Marriott Bonvoy and Air Canada Launch Elite Status Match

Marriott Bonvoy and Air Canada have launched a new reciprocal partnership that allows elite Bonvoy members to get Aeroplan status and select Aeroplan members to get Marriott Bonvoy status.

Marriott Bonvoy and Air Canada Launch Elite Status Match

Marriott Bonvoy and Air Canada have announced an expanded loyalty partnership which will give elite Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy members the opportunity for a status match.

Through the enhanced loyalty partnership, Aeroplan 50K, 75K, and Super Elite Members will receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status, while Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members will receive complimentary Aeroplan 25K Status.

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite membership means a handful of perks like potential upgrades

Under the status match partnership, Aeroplan 50K, 75K, and Super Elite members are eligible for Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status, which comes with exclusive benefits such as priority late check-out, room upgrades, and 25% more Bonvoy points on every eligible hotel-related purchase.

On the other side of the partnership, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium and Ambassador Elite members can receive reciprocal Aeroplan 25K status, which offers benefits such as priority boarding and check-in, seat selection, and two free checked bags.

Aeroplan 25K membership provides free checked bags and priority services, among others

In addition, Aeroplan Elite Status Members can now convert their Aeroplan points into Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1:1 ratio, adding greater flexibility to how members can use their Aeroplan points.

This is in addition to the already existing ability for members to convert their Marriott Bonvoy points into Aeroplan points at a 3:1 ratio. Together, Marriott and Aeroplan say these improved benefits will provide members of both loyalty programs with more opportunities to enhance their overall travel and lifestyle experiences.

Here’s a look at what the expanded loyalty partnership allows elite members of both programs to do:

• Convert your Marriott Bonvoy points to Aeroplan points: Convert 3 Marriott Bonvoy points for 1 Aeroplan point to redeem for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and hundreds of products via the Aeroplan eStore
• Earn Aeroplan points on an eligible stay at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy: Get up to 2 Aeroplan points per $1 (USD) spent at eligible hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy around the world
• Redeem your Aeroplan points for Marriott Bonvoy points: Aeroplan Elite Status Members can redeem 1 Aeroplan point for 1 Marriott Bonvoy point

In order to take advantage of the status match offer, you must be members of both Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy and have one of the required elite statuses.

If you qualify, the process is quite simple: link your Marriott Bonvoy account and Aeroplan account to unlock the associated status match through the partnership’s dedicated landing page. The status match may take up to two business days to become active.

Senior VP and Global Head of Loyalty for Marriott Bonvoy, David Flueck says, “Marriott Bonvoy members love to passionately explore cultures around the world, and together with Aeroplan, we are making aspirational destinations and incredible travel experiences more attainable and enjoyable for our members. Whether it is through a preferred airline partner like Aeroplan or our rapidly growing portfolio of global properties across more than 30 brands, we are focused on delivering more value, benefits and travel experiences for our members.”

Aeroplan’s VP of Loyalty and Product, Scott O’Leary echoes the statement by Flueck saying, “We’re thrilled to bring the best of Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy together for our members, whether it’s topping up the points needed for a reward, or enjoying the benefits of Elite status, there’s a lot to be excited about.”

It’s worth mentioning that Aeroplan has been very innovative in its approach to what you can redeem points for. Not everyone wants to use their points on flights which is why flexibility with redemption options is one of the factors that makes Aeroplan such a dynamic program with wide appeal.

Having said that, we value Aeroplan points at 2.1 cents per point (CAD) and Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.8 cents per point (CAD) which means you’ll likely get better value by redeeming your Aeroplan points for flights instead of converting them to Marriott Bonvoy points.

If you are however sitting on a tidy sum of Aeroplan points, you might consider converting your Aeroplan points to Marriott Bonvoy, and then converting those Marriott Bonvoy points into airline miles with 38 other airlines at the ideal ratio of 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points = 25,000 miles with most of its airline partners.

Conclusion

Marriott Bonvoy and Aeroplan have launched an expanded loyalty partnership offering status match and a two-way currency transfer.

Through the partnership, Aeroplan 50K, 75K, and Super Elite Members will receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status, while Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members will receive complimentary Aeroplan 25K Status.

In order to unlock the status match across both programs, you’ll need to link your Marriott Bonvoy and Aeroplan accounts through the partnership’s dedicated landing page.