When is it a good idea to transfer Marriott points to airlines?

Marriott Bonvoy Points: When to Transfer to Airline Partners for Maximum Value

Marriott Bonvoy points are typically used for hotel stays, but did you know they can also be transferred to airline partners for good value? With 40 airline transfer partners, Marriott Bonvoy offers a variety of options for maximizing your points.

So, when does it make sense to transfer Marriott points to airlines? One reason is the increasing cost of Marriott stays, with some high-end hotels requiring over 100,000 points per night. In such cases, transferring points to airlines for a free flight to Europe might offer more value.

Additionally, transferring points to airline partners can help you earn rewards with hard-to-get mileage currencies or top up your account balance. While you won’t have these points for hotel stays, it may not be a concern if you earn Marriott points through stays or credit card spending.

Marriott has 38 airline loyalty program partners, including United MileagePlus and Delta SkyMiles. While transferring points usually won’t provide good value unless topping off your account, some partners offer hidden gems with valuable award flights at lower mileage requirements.

For example, you can use Aegean miles to book Lufthansa first class to South Africa or Emirates business class to Dubai with Japan Airlines Mileage Bank miles. These redemptions offer great value for your Marriott points, making transferring to airline partners a smart choice.

In conclusion, transferring Marriott points to airlines can unlock less expensive award flights and provide great deals. So, next time you’re planning a long-haul award flight, consider converting your Marriott points to airline miles for maximum value.