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Transferring Amex points to Marriott
The short answer
In the US, American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to Marriott Bonvoy at 1:1: 1,000 Amex points become 1,000 Marriott points. The minimum is 1,000, in steps of 1,000, and transfers are normally immediate but can take up to 48 hours. In Canada the ratio is better, 5:6: 1,000 Amex points become 1,200 Marriott points. Transfers can’t be reversed, so transfer only for a stay you’ve already found.
- 1:1
- Amex points to Marriott points, in the US
- 1,000
- points minimum, in steps of 1,000
- 5:6
- in Canada: 1,000 Amex points become 1,200
- 48 hrs
- at most, in both countries
- Final
- points can't come back to Amex
01
Do this next
- Find the stay first, and check on marriott.com that the room is available on points for your dates. Amex itself says to check before you transfer.
- Check it’s worth points: we rate a stay Great from 1.00¢ a point.
- Transfer only the points you’re short, rounded up to the next 1,000.
02
How many Marriott points do you get for Amex points?
| Amex Membership Rewards points | Marriott points, US (1:1) | Marriott points, Canada (5:6) |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | 10,000 | 12,000 |
| 25,000 | 25,000 | 30,000 |
| 50,000 | 50,000 | 60,000 |
| 100,000 | 100,000 | 120,000 |
03
Amex Canada to Marriott: 5:6
Amex Canada gives more Marriott points per Amex point than Amex in the US: 5 Membership Rewards points become 6 Marriott Bonvoy points, so 1,000 become 1,200. The minimum is 1,000 points, in steps of 100, up to 999,900 at a time, and transfers take up to 48 hours.
Our take: the extra 20% makes Marriott one of the better uses of Canadian Amex points for a hotel stay, but the same rule applies: transfer for a stay you’ve found, not to hold. Have a Marriott Bonvoy Amex card in Canada instead? Its points already earn straight into Bonvoy. Marriott cards in Canada.
04
How do you transfer Amex points to Marriott Bonvoy?
- Have a Marriott Bonvoy account; Amex requires it. Joining is free.
- Log in to your Amex account, go to Membership Rewards, choose Transfer Points, and link your Marriott Bonvoy account.
- Transfer at least 1,000 points, in steps of 1,000, up to 999,000 at a time.
- Wait for them to land before you book. Amex says transfers are normally immediate, but to allow up to 48 hours, and you can’t book with the points until they’re in your Marriott account.
05
Amex or Chase: which is better for Marriott?
| Detail | Amex Membership Rewards | Chase Ultimate Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Ratio | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| Smallest transfer | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Timing | Usually immediate, up to 48 hours | Usually next business day, up to 7 business days |
| Reversible? | No | No |
Our take: the ratio is the same, so use whichever balance you hold. If you hold both, Amex is the faster one when a room you’ve found might go. How Chase transfers to Marriott work.
06
Amex to Marriott to airline miles: is the detour worth it?
Marriott turns points into airline miles, so some people route Amex points through Marriott. On a 60,000-point transfer in the US, here’s what arrives:
| 60,000 Amex points to | Straight from Amex | Through Marriott |
|---|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles | 60,000 | 20,000 |
| United MileagePlus | Not an Amex partner | 30,000 |
Our take: don’t take the detour to an airline Amex already reaches: you lose two thirds of the miles. United is the one case worth a look, since Amex can’t send points there and Marriott adds its biggest bonus for United, but it still turns each Amex point into half a mile. Work out any airline.
07
Amex to Marriott or Hilton?
Amex sends points to both. In the US, 1,000 Amex points become 2,000 Hilton Honors points or 1,000 Marriott points; in Canada, 1,000 Hilton points or 1,200 Marriott points.
Our take: more points doesn’t mean more hotel. Price the actual stay in each program, convert it back to Amex points, and pick whichever needs fewer.
08
Is it worth transferring Amex points to Marriott?
Sometimes. At 1:1, each Amex point becomes one Marriott point, so it’s worth what that Marriott point is worth on your stay. We rate a stay Great from 1.00¢ a point, and below 0.70¢ we say pay cash.
It makes most sense to top up a balance that’s a little short of a stay we rate Great or Exceptional. Compare it with buying the gap: in Marriott's points sale, a bought point costs 0.86¢. Price the missing points.
09
Does the Marriott Bonvoy Amex card transfer points?
No, and it doesn’t need to. The Marriott Bonvoy American Express cards earn Marriott points straight into your Bonvoy account. Transfers are for Amex cards that earn Membership Rewards points. Compare the Marriott cards.
Questions
What is the Amex to Marriott transfer ratio?
1:1 in the US: 1,000 Membership Rewards points become 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. In Canada it's 5:6, so 1,000 become 1,200. Amex in other countries sets its own ratio, so check yours elsewhere.
Can I transfer Amex points to Marriott in Canada?
Yes. Amex Canada Membership Rewards points move to Marriott Bonvoy at 5:6, from 1,000 points in steps of 100, and take up to 48 hours.
How long does an Amex to Marriott transfer take?
Amex says transfers are normally immediate, but to allow up to 48 hours. You can't book with the points until they arrive.
What is the minimum Amex to Marriott transfer?
1,000 points, in steps of 1,000, up to 999,000 in one transfer.
Can you transfer Marriott points back to Amex?
No. Amex says points can't come back to Membership Rewards once transferred, and they then follow Marriott's terms.
Is 50,000 Amex points worth transferring to Marriott?
Only for a stay you've found that's worth it. 50,000 Amex points become 50,000 Marriott points; at our Great threshold of 1.00¢ a point, that's a stay worth at least $500 in cash.
Sources: American Express (US): Membership Rewards transfer partners, American Express Canada: hotel transfer partners, Marriott: ways to earn. Program rules change, so confirm with Marriott before you rely on one. Award Escape is independent of Marriott.