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One aspect of loyalty programs that often gets overlooked is the reciprocal relationships many programs have with others. Comprehensive guides to a particular are far more likely to focus on how to earn and redeem points, only touching lightly on benefits that you may receive with other programs. It's good to know when these can provide some extra benefit to you. Not all will. But many could, including two key Marriott Bonvoy airline partners.
Marriott Bonvoy Airline Partners — Two Reciprocal Airline Agreements
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 offer the ability to move your airline miles over to Marriott Bonvoy.
However, there are two airlines where Marriott's partnership goes much further. These are:
- RewardsPlus with United
- Your World Rewards with Emirates
Both of these Marriott Bonvoy airline partners offer reciprocal elite status or benefits to their program members, depending on their status tier. You also can earn airline miles for Marriott stays, plus Marriott points for flights. Let's jump into the details of each partnership.
RewardsPlus With Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus
Marriott's partnership with United has been a longstanding feature of the two loyalty programs, undergoing some tweaks over the years. RewardsPlus offers enhanced benefits for elite members of both programs and the chance to double up on rewards for all members who enroll. The program encourages members to take advantage of Marriott's large global footprint and provides an incentive to members of Marriott Bonvoy and MileagePlus to stick within the brands.
United MileagePlus Premier members receive:
- Complimentary Gold Elite status in Marriott Bonvoy: This is open to MileagePlus Premier Gold members and higher. Registration is required. Higher Marriott Bonvoy status is not offered, unfortunately.
- Conversion of MileagePlus award miles into Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1:1 ratio: Open to Premier Silver members and above, registration isn't required. You can convert up to 100,000 miles at this rate each calendar year.
- Access to unique experiences and offers: Open to all members.
Marriott elite members receive:
- Complimentary Premier Silver status in MileagePlus: Open to Titanium Elite members and above. Registration is required.
- 10% more miles when converting Marriott Bonvoy points into MileagePlus miles: Open to all members. 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. Marriott Bonvoy members flying with Emirates receive:
- 3 Bonvoy points per $1 spent on all eligible Emirates flights: This is on top of Skywards miles you already earn, open to Marriott Gold and higher elites
- Elite in-airport benefits, including priority check-in and priority boarding: Open to Marriott Bonvoy Platinum and higher elites
As an EmirateseElite staying at a Marriott property:
- Earn 1 Skywards mile per $1 spent on all eligible stays at Marriott Bonvoy hotels and resorts worldwide: Offered to Emirates Skywards Silver, Gold, and Platinum members.
- Enjoy additional benefits at Marriott Bonvoy hotels and resorts: These include 4 p.m. late checkout, access to elite check-in, and complimentary in-room Wi-Fi, available to Emirates Skywards Gold and Platinum members.
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.
Final Thoughts
The reciprocal agreements between Marriott Bonvoy and two airline partners are worth understanding. There may be some low-hanging fruit — benefits you didn't even know you could be enjoying already.
Some of these benefits are really easy to obtain. Considering that you can earn automatic Gold Elite status with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card or even automatic Platinum Elite status through the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, there are some benefits you could easily enjoy with either of these cards.
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 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, allowing you to reach that next travel goal faster.
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Hilton also offers this
I fly out of Hongqiao whenever I can, especially for the few international flights. So much easier than the mass of people at Pudong international.
SPG, has been such a reliable loyalty program!
The title is somewhat misleading. Double Dip is only possible for elite members in all three programs (unlike Hilton actually).
looks good, thank you for the post. I tried to do it on SPG but got this message “You are currently enrolled in Airline Direct Deposit (ADD) with another airline.” what is ADD? and can i change that on my settings somewhere?
thanks
Jason
You’ll want to change those settings in your account at SPG.com. You can call up SPG support as well and they can change it. ADD is when instead of earning SPG points you earn airline miles at a 1:1 ratio.
Spg points are the best! Can’t tell you how many times they have saved my bacon. Great article!
I agree, SPG points are the best when it comes to redemption opportunities. Too bad they’re so difficult to earn, with no bonuses offered except for hotel spend with SPG…
I would love to get another Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card. I cancelled mine over five years ago. With American Express once in a lifetime bonus per credit card I have passed on getting a second one.
I am planning to sign up for the SPG card. Thanks.
Thanks for outlining the details on all of this. Too bad that it is focused on elite members.
Always love a double dip opportunity on points, great Thanks!
Can I earn starpoints on Emirates flights and credit them to alaska at the same time ?
No, you cannot. You must credit to Emirates to earn Starpoints per the terms: https://www.spgpromos.com/yourworldrewards/terms/