A notable update for points collectors
Marriott Bonvoy and KrisFlyer have improved their points ↔ miles transfer mechanics, making it easier (and slightly more rewarding) to move value between hotel stays and flights.
1. Conversion Rates — Still Stable (But More Valuable in Practice)
- Marriott → KrisFlyer:
Standard rate remains 3:1
(3 Marriott points = 1 KrisFlyer mile) - KrisFlyer → Marriott:
Improved structure widely observed at around 4:3 ratio
(better than older effective returns in many promos)
While base ratios haven’t drastically changed, effective value has improved via bonuses + flexibility.
2. Built-In Bonus Still Makes a Difference
- Transfer 60,000 Marriott points → 25,000 KrisFlyer miles
- Includes 5,000 bonus miles per 60K transfer
This improves the effective ratio to ~2.4:1, not just 3:1
Meaning:
You get more miles than the base ratio suggests if you transfer in optimized blocks.
3. Higher Transfer Caps = More Flexibility
Recent updates across the ecosystem show:
- Higher transfer limits per day / per year
- Example benchmarks:
Up to 240,000 Marriott points per day transfer
Increased limits on points purchase & usage in 2026 promos
This makes it easier for:
- High spenders
- Premium card users
- Business travelers
to move large balances efficiently.
4. Why This Update Matters
Better Flight Redemptions
- KrisFlyer miles are often more valuable than hotel points for premium cabins
- This makes Marriott points a backup airline currency
More Flexibility
- If you can’t use hotel points → convert to flights
- If miles are expiring → convert to hotel stays
Optimisation Opportunity
- Transfer in 60K blocks → maximize bonus
- Avoid small transfers → poor value
Important Reality Check
Even with improvements:
Marriott → airline transfers are still not the highest-value use
- Marriott points ≈ hotel stays value
- KrisFlyer miles ≈ flight premium value
Best use:
- Top-ups for award tickets
- Expiring miles rescue
- Strategic conversions only