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Marriott Bonvoy and Emirates Skywards have re-launched their “Your World Rewards” partnership. This type of partnership is becoming an important trend in the loyalty industry, whereby:

• Airline elites can earn miles for hotel stays, as well as some hotel elite benefits
• Hotel chain elites can earn hotel points for flights (in addition to the standard miles)

An intriguing element of this partnership is that elite benefits are being offered as well, although it’s important to make clear that full status matching is not being offered. (i.e. A Skywards Platinum member doesn’t actually become a Marriott Platinum member.)

The Benefits for Emirates Skywards Elite Members

The most important element to know is that you must have Silver, Gold or Platinum status with Skywards in order to earn miles for stays at Marriott hotels. If you do, you can earn 1 mile per US dollar spent with Marriott.

You will also receive some elite benefits, such as:

• 4 pm late checkout
• Free “enhanced” wifi
• Elite check-in queue privileges

An even stranger benefit is that a Marriott Gold member (i.e. too low for breakfast or lounge access) will receive the welcome points that a Platinum or above member receives, as long as they also have Emirates elite status.

The Benefits for Marriott Bonvoy Elite Members

Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members will enjoy Elite in-airport benefits, including priority check-in and priority boarding. (but no lounge access!)

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members earn 3 points per US dollar spent on all eligible Emirates flights (on top of Skywards Miles).

Does it Make Sense to Sign Up?

If you have elite status with Emirates Skywards, then it certainly makes sense to sign up to earn a handful of miles from your Marriott stays. The late check-out benefit can also be quite valuable.

But if you read InsideFlyer UK regularly, you will know that we would NEVER suggest that you credit your flights to Skywards. Instead you should look at Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.

Unfortunately, in order to earn Marriott points from Emirates flights, you must credit your Emirates flights to Skywards. This would mean exchanging some really valuable Alaska miles for 3 Marriott points per US dollar and some far less valuable miles from Skywards…

If you are interested in reading further details about this re-launched partnership, you can click here.