Marriott Bonvoy: what it is worth to Europe
Our editorial benchmark for Marriott Bonvoy is 0.7 cents per point. It is a planning assumption, not a measured redemption return or a promise of availability.
By Jon Miksis · valuation reviewed · quarterly, or immediately on a devaluation
- 0.7¢
- Our valuation per point, transatlantic awards
- #16 of 16
- Rank among the programs we value
- 10
- Transfer routes out, scored for Europe
- 119k
- Points equivalent of the cash median, before award fees
What Bonvoy points are competing with
Our model groups cash fares from Star Alliance, SkyTeam and oneworld carriers associated with this program or its recorded transfer partners. These are round-trip searches for November 8–14, 2026, observed August 31 – September 1, 2026. The model excludes partners outside those alliances and does not search award space. A cash seat in the table is not evidence that Bonvoy can book it with points.
| Alliance | Reached through | Airlines we price | Routes | Median economy | Median business |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Alliance | United, Aeroplan, ANA, Turkish | 11 | 662 | $842 | $5,396 |
| SkyTeam | Virgin, Flying Blue, Delta | 6 | 595 | $917 | $6,343 |
| oneworld | Atmos, Avios, AAdvantage | 7 | 630 | $930 | $7,439 |
The cash median corresponds to 119,000 points. That is what it takes to match the $833 median economy fare at our editorial 0.7¢ valuation, across 869 routes from 26 US airports. It assumes zero award fees and uses different routes, so it is not a booking threshold. Use a current cash itinerary you would accept, subtract all award taxes and fees, then divide by your own value per point. Cash alternatives can be on any airline, whether or not this program can book it.
The business sample gives a separate points equivalent of 816,000 points against a $5,710 median round-trip fare across 859 routes, before award charges. Business and economy coverage can differ. If you would have bought economy, a business redemption is an upgrade purchase as well as a way to use points; decide what that upgrade is worth to you instead of treating the full business retail fare as money saved.
In this cash snapshot, the lowest gateway medians were: Star Alliance carriers price lowest out of Boston at a $687 median, SkyTeam out of New York at $732, and oneworld out of Boston at $803. The cheapest single fare we recorded on any of them was $422 on SAS.
Airlines in this cash sample
Ordered by median premium over the lowest observed economy fare on each priced route. Coverage and connections differ, so this is not a matched airline comparison. Alliance membership is only a starting point for an award search; verify the program’s partner rules and availability.
- Royal Air Maroc38 observed routes+$0 median
- Qatar Airways8 observed routes+$9 median
- SAS170 observed routes+$12 median
- TAP Air Portugal131 observed routes+$20 median
- Turkish Airlines301 observed routes+$45 median
- Lufthansa292 observed routes+$50 median
- ITA Airways25 observed routes+$52 median
- Royal Jordanian5 observed routes+$61 median
Where to transfer Bonvoy for Europe
Editorial scores from 0–100 for Europe, not measured booking success rates. This is our recorded shortlist; confirm current partners, transfer ratios and timing with your issuer and find award space before transferring.
| Transfer to | Ratio | Best for | Strength | The play |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United | 3:1 plus 10,000 bonus miles per 60,000 | both | 35 | Marriott publishes a 3:1 base rate plus 10,000 United miles per 60,000 points transferred, yielding 30,000 miles. Compare the award with keeping the hotel points before transferring. |
| Aeroplan | 3:1 | business | 26 | Marriott lists Aeroplan at a 3:1 base ratio. Check eligible transfer bonuses and the exact award quote; a single generic transatlantic mileage price does not apply to every route. |
| Virgin | 3:1 | business | 25 | Marriott lists Virgin Atlantic at a 3:1 base ratio. Check the eligible transfer bonus and a bookable partner award before giving up hotel points. |
| Atmos | 3:1 | business | 24 | Marriott lists Atmos at a 3:1 base ratio. Bilt is also a recorded 1:1 route; compare eligible transfers and award availability rather than treating Marriott as the only option. |
| ANA | 3:1 | business | 23 | Marriott lists ANA at a 3:1 base ratio. ANA permits one-way partner awards; check transfer bonuses, the applicable award and cash charges before moving hotel points. |
| Flying Blue | 3:1 | both | 22 | Marriott lists Flying Blue at a 3:1 base ratio. Compare the exact transfer, any eligible bonus and the available award with keeping the points for another use. |
| Turkish | 3:1 | business | 20 | Marriott lists Miles&Smiles at a 3:1 base ratio. Confirm the award and cash charges first; our low editorial score is not evidence of a measured booking failure rate. |
| Avios | 3:1 | economy | 19 | Marriott lists British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus at 3:1 base ratios. Compare the award through the program you will book and check the applicable transfer bonus. |
| AAdvantage | 3:1 | business | 18 | Marriott lists AAdvantage at 3:1 without the standard 5,000-mile bonus. Eligible Citi cards provide another recorded route; check your card's actual ratio before choosing how to top up. |
| Delta | 3:1 | economy | 16 | Marriott lists Delta at 3:1 without the standard 5,000-mile bonus. Compare an eligible Amex transfer, including its fee, and the available award before choosing either route. |
Common questions
- What is a Bonvoy point worth?
- Our editorial benchmark is 0.7 cents per point, ranking 16 of 16 programs in our valuation list. It is a planning assumption, not an observed average or a guaranteed return. Calculate your own value from a comparable cash quote minus all award taxes and fees, divided by the points required.
- How many Bonvoy points is a flight to Europe worth?
- It depends on the complete trip you would otherwise buy. Our $833 economy cash median corresponds to about 119,000 points at our editorial 0.7¢ valuation, before award taxes and fees. That is context from 869 cash routes, not an award quote or booking ceiling. Match airport pair, travel dates, cabin and one-way or round-trip direction, then subtract all award charges from your actual cash alternative before dividing.
- Where should I transfer Bonvoy points for Europe?
- Our highest editorial transfer score is Bonvoy to United at the recorded 3:1 plus 10,000 bonus miles per 60,000 ratio. The 35/100 score is a judgment, not a success rate. Search your trip first, compare the complete award price and cash alternative, and confirm the issuer's current partner, ratio and transfer timing before moving points. We list 10 routes, not every possible partner.
To decide whether to burn Bonvoy on a specific flight, run it through the Points vs. Cash Calculator, which compares your redemption against the 0.7¢ figure above.
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