American Express Membership Rewards is one of the most versatile and valuable credit card rewards programs in the world. With a wide array of transfer partners spanning airlines, hotels, and other loyalty programs, cardholders have numerous options to redeem their hard-earned points. One such option is transferring Amex points to Marriott Bonvoy, the loyalty program of Marriott International, which boasts a vast portfolio of over 8,000 properties across 30+ brands worldwide. But is this transfer worth it? How does it work, and what should you consider before making the leap? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the process of transferring Amex points to Marriott Bonvoy, explore the pros and cons, and provide strategies to ensure you get the most value from your points.
Understanding the Basics: Amex Membership Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy
Before delving into the specifics of the transfer process, it’s essential to understand the two programs involved.
American Express Membership Rewards is a flexible points currency earned through various Amex credit cards, such as the American Express Platinum Card, the American Express Gold Card, and the American Express Green Card. Points can be redeemed in several ways, including statement credits, gift cards, travel bookings through the Amex Travel portal, or—most notably—transfers to a wide range of airline and hotel partners. The value of Membership Rewards points varies depending on how they’re redeemed, but transfers to travel partners often yield the highest returns, frequently exceeding 1.5 to 2 cents per point.
Marriott Bonvoy, on the other hand, is Marriott International’s loyalty program, encompassing brands like Marriott, JW Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, Westin, and more. Bonvoy points are earned through hotel stays, co-branded credit cards (like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card), or by transferring points from partners like Amex. These points can be redeemed for free hotel stays, room upgrades, experiences, or even transferred to airline partners, though the latter often provides suboptimal value.
The ability to transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy opens up a world of possibilities for travelers, but it’s not always the most lucrative option. Let’s break down how this transfer works and evaluate its merits.
How to Transfer Amex Points to Marriott Bonvoy
Transferring points from Amex to Marriott Bonvoy is a straightforward process, but it requires a few steps and some planning. Here’s how it works:
- Eligibility: To transfer points, you must hold an Amex card that earns Membership Rewards points. Not all Amex cards qualify—cards like the Blue Cash Everyday Card earn cashback, not Membership Rewards. Popular eligible cards include the Amex Platinum, Amex Gold, and Amex EveryDay cards.
- Link Your Accounts: Log in to your American Express online account and navigate to the Membership Rewards section. From there, select “Transfer Points” and locate Marriott Bonvoy in the list of partners. You’ll need to link your Marriott Bonvoy account by entering your Bonvoy membership number. If you don’t have a Marriott Bonvoy account, you can sign up for free on Marriott’s website.
- Transfer Ratio: Amex points transfer to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio. This means 1,000 Amex Membership Rewards points become 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Transfers must be made in increments of 1,000 points.
- Processing Time: Transfers to Marriott Bonvoy are typically instant, though Amex notes that it can take up to 48 hours in some cases. Once the points are in your Bonvoy account, they’re ready to use for hotel bookings or other redemptions.
- Minimum and Maximum: There’s no strict minimum beyond the 1,000-point increment requirement, but Amex may impose limits on the maximum number of points you can transfer in a single transaction or over a specific period. Check your account for any restrictions.
Once your points are in your Marriott Bonvoy account, they’re subject to Marriott’s terms, including an expiration policy: points remain active as long as you earn or redeem points at least once every 24 months.
The Value Proposition: Is It Worth It?
The key question for any points transfer is whether it delivers good value. To answer this, we need to compare the value of Amex Membership Rewards points in their native form versus their value as Marriott Bonvoy points.
Value of Amex Points: Industry experts and points enthusiasts typically value Membership Rewards points at 1.8 to 2 cents each when transferred to high-value airline partners like ANA, Singapore Airlines, or Air France/KLM Flying Blue. For example, transferring 60,000 Amex points to ANA Mileage Club could secure a round-trip business-class ticket to Japan valued at $5,000 or more—a redemption worth over 8 cents per point. Even when redeemed through the Amex Travel portal, points are worth 1 cent each for flights (or 0.7 cents for hotels).
Value of Marriott Bonvoy Points: Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at around 0.7 to 0.9 cents each, according to valuations from outlets like The Points Guy and NerdWallet. This valuation stems from Marriott’s dynamic pricing model, introduced in 2022, which replaced fixed award charts with flexible rates based on demand, season, and cash prices. For example:
- A Category 5 Marriott hotel might cost 35,000 points per night when the cash rate is $250, yielding a value of 0.71 cents per point.
- A luxury Ritz-Carlton property might require 80,000 points for a $700 night, offering 0.875 cents per point.
Comparison: Transferring 1,000 Amex points (worth $18–$20 in a high-value airline transfer) to Marriott Bonvoy results in 1,000 Bonvoy points (worth $7–$9). On paper, this represents a significant loss of value—often a 50% or greater reduction. However, value isn’t solely about cents-per-point; it’s also about your travel goals and preferences.
When Transferring to Marriott Bonvoy Makes Sense
While transferring Amex points to Marriott Bonvoy isn’t typically the highest-value option, there are scenarios where it can be a smart move:
- Topping Off an Account: If you’re a few thousand points short of a Marriott redemption—say, a 5-night stay where the fifth night is free (a Bonvoy perk)—transferring Amex points can bridge the gap without spending cash.
- Luxury Hotel Stays: Marriott’s portfolio includes aspirational properties like the St. Regis Maldives, JW Marriott Venice, or Ritz-Carlton New York. If you’re eyeing a bucket-list stay and don’t have enough Bonvoy points, transferring from Amex can make it happen. For instance, a night at the St. Regis Maldives might cost 100,000 points, and while the cash rate could exceed $1,500, the experience might justify the transfer for you.
- Limited Airline Transfer Options: If your preferred airline isn’t an Amex partner or you don’t have enough points for a flight redemption, Marriott Bonvoy offers a fallback. Marriott also allows points to be transferred to 40+ airline partners (e.g., United MileagePlus, Delta SkyMiles) at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred. However, this is rarely a good deal compared to direct Amex airline transfers.
- Personal Preference: Some travelers prioritize hotel stays over flights, especially if they value Marriott’s global footprint or specific perks like elite status benefits (e.g., room upgrades, late checkout).
Potential Drawbacks and Pitfalls
Despite its flexibility, transferring Amex points to Marriott Bonvoy comes with caveats:
- Value Dilution: As noted, the drop from 1.8–2 cents per Amex point to 0.7–0.9 cents per Bonvoy point is a significant hit. Unless you have a specific redemption in mind, you’re likely leaving value on the table.
- Dynamic Pricing: Marriott’s shift to dynamic pricing means point costs can fluctuate wildly. A hotel that once cost 50,000 points per night might now require 70,000 during peak season, reducing the predictability of your redemption.
- Irreversibility: Once transferred, points cannot be moved back to Amex. If your plans change or Marriott devalues its program, you’re stuck with Bonvoy points.
- Opportunity Cost: Amex’s airline partners often provide outsized value for international business- or first-class flights. By choosing Marriott, you might miss out on a more lucrative redemption.
Strategies to Maximize Value
If you decide to transfer Amex points to Marriott Bonvoy, here are some tips to get the most out of it:
- Leverage the Fifth Night Free: Marriott offers a free fifth night on award stays of five nights or more. For example, a 5-night stay at a 40,000-point-per-night hotel costs 160,000 points instead of 200,000, effectively lowering the per-night cost to 32,000 points.
- Target Off-Peak or Shoulder Seasons: Dynamic pricing means lower point rates during less busy times. Research your destination to find periods when cash rates are high but point costs remain reasonable.
- Combine with Elite Status: If you hold Marriott Bonvoy elite status (earned via stays or co-branded cards), perks like upgrades or bonus points can enhance the value of your stay, offsetting the lower point valuation.
- Compare Cash vs. Points: Before transferring, calculate the cash rate of your desired stay and divide by the points required to determine your cents-per-point value. Aim for at least 0.8–1 cent per point to minimize losses.
Alternatives to Transferring
If the value proposition of transferring to Marriott Bonvoy doesn’t appeal to you, consider these alternatives:
- Book Hotels via Amex Travel: Use points directly through the Amex Travel portal at 0.7 cents per point, though this offers less flexibility than Marriott redemptions.
- Earn Bonvoy Points Directly: Cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card offer generous bonuses and earn rates for Marriott stays, reducing the need to transfer.
- Transfer to Airlines Instead: For travel-focused redemptions, Amex’s airline partners often deliver better value.
Conclusion
Transferring Amex Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy is a viable option for cardholders who prioritize hotel stays and have a specific redemption in mind. While the 1:1 transfer ratio is simple and the process is seamless, the lower value of Bonvoy points compared to Amex’s airline transfer options means it’s rarely the most financially rewarding choice. That said, value isn’t just about numbers—it’s about aligning your rewards with your travel goals. Whether you’re topping off an account for a dream vacation or simply prefer Marriott’s extensive hotel network, this transfer can be a useful tool in your rewards arsenal. Just be sure to weigh the opportunity costs, plan strategically, and maximize your redemption to ensure your points work as hard as you do.