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Can I Use Frequent Flyer Miles to Book a Hotel Stay?

Jan. 01, 2017
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3 min read
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Can I Use Frequent Flyer Miles to Book a Hotel Stay?
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TPG reader Mei sent me a message on Facebook to ask about transferring points between programs:

“Is there any way to convert American Airlines miles to Marriott Rewards points at a reasonable rate?”

One common challenge for award travelers is figuring out how to redeem points from one loyalty program for travel with another. Airline alliances and other partnerships offer opportunities to book flights with a variety of carriers, and you can commonly use hotel points to book flights by transferring to frequent flyer programs. However, there are relatively few options when it comes to booking hotel rooms with airline miles.

Unfortunately for Mei, there is no straightforward strategy for transferring AAdvantage miles to Marriott. Diners Club used to let members convert certain airline miles back into Diners Club Rewards points (which could then be transferred to hotel partners), but that option disappeared years ago. The rewards exchange Points.com lets you move points and miles between different programs (at a generally terrible rate), but Marriott isn't one of the site's hotel partners. There might be some mileage brokers out there who would be willing to swap, but I don't recommend going that route.

Some airlines do offer transfers to hotel programs. For example, the RewardsPlus partnership allows United elites to transfer miles to Marriott Rewards at 1:1, and you can swap miles from Hawaiian Airlines and Virgin Atlantic for Hilton HHonors points at 2:3. The problem in all these cases is that airline miles tend to be worth more than hotel points, so you're not getting good value when you exchange them.

On the flip side, converting hotel points to airline miles can be a lucrative option. The most prominent example is Starwood Preferred Guest, which has over 30 airline partners and offers good transfer rates. Beyond that, Marriott's Hotel + Air packages are a solid deal for anyone looking to book a longer hotel stay, and you can transfer Hyatt (and other) points to Southwest Rapid Rewards to help you earn the Companion Pass.

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You'll get the best value by redeeming your your airline miles for flights rather than hotels or other awards.

Keep in mind that you can now transfer Starpoints to Marriott Rewards at an excellent 1:3 ratio. That means you can also transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to Marriott at 1:1, since Amex transfers to SPG at 3:1. Chase Ultimate Rewards also transfer to Marriott at 1:1, so you have plenty of ways to boost your Marriott Rewards account.

The greater lesson here is that it's important to diversify your travel rewards. Try to accrue points and miles from a few different programs so you have more redemption options, or focus on earning transferable points that you can redeem easily with both airlines and hotels.

If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.

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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.