Part of Marriott Bonvoy hub
Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
FREQUENT FLYER GLOSSARY
What is a transfer ratio?
A transfer ratio is the exchange rate between a transferable or flexible points currency and a partner loyalty currency: it states how many partner miles, points, kilometres or Avios are credited for a given number of points moved. [4] It matters because the ratio sets how much partner currency a transfer produces, and the published rate can differ by partner. [2] [4]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- A transfer ratio is specific to the route between two programmes: American Express Membership Rewards says its transfer rate varies by partner [2], while Marriott Bonvoy uses 3:1 with most listed airlines and 200:1 with Air New Zealand Koru [4].
- Marriott Bonvoy adds bonus miles on some transfers: 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points to most frequent flyer programmes, or 10,000 to United MileagePlus; the 5,000-mile offer excludes American Airlines AAdvantage, Avianca LifeMiles and Delta SkyMiles [4].
- The ratio is separate from the minimum transfer size and processing time: Membership Rewards generally requires at least 1,000 points in multiples of 1,000 and typically takes 48 hours, while Marriott Bonvoy allows 3,000–240,000 points per day [2] [4].
- Programme rules allow change: Marriott Bonvoy may change accrual, redemption and conversion rules with or without notice [6], and American Express says partner programmes may change award levels and terms at any time [2].
How does a transfer ratio work?
A ratio compares the sending currency with the receiving currency. Marriott Bonvoy states transfers at a 3-to-1 ratio with most programmes; at that base rate, 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points produce 1,000 partner miles before any bonus. [4] Marriott’s page lists Air New Zealand Koru separately at 200:1. [4]
The ratio is separate from the minimum transfer and transfer time. Membership Rewards terms say that in most cases a member must transfer at least 1,000 points, in multiples of 1,000, and that a transfer typically takes 48 hours to process although some programmes delay posting. [2] Marriott Bonvoy permits 3,000–240,000 points per day. [4]
A transfer ratio also does not set the award price in the partner programme. American Express says partner programmes may change award levels, blackout dates, capacity controls or their terms at any time, and that it is not responsible for telling members about those changes. [2] Marriott’s rules say the applicable airline programme’s terms control the redemption, transfer and distribution of miles. [6]
What transfer ratios does Marriott Bonvoy publish?
This section applies to Marriott Bonvoy transfers from points to airline miles as shown on its English points-to-miles page on 18 October 2026. [4] That page says transfers are at 3-to-1 with most programmes, that 38 airlines participate, and that members can transfer 3,000–240,000 points per day. [4]
| Transfer route | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy points to most listed airline programmes | 3:1 | United MileagePlus, The British Airways Club and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer are among the listed 3:1 partners. [4] |
| Marriott Bonvoy points to Air New Zealand Koru | 200:1 | The page says the bonus for Air New Zealand based on a 200:1 ratio is 75 bonus miles. [4] |
Bonus miles are added on top of the base transfer: 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred to frequent flyer miles, and 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred to United MileagePlus. [4] The 5,000-mile offer does not apply to American Airlines AAdvantage, Avianca LifeMiles or Delta SkyMiles. [4] For most airline partners, the name on the frequent flyer account must match the first and last name on the Marriott Bonvoy account. [4]
Marriott Bonvoy’s programme rules reserve the right to change point or mile accrual or redemption rates, partner participation, and rules for converting points or miles, with or without notice. [6]
Why can a transfer ratio change by partner?
A transfer ratio is set for a particular programme-to-partner route. American Express says the rate at which Membership Rewards points transfer to participating partner loyalty programmes varies by partner. [2] Marriott Bonvoy illustrates the same principle: most listed airlines are at 3:1 while Air New Zealand Koru is at 200:1. [4] A ratio published for one partner does not establish the ratio for another. [2] [4]
Bonus offers can increase the miles received for a partner without changing the base conversion stated for that partner. [4] Marriott Bonvoy’s 5,000-mile bonus for most programmes and 10,000-mile bonus for United MileagePlus are examples, and the 5,000-mile offer excludes American Airlines AAdvantage, Avianca LifeMiles and Delta SkyMiles. [4]
Programme rules also allow terms to change. Marriott Bonvoy may change point or mile accrual or redemption rates, partner participation and conversion rules with or without notice. [6] The Membership Rewards terms are dated October 2026 and state that partner loyalty programmes may change award levels, blackout dates, capacity controls or terms at any time, and that American Express is not responsible for telling members about those changes. [2]
For Membership Rewards, a transfer is final once made and cannot be reversed; the partner programme’s terms then apply. [2] [5] American Express advises members to check award availability and the number of points needed before transferring. [5]
What are the limits and exceptions?
- Ratios differ by partner. American Express says its rate varies by partner [2], and Marriott Bonvoy uses 3:1 with most programmes but 200:1 for Air New Zealand Koru [4]. The Marriott figure is not a universal rate. [4]
- Bonus exclusions. Marriott Bonvoy’s 5,000-mile bonus does not apply to American Airlines AAdvantage, Avianca LifeMiles or Delta SkyMiles, and the Air New Zealand bonus at the 200:1 ratio is 75 bonus miles. [4]
- Membership Rewards transfer conditions. The partner account must be in the member’s name or an Additional Card Member’s name, and the Additional Card must have been issued at least 90 days before linking. [2] [5] If the only Card Product linked to the Rewards Account is a Legacy Card, the transfer option is not available. [2]
- Membership Rewards minimums and fees. In most cases the minimum transfer is 1,000 points, in multiples of 1,000. [2] American Express charges an excise tax offset fee for points transferred to a U.S. airline frequent flyer programme. [2] If an airline loyalty programme stops participating, American Express may cap transfers before participation ends at a level of at least 100,000 points. [2]
- Finality and reversals. Membership Rewards transfers cannot be reversed [2] [5], and transferred points cannot be converted back into Membership Rewards points. [2] Marriott Bonvoy’s rules leave redemption, transfer and distribution of miles to the applicable airline programme’s terms. [6]
- Market scope. The Membership Rewards terms described here are the US terms, and the Marriott figures are from its English points-to-miles page as published on 18 October 2026. [2] [4] Ratios for other markets are outside this page.
Frequently asked questions
What does a 3:1 transfer ratio mean?
It means 3 points in the sending programme become 1 partner mile or point under the base ratio. Marriott Bonvoy uses 3-to-1 with most airline programmes. [4]
Is the transfer ratio the same for every partner?
No. American Express says its Membership Rewards transfer rate varies by partner [2], and Marriott Bonvoy lists most airlines at 3:1 but Air New Zealand Koru at 200:1 [4].
Do bonus miles change the transfer ratio?
They add miles on top of the base transfer rather than replacing it: Marriott Bonvoy gives 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points to most frequent flyer programmes and 10,000 to United MileagePlus, with some airlines excluded from the 5,000-mile offer. [4]
Can I reverse a Membership Rewards transfer?
No. American Express says points transfers are final and cannot be reversed, so check availability and the points needed before transferring. [2] [5]
Can a transfer ratio change later?
Programme rules allow change. Marriott Bonvoy may change point or mile accrual or redemption rates, partner participation and conversion rules with or without notice [6], and American Express says partner programmes may change award levels and terms at any time [2].
Sources
Sources checked on 18 October 2026. It covers transfer ratios published for American Express Membership Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy only. Other flexible-points programmes, and partner programmes not named here, are not covered.
- Membership Rewards Program Terms and Conditions, checked 18 October 2026
- Marriott Bonvoy: Transfer Points to Miles, checked 18 October 2026
- American Express: How do I transfer Membership Rewards points?, checked 18 October 2026
- Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program Terms & Conditions, checked 18 October 2026