When you think of how to redeem Marriott points, booking award flights to Europe may not be at the top of your list. American Express, Capital One, Chase, and Citi likely come to mind as programs to use to book these flights.
The reason to keep Marriott top of mind is because the program has 44 airline partners. Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Korean Air are a few of the unique airline partners to Marriott. This means that Marriott points will be one of the main ways to allow you to earn miles in these programs.
All in all, Marriott points are great to earn. The points will open up award flights in programs that can only otherwise be obtained by earning miles from flying that airline or its airline partners, or spending on its co-branded credit cards.
The Best Credit Cards To Earn Marriott Points
Marriott continues to introduce new personal and business credit cards. This is ideal for those of you looking for more ways to earn Marriott points. In addition to credit cards, stays at Marriott will help you to earn the additional points that you need.
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant are personal credit cards you should check out. Each comes with a welcome offer and bonus earning categories that will help you to earn Marriott points.
The Marriott Bonvoy Business (Learn More Here) is the business credit card to consider. This card also comes with a welcome offer and will help you to earn points through its bonus earning categories.
In short, applying for these Marriott credit cards will put you on a path to book award flights. The points that you earn from these cards will come in handy as we cover how to redeem Marriott points for the flights to Europe.
How to Redeem Marriott Points
It’s important to note that the transfer times from Marriott to each of these programs will be different. The transfer ratios will be 3:1 and you’ll receive 5,000 bonus miles with every 60,000 points that you transfer. Now let’s jump in!
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Alaska Airlines has individual airline partnerships in lieu of being in an airline alliance. For flights between the US and Europe, one of the best options is to fly American Airlines for 45,000 miles in off-peak economy or 115,000 miles in business class round-trip.
Aer Lingus, American Airlines, British Airways, Condor, Emirates, Finnair, and Icelandair are the Alaska Airlines partners with flights between the US and Europe. It’s important to note that partners like British Airways have high taxes and fees that will reduce the value of the points and miles used.
Search for Alaska partner airline flights on Alaska, book the flight online, and then pay the taxes and fees.
American Airlines AAdvantage
Oneworld alliance member American Airlines has award pricing similar to Alaska Airlines. With 45,000 miles in off-peak economy or 115,000 miles in business class, you can fly American Airlines or its Oneworld partners round-trip between the US and Europe.
American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, and Iberia are the airlines you’ll get to choose from for your flights. As mentioned in the Alaska section, British Airways imposes high taxes and fees so you’ll want avoid this option if possible.
Search for Oneworld award flights on American, book the flight online, and then pay the taxes and fees.
Asiana Airlines Asiana Club
South-Korea based Asiana Airlines is a Star Alliance member you’ll want to consider for flights between the US and Europe. With 80,000 Asiana miles, you can book a round-trip business class Star Alliance flight. Also consider booking a round-trip economy or first class flight with 50,000 Asiana miles or 100,000 Asiana miles respectively.
Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS, Singapore Airlines, Swiss Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, and United Airlines have flights that you can book. For those wanting to fly first class, Lufthansa is the only option. Also of note is that you can only book Singapore Airlines economy flights.
Search for Star Alliance award flights on United, call Asiana at 800-227-4262 to book the flight over the phone, and then pay the taxes and fees. Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, and Swiss Air Lines have high taxes and fees so keep this in mind before booking your flight.
Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
Japan-based Japan Airlines is another Oneworld member you can use to book flights between the US and Europe. Starting at 80,000 Japan Airlines miles, you can book a round-trip business class Oneworld airline flight. Starting at 40,000 Japan Airlines miles, you can book a round-trip economy flight.
British Airways imposes high taxes and fees so you’ll want to focus on flying American Airlines, Finnair, or Iberia. Another option is to book SkyTeam partner Air France. Each of these airlines offers flights to a number of destinations giving you plenty of options for your next trip.
Use Great Circle Mapper to confirm your flight mileage, reference the Japan Airlines Oneworld award chart to confirm the number of miles required, search for Oneworld flights on British Airways, confirm the same availability on Japan Airlines, book the flight online, and then pay the taxes and fees.
Korean Air SKYPASS
South-Korea based Korean Air is our lone SkyTeam partner to consider using for flights between the US and Europe. With 80,000 Korean Air miles, you can book a round-trip SkyTeam business class flight. Also consider using 50,000 Korean Air miles to book a round-trip economy flight.
Air Europa, Air France, Delta, and KLM are the SkyTeam airline partners with flights between the US and Europe. Korean Air passes on fuel surcharges so you’ll want to take this into account when booking your flight.
Search for SkyTeam flights on Delta, confirm the same availability on Korean Air, book the flight online, and then pay the taxes and fees.
Conclusion on How to Redeem Marriott Points
Marriott points can offer value particularly when you know how to redeem Marriott points with Alaska’s unique airline partners. The great news is that many of these unique partners offer avenues to book flights between the US and Europe.
Which Marriott airline partners do you recommend to book flights to Europe? Please let me know in the comments or by sending me an email on my contact page.
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