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When most travelers think about Marriott Bonvoy, they think about earning and redeeming hotel points — not airline perks. But the Bonvoy program has a handful of airline partnerships that go far beyond point transfers. These reciprocal agreements can unlock elite benefits, bonus earnings, and even status matches with major airlines.
If you hold Marriott status — or fly with United, Emirates, or Singapore Airlines — you may already qualify for valuable perks without realizing it. Here’s a closer look at the three Marriott airline partnerships that deliver the biggest upside, and how to make the most of them.
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Marriott Bonvoy's Three Preferred Airline Partners
Marriott offers the ability to transfer Bonvoy points to numerous airline partners — something you should understand in case you ever need to use it. This is available to all Marriott Bonvoy members, yet this isn't a reciprocal agreement. Most of these airlines don't let you transfer your miles to Marriott Bonvoy.
However, there are three airlines where Marriott's partnership goes much deeper. These are:
These Marriott Bonvoy airline partners offer reciprocal elite status or benefits to their program members, depending on their status tier. You can also earn airline miles for Marriott stays, plus Marriott points for flights. Let's jump into the details of each partnership.
Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus Preferred Partnership
Marriott's partnership with United has been a longstanding feature of the two loyalty programs, undergoing some tweaks over the years. This partnership offers enhanced benefits for elite members of both programs, as well as the chance to double dip on rewards for all members who enroll. The program encourages members to take advantage of Marriott's large global footprint and provides an incentive for Marriott Bonvoy and MileagePlus members to stay within the brands.
United MileagePlus Premier Silver members and above can convert miles to Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1:1 ratio, up to 100,000 miles at this rate each calendar year. However, AwardWallet users have recently redeemed United MileagePlus miles for 1.97¢ apiece. On the other hand, users have redeemed Marriott Bonvoy points for an average of 0.93¢ apiece, so this wouldn't be a great use of your United miles.
United MileagePlus Premier Gold members and higher can register for complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. Plus, all members have access to a variety of unique experiences and special offers.
If you are a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite member or higher, you can register for Premier Silver status. All members receive 10% more miles when converting Marriott Bonvoy points into MileagePlus miles. Rather than 5,000 bonus miles when you transfer 60,000 Bonvoy points (which is offered for many airlines), you receive 10,000 bonus miles. Miles transfer at a 3:1 ratio, so you'd receive 30,000 United miles for every 60,000 Bonvoy points.
Related: How RewardsPlus® Can Give You Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus Perks
Your World Rewards With Marriott Bonvoy and Emirates Skywards
Similar to the partnership between Marriott and United, Marriott and Emirates program members enjoy some reciprocal benefits through Your World Rewards. However, you need to hold elite status to enjoy these benefits.
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite members and higher earn 3 Bonvoy points per $1 spent on all eligible Emirates flights. This is on top of Skywards miles you already earn. Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite and higher elites receive elite in-airport benefits, including priority check-in and priority boarding.
Emirates Skywards Silver members and higher can earn 1 Skywards mile per $1 spent on all eligible stays at Marriott Bonvoy hotels and resorts worldwide. If you have Emirates Skywards Gold status, you'll also receive a 2 p.m. late checkout, access to elite check-in, and complimentary in-room Wi-Fi. Skywards Platinum members receive an even later checkout at 4 p.m.
Emirates members can transfer Skywards miles to Marriott with a transfer ratio of 3:2, while Marriott members can transfer to Emirates Skywards at the typical ratio of 3:1 with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred.
Head over to the Marriott or Emirates websites for more information and to review the terms and conditions. You'll need to link your accounts to receive the reciprocal benefits.
Singapore Airlines' Partnership With Marriott
Although there's no special name for the program, Singapore Airlines has an extensive partnership with Marriott. You can transfer Singapore Airlines miles to Marriott at a ratio of 2:1, which is terrible, considering AwardWallet users typically redeem KrisFlyer miles for 2.45¢ apiece. You'll transfer Marriott points to Singapore at the standard rate.
Beyond points transfers, the programs also offer reciprocal perks to their respective elites. Eligible members can receive a status match in the other program, including the ability to increase status after relatively few flights. Here's how it works:
- Marriott Silver: No status match or challenge offer.
- Marriott Gold: Earn KrisFlyer Silver status by taking two Singapore flights within six months of linking accounts.
- Marriott Platinum or higher: Link your accounts to receive Singapore KrisFlyer Silver status for 12 months. Earn KrisFlyer Gold status by taking four Singapore flights within six months.
If you already have KrisFlyer Silver status, the match will extend this by 12 months. The option to upgrade to Gold by taking four flights doesn't change.
Going the other direction, Singapore Solitaire PPS Club, PPS Club, and KrisFlyer Elite Gold members will receive a status match to Marriott Bonvoy Gold. This isn't especially useful. However, it's an option if you're a Singapore Airlines elite member without Marriott elite status.
Related: How To Get Singapore Status as a Marriott Elite
How To Get Marriott Elite Status
For most of these reciprocal benefits to take effect, you'll need Marriott Gold Elite status or higher. Luckily, there are a few ways you can reach this tier of status quite quickly.
You can receive complimentary Gold Elite status as a perk when you hold these credit cards:
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
- American Express Platinum Card®
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
You can get complimentary Platinum Elite status by holding the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Unfortunately, there aren't any cards that grant automatic Titanium or Ambassador Elite status, but these cards can get you on your way.
(Terms Apply)
- 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
- 4X points on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets
- 2X points on all other eligible purchases
(Terms Apply)
- 6X points on purchases at Marriott Properties
- 3X points at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery
- 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines
- 2X points on all other eligible purchases
(Terms apply)
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
If you have Platinum Elite status, you would:
- Earn 3 Bonvoy points per $1 spent on all eligible Emirates flights.
- Receive elite in-airport benefits, including priority check-in and priority boarding when flying with Emirates.
- Automatically receive Singapore KrisFlyer Silver status for 12 months, or upgrade to Gold after taking four flights.
The only perk from these programs you wouldn't have access to is the ability to register for United Silver status.
Final Thoughts
It's worth understanding the reciprocal agreements between Marriott Bonvoy and its airline partners. There may be some low-hanging fruit — benefits you didn't even know you could be enjoying already.
Of all the benefits, the one most program members should note is the additional bonus miles offered when you transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus miles. This makes the effective transfer ratio 60,000 Bonvoy points to 30,000 United miles. This is one transfer where you'll actually come out ahead — at least based on the average value AwardWallet members get from their United and Marriott redemptions.
Reciprocal agreements can be a fantastic way of “double-dipping” on points and miles. Understanding the Marriott airline partners could help you reach that next travel goal faster.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees), Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees), and American Express Platinum Card® (Rates & Fees)
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