American Express Membership Rewards has launched another hotel transfer bonus, offering a 30% boost when transferring Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy through November 30, 2025. While transfer bonuses typically present excellent opportunities to maximize point value, this particular promotion requires careful consideration, given the economics involved.
The timing of this offer coincides with peak booking season for spring and summer 2026 travel, when many travelers are planning their vacation stays. However, unlike airline transfer bonuses that often provide clear value, hotel point transfers require more strategic thinking about when they make financial sense.
This promotion runs for two full months, giving you plenty of time to evaluate whether it aligns with your travel plans and point redemption strategy. Let’s examine when this bonus might work in your favor and when you’re better off keeping your Membership Rewards points for other uses.
The American Express to Marriott Bonvoy transfer bonus transforms the usual 1:1 transfer ratio into a more attractive 1,000:1,300 ratio. This means every 1,000 Membership Rewards points you transfer becomes 1,300 Marriott Bonvoy points in your account, representing a substantial 30% increase in your hotel point balance.
Key promotion terms include:
The bonus appears automatically when you initiate transfers through your American Express account, so you’ll see exactly how many Marriott points you’ll receive before confirming any transaction. This transparency makes it easy to calculate the value you’re getting from each transfer.
Understanding the economics of this transfer bonus requires honest evaluation of point values. Based on recent redemption data, Marriott Bonvoy points typically provide value around 0.93 cents each when used for hotel stays. With the 30% bonus, you’re receiving approximately 1.2 cents in Marriott value for each Membership Rewards point transferred.
This presents a challenge when compared to other Membership Rewards redemption options. Many travelers can achieve 1.7 cents or more per point through airline transfers, premium cabin flights, or even cash-equivalent redemptions through certain channels. The transfer bonus helps close this gap but doesn’t eliminate it entirely.
However, the calculation changes significantly if you consistently achieve high-value Marriott redemptions. Luxury properties, peak season bookings, and international destinations often provide 1.5-2+ cents per point in value, making the transfer bonus more attractive for strategic users.
Several situations can justify taking advantage of this transfer bonus despite the general value concerns:
The extended timeline through November gives you flexibility to monitor hotel prices and identify specific properties where the math works in your favor. This isn’t typically a bonus for speculative transfers, but rather for targeted redemption strategies.
Before considering point transfers, evaluate whether Marriott co-branded credit cards (issued by American Express and Chase) might provide better value for building your point balance. Current welcome offers often provide more attractive earning opportunities than transfers.
Available Marriott Bonvoy credit card bonuses include:
These welcome bonuses often provide better value per dollar spent than point transfers, especially when you factor in the ongoing earning rates and annual benefits these cards provide. The business card bonus, in particular, offers exceptional value for eligible applicants.
Marriott occasionally offers point purchase promotions that can compete with transfer bonuses. During sales, you might buy points for 0.8-1.0 cents each, which could provide better value than transferring premium currency points even with the bonus.
Before making any transfers, check current Marriott point sale prices and compare the total cost of purchasing points directly versus the opportunity cost of transferring valuable Membership Rewards points. Sometimes the cash purchase route provides better overall value.
American Express typically offers Marriott transfer bonuses twice per year, usually ranging from 20-35%. The current 30% bonus sits on the higher end of this range, making it more attractive than average offerings. However, it’s not the highest bonus we’ve seen historically.
This frequency means you shouldn’t feel pressured to transfer points speculatively. If this bonus doesn’t align with your immediate needs, another opportunity will likely arise within 6-8 months. The predictable pattern of these promotions allows for more strategic planning.
Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 months of account inactivity, but maintaining activity is relatively straightforward. Hotel stays, credit card spending, or even small point purchases can reset the expiration clock. This generous policy makes strategic point accumulation more feasible than with some airline programs.
The long expiration timeline means you can transfer points with confidence if you have general travel plans within the next two years, even without specific hotel bookings in mind. Just ensure you maintain some account activity to prevent expiration.
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