Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus have a partnership known as RewardsPlus. This partnership allows members of both loyalty programs to convert rewards, enroll in complimentary elite status and earn extra miles on select hotel stays.
In this guide, we'll discuss what you need to know about the RewardsPlus partnership to maximize stays with Marriott Bonvoy and flights with United MileagePlus.
How United elite members can get Marriott status
If you hold Premier status with United Airlines at the Gold tier or higher, you can register here for complimentary Marriott Gold Elite status.
Marriott Gold Elite status provides 25% bonus points on stays, 2 p.m. late checkout at participating brands based on availability, enhanced room upgrades at participating brands based on availability, complimentary enhanced internet access and a welcome gift of points upon check-in at participating properties.
You can't register for Marriott Bonvoy status if you're a United Premier member who obtained status via an airline status match or challenge. You also won't be eligible if you already have Marriott Gold Elite or higher status.
If you can't snag Marriott Gold Elite status through the RewardsPlus program, remember it is also a cardmember benefit of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment is required for this benefit).
Alternatively, you can snag Marriott Platinum Elite status as a cardmember perk of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
Related: How to get Marriott Bonvoy elite status for life
How Marriott elite members can get United status
If you hold Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite or Ambassador Elite status, you can register here for complimentary United Premier Silver status.
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This United Premier status tier provides 7 miles per dollar spent on United flights, a 40% mileage bonus, a complimentary checked bag up to 70 pounds when flying in economy class, boarding in the second group, preferred seating at booking for you and up to eight companions, and Economy Plus seating at check-in for you and one companion. You're also eligible for complimentary upgrades on some United flights, though you'll typically fall very low on the upgrade list as a Premier Silver member.
Members who hold Marriott Bonvoy status from a hotel status match or challenge can't register. Likewise, you won't be eligible for the status match if you already have United Premier Silver or higher status.
Related: The ultimate guide to earning elite status with United cards
Transfer rewards between the programs
Beyond reciprocal elite status, the RewardsPlus partnership unlocks the ability to convert Marriott points to United miles and United miles to Marriott points.
Converting Marriott points to United miles
You can convert between 3,000 and 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus miles daily here.
For every 3 Marriott points you transfer, you'll get 1 United mile. Additionally, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer. So, if you transfer 60,000 Marriott points to MileagePlus, you'll get 30,000 United miles.
TPG's July 2024 valuations peg the value of 60,000 Marriott points at $510 and 30,000 United miles at $405. So, you'll likely lose value on this transfer unless you make a high-value United MileagePlus redemption.
Related: How to get maximum value from the United MileagePlus program
Converting United miles to Marriott Bonvoy points
If you have United Premier elite status, you can convert up to 100,000 United miles to Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1:1 ratio every calendar year here. Each transfer must be for at least 500 miles.
We don't suggest converting United miles to Marriott points unless you have a specific high-value redemption. After all, our July 2024 valuations peg the value of United miles at 1.35 cents each and Marriott points at 0.85 cents each.
Related: Ways to maximize Marriott Bonvoy award night redemptions
Earn United miles on Marriott stays
Finally, if you plan to stay with Marriott Bonvoy at the destination of a United flight, consider starting your hotel search on United's Marriott Bonus promotion page to earn bonus miles. These miles are in addition to your standard Marriott Bonvoy earnings.
When you visit the Marriott Bonus promotion page and sign in, you'll see upcoming flights associated with your United MileagePlus account. Select "Book hotel" from your flight details and book a member rate to earn bonus points (the bonus points will appear in your account about 90 days after you check out from your stay). Since you're booking directly with Marriott, you'll still get on-site elite member perks and earnings.
This promotional offer isn't available at the Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, Design Hotels and Bulgari brands, nor at the following properties:
- Atlantis, Autograph Collection
- Bulgari Hotel, London
- Joshua G.E. Medical Corp. Conference Center
- Jesse Jones Rotary Conference Center
- Marriott Ranch
- Protea Hotel Amani Beach
- The Ritz-Carlton London
- U.S. Postal Service Conference Center
- Four Points by Sheraton Havana
- The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, Autograph Collection
If you redeem Marriott points or book a rate different from the standard Marriott member rate, you may not earn the bonus miles even if you book through the Marriott Bonus link.
Related: How to earn miles with the United MileagePlus Dining program
Bottom line
Despite its lackluster transfer ratios, the RewardsPlus partnership is a great way for select travelers to receive an extra elite status. It's also great for United Premier elite members to double dip on Marriott stays after United flights.
While Marriott Gold Elite and United Premier Silver are useful statuses, it would be great if travelers benefiting from this partnership also got a head start toward earning higher elite tiers in these programs. Still, with just a few clicks, you could unlock a new elite status level and earn bonus United miles on some Marriott stays.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
