Hotel ProgramMarriott International

Marriott Bonvoy

Massive hotel network — and a gateway to 40+ airline programs

~0.8¢

Avg value/pt

1.5¢

Best value/pt

Transfer partners

3/5

Flexibility

Marriott Bonvoy is the world's largest hotel loyalty program, covering 30+ brands including Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, St. Regis, and Ritz-Carlton. Canadian cardholders can earn Bonvoy points through Amex MR transfers. Bonvoy also serves as a transfer hub to over 40 airline frequent flyer programs — though the 3:1 ratio (3 Bonvoy = 1 airline mile) makes this a last resort path.

Transfer Partners

All transfers are one-way and typically irreversible. Verify ratios with the program before transferring.

Airline Partners (2)

Partner	Ratio	Transfer Time	Best For
Aeroplan Star Alliance	3:1	Up to 5 business days	Last-resort conversion of excess Bonvoy points 60,000 Bonvoy = 25,000 Aeroplan (includes 5,000 bonus for every 60K transferred).
Air Canada (direct Bonvoy→Aeroplan) Star Alliance	3:1	3–5 business days	Clearing out large Bonvoy balances Transfer in blocks of 60,000 for the 5,000-pt bonus.

Partner

Ratio

Transfer Time

Aeroplan

Star Alliance

3:1

Up to 5 business days

Air Canada (direct Bonvoy→Aeroplan)

Star Alliance

3:1

3–5 business days

Bank Transfer Sources (1)

Partner	Ratio	Transfer Time	Best For
American Express Membership Rewards	1:1.2	Up to 5 business days	Building Bonvoy balance from Amex MR 1,000 Amex MR = 1,200 Bonvoy points.

Partner

Ratio

Transfer Time

American Express Membership Rewards

1:1.2

Up to 5 business days

Best Redemptions (Sweet Spots)

Peak Category 1–4 Hotel Redemptions

Beginner

Bonvoy properties in Categories 1–4 offer good value per point, typically costing 7,500–30,000 points per night at hotels priced $100–$250+ cash.

Points needed

7,500–30,000 per night

Cash value

$100–$250

Value/point

~1¢

Pro tip: Off-peak rates can reduce costs by 20–35% — check the off-peak calendar.

Peak Luxury Properties (Category 7–8)

Intermediate

St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton, and Edition hotels — often priced at $500–$1,000+ per night — can be redeemed for 60,000–100,000+ points with strong per-point value.

Points needed

60,000–100,000 per night

Cash value

$500–$1,000+

Value/point

~1.5¢

Pro tip: Fifth night free applies on 5-night award stays — book 5 nights for 4× the price.

Transfer to Airlines (60K bonus)

Intermediate

Transfer 60,000 Bonvoy to most airlines and receive 25,000 miles (including a 5,000-point bonus). Useful for topping off an airline account before a redemption.

Points needed

60,000 Bonvoy → 25,000 airline miles

Cash value

Depends on airline

Value/point

~0.8¢

Pro tip: Use Aeroplan as the destination — 25,000 Aeroplan is worth ~$500 in flights.

Pros

30+ hotel brands covering every tier from affordable to ultra-luxury
Fifth night free on award stays of 5+ nights
Transfer gateway to 40+ airline programs (3:1 ratio)
Elite status benefits (free breakfast, upgrades) at higher tiers
Points earned through Amex MR transfers

Cons

Dynamic pricing means popular dates can cost significantly more
3:1 ratio to airlines is inefficient — Amex MR to Aeroplan direct is better
High peak awards at luxury properties require very large balances
Earning through Canadian cards is limited vs. US market

Strategy Tips

1Book award nights as part of a 5-night stay to get the 5th night free automatically.
2Off-peak pricing (typically 20–35% less) can make luxury redemptions very attainable.
3Use Amex Platinum benefits (Fine Hotels + Resorts) on top of Bonvoy points for elite treatment.
4Transferring Bonvoy to airlines should be a last resort — the 3:1 ratio burns value.

Points values are estimates based on typical real-world redemptions and may vary. Transfer partner ratios are accurate as of the last updated date but are subject to change by the program operator. Always verify current transfer ratios and availability with the program before transferring points.