Amex Airline Transfer Partners and How To Transfer Points [2025]

What are Amex Membership Rewards Points?

American Express Membership Rewards are one of the most highly-regarded and flexible points currencies available to travelers. Earned through a wide array of American Express credit cards, these points offer immense versatility. You can redeem them for merchandise, gift cards, statement credits, or book travel directly through AmexTravel.com. However, the most valuable redemption often comes from transferring your points to their extensive network of airline and hotel loyalty partners. This flexibility, combined with frequent transfer bonuses, makes Membership Rewards a cornerstone for maximizing travel value.

Below you can find an always up-to-date list of all the airlines that you can transfer your Amex points to and what the transfer rate is for each airline. Pay close attention because not all transfers are done at a 1:1 ratio.

How to Earn Amex Membership Rewards Points

American Express Membership Rewards points are earned through a diverse portfolio of Amex credit cards, each offering unique bonus categories to maximize your earning potential. Some of the most popular cards for accumulating Membership Rewards include:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: A premium travel card offering accelerated earning on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com, and on eligible hotel purchases. It also comes with a wealth of travel benefits.
• American Express® Gold Card: Excellent for everyday spending, offering bonus points on purchases at U.S. supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide.
• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: While primarily a cash back card, the rewards can be redeemed as Membership Rewards points, offering high earning rates on U.S. supermarkets, select streaming subscriptions, and U.S. gas stations.
• Amex EveryDay Preferred Credit Card: Offers bonus points on U.S. supermarkets and a monthly bonus for making a certain number of purchases.
• American Express® Green Card: Earns bonus points on eligible travel and transit purchases, as well as at restaurants worldwide.

Amex also frequently offers targeted spending bonuses and welcome offers that can significantly boost your Membership Rewards balance.

Understanding Amex Membership Rewards Transfer Ratios and Times

When transferring American Express Membership Rewards points to airline and hotel partners, it's crucial to pay attention to both the transfer ratio and the estimated transfer time. While many airline partners transfer at a favorable 1:1 ratio (e.g., 1,000 Membership Rewards points become 1,000 airline miles), there are exceptions, such as Aeromexico (Club Premier) at 1:1.6 and JetBlue (TrueBlue) at 1:0.8. Always confirm the specific ratio for your chosen partner.

Transfer times can vary significantly. Many of Amex's airline partners offer instant transfers, which is incredibly beneficial for booking time-sensitive award flights. However, some partners, like ANA (Mileage Club) and Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer), can take 1-7 business days. It's essential to factor in these estimated transfer times when planning your award travel to ensure your points arrive in your loyalty account before your desired redemption becomes unavailable.

How to Transfer Amex Membership Rewards Points to Airline Partners

Transferring your American Express Membership Rewards points to an airline partner is a straightforward process, but it requires careful attention to detail. Here's a general step-by-step guide:

1. Log in to your American Express account: Access your account through the Amex website.
2. Navigate to the "Membership Rewards" section: This is usually found under the "Rewards & Benefits" tab.
3. Scroll down and click "Transfer Points": From there you might need to slick "View All Partners".
4. Choose your desired airline partners: Select the loyalty program you wish to transfer to.
5. Link your frequent flyer account: If you haven't already, you'll need to link your frequent flyer account to your Membership Rewards account. Ensure the name on your Amex account matches the name on your airline loyalty account.
6. Specify the number of points to transfer: Transfers are typically done in increments of 1,000 points.
7. Confirm the transfer: Review all details, including the transfer ratio and estimated transfer time, before finalizing the transaction.
   Important Considerations:

• Matching Names: The name on your American Express Membership Rewards account must match the name on your airline loyalty program account.
• Irreversible Transfers: Once points are transferred to an airline partner, the transfer is generally irreversible. Make sure you have a specific redemption in mind before initiating a transfer.
• Transfer Bonuses: Keep an eye out for limited-time transfer bonuses, which can offer an increased transfer ratio (e.g., 1:1.25), providing even greater value for your points.

Best Ways to Use Amex Membership Rewards Points

American Express Membership Rewards points offer exceptional value when transferred strategically to their airline partners, especially for premium cabin travel. The "best" way to use them often involves leveraging sweet spots within partner loyalty programs. Here are a few examples:

• ANA Mileage Club: Fantastic for booking round-trip Star Alliance business and first-class flights, often at significantly lower rates than other programs.
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: Offers incredible value for booking Delta One business class flights to Europe or ANA First/Business Class to Japan.
• Air Canada Aeroplan: A versatile program for Star Alliance redemptions, offering good value for flights to Europe, Asia, and within North America.
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: Ideal for booking premium cabins on Singapore Airlines, including their highly sought-after Suites Class.
• Emirates Skywards: Great for booking premium cabins on Emirates, especially their iconic A380 First Class.

Always compare redemption rates across different partners and consider the cash price of the flight to determine if transferring points offers good value.

Amex Membership Rewards Transfer Bonuses

American Express frequently offers limited-time transfer bonuses to select airline partners. These bonuses can significantly increase the value of your Membership Rewards points, making certain redemptions even more attractive. For example, a 25% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club would mean that 1,000 Membership Rewards points become 1,250 Flying Club miles.

It's always a good idea to check for current transfer bonuses before making any transfers. These promotions are typically announced on the American Express Membership Rewards website and various travel blogs. Timing your transfers with these bonuses can lead to substantial savings on award flights.

Is it Worth Transferring Amex Membership Rewards Points?

Transferring American Express Membership Rewards points to airline partners is almost always the most valuable way to redeem them, especially for international business or first-class travel. While other redemption options like gift cards or statement credits offer a fixed value (typically 0.5 to 1 cent per point), strategic airline transfers can yield a value of 2 cents per point or even higher.

The decision to transfer points should be based on:

• Your Travel Goals: Do you have a specific award flight in mind?
• Availability: Are award seats available on your desired dates and routes?
• Cash Price vs. Point Value: Does the value you're getting from your points outweigh the cash cost of the flight?
• Transfer Bonuses: Are there any active transfer bonuses that enhance the value of your points?

For those willing to put in a bit of research and planning, transferring Amex Membership Rewards points can unlock incredible travel experiences that would otherwise be very expensive.

Amex Membership Rewards Transfer FAQ

Do Amex Membership Rewards points expire?

American Express Membership Rewards points generally do not expire as long as you have at least one Membership Rewards-earning American Express card open and in good standing. If you close all your Membership Rewards-earning cards, you typically have a grace period (e.g., 30-90 days) to use or transfer your points before they are forfeited. Always check the specific terms and conditions of your Amex account.

Can I transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to someone else's airline account?

Generally, American Express Membership Rewards points must be transferred to an airline loyalty account in your name. Some programs may allow transfers to authorized users on your credit card account, but direct transfers to unrelated third parties are usually not permitted.

Are there fees for transferring Amex Membership Rewards points?

For transfers to U.S. airline programs, American Express charges a small excise tax offset fee of $0.0006 per point, up to a maximum of $99. This fee is typically waived for transfers to foreign airline programs. Always check the specific terms and conditions before transferring.

Which Amex card is best for earning Membership Rewards points?

The "best" card depends on your spending habits. The Platinum Card® from American Express is excellent for flights and hotels, while the American Express® Gold Card excels in dining and U.S. supermarkets. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card can also be a strong earner for specific categories.

How much are Amex Membership Rewards points worth?

The value of American Express Membership Rewards points varies significantly depending on how you redeem them. For cash back or gift cards, they typically yield 0.5 to 1 cent per point. However, when transferred strategically to airline partners for premium cabin award flights, they can be worth 2 cents per point or more, offering the highest potential value.

Conclusion

American Express Membership Rewards points are a cornerstone for maximizing travel value, offering unparalleled flexibility and a robust network of airline transfer partners. By understanding the earning potential of various Amex cards, the nuances of transfer ratios and times, and the strategic sweet spots within partner programs, you can unlock extraordinary travel experiences. Always stay informed about transfer bonuses and plan your redemptions carefully to maximize the utility of your Membership Rewards points. Happy travels!

Disclaimer: Always use credit responsibly. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.