United & Marriott’s RewardsPlus Program: Status Matches, Enhanced Point Transfers, and More United & Marriott’s RewardsPlus Program: Status Matches, Enhanced Point Transfers, and More

United & Marriott’s RewardsPlus Program: Status Matches, Enhanced Point Transfers, and More

Bonus Points

AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. Terms Apply to the offers listed on this page. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.

If you regularly fly United or stay at Marriott properties, it's worth learning more about their joint program, RewardsPlus. This partnership offers elite status matches between Marriott and United — plus the chance to double up on rewards for all members who enroll.

This, in turn, incentivizes Marriott Bonvoy and MileagePlus members to stay loyal to each brand. Let's learn more about RewardsPlus and how it can enhance your travels.

Perks of Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus RewardsPlus

Some of the reciprocal benefits are only available above the elite tiers listed in the section below. However, the points and miles conversion benefits are open to all members of both programs.

United MileagePlus member benefits

The following benefits are available to United MileagePlus members and Premier elites:

  • Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status: Open to United MileagePlus Premier Gold members and above; registration is required.
  • Conversion of MileagePlus award miles into Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1:1 ratio: Open to United Premier Silver members and above; registration is not required.
  • 10,000-mile bonus when converting at least 60,000 Marriott points to United miles: Open to all members and registration is not required. Points transfer at a 3:1 ratio, meaning you'll yield a total of 30,000 miles after the bonus.
Available toMarriott Registration Required?
United Premier Gold (and above)Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite statusYes
All United Premier elitesConvert United miles to Marriott points at 1:1No
All MileagePlus members10k-mile bonus when transferring 60k+ pointsNo

What are the perks of Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status?

United Premier Gold elites (and higher) can enroll to get Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status through RewardsPlus. Here are the perks that unlocks:

  • Free in-room Wi-Fi
  • Welcome gift of points
  • 2 p.m. late checkout
  • Enhanced room upgrade (varies by brand, based upon availability at check-in; suites excluded)
  • 25% bonus points on stays
  • Member rates, PointSavers rates, and Cash + Points rates

While you won't receive lucrative benefits like free breakfast for two (that starts at Marriott Platinum status), 2 p.m. late checkout and upgrades should be a great additional benefit for United elites.

JW Marriott Tampa Entrance Sign
You can use your late checkout benefit at properties like the JW Marriott Tampa. Credit: Mark Jackson

Related: The Complete Guide to Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status

If you don't have United Premier Gold status, you can still get Marriott Gold Elite status as a benefit of several credit cards:

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card
Welcome Bonus Earn up to 135,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points. Earn 85,000 points after you spend $5,000 and an extra 50,000 points after you spend an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual Fee$250Rates & Fees
(Terms Apply)
Credit ScoreGood, Excellent
  • 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
AmexBonvoyBiz
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Welcome Bonus Earn 3 Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual Fee$125Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
Credit ScoreExcellent, Good
  • 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
  • 4x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping
  • 2x Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Welcome Offer Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual Fee$695Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
Credit ScoreExcellent, Good
  • 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®.

Plus, you can stack Elite Night Credits from Marriott credit cards to get up to a 40-night boost to higher status.

Marriott Bonvoy member benefits

Here are the benefits that Marriott Bonvoy members and elites get out of the RewardsPlus program:

  • Complimentary United Premier Silver status in MileagePlus: Open to Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite members and above; registration is required.
  • 10,000-mile bonus when converting at least 60,000 Marriott points to United miles: Open to all members; registration not required. Points transfer at a 3:1 ratio, meaning you'll yield a total of 30,000 miles after the bonus.
Available toMarriott Registration Required?
Marriott Titanium Elite (and above)United Premier Silver elite statusYes
All MileagePlus members10k-mile bonus when transferring 60k+ pointsNo

United MileagePlus Premier Silver status benefits

Marriott Titanium elites and above can enroll for United MileagePlus Premier Silver elite status through RewardsPlus. Here are the perks that will get you:

  • Complimentary access to Economy Plus at check-in (when available) for you plus one companion on the same reservation
  • Complimentary Premier upgrades confirmed as early as the day of departure (when available)
  • Premier Access travel services, which include designated ticket counter check-in lines, priority security lines, priority boarding, and priority baggage handling (where available)
  • Free checked bag: One complimentary standard checked bag (70 lbs/32 kgs)
  • 40% bonus miles: Earn 7x award miles on United flights and a 40% on partner earnings

This is a fantastic benefit for Marriott members who earn 75 elite nights each year and don't already have United elite status. When I was Titanium myself, I loved scoring an upgrade to first on periodic United flights. But at a minimum, one free checked bag and access to Economy Plus at check-in are amazing perks for Marriott loyalists.

a United Airlines Dreamliner in flight
Credit: United Airlines

Related: The Ultimate Guide to United MileagePlus

How Do I Qualify for RewardsPlus with United and Marriott?

To qualify for complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, you must hold Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, Premier 1K, or Global Services status in the United MileagePlus program. Premier Silver and General members do not qualify.

To receive complimentary MileagePlus Premier Silver status, you must have either Titanium Elite or Ambassador Elite status in Marriott Bonvoy. Lower Bonvoy tiers — including Platinum Elite, Gold Elite, Silver Elite, and general members — do not qualify for reciprocal elite status.

enrollment page for status match benefits with the United and Marriott RewardsPlus program

Unlocking the ability to convert United miles to Marriott points at a 1:1 ratio requires at least Premier Silver or higher in MileagePlus. On the other hand, converting 60,000 Marriott points to United miles (with a 10,000-mile bonus) does not require any special status; this benefit is available to all members of both programs.

To use RewardsPlus benefits, you must be a member of both MileagePlus and Marriott Bonvoy.

Once your RewardsPlus membership is accepted, allow 7 to 10 days for your account to reflect your new elite status. The upgraded status will typically remain valid for the rest of the calendar year in which it was granted.

If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy member, register for RewardsPlus benefits with United. Likewise, if you’re a MileagePlus member, register for RewardsPlus benefits with Marriott Bonvoy.

Final Thoughts

RewardsPlus is a fantastic way for elite members of both Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus to get more out of their loyalty. Leveraging hotel status for airline perks (or vice versa) is a great incentive to stay engaged with both brands. Personally, I wish I had more opportunities to fly United out of my home airport in Phoenix, as receiving Premier Silver status just for holding Marriott Titanium Elite is an awesome perk. If you qualify, RewardsPlus is an easy way to enhance your travels with complimentary elite benefits.

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 Business® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees), and The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)

AwardWallet Tip of The Day
Did you know you can see the transaction history for most of your loyalty program accounts in AwardWallet? In your AwardWallet account dashboard, click the + sign next to the account you want to view. Then, click the History tab to see your individual transaction history.
Show me how

The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.