Miles and points transfer bonuses: How to compare offers
A 30% bonus sounds impressive, but means little without the base rate and a specific redemption. We compare the verified German Amex offer with standard transfer routes and explain why US deals are not German Amex promotions. Rates checked 5 October 2026.
Check the direction and country first
The verified promotion through 31 October 2026 moves German Amex Membership Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy. It is not a bonus on buying Marriott points or moving Marriott points to airlines. US travel blogs may report Amex-to-Flying Blue, Hilton or other bonuses, but their terms do not automatically apply to German Amex accounts. Only compare offers available in your own rewards portal.
The base rate changes everything
German Amex lists a regular 5:4 rate for British Airways Club and Flying Blue: 10,000 Amex points become 8,000 Avios or Flying Blue miles without a promotion. Marriott is 3:2: 30,000 Amex points normally yield 20,000 Bonvoy points and 26,000 during the verified October offer. These are different currencies; comparing their quantities alone is meaningless. What matters is the cost of the specific flight or hotel in each currency.
Work backwards from a real booking
Illustrative calculation, not a live availability claim: if a hotel night costs 26,000 Marriott points or €180 and you transfer 30,000 Amex points, that is 0.6 cents per Amex point used (€180 divided by 30,000). Subtract any taxes and fees. Compare identical dates, guests and cancellation terms; award prices change and availability can disappear before points arrive.
Marriott is not always the best route to miles
Marriott lists a standard rate of 3 Bonvoy points to 1 mile for many airline partners, plus 5,000 bonus miles per 60,000 points transferred to eligible partners; exceptions apply. If your goal is an award flight, check the direct Amex-to-airline transfer first. Two successive transfers add delays and may destroy value. The Amex→Marriott bonus is especially relevant for a specific hotel stay; calculate any airline detour separately.
Five checks before you click transfer
First open the promotion in your country's rewards portal and check its deadline and terms. Find an actually bookable award. Compare its cash price and extra charges with its points price. Calculate from the original transfer rate including the bonus. Finally check matching account names, minimum amount, posting delay and reversibility — Amex transfers cannot be reversed. Only then transfer what you need, not your entire balance on speculation.