Maximize Your Marriott Points: Transfer Partners Ranked

The Best Marriott Transfer Partners — And the Worst

When you’re sitting on a pile of Marriott Bonvoy points, it’s not just about booking a night’s stay at a hotel. Understanding how to effectively transfer those points can unlock some serious value. In my experience, the best Marriott transfer partners can amplify your rewards and provide unforgettable experiences — while others might leave you scratching your head at the poor value. It’s smart to know where to send those points, how much you’ll get for them, and whether the return is really worth it.

The Best Transfer Partners

1. Air Canada Aeroplan

• Transfer Ratio: 3:1
• Bonus: For every 60,000 points transferred, you’ll get an extra 5,000 Aeroplan miles.
• Best Use: Say, you’re aiming to fly from the U.S. to Europe. A one-way ticket in Economy can cost around 60,000 Aeroplan miles, meaning you’ll need to transfer 180,000 Marriott points to secure it. However, in Business Class, it’s typically 75,000 Aeroplan miles, which can provide excellent value in terms of comfort.
• Value: Aeroplan miles generally yield around 1.5 cents per mile on economy, and can reach up to 3 cents in Business Class.

2. British Airways Executive Club

• Transfer Ratio: 3:1
• Bonus: Similar to Aeroplan, a 5,000 Avios bonus kicks in for every 60,000 points.
• Best Use: With as little as 13,000 Avios, you can take a short-haul flight within the U.S. or even to nearby Caribbean destinations. Transferring 39,000 points could get you a round-trip flight during off-peak seasons.
• Value: If you leverage British Airways’ distance-based pricing correctly, you could score deals at around 2.5 cents per point.

3. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

• Transfer Ratio: 3:1
• Bonus: Again, when transferring 60,000 Marriott points, you receive 5,000 KrisFlyer miles.
• Best Use: Need to hop from the U.S. to Asia? 80,000 KrisFlyer miles typically gets you a one-way Business Class ticket. That means you’ll part with 240,000 Marriott points for an experience that can easily retail for approximately $3,000-$4,000 if booked directly.
• Value: KrisFlyer miles can yield up to 2.5 cents each for premium cabin redemptions, making this option quite worthwhile.

The Worst Transfer Partners

1. Ritz-Carlton Rewards

• Transfer Ratio: 3:1
• Reason: While the Ritz-Carlton hotels are fantastic, redeeming points this way typically doesn’t offer good value. You might find yourself paying upwards of 70,000 points per night for a basic stay.
• Value: The redemption can average out to below 0.7 cents per point. Autopaying with points is far less satisfying when you realize you could’ve gotten a much better deal elsewhere.

2. Hawaiian Airlines

• Transfer Ratio: 3:1
• Bonus: There’s no additional bonus for transferring points.
• Reason: Flights are generally priced at 20,000-25,000 miles one way to the mainland, but with the high transfer ratio, you’ll end up spending 60,000-75,000 Marriott points for a one-way flight that could have only cost you approximately $300.
• Value: You’re looking at a low value of around 0.5 cents per point if you go this route.

3. Marriott’s Own Travel Packages

• Transfer Ratio: N/A (depends on the package)
• Reason: While attractive at first glance, these packages often represent bad value for your points.
• Value: Scoring a package that includes hotel nights and airlines could average only about 0.6 cents per point.

Strategy for Making the Most of Your Transfers

You don’t just want to move your points haphazardly. Here’s a step-by-step strategy on how to maximize your Marriott Bonvoy point transfers:

Step 1: Assess Your Travel Goals

• Decide whether you’re looking for a domestic flight, an international getaway, or accommodations.
• Identify your destination and the usual airlines servicing that route.

Step 2: Research Transfer Partners

• For their relevance, check the airlines’ award charts and availability.
• Focus on partners like Aeroplan or KrisFlyer for international travel.

Step 3: Perform Value Calculations

• Calculate the cents-per-point you’d receive based on the route and class of service.
• Use tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner to check real-world ticket prices for comparison.

Step 4: Transfer Points Wisely

• When you’re certain, transfer your points. Transfer times usually take from a few minutes to a couple of days, so plan accordingly.
• Always ensure your travel is booked or you’re ready to redeem once points hit your airline account.

Comparison Table

Transfer Partner	Transfer Ratio	Bonus (60K Transfer)	Value per Point
Air Canada Aeroplan	3:1	5,000 Aeroplan Miles	1.5 - 3 cents
British Airways	3:1	5,000 Avios	2.5 cents
Singapore Airlines	3:1	5,000 KrisFlyer Miles	Up to 2.5 cents
Ritz-Carlton Rewards	3:1	N/A	< 0.7 cents
Hawaiian Airlines	3:1	N/A	0.5 cents

Take Action Now

Don’t let those Marriott points gather dust! Take a moment right now to figure out which transfer partner aligns with your travel dreams and goals. Do a quick search on award availability and map out your next trip while maximizing your rewards.

Rates and availability verified as of October 2023. Subject to change — always confirm on the program’s official website.