You Can Now Convert Emirates Miles to Marriott Points — But You Probably Shouldn’t

A new transfer option has quietly launched for travelers sitting on Emirates Skywards miles: You can now convert them into Marriott Bonvoy points.

While this adds flexibility to Emirates’ loyalty program, the transfer ratio is far from generous — and for most travelers, it won’t be a smart move.

Here’s what you need to know.

Emirates-to-Marriott Transfers Offer Poor Redemption Rates

According to Emirates, Skywards members can now convert their miles to Marriott Bonvoy at a 3:2 ratio.

That means 3,000 Skywards miles would get you just 2,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. By contrast, Marriott Bonvoy members have long been able to transfer Marriott points to Emirates at a 3:1 ratio, with a bonus of 5,000 miles for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred.

To initiate a transfer to Marriott Bonvoy, a minimum of 3,000 Skywards Miles is required, and members may convert up to 100,000 miles per transaction.

Converting Marriott’s hotel points to airline miles can sometimes be valuable. However, flipping the direction — from airline miles to hotel points — often results in a loss of value, and this new option is no exception.

Is It Worth It?

Based on our valuations, Emirates Skywards miles are worth around 1.1 cents each, while Marriott Bonvoy points are worth 0.7 cents each. That means 3,000 Skywards miles are worth roughly $33, while the 1,000 Bonvoy points you’d receive in return are worth just $7. That’s a significant drop in redemption value — more than a 75% loss.

In most cases, this new transfer option from Emirates to Marriott won’t make sense for most people. That said, it could make sense in a few unique cases. Maybe you’re just shy of a Marriott redemption and have Emirates miles you’d otherwise never use.

But for most travelers, the smarter strategy is to preserve the value of your Skywards miles for flight redemptions — especially in Emirates’ premium cabins — such as the Dubai-based carrier’s new business class and premium economy products that are available on several routes in the U.S.

Another reason it might make sense to consider this new transfer option is if you prioritize hotel stays over flights. However, it’s important to crunch the numbers before deciding whether to transfer, as it usually won’t be.

Final Thoughts

While the ability to transfer Emirates Skywards miles to Marriott Bonvoy adds flexibility, the poor conversion rate makes it a bad deal for most travelers. Unless you have a large stash of Skywards miles you can’t use and need just a few more points to complete a Marriott redemption, it’s best to avoid this option.

Even then, consider using more efficient methods — like applying for a Marriott credit card or using flexible point transfer partners — to top off your Bonvoy balance instead.