American Express Membership Rewards points are a favorite among travel enthusiasts, and for good reason. The program’s flexibility and high-value redemption options, particularly through Amex Rewards Partners, make it a cornerstone of savvy travel strategies. Whether your dream is a budget-friendly hotel stay or a luxurious first-class flight to a far-off destination, the array of Amex transfer partners opens up a world of possibilities.
With access to 18 airline partners and three hotel partners, the Membership Rewards program provides unparalleled choice. Earning and redeeming these points is also remarkably straightforward, adding to their appeal.
This guide will delve into everything you need to know about American Express Membership Rewards transfer partners, equipping you with the knowledge to maximize your Amex points for unforgettable travel experiences.
Earning American Express Membership Rewards Points
To begin your journey with Amex rewards partners, you first need to accumulate Membership Rewards points. This starts with holding an eligible American Express card.
Several American Express cards are designed to accrue Membership Rewards points, each with unique earning structures and benefits. Here are a few popular options:
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium option loaded with perks and a strong earning potential for travel purchases.
Earning Points:
- 5x points on airfare purchased directly from airlines or via Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1x).
- 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.
- 1x points on all other eligible purchases.
Annual Fee: $695 (see rates and fees)
American Express Gold Card
American Express® Gold Card is favored for its robust rewards on everyday spending categories like dining and groceries.
Earning Points:
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1x).
- 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x).
- 3x points on airfare booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- 2x points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases on amextravel.com.
- 1x points on other eligible purchases.
Annual Fee: $325 (see rates and fees)
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express caters to business owners with elevated rewards for travel and large purchases.
Earning Points:
- 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.
- 1.5x points in select business categories and on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year, then 1x).
- 1x points on other eligible purchases.
Annual Fee: $695 (see rates and fees)
American Express Business Gold Card
American Express® Business Gold Card offers flexibility for business spending, rewarding you where your business spends the most.
Earning Points:
- 4x points in the top two spending categories each billing cycle (on up to $150,000 combined per calendar year, then 1x).
- 3x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com.
- 1x points on other eligible purchases.
Annual Fee: $375 (see rates and fees)
American Express Green Card
American Express® Green Card is a more accessible option with solid rewards on dining, travel, and transit.
Earning Points:
- 3x points on dining at restaurants worldwide, takeout, and delivery in the U.S.
- 3x points on travel and transit.
- 1x point per dollar spent on other eligible purchases
Annual Fee: $150
Note: Details for the American Express Green Card are gathered independently and may not be issuer-reviewed.
Exploring Amex Membership Rewards Transfer Partners
American Express boasts an impressive roster of Amex rewards partners, encompassing 18 airlines and three hotel chains. These partners span across major airline alliances, including SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and Oneworld, ensuring options for a wide range of travel preferences.
By transferring your Membership Rewards points to these partners, you can often unlock significantly greater value compared to redeeming directly through Amex Travel or for cash back. This is where the true power of Amex rewards partners lies.
Here’s a breakdown of the airline transfer partners:
Airline Partners:
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- Aeromexico Club Premier
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club
- Avianca LifeMiles
- British Airways Executive Club
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Delta Air Lines SkyMiles (U.S. transfers subject to excise tax offset fee)
- Emirates Skywards
- Etihad Guest
- Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles (U.S. transfers subject to excise tax offset fee)
- Iberia Plus
- JetBlue TrueBlue (U.S. transfers subject to excise tax offset fee)
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Related: Best frequent flyer programs for US travelers
In addition to airlines, Amex also partners with these hotel programs:
Hotel Partners:
- Choice Privileges
- Hilton Honors
- Marriott Bonvoy
Related: Best hotel rewards programs in the world: Which one is right for you?
Transferring Membership Rewards Points to Partners: A How-To Guide
Transferring your Membership Rewards points to Amex rewards partners is a straightforward process. You’ll need an active American Express account to begin.
First, link your Amex account to each partner loyalty program. This is typically done online through the Amex Membership Rewards portal. Once linked, you can transfer points in increments of 1,000, with a minimum transfer of 1,000 points.
American Express occasionally offers transfer bonuses to select partners, further enhancing the value of your points. Keep an eye on these promotions to maximize your redemptions.
However, it’s crucial to be aware of a few key restrictions:
- Irreversible Transfers: Once transferred, points cannot be moved back to your Amex account. Confirm your redemption plan before transferring.
- Name Matching: The names on your Amex account and the partner loyalty program account must match exactly.
- Authorized Users: You can transfer points to your own loyalty accounts or those of authorized users who have been on your account for at least 90 days.
- Excise Tax Offset Fee: Transfers to U.S. airline programs (Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue) incur a small federal excise tax offset fee of 60 cents per 1,000 points (capped at $99).
Related: How to transfer credit card rewards to partner programs
Maximizing Value with Amex Rewards Partners
With a wealth of Amex rewards partners at your fingertips, deciding where to transfer your points can feel overwhelming. The beauty of transferable points is that you can hold onto them in your Membership Rewards account until you’re ready to use them. This flexibility allows you to strategically wait for the best redemption opportunities.
To truly maximize your Amex points, consider these strategies:
- Aim for High-Value Redemptions: Focus on using airline partners for premium cabin flights (business or first class) or for maximizing award chart sweet spots. These redemptions often provide significantly higher value per point than economy flights or hotel stays.
- Explore Transfer Bonuses: Take advantage of transfer bonuses to get even more miles or points with partner programs. A bonus can be the deciding factor when choosing between partners.
- Research Award Charts: Familiarize yourself with partner award charts to identify routes and destinations that offer the best point values.
- Consider Airline Alliances: Leverage airline alliances to access a broader network of destinations and redemption options. For example, transferring to an ANA Mileage Club (Star Alliance) can open doors to flights on United, Lufthansa, and more.
- Plan in Advance: Award availability can be limited, especially for popular routes and premium cabins. Plan your redemptions in advance and be flexible with your travel dates and destinations.
Related: Best ways to use Amex Membership Rewards points: From business class flights to Europe to Hawaii
Conclusion: Unlock Exceptional Travel with Amex Rewards Partners
American Express Membership Rewards points stand out as some of the most valuable in the travel rewards landscape, largely due to their extensive and diverse network of Amex rewards partners. This program provides the flexibility to choose when, where, and how to transfer your points, putting you in control of your travel destiny.
By understanding and strategically utilizing Amex rewards partners, you can unlock exceptional travel experiences, from luxurious flights to dream hotel stays, all while maximizing the value of your rewards. Explore the possibilities and start planning your next adventure today.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold Card, click here.
