💳 Amex to Marriott 30% Transfer Bonus: Worth Your Points?
Hello and welcome to Smart With Points, the podcast that helps you travel smarter using miles and points. I'm your host Jack, and today I've got some genuinely exciting news that dropped this morning. American Express has just launched a thirty percent transfer bonus from Membership Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy points, and as someone who's spent far too much time optimising hotel redemptions - thank you Titanium status - I thought I'd share whether this offer deserves your precious Amex points.
Let's start with the numbers, because in this game, the maths always matters. The standard Amex to Marriott transfer rate in the UK is already pretty generous at two to three - so every two Membership Rewards points gets you three Marriott points. That's a fifty percent uplift before any bonuses, which isn't bad compared to the frankly terrible ratios we see in other markets.
But here's where it gets interesting. With this thirty percent bonus, that ratio jumps to an impressive one to one point nine five. So your twenty thousand Membership Rewards points, which would normally net you thirty thousand Marriott points, now becomes thirty-nine thousand points. Nearly doubling your points? Now we're talking.
The good news continues - the minimum transfer is just four hundred Membership Rewards points, so you can test the waters without committing your entire balance. Perfect for those small top-ups when you're frustratingly close to a redemption and need just a few more points.
Now, this isn't Marriott Bonvoy's first aggressive play for UK market share this year. Just last month, they launched a promotion offering twelve Bonvoy points per pound spent at properties for Amex Marriott Bonvoy cardholders - double the usual earning rate even for their co-branded card. It's clear Marriott is making a concerted effort to win over British travellers, likely trying to chip away at IHG and Hilton's strong foothold here. For us points collectors, this competition is brilliant news - when hotel chains fight for market share, we win through enhanced promotions like this one.
But here's something crucial buried in the terms that could scupper your plans. Whilst base points transfer within five business days, the thirty percent bonus points can take up to eight weeks to credit. This isn't just fine print - it's a potential deal-breaker if you're eyeing a specific redemption soon. That dream stay at the St. Regis Maldives for October half-term? You'll need to transfer by mid-September at the latest to guarantee the bonus points arrive in time.
So when does this transfer actually make sense? Having spent considerable time optimising my Marriott redemptions, here's when I'd genuinely consider pulling the trigger.
First, if you're planning redemptions for late two thousand and twenty-five or two thousand and twenty-six. Given the eight-week wait, this bonus works best for future planning. I've got my eye on a few properties in Tokyo for December, and with my recent Dubai trip earning me thirty-five thousand points through strategic spending, this bonus could help secure those peak holiday dates.
Second, for small top-ups for immediate use. Since only the bonus portion faces delays, if you need fifteen thousand points for a redemption tomorrow, transferring ten thousand Membership Rewards points gets you there immediately, with five thousand bonus points following later.
And third, to maximise Marriott's fifth night free on award stays, which becomes even more valuable with this ratio.
But hold on - let's reality check this. Even with an attractive one to one point nine five ratio, I need to play devil's advocate here. Membership Rewards points transferred to airlines at one to one can often deliver superior value. British Airways Executive Club offers one to one transfer ratio with instant transfers. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is one to one transfer with excellent sweet spots to the US, as low as ten thousand points one-way in economy. Air France KLM Flying Blue is one to one transfer with regular promo rewards offering twenty-five to fifty percent discounts.
The key question is: can you get more than zero point five to one pence value per Membership Rewards point through this Marriott transfer? If yes, it might be worth it. If no, airline transfers likely win.
As for my personal strategy, as someone holding both the Amex Platinum and Gold Platinum Business cards, I'm sitting on a healthy stash of Membership Rewards points. Will I transfer during this promo? Actually, yes - but strategically. Here's the key: I'm transferring now in September for travel next year, giving plenty of buffer for those bonus points to arrive. The bulk of my points remain untouched for flexible airline redemptions.
One critical term that deserves highlighting: once transferred, your points cannot be converted back to Membership Rewards. This is a one-way street. Unlike some airline programmes where you can cancel an award and get points refunded to your original programme, Marriott points are locked into the Marriott ecosystem forever. Also worth noting - these transferred points don't count towards elite status qualification. They're purely for redemptions.
Now let me share some strategies for different types of collectors. For the Marriott loyalist, if you're already deep in the Marriott ecosystem with the Marriott Bonvoy Amex earning six points per pound at properties, this bonus is a no-brainer for topping up your balance. The one to one point nine five ratio is as good as it gets.
For the flexible points collector, transfer a portion - perhaps twenty-five percent of your balance - if you have specific Marriott redemptions in mind. Keep the rest flexible for last-minute flight opportunities.
For the beginner, unless you have a specific Marriott stay planned, I'd suggest holding off. Learn the airline transfer sweet spots first before committing to hotel transfers.
If you do decide to transfer, here are some quick tips to maximise value. Transfer by early October - with the eight-week wait for bonus points, don't leave it until November. Always book refundable rates when using points. Consider splitting transfers - the four hundred point minimum means you can transfer in chunks as needed. And don't forget about peak pricing - book off-peak dates when properties cost twenty-five percent fewer points.
So here's my bottom line. This thirty percent transfer bonus takes an already decent transfer ratio and makes it genuinely compelling. The near one to two ratio is strong enough that even conservative valuations make sense for many redemptions. With Marriott clearly investing in winning UK market share through multiple promotions, now might be the perfect time to build your Bonvoy balance if you have specific redemptions in mind.
My advice? If you have specific Marriott stays planned for late two thousand and twenty-five or two thousand and twenty-six, transfer what you need now. The combination of base ratio plus bonus is unlikely to get much better than this. But don't transfer speculatively - Marriott's dynamic pricing means points can devalue overnight.
For context, I'm transferring about twenty percent of my Membership Rewards balance during this promo - enough for my planned redemptions with a small buffer, but keeping most of my points flexible for those incredible airline sweet spots that pop up throughout the year.
That wraps up today's episode. Thanks so much for listening to Smart With Points. If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast on all major platforms or visit our website at smartwithpoints.co.uk. Until next time, keep collecting those points smartly.
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