Do you know you’ll be able to switch sure resort loyalty rewards to 40-plus frequent flyer packages?
I consider that flexibility is king on the subject of resort rewards, which is why I’ve traditionally stored a modest stash of Marriott Bonvoy factors to redeem free nights moderately than transferring these resort factors to companion airline packages. But, as I stare at my steadiness of simply 30,000 Bonvoy factors, which is barely sufficient for a single off‑peak night time at many choose manufacturers, I’ve determined I am altering my technique.
Let me clarify why I am lastly changing these factors to American Airways AAdvantage miles and the way you may determine whether or not the maths works for you, too.
Why Marriott Bonvoy factors do not stretch so far as they used to
I’ve had these Bonvoy factors for nicely over a 12 months now (about the identical time as my final Marriott keep), and I am aware that these factors will expire if I haven’t got any qualifying exercise in my account after 24 months, so I have to do one thing with them.
My 30,000 Bonvoy level steadiness seems stranded. It appears too massive to disregard and too small to e book something luxurious or save actual money.
Reward your inbox with the TPG Each day e-newsletter
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
Associated: Expiring rewards in 2025? An inventory of loyalty packages and their rewards expiration insurance policies
Why an airline switch appears smarter proper now
One purpose is that these miles have historically been more durable to earn by transferable bank card packages, although this has not too long ago modified because of Citi ThankYou Rewards including American Airways AAdvantage as a switch companion.
To not point out, I not too long ago earned a 60,000-mile AAdvantage welcome bonus (now not out there) on the AAdvantage® Aviator® Purple World Elite Mastercard®.
With that bonus in thoughts, transferring 30,000 Bonvoy factors to AAdvantage at the usual 3:1 ratio will internet me an extra 10,000 AAdvantage miles, nudging my steadiness to 70,000 miles. These miles might assist me unlock a number of redemption candy spots, together with Qatar Airways Qsuite from North America to the Center East, the Maldives and Southeast Asia, which I consider is probably the only greatest method to redeem AAdvantage miles and save 1000’s of {dollars}.
The data for the AAdvantage Aviator Purple World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Is that this deal?
TPG values Marriott Bonvoy factors at 0.7 cents every in our August 2025 valuations (so 30,000 factors are price $210). On the airline facet, we at the moment worth AAdvantage miles at 1.55 cents every, making 10,000 miles price roughly $155. That appears like a poor deal, however here is why I feel it is smart:
- It is unlikely I am going to discover a resort for 30,000 factors per night time the place I am going to get greater than 0.7 cents per level in worth primarily based on the locations I am visiting.
- Including 10,000 AAdvantage miles to my account brings my whole to over 70,000 miles, opening up many extra redemption choices.
- I am going to be capable of deplete these Bonvoy factors instantly on a excessive‑worth AAdvantage flight redemption; in any other case, they could languish in my Bonvoy account till dynamic pricing causes redemption charges to climb even increased or they expire.
- As Bonvoy just isn’t my go-to resort loyalty program for reserving resort stays with money (that may be World of Hyatt), if I selected to attend to earn 30,000 extra Bonvoy factors to set off the 5,000‑mile switch bonus on the 60,000-point tier, realistically, that would take me one other six months of stays.
Briefly, I am snug “overpaying” on paper as a result of the incremental miles set off a redemption I really wish to make.
Should you’re contemplating doing this, too, listed here are some issues to recollect:
- Examine companion ratios: Most airways switch at a 3:1 ratio, however some are much less.
- Goal for a 60,000-point bonus, if attainable: When you have, say, 50,000 Bonvoy factors to switch, it is in all probability price ready till you attain the magic 60,000 Bonvoy factors quantity and selecting an airline switch companion that awards an additional 5,000 bonus miles (United MileagePlus presents a beneficiant 10,000 bonus miles).
- Transfers can’t be reversed: If you’re contemplating shifting Bonvoy factors to an airline program, it is a good suggestion to redeem them instantly moderately than transferring speculatively. Sadly, airline packages can and do devalue, and you do not wish to be caught with airline miles you can’t use.
Backside line
In an period of dynamic resort pricing, flexibility typically means letting go of a forex that now not serves you. By changing 30,000 doubtlessly nugatory Marriott Bonvoy factors into 10,000 American Airways AAdvantage miles, I am not chasing a theoretical cents‑per‑level benchmark; I am enabling a particular excessive‑worth award that may in any other case be out of attain.
Will this technique swimsuit everybody? Completely not. Should you routinely extract 1 cent or extra in worth per Bonvoy level on luxurious stays — otherwise you’re sitting on 300,000 factors as a substitute of 30,000 — maintain them within the resort ecosystem. When you have orphaned resort balances and premium cabin aspirations, it might be time to assume past the mattress run and let these resort factors take flight.
Associated studying:
