We often mention that transferable points are the best, but this refers to transferable bank points. It rarely makes sense to transfer airline points or hotel points. But it could in some very specific cases, given how these points work. Doing so during a transfer bonus promotion like the current one from Marriott Bonvoy to Air Canada Aeroplan helps increase the value a bit, but it’s far from a good deal.
Again, I can never repeat enough: it’s important to know how to do the math. It’s literally 1 of the 6 most important things in all of travel rewards. It’s also important not to be gullible (don’t believe that just because there’s a “promotion” it’s necessarily good).
Here are the details of Marriott Bonvoy’s transfer bonus promotion currently offering 15% more Aeroplan points.
Basics of Marriott Bonvoy and Air Canada Aeroplan
If you’re even wondering if this deal is good, that means I should remind you of the basics.
There are 3 main things to consider when it comes to transferable points:
- How you value each currency
- What the transfer rate is
- How easy it is to earn each currency
First, the most important concept in all of travel rewards if you want to get more free travel: value.
Marriott Bonvoy points and Air Canada Aeroplan points are rewards of the more lucrative type.
Rewards of the more lucrative type have a value that highly depends on how you use them. It’s the most important thing to understand in the entire wonderful world of travel rewards. At least for those who want to maximize the value.
Second, you also need to look at the transfer rate, obviously.
Some point transfers are at a 1 to 1 rate, but others are very different. Even within the same program, different partners have different rates. Again, just do the math.
Finally, it’s also important to consider how easy it is to acquire large quantities of points in each currency.
For example, apart from the 6 cards that earn Amex points (transferable to both Aeroplan and Marriott), there are only 2 cards that earn Marriott points, whereas there are 11 cards that earn Aeroplan points. On top of that, the Amex transfer rate is much better to Aeroplan.
In case you need me to spell it out: it’s a lot easier to earn a lot of Aeroplan points with welcome bonuses effortlessly. That’s the main reason this transfer bonus is not such a good deal.
Basics of Marriott Bonvoy transfers to airline partners
Transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to airlines usually does not offer a great value compared to using them well for free hotel nights.
The usual transfer rate is 3 to 1, meaning 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points becomes 10,000 airline points (Aeroplan is just one of many partner airlines).
However, there’s always a bonus of 5,000 airline points if you transfer 60,000 Marriott points. That means that 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points becomes 25,000 airline points (rather than just 20,000). Even with that, it’s not great value, but at least it’s better than without that bonus.
Basics of the Marriott Bonvoy transfer bonus
Now, with the current transfer bonus, you get a bonus of 15%.
That means if you transfer 30,000 Marriott points, you’ll get 11,500 points instead of 10,000.
You can also get the other separate regular bonus, so if you transfer 60,000 Marriott points, you’ll get 28,000 points. To be clear, you don’t get a 15% bonus on the regular 5,000 bonus.
Analysis of the Marriott Bonvoy transfer bonus
Let’s use the 60,000 Marriott points transfer threshold to show the very best you can do with this transfer bonus.
At our conservative Flytrippers Valuation, 60,000 Marriott points are worth ≈ $540. On the other hand, 28,000 Aeroplan points are worth ≈ $420. In other words, you get ≈ 29% more value by not transferring Marriott points. Even with the transfer bonus.
But those Aeroplan points can be worth $800+ easily in business class or first class. Then it might make sense. But then again, if you fly premium cabin, you might enjoy luxury hotels too… and 60,000 Marriott can be worth $1000+ for luxury hotels…
It depends on how you use the points! Like EVERYTHING related to rewards of the more lucrative type. Every traveler is different.
It depends!
It’s really a simple concept, but it’s by far the thing that the most travelers unfortunately have a hard time understanding (probably because they’re sadly so used to the terrible rewards with a fixed value).
But in the vast majority of cases, hotel points should be used on hotels. Just like airline points should obviously be used on airlines.
Most importantly, it’s relatively easy to earn a lot of Aeroplan points. Well, at least, it’s much easier than to earn a lot of Marriott points. So I personally never transfer Marriott points to Aeroplan. A 15% transfer bonus certainly doesn’t move the needle on that for me.
If you want help understanding if it’s good for you, you can read the best redemptions for Marriott Bonvoy points and 18 good Aeroplan redemption examples to get an idea of how much each can be worth.
There’s really no way to become an expert other than putting in a bit of time to learn. We want to help you do it!
Finally, I’ll remind you that if you’re not flexible and don’t want to save more money that badly (like so many travelers), in that specific case it’s generally much easier to maximize Marriott than Aeroplan.
A new enhanced offer just came out today for Aeroplan points, so we’ll have a more detailed guide to this program very shortly.
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Summary
The Marriott Bonvoy transfer bonus is a great example of a promotion that’s not necessarily good. You’ll usually get more value by using your hotel points on hotels, just like you’ll obviously usually get more value out of airline points by using on airlines. You can do the math based on your own valuation of each currency to make the best decision.
What would you like to know about the Marriott Bonvoy transfer bonus to Aeroplan? Tell us in the comments below.
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If I transfer my Marriot points to Aeroplan (I know it’s 3:1), do those points count toward getting Aeroplan Elite status?
Hi, if you are talking about Everyday Status Qualification for 25K status, points transfers of any kind do not count (that would be way too easy).
Hello
If I have 180000 Mariott point’s which converted to aeroplan can get me 84000 aeroplan points.
Based on airline travel or hotel stay is it worth keeping or converting? Keeping in mind travelling always with a family of 4. What would you do?
Hi, well that’s kind of what I explain in this post, it doesn’t really make sense most of the time but it really depends. Your message has nowhere near enough information to decide whether your situation is one of those exceptions. Family of 4 changes nothing to the fact that in general hotels will give you more value. But it depends on how you’d use the Aeroplan points and how you’d use Marriott points. But if you’re not sure, I’d certainly not transfer them because it’s way easier to get Aeroplan points.