Rapid Travel Chai

Marriott has re-added American Airlines to its large stable of mile-earning airline partners.

I did some hunting to figure out what it might mean by traveler type.

The tradeoff is earning 10 or 5 points/$ versus 2 or 1 miles/$, depending on brand. Outside bonus time, avoid miles at Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, because they have the worst tradeoff:

• 10 points/$ versus 2 miles/$: Ritz-Carlton, Gaylord, JW Marriott, Edition, Autograph, Renaissance, AC, Marriott, Marriott Vacation Club.
• 10 points/$ versus 1 mile/$: Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suits, SpringHill Suites. (Avoid miles!)
• 5 points/$ versus 1 mile/$: Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites.
• No miles option at ExecuStay, Marriott Executive Apartment.

There is a 500 mile bonus for worldwide stays between July 15 and August 15.

Photo by Peter Kaminski

I rarely stay at Marriotts and have few points:

• Go for the miles, no reason orphaning points.
• Existing points can be transferred at a terrible rate, but not the worst rate.
• 500 miles bonus: go for the miles.

I have stays coming up but am not elite:

• Giving up points for miles is not attractive unless for a specific purpose such as topping up for an airline award.
• 500 miles bonus period: consider the miles for short and/or low-cost stays.

I am Silver Elite (thank you Chase credit card):

• Giving up the 20% points bonus makes miles even less attractive (All Elite bonuses are only valid for members who choose to earn points).
• 500 miles bonus period: consider the miles for short and/or low-cost stays.

I am Gold Elite:

• The lost points bonus now up 25%.
• 500 miles bonus period: consider the miles for short and/or low-cost stays.

I am Platinum Elite (pity the bedraggled US road warrior):

• The lost points bonus now up to 50%.
• 500 miles bonus period: the regular Platinum Arrival Gift is 1,000 points or 500 miles, so trading 1,000 points for 1,000 miles is a good deal, consider the miles for short and/or low-cost stays.

I have a boatload of Marriott Rewards points that I want to liquidate, and like to stay in the same place for a week:

• Consider the Air + Hotel Packages.

I want miles but not AA:

• While most airline partners earn 2 miles/$ at high-end brands and 1 mile/$ at low-end brands, Virgin America earns 1 mile/$ for all brands, which might be a good value for the low-end brands since Virgin America Elevate points generally are higher-value, as in the lower transfer ratios through American Express Membership Rewards.