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United is running a promo offering 30% bonus miles when you transfer points from hotel rewards programs. This offer is capped with a maximum bonus of 25,000 miles, so your strategy on taking advantage of the promotion needs to take this into consideration prior to completing any transfer.
Key Terms
- You need to register for the United 30% bonus miles promotion
- Transfers need to be completed by November 30, 2017
- Earn a 30% bonus on points transfers up to 25,000 miles
How to Maximize the Promotion
Normally whenever there is a promo on hotel point transfers, the first thing that springs to mind is Marriott’s Hotel + Air Packages. While generally, this route offers the best value, with this promo it may not be the case.
| 7 Nights + 55,000 Miles | 7 Nights + 77,000 Miles | 7 Nights + 110,000 Miles | 7 Nights + 132,000 Miles | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1-5 | 200,000 | 220,000 | 250,000 | 270,000 |
| Category 6 | 230,000 | 250,000 | 280,000 | 300,000 |
| Category 7 | 260,000 | 280,000 | 310,000 | 330,000 |
| Category 8 | 290,000 | 310,000 | 340,000 | 360,000 |
| Category 9 | 320,000 | 340,000 | 370,000 | 390,000 |
| Tier 1-3 | 350,000 | 370,000 | 400,000 | 420,000 |
| Tier 4-5 | 470,000 | 490,000 | 520,000 | 540,000 |
To get the maximum value, you would normally transfer 270,000 Marriott points for 7 nights in a category 1-5 hotel stay, and 171,600 miles (132,000 base + 30% bonus). However, with the 25,000 miles cap, you would only get 157,000 miles, which is not fantastic, and represents an effective bonus of 19%.
Looking at the following table, it becomes clear that the optimal transfer is 220,000 Marriott points for 7 nights in a category 1-5 hotel and 100,100 miles (77,000 base + 30% bonus).
| Base Miles | With 30% Bonus | Max 30% Potential | Effective Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55,000 | 71,500 | 80,000 | 30% |
| 77,000 | 100,100 | 102,000 | 30% |
| 110,000 | 143,000 | 135,000 | 23% |
| 132,000 | 171,600 | 157,000 | 19% |
If you transfer points for the lower amount of 55,000 miles, you are not maximizing your earnings. On the other hand, transfers aimed at the higher rate (110,000 or 132,000 miles earned) would not be earning the full 30% bonus due to the cap.
Other Options
United is running a couple of other transfer promos in conjunction with this offer. You can earn a bonus for transferring Club Carlson, and Choice Hotels points to United miles.
- Earn a 100% bonus on transfers from Club Carlson
- Earn 3,250 miles for every 5,000 Choice Privileges points you transfer, which is a 50% bonus on the normal transfer rate.
Overall
Ultimately whether you decide to take advantage of the offer or not, depends on your plans. However, using the usual route of a Marriott Hotel + Airfare package may not allow you to max out the value of the promotion. While it may be ok to aim for the 77,000-mile transfer to maximize your bonus, any higher, you lose out on the best percentage bonus, but at the same time, you’re not maximizing the value of the Hotel + Air package. If on the other hand, you are sitting on a bunch of Club Carlson or Choice Privileges points, then this promo looks a little more tempting, even if the rates aren't anything to get you excited.
Source: Frequent Miler
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It’s an interesting offer but hampered by the cap. Will have to weigh the transfer.
I’m going to convert some Choice Privilege points.
Tempting though it is I probably won’t do it. A great idea if you want United miles and don’t know what you’ll do with some hotel points you have. If you do it right now, you could possibly transfer from an airline (you don’t really use) to a hotel and then to United (if you use United more)?
I wish I could take advantage of this. I’m short 100k Marriott points.
Ok for hotel point transfers to top off for an award, but not really enticing otherwise with the cap.
Damn, why they had to put such a small cap on the bonus limit allowed!
Might be a good way to use points in a close to inactive account that are below the amount needed for redemption.
The 25k limit is a bit of a bummer…makes this promo much less lucrative than recent similar offer from AA.
My thoughts exactly
Handy for points consolidation!