up! The Ultimate Guide to Swapping United Miles for Marriott Points is HERE!
Hey there, my fellow travel hackers and points hoarders! Ever found yourself staring at your United MileagePlus account, thinking, "Man, I've got enough miles for a small trip to Mars, but what I really need is a swanky hotel suite?" I hear ya! We've all been there, sitting on a mountain of airline miles when a sweet Marriott Bonvoy redemption is calling our name.
Well, buckle up, buttercup, because I'm about to drop some knowledge bombs on the "RewardsPlus" partnership between United Airlines and Marriott Bonvoy. Yes, you can transfer United miles to Marriott points, but it ain't exactly a casual drive-thru transaction. It's more like a secret handshake only the cool kids—aka United Premier Elite members—get to do. This transfer is NOT for the faint of heart, or those who aren't in the United Airlines elite status club. Most folks transfer the other way (Marriott points to United miles), but if you're a United loyalist drowning in air miles, this guide is your lifeboat!
Seriously, this is one of those sweet, sweet benefits that can turn that pile of miles you were never going to use for a flight into a dreamy, luxury hotel stay. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself (The Eligibility Test) 🤩
Before you even think about hitting a "transfer" button, you gotta make sure you're actually invited to this exclusive points party. This United-to-Marriott Bonvoy transfer isn't for just any MileagePlus member. This is a V.I.P. situation, folks!
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| Can United Points Be Transferred To Marriott |
1.1 Gotta Have the Status, Bro
This transfer is only available to United MileagePlus Premier Elite members.
This means you need at least Premier Silver status or higher.
No Premier Silver? Then sadly, this specific transfer route is a no-go for you right now. Don't sweat it, though; there are other ways to earn Marriott points (like credit cards, naturally), but this direct transfer door is locked tight unless you’re rocking that shiny Premier status.
1.2 Account Check: Get Your Ducks in a Row
Make sure you've got both a United MileagePlus account and a Marriott Bonvoy account.
QuickTip: Stop scrolling if you find value.
The Golden Rule: The names and membership details on both accounts need to match up perfectly. This ain't the time for nicknames or slightly different addresses. They are super strict about this. We’re talking "Secret Service checking ID" strict.
Step 2: The Handoff – Transfer Mechanics and Ratios 🛠️
Alright, you passed the vibe check! You're a Premier member and your accounts are locked and loaded. Now, let’s talk numbers, because this is where the magic (and a bit of caution) happens.
2.1 The Sweet, Sweet 1:1 Ratio
For eligible United Premier Elite members, the transfer ratio is surprisingly generous (for a miles-to-points trade, which usually loses value):
1 United MileagePlus Mile = 1 Marriott Bonvoy Point
Yes, you heard that right! It's a 1:1 ratio. Pretty fly, right? Now, before you lose your mind and empty your whole MileagePlus account, let's talk about why you still need to be a strategic genius. United Miles are generally considered to be worth more than Marriott Bonvoy points, so you’re trading a generally more valuable currency for a less valuable one. This transfer is generally only a good idea if you have a super high-value Marriott redemption in mind or if you simply have orphan miles (miles you'll never use for a flight).
2.2 Mind the Caps and Minimums
The fine print is important, so let’s get into the nitty-gritty limits:
Minimum Transfer: You have to move at least 500 United miles in one go. Don’t try to sneak over a measly 100 points, they'll side-eye you.
Annual Cap: There's a yearly limit, so don't plan on moving your entire life savings of points. You can transfer a maximum of 200,000 United miles to Marriott Bonvoy points per calendar year.
Step 3: Logging In and Making the Move (The Actual Steps) 🖱️
Time to execute the plan. This whole process is handled on the United Airlines side of the RewardsPlus partnership website. Don’t go wandering around the Marriott Bonvoy site for this—they only handle points going out to airlines, not coming in.
Tip: Read slowly to catch the finer details.
3.1 Navigate to the RewardsPlus Hub
You'll need to go to the official United/Marriott partnership page (often referred to as the RewardsPlus site). It’s the designated Points-to-Miles/Miles-to-Points nexus.
Pro-Tip: A quick search for "United Marriott RewardsPlus" should get you there faster than a United flight with a tailwind!
3.2 The Premier Portal Login
Look for the section that says something like "Convert Miles to Points" or is explicitly for Premier members to make the transfer.
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You'll need to sign in with your United MileagePlus number and password. This is where they verify your sweet Premier status.
3.3 Fill Out the Transfer Form
Once logged in, you’ll be prompted to:
Enter your Marriott Bonvoy Member Number: Double-check this, friend! You do not want those miles going into the digital abyss because of a typo.
Input the United Miles Amount: Enter the amount you want to convert. Remember the minimum is 500 and the maximum is 200,000 per year.
Accept the Terms and Conditions: Give those terms a quick scroll, nod, and check the box.
3.4 The Final Click and the Waiting Game
Hit that final "Convert" or "Submit" button. That’s it! You've launched your miles into the hotel world.
Heads Up: This transfer is not instant gratification. While some reports are super quick (a few days), the official word from the programs is that it can take 6 to 8 weeks for the points to show up in your Marriott Bonvoy account. Plan your hotel booking way ahead of time. Don't be that person trying to book a hotel for next weekend with newly transferred points.
Reminder: Revisit older posts — they stay useful.
Step 4: Post-Game Analysis: Why You Did This! 🧐
So, you took a swing at the transfer. But was it a home run or a strikeout? Only you can decide, but here’s why this move can be a genius-level play:
4.1 Topping Off the Tank for a Big Stay
Let's say you're 5,000 points shy of a massive, multi-night stay at a swanky resort that costs a ton of cash. You don’t have time for more Marriott stays or credit card points to post. This is the perfect scenario for a small, strategic transfer. You're using those United miles to cover a points gap for an otherwise unobtainable or super-expensive redemption. That, my friends, is smart travel hacking.
4.2 The "Orphan Miles" Rescue Mission
Got a chunk of United miles that you know you'll never use for a flight? Maybe you're a Delta loyalist now, or you've decided to only fly Southwest. If those miles are just sitting there, collecting dust, giving them a new life as Marriott points is a solid way to prevent devaluation and use them for a vacation you actually want. A point you use is infinitely better than a point that just sits there.
FAQ Questions and Answers
How do I link my United MileagePlus and Marriott Bonvoy accounts?
You can register for the preferred partnership, known as RewardsPlus, on the dedicated program website (a quick search for "United Marriott RewardsPlus" will get you there). This linking process is also how United Premier Elite members get complimentary Marriott Gold Elite status and how Marriott Titanium/Ambassador Elite members get United Premier Silver status.
QuickTip: Slowing down makes content clearer.
Is there a fee to transfer United miles to Marriott Bonvoy points?
No, the conversion itself does not incur a fee from either program. However, only United MileagePlus Premier Elite members are eligible to make this transfer.
Can I transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus miles?
Yes, all Marriott Bonvoy members can transfer points to United miles. The ratio is generally 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 United mile, and you get an extra 10,000 bonus United miles for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred (making it 60,000 Bonvoy points = 30,000 United miles).
What is the minimum amount of United miles I can transfer to Marriott Bonvoy?
Eligible United Premier Elite members must transfer a minimum of 500 United miles per transaction to Marriott Bonvoy points.
How long does it take for the miles to show up in my Marriott Bonvoy account?
While transfer times can sometimes be faster, you should officially plan for the transfer to take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks to be completed and reflected in your Marriott Bonvoy account.
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