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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.
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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 to | Marriott | Registration Required? |
|---|---|---|
| United Premier Gold (and above) | Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status | Yes |
| All United Premier elites | Convert United miles to Marriott points at 1:1 | No |
| All MileagePlus members | 10k-mile bonus when transferring 60k+ points | No |
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.
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:
(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 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® points per dollar 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.
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 to | Marriott | Registration Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott Titanium Elite (and above) | United Premier Silver elite status | Yes |
| All MileagePlus members | 10k-mile bonus when transferring 60k+ points | No |
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.
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.
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 American Express Platinum Card® (Rates & Fees)
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.
This information is out of date, despite the SEO strategy of changing the “edit date” of the article. Marriott Platinum are no longer eligible for United Silver status.
Steve: You’re correct. This post hasn’t been fully updated since 2017, but I have assigned an update of this post. Unfortunately, we have a bug where I can’t stop the date from auto-updating. Otherwise I’d set the date back to that 2017 date.
The mrrewardsplus site is down and Marriott+United have refused to do anything to fix it after weeks. It’s not a thing anymore if they can’t fix the site that enables the reciprocity.
Few times a year United has promo of giving a bonus for Hotel Points into UA Miles conversion. It’s usually 20% on top of very good Marriott points conversion into UA miles.
great article. Thanks for breaking it down.
Might be a good option depending on what other carriers offer as far as award space goes
This is one of my favourite perks of both programs: I often convert my Marriott points for their travel packs with United, I believe it’s one of the best ways to use your points.
I agree!
I’m going to make an effort to revisit the mileage plus program. I’ve been avoiding it but I don’t think I can afford to any longer. Now the question is do I continue with my Marriott rewards the way I have been. Hmm
With Marriott taking over SPG, I anticipate using Marriott properties more often in the future. It is probably time to start looking into United although I’d much rather fly Alaska, JetBlue or AA. No reason not to diversify anyways.
It really is a shame Premier SIlver is excluded!
This is a great partnership. Hope to see more like this.
As I don’t have any status both with United and with Marriott, I have only benefit of the 20% bonus when requesting United miles converting Marriott points.
Not bad at all I will say!
Do you need a Marriott or United status to convert Marriott points to United miles? Is it a 1:1 conversion?
You do not. It is not a 1:1 ratio – full details here: http://www.marriott.com/rewards/usepoints/morerew.mi
Always great to see when partnershIps are formed with hotel and plane companies together. Always leads to more benefits for the consumer.
Sounds great if you have already have elite status, but their are no loyalty incentives to help get to that point.
And the easiest way to get access to the United/Marriott gold recognition is to become SPG gold
I have marriott gold status… too bad that doesn’t get me anywhere on United.
Good if you are elite status. Not sure I would transfer United pts to Marriott.
Id like to get room upgrades but it never happens for me.
I’ve also used my United gold status to get Marriott gold which also gets you SPG gold since SPG will match Marriott status (although its not as good as Marriott gold – no lounge).
For a Marriott’s Reward Member to qualify for their Platinum Elite status would need 75 nights. The member would then qualify for United Mileage Plus Premier Silver Status. This is not a bad deal for a person who travels frequently for business.
I’m a big fan of Marriott rewards, but not a regular United flyer. Too bad I’m only silver for Marriott or I might use United more often
I’m a big fan of Marriott rewards, but not a regular United flyer. This program may change that! Thanks for the information
Thanks, I just received my Marriott card yesterday going to enroll now!!!