Marriott Changing Airline Transfer Bonuses: Add Another Airline To The Devalued List

Update: Marriott assured that the elimination of the 5,000 mile bonus for transferring points into 20,000 miles, going away October 31, applied only to Delta SkyMiles, American AAdvantage, and Avianca LifeMiles. And that was sort of true.

The transfer bonus was eliminated on October 31st. The transfer bonuses for Korean Air SkyPass will end on November 30. There was a cost cut on mileage transfers. Whether there will be more is not certain.

I can't remember a single change to the Bonvoy program that has been positive for members. It's really sad.

The original post was published on October 17th.

Marriott adopted a transfer program for their guests.

• Starwood traditionally transferred points-to-miles at better than 1:1, by offering a bonus.
• With most partners transferring 20,000 Starwood points into 20,000 airline miles would yield a 5000 mile bonus.
• When Marriott defined a Starpoint as worth 3 Marriott Rewards points, they adopted a similar structure. Transferring 60,000 Marriott points into 20,000 airline miles would yield a 5000 mile bonus.

Marriott has so many airline partners that it is more than a bank transfer program. Marriott co- brands earn less for your spend than the old Starwood Amex did, so the rich transfer structure hasn't been as useful with Marriott.

The Marriott points-to-miles bonus is changing. The bonus will no longer be offered on transfers to American AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, or Avianca LifeMiles on October 31. Going forward, only 20,000 AAdvantage miles will be generated by transferring 60,000 Marriott points.

Here is the message about the United States.