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Until October 31, 2024, Marriott Bonvoy® members can transfer their points to Aeroplan and receive a 15% bonus on the transferred Aeroplan points. This promotion allows you to boost your Aeroplan points balance, which can be used to redeem for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and a wide range of products from the Aeroplan eStore. Additionally, for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred, you will earn an extra 5,000 bonus Aeroplan points. But should you convert Marriott Bonvoy points to Aeroplan, even with the 15% transfer bonus?
Convert Marriott Bonvoy to Aeroplan – 15% bonus
Here’s how the conversion works:
- Standard Conversion Rate: Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to Aeroplan at a 3:1 ratio. For example, 60,000 Bonvoy points = 20,000 Aeroplan points.
- 15% Bonus: In addition to the standard conversion, you will earn a 15% bonus on the transferred Aeroplan points.
- 20,000 Aeroplan points (from 60,000 Bonvoy points) will earn an additional 3,000 Aeroplan points.
- Bonus for 60,000 Bonvoy Points: For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points converted, you’ll receive an additional 5,000 Aeroplan points;
60,000 Bonvoy points = 28,000 Aeroplan points (20,000 base + 3,000 transfer bonus + 5,000 additional bonus).
To take advantage of this promotion, the conversion must be initiated by October 31, 2024, 11:59 PM EDT. Note that Aeroplan offers the 15% bonus, so you won’t see it advertised within your Marriott Bonvoy account. Simply initiate the transfer (direct link), and the bonus will automatically be added to your Aeroplan account. It may take up to 8–10 weeks after the promotion ends for the transfer bonus points to appear.
Important: Before initiating any transfers, ensure that the names on your Marriott Bonvoy and Aeroplan accounts match exactly. Mismatched account names will prevent the transfer request from being processed.
Convert Marriott Bonvoy to Aeroplan – Is it worth it?
This promotion presents a valuable opportunity, especially for those with large Marriott Bonvoy balances and no immediate plans for hotel stays. The conversion can be particularly beneficial if you use the Aeroplan points for premium cabin award flights, where Aeroplan points tend to provide more value than Marriott Bonvoy points.
Typically, Marriott Bonvoy points are valued at approximately 0.8 cents per point (CPP), while Aeroplan points are valued at 2.0 CPP or higher. Using this conversion rate:
- 60,000 Bonvoy points are worth approximately $480 at 0.8 CPP.
- Converting these to 28,000 Aeroplan points (after applying for the promotion) gives you at least $560 worth of value at 2.0 CPP for Aeroplan points.
This can make the promotion a great way to enhance the value of your Bonvoy points, especially if you have a specific redemption in mind for Aeroplan points, such as an international premium cabin flight.
Reasons to not convert Marriott Bonvoy to Aeroplan
There are some scenarios where it might not be advisable to convert Marriott Bonvoy points to Aeroplan. Consider these factors before making the transfer:
- Dynamic pricing during peak seasons: If you plan to redeem Aeroplan points on Air Canada during peak travel times, the dynamic redemption pricing may reduce the value of your points. Aeroplan’s award pricing can fluctuate based on demand, so the value you receive may not align with the 2.0 CPP benchmark. Searching for your preferred flight availability and checking the required points before converting a chunk of Bonvoy points is crucial.
- Direct value of Bonvoy points for hotels: Marriott Bonvoy points still offer good value when redeemed directly for hotel stays, especially when booking longer stays. Marriott’s “Fifth Night Free” benefit, where you get a free night when redeeming points for five consecutive nights, can offer significant savings. Keeping your points in your Bonvoy account may be better if you plan to use them for an upcoming hotel stay. Converting points without a specific use for Aeroplan points might not be the best strategy.
Additionally, redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel stays counts as Elite Night Credits, helping you qualify for or maintain elite status with Marriott Bonvoy. On the other hand, using Aeroplan points for flights does not contribute to any status qualification. This can be an essential consideration if you aim to reach or retain elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, especially toward the end of the year.
Takeaway
This promotion offers decent value to boost your Aeroplan account. Still, evaluating your personal travel plans and redemption goals is vital before you convert Marriott Bonvoy points to Aeroplan. For many, it can be a valuable way towards premium flight redemption, but for others, holding onto Bonvoy points for hotel redemptions might offer more flexibility and value.
