New transfer bonus: Why it might be worth transferring Marriott points to United right now
There's a new United MileagePlus promotion that lets registered members earn a 30% bonus when transferring hotel points to United miles, up to 25,000 bonus miles. MileagePlus members can register here.
Though we don't normally recommend transferring hotel points to MileagePlus, this promotion might be worth your while.
Let's see if it makes sense for you.
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Transferring hotel points to MileagePlus
United has an impressive list of hotel partners: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, Radisson Rewards Americas, World of Hyatt, Choice Privileges and Shangri-La Circle.
When registered members transfer hotel points from any of these programs to MileagePlus, they receive a 30% mileage bonus, up to 25,000 bonus miles, through the end of the month.
To transfer hotel points with the bonus, you must first register and initiate the transfer request from your hotel company's website.
This offer can be stacked with the transfer bonus that Marriott Bonvoy members receive by transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to United miles. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to United at a 3:1.1 ratio. When you transfer 60,000 points, you receive a 5,000-mile bonus.
In other words, 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points generally convert to 27,000 United miles. However, with the 30% bonus, you'll end up with 35,100 miles from the same 60,000-point transfer.
TPG values 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at $504. And we value 35,100 United miles at $425. So on paper, this transfer doesn't make sense. But there are ways to redeem United miles at 5 cents apiece, far above TPG's valuation of United miles at 1.21 cents apiece.
Assuming you score a high-value MileagePlus redemption — check out our guide on the Excursionist Perk for inspiration — this latest MileagePlus promotion could be a great way to liberate some hotel points toward air travel. Likewise, it also might make sense if you're short on United miles for a particular redemption and need to top up your account.
As always, have an immediate plan in place to redeem United miles before you transfer your Marriott points. Likewise, run the numbers and see if it makes sense to transfer your Marriott points for your redemption of choice. And if you have Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt Rewards points available to you, consider transferring those first as both programs transfer at a 1:1 ratio to United MileagePlus.
Related: How to redeem miles with the United MileagePlus program
Bottom line
While it rarely makes sense to transfer hotel points to MileagePlus, this latest promotion can be a way to top off your account to get you closer to your next MileagePlus redemption.
Remember that there's a maximum of 25,000 bonus miles, so be careful transferring hotel points in the six figures to MileagePlus.
You can transfer Marriott points to airline miles here.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.60,000 bonus pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees