π₯ Dropping Knowledge Bombs: Can You Really Ship Your Aeroplan Points Over to Marriott Bonvoy? The Ultimate Lowdown! π¨✈️
Hey there, points fanatics and travel junkies! Grab a cold brew because we’re about to dive deep into a loyalty program link-up that’s got everyone talking. You've been crushing it—earning those sweet Aeroplan points from Air Canada flights, fancy credit card spend, maybe even buying gas. Your Aeroplan stash is looking totally stacked. But now you’re eyeing a swanky Marriott Bonvoy hotel stay, maybe a ridiculously epic honeymoon suite, and you’re wondering: "Can I just slide these Aeroplan points over to Marriott Bonvoy, like, right now?"
Well, buckle up, buttercup, because the answer is a resounding, albeit conditional, YES! It used to be a straight-up "nope" in the points world, but thanks to an enhanced partnership, you can actually make the switch. However, there’s a major catch, and you need to know the play-by-play so you don't end up feeling like you threw your valuable points into a bonfire. This guide is your map to navigating this transfer like a total pro.
Step 1: Check Your Vitals: Are You Elite Status Royalty?
This is the big kahuna, the gatekeeper, the part where you see if you're truly in the club. Back in the day, transferring points from Air Canada's program (Aeroplan) to a hotel program (Marriott Bonvoy) was like trying to get a free flight on a unicorn—just not happening. Now, it's possible, but only if you meet the main requirement.
1.1. Elite Status is Your Golden Ticket
You can only convert your Aeroplan points to Marriott Bonvoy points if you have any tier of Aeroplan Elite Status.
I know, right? It's a bummer if you're a regular member, but for the elite folks—the 25K, 35K, 50K, 75K, and Super Elite members—you're good to go! This transfer is a special perk, a thank you for being a loyal flyer. If you don't have Elite Status, you'll need to figure out a different way to boost your Bonvoy balance (like transferring points from other programs, but that's a whole other blog post, fam).
1.2. Matching Names: No Funny Business
This might sound like a "Duh!" moment, but seriously, check your accounts. The full name on your Aeroplan account must match the full name on your Marriott Bonvoy account. If your Aeroplan account is "Billy Bob" and your Bonvoy account is "William Robert," you’re gonna have a bad time. It’s gotta be a perfect match, otherwise, the system will throw shade and deny the transfer.
QuickTip: Break reading into digestible chunks.
| Can I Transfer My Aeroplan Points To Marriott Bonvoy |
Step 2: Link Your Accounts (If You Haven't Already)
If you're Elite and your names are squared away, your next move is linking those accounts up! Think of this as officially introducing your airline points to your hotel points—they need to be besties before they can start sharing a points pool.
2.1. Finding the Official Partnership Portal
You'll need to head over to the official partnership page on the Air Canada or Marriott Bonvoy websites. Do not just Google "transfer points" and click on some random link. Use the official partner pages to ensure you are in a secure and legitimate place. This is where the magic happens and where you initiate the whole deal.
2.2. The Link-Up: A Digital Handshake
You’ll be prompted to log into both your Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy accounts. The system performs a quick-and-dirty check to confirm your Elite status and the name match. Once that’s done, your accounts are linked, often unlocking other sweet perks like a potential status match! Yeah, they might even toss you a lower-tier Elite status in the other program just for being a good sport and linking up. That's what's up!
Step 3: Calculate the Value and Initiate the Transfer
Here’s where you put on your points-nerd glasses and do the math. Just because you can transfer points doesn't always mean you should.
QuickTip: Reread for hidden meaning.
3.1. The 1:1 Ratio: Seems Chill, Right?
The transfer ratio from Aeroplan to Marriott Bonvoy is currently 1 Aeroplan point to 1 Marriott Bonvoy point. On the surface, that looks like a fair trade—no points lost in the wash! Sweet.
But here’s the reality check, the bitter truth: most expert travelers (the ones who really know how to work the system) generally value Aeroplan points more highly than Marriott Bonvoy points. This means transferring them 1:1 usually involves a loss of potential value. It’s like trading a $20 bill for four $5 bills—you have the same amount of cash, but the $20 bill might have bought you a better meal somewhere. Only transfer if you have a killer redemption lined up at a Marriott property!
3.2. Mind the Minimum and Maximum
These programs always have rules to keep things from getting too wild. You typically have to transfer a minimum of 500 Aeroplan points and there are daily and weekly caps (often 100,000 points per day, and a larger amount per week). Make sure your intended transfer amount falls within these limits.
3.3. Pull the Trigger!
Once you’ve done your calculations, logged in via the partnership portal, and agreed to the terms, you’ll hit the transfer button. Some transfers are lightning-fast—we're talking minutes, maybe even seconds. Others? They can take a hot minute, sometimes up to eight weeks, though that’s the outside limit. Don't stress if it's not instant, but definitely keep your receipts just in case you need to call customer service.
Step 4: Confirm and Redeem Your Hotel Bliss
Tip: Patience makes reading smoother.
The points have landed! You should get an email confirmation from Aeroplan and see the updated balance in your Marriott Bonvoy account.
4.1. Double-Check Your Bonvoy Balance
Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account and verify that the points are there. You don’t want to be making a reservation only to find out the transfer hit a snag!
4.2. Book That Dream Stay
Now for the fun part: using those new Bonvoy points! Go ahead and book that incredible hotel room. Whether you're topping off your Bonvoy account for a specific room or using a massive transfer for a long stay, you’ve successfully used your Aeroplan points for hotel redemption. You absolute legend!
FAQ Questions and Answers
How to Link My Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy Accounts?
You need to visit the dedicated Air Canada/Marriott Bonvoy partnership page on their respective websites. Log in to both accounts when prompted to initiate the secure linking process and enable the two-way benefits, including the Aeroplan to Bonvoy point transfer for Elite members.
QuickTip: Skim fast, then return for detail.
Is the Aeroplan to Marriott Bonvoy Transfer a Good Value?
Generally, no. While the transfer ratio is 1:1 (one Aeroplan point equals one Bonvoy point), travel experts typically value Aeroplan points (used for flights) higher than Bonvoy points (used for hotel stays). It's usually a better move to only transfer if you need a small amount to top off for an immediate, high-value Marriott redemption.
What is the Minimum Number of Aeroplan Points I Can Transfer?
You must transfer a minimum of 500 Aeroplan points to Marriott Bonvoy in a single transaction.
How Long Does the Aeroplan to Bonvoy Transfer Take?
The transfer is often very quick, sometimes almost instant, but according to the terms and conditions, it could take up to eight weeks. Always check your Bonvoy account a few hours after the transfer to see if the points have been credited.
Can a Regular Aeroplan Member Transfer Points to Marriott Bonvoy?
No, you cannot. The ability to convert Aeroplan points to Marriott Bonvoy points is an exclusive benefit reserved only for members who hold any tier of Aeroplan Elite Status (25K, 35K, 50K, 75K, or Super Elite).
Would you like me to look up the current Elite Status requirements for Aeroplan so you can see how close you are to unlocking this transfer benefit?