If you’ve got Marriott Bonvoy elite status, you might be sitting on an easy way to grab Star Alliance airline perks—without spending a dime. Through exclusive partnerships and status matches, we can turn hotel stays into VIP treatment in the skies.
We’ll walk you through which Marriott tiers qualify, how to link your accounts the right way, and some alternative tricks—like credit cards and fast-track challenges—that can get you there even faster.
Let’s make the most of these perks.
Which Marriott Bonvoy Tiers Unlock Star Alliance Status?
Marriott Bonvoy teams up with select Star Alliance airlines to offer elite members a shortcut to airline perks. If you’ve got the right Marriott status, you can match it to Star Alliance status—completely free. Here’s how it works:
#1. Titanium Elite (75 nights)
Gets you Aeroplan 25K (Air Canada) and United MileagePlus Premier Silver, both of which translate to Star Alliance Silver. Just link your accounts, and you’re in. While Silver doesn’t come with flashy perks, it does include priority check-in and waitlisting.
#2. Ambassador Elite (100 nights + spending requirement)
Same deal as Titanium: Aeroplan 25K and United Premier Silver are yours. Since Ambassador is Marriott’s top-tier status, you get all Titanium perks plus the added benefits of a personal Marriott ambassador.
#3. Platinum Elite (50 nights) and above
Qualifies for Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Elite Silver, which also maps to Star Alliance Silver. The benefits are minimal, but the real draw? A fast-track to KrisFlyer Gold, which comes with lounge access and more.
If you’re Gold Elite (25 nights) or below, no dice—Star Alliance won’t match you. But these partnerships work both ways. Airline elites can score Marriott status too, like Aeroplan 50K+ and United Gold members getting bumped up to Marriott Gold Elite. Not bad if you fly more than you stay.
How to Link Your Marriott Bonvoy Account with Airline Programs
Got the right Marriott Bonvoy status? Great! Now, you need to link your account with partner airlines to activate your Star Alliance perks. Below is a step-by-step guide to connecting Marriott Bonvoy with Air Canada Aeroplan, United MileagePlus, and Singapore KrisFlyer, so you can start taking advantage of elite benefits.
Connecting Marriott Bonvoy to Air Canada Aeroplan
- Check Your Marriott Status – You’ll need Titanium Elite or Ambassador Elite for the Aeroplan 25K status match.
- Find the Right Link – Head to the Marriott–Air Canada partnership page to start the linking process. You can also check your Aeroplan account dashboard for the Marriott Bonvoy linking offer.
- Log In & Approve the Connection – Sign into your Marriott Bonvoy account, then enter your Aeroplan number and password to link both accounts. Make sure your name matches on both accounts to avoid errors.
- Get Confirmation – Once you submit your request, you should see a success message on the screen, and you might also receive a confirmation email from Aeroplan.
- Activate Your Perks – Your Aeroplan 25K status should go live almost instantly (or within a few minutes). Log into your Aeroplan account to confirm. Once active, you’ll get priority check-in, two free checked bags, eUpgrade credits, and Star Alliance Silver perks (which includes priority waitlisting and standby on all Star Alliance flights).
How to Link Marriott Bonvoy with United MileagePlus
If you’re sitting on Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite or Ambassador Elite, you can easily grab United Premier Silver status for free. Here’s how to get it done:
- Confirm Your Marriott Status – Only Titanium Elite (75 nights) or Ambassador Elite (100 nights + spending requirement) members qualify for this match. Platinum Elite won’t cut it—you need to hit the higher tiers.
- Head to the RewardsPlus Registration Page – Marriott has a dedicated United RewardsPlus portal where eligible members can link accounts. The easiest way to find it? Visit Marriott’s Travel Partner page or go directly to getrewardsplus.com.
- Log In & Link Your Accounts – Sign into your Marriott Bonvoy account, then enter your United MileagePlus number and password to connect both accounts. Double-check that your details match to avoid errors.
- Wait for Confirmation – Once you submit the request, United should process your Premier Silver upgrade immediately, though it might take a few days to reflect in your account. You can verify by logging into your United MileagePlus profile.
- Start Using Your Benefits – With Premier Silver, you get priority boarding, a free checked bag, and Economy+ seating (when available). While Star Alliance Silver doesn’t include lounge access, it still gives you priority waitlisting and standby perks across all Star Alliance airlines.
How to Link Marriott Bonvoy with Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
If you’ve got Marriott Platinum Elite or higher, you can grab KrisFlyer Elite Silver status for free. Here’s how to set it up:
- Check Your Marriott Status – You’ll need to be at least Platinum Elite (50 nights) to qualify. Gold Elite members don’t get an automatic match, so you’ll need to level up first.
- Go to the Partnership Page – Marriott’s KrisFlyer partnership program is called Infinite Journeys. Head over to the linking page and sign in—it’ll prompt you to log into both Marriott Bonvoy and KrisFlyer.
- Authorize the Connection – Once logged in, approve the account link. Your Marriott Platinum, Titanium, or Ambassador status will instantly convert to KrisFlyer Elite Silver, and you should get a confirmation message or email.
- Verify Your Status – Log into your KrisFlyer account to confirm that your Elite Silver upgrade has gone through. It’ll be valid for 12 months from the activation date.
- Fast-Track to KrisFlyer Gold (Optional) – If you want to upgrade to KrisFlyer Elite Gold (which equals Star Alliance Gold), book and complete four Singapore Airlines flights within six months after linking. Once you hit Gold, you’ll get Star Alliance Gold perks, including lounge access worldwide, for the next 12 months. (Note: This requires purchasing flights, but it’s a quick route to Star Alliance Gold for Marriott elites.)
Tip
In all cases, make sure your names and email details match across Marriott and the airline program to avoid linkage problems. The status match is free – you don’t need to pay anything besides having the required Marriott status. If the new status doesn’t appear, double-check that your Marriott elite status is active for the current year and that you completed any required registration steps
Other Ways to Earn Star Alliance Status (No Flying Required)
Not sitting on top-tier Marriott Bonvoy status yet? No problem. There are workarounds to get Star Alliance status without stepping on a plane. Credit card perks, special promotions, and status match challenges can all help you level up with minimal effort.
Get Instant Marriott Elite Status with Credit Cards
One of the fastest ways to climb the Marriott Bonvoy ladder is by using a co-branded credit card. Some cards automatically grant elite status, helping you unlock airline status without long hotel stays.
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card gives you Platinum Elite status just for being a cardholder. No stays required.
- This card also comes with 25 elite night credits per year, meaning you’re already halfway to Titanium Elite (75 nights).
- With only 25 more nights (which can be reduced further through promotions), you can hit Titanium Elite, which unlocks Aeroplan 25K and United Premier Silver.
- Even Platinum Elite status, included with the card, qualifies for the KrisFlyer Silver status match.
While these credit cards come with annual fees, they save you from needing to book paid stays just to earn elite status.
Earn Star Alliance Status with Airline Credit Cards
Some Star Alliance airlines offer co-branded credit cards that include elite status perks or let you earn status through spending. One of the best options is the Chase Aeroplan Visa Card, which provides an easy path to Star Alliance Silver and beyond.
- Automatic Aeroplan 25K Status – When you sign up, you instantly receive Aeroplan 25K status for the remainder of the current year plus all of the following calendar year. That’s nearly two years of elite perks just for getting the card.
- Keep 25K Status with Spending – To maintain Aeroplan 25K after the first full year, you’ll need to spend $15,000 annually. The status itself remains free beyond the card’s annual fee—as long as you meet the spending requirement.
- “Level Up” Feature – If you spend $50,000 in a calendar year, you’ll move up one elite tier (e.g., from 25K to 35K). If you’re also earning status through flying, this can push you even higher.
- Potential Path to Star Alliance Gold – By reaching Aeroplan 50K, you unlock Star Alliance Gold, which grants worldwide lounge access and other premium perks. This can be done entirely through credit card spending, without ever stepping on a plane.
Other Star Alliance airline credit cards may offer elite qualifying miles or status upgrades based on spending, so it’s worth checking what’s available in your country.
Fast-Track Star Alliance Status with Promotional Challenges
Some airlines offer status challenges, letting you earn elite perks with fewer flights than usual. While these promotions aren’t completely free (since you’ll need to fly), they’re a quicker way to reach Star Alliance status without committing to full qualification requirements.
- United MileagePlus Premier Status Challenge – If you hold elite status with another airline, United may grant you a trial Premier status upfront. You’ll then have 90 days to fly a set number of miles to keep it.
- If you got Aeroplan 25K (Star Alliance Silver) through Marriott, you could use it to enter a United challenge. That might start you at United Silver, and with just a few flights, you could bump up to United Gold—which includes Star Alliance Gold perks like lounge access.
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Challenge – The Marriott–KrisFlyer partnership functions as a kind of built-in status challenge.
- Marriott Platinum Elite and above members get KrisFlyer Silver instantly.
- If you fly just four Singapore Airlines segments within six months, you’ll upgrade to KrisFlyer Gold, which comes with Star Alliance Gold status and its lounge access benefits.
Use Status Challenges to Climb the Star Alliance Ladder Faster
Some airlines offer status challenges that let you earn elite perks with fewer flights than usual. While you’ll need to complete some travel, these programs are a shortcut to Star Alliance status without committing to a full qualification year.
- United MileagePlus Premier Status Challenge – If you already have elite status with another airline, United might grant you a trial Premier status upfront. From there, you’ll have 90 days to fly a required number of miles to make it permanent.
- If you got Aeroplan 25K (Star Alliance Silver) via Marriott, you could use that to enter United’s challenge. This could start you at United Premier Silver, and with just a few flights, you might upgrade to Premier Gold, which includes Star Alliance Gold benefits like lounge access.
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Fast-Track to Gold – The Marriott–KrisFlyer partnership works like a built-in challenge.
- Marriott Platinum Elite and above members get KrisFlyer Silver automatically.
- If you fly four Singapore Airlines segments within six months, you’ll level up to KrisFlyer Gold, which also grants Star Alliance Gold perks, including lounge access.
Status challenges help turn a free matched status into a higher elite tier with just minimal flight activity. If you’re close to a Star Alliance Gold upgrade, these shortcuts can get you there without needing to meet the usual high mileage requirements.
Convert Points into Airline Status with Transfer Promotions
Sometimes, airlines run promotions that let you convert points from one program into elite status in another—no flights required. These opportunities don’t come around often, but when they do, they can be an easy way to gain Star Alliance perks without extra spending.
- Air Canada Aeroplan’s 2020 “Travel at Home” Promotion – During the pandemic, Aeroplan allowed members to earn Altitude 25K status (equivalent to Aeroplan 25K) by accumulating 50,000 Aeroplan points through credit card spending or partner transfers.
- You could move points from programs like Amex Membership Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy to hit the requirement.
- No flying was needed—just shifting points between accounts was enough to unlock Star Alliance Silver benefits.
Final Thoughts: Your Shortcut to Free Star Alliance Status
With the right Marriott Bonvoy elite status, credit card perks, and strategic promotions, you can secure Star Alliance status without spending extra on flights. If you’ve reached Titanium or Ambassador Elite, you already have a direct path to Star Alliance Silver through Aeroplan 25K and United Premier Silver. From there, you can level up further using status matches, challenges, and fast-track opportunities.
Even if you don’t hold top-tier Marriott status, there are still workarounds:
- Credit cards that grant automatic Marriott Platinum or Aeroplan 25K can serve as a starting point.
- Status match promotions can help you trade one airline status for another.
- Limited-time challenges offer shortcuts to Star Alliance Gold, unlocking perks like lounge access and extra baggage allowances.
Stay informed. Airline and hotel loyalty programs constantly update their partnerships and promos, meaning new opportunities pop up all the time. With a little planning and the right strategy, you can skip the long-haul flights and still enjoy elite treatment worldwide.
Happy travels—and happy status matching!
