American Express Membership Rewards points offer incredible flexibility for travel, thanks to a wide network of American Express Travel Partners. Whether you dream of a luxurious hotel stay or a first-class flight, transferring your points to the right partner can unlock exceptional value. This guide explores the American Express travel partners network and how to maximize your rewards.
Earning American Express Membership Rewards Points
Earning Membership Rewards points requires an eligible American Express card. Several cards offer lucrative welcome bonuses and earning rates:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first six months. Earn 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year), 5x on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel, and 1x on other purchases. Annual fee: $695.
- American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first six months. Earn 4x points at restaurants (up to $25,000 per year) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year), 3x on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, 2x on prepaid hotels and other eligible Amex Travel purchases, and 1x on other purchases. Annual fee: $250.
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Platinum Card within the first three months of card membership. Earn 5x on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, 1.5x on select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million per year), and 1x on other purchases. Annual fee: $695.
American Express Airline and Hotel Partners
American Express boasts an impressive array of 18 airline and 3 hotel transfer partners, covering all major alliances (SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and Oneworld). This extensive network provides numerous redemption options for flights and hotels worldwide.
Airline Partners: Aer Lingus, Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air France, Alitalia, ANA, Avianca, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, JetBlue, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic.
Hotel Partners: Choice Privileges, Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy.
Transferring Membership Rewards Points
Transferring points is simple: link your loyalty accounts to your Membership Rewards account and transfer in increments of 1,000. Be mindful of these key considerations:
- Irreversible Transfers: Transfers are final. Confirm your redemption plans before initiating a transfer.
- Name Matching: Ensure consistent names on your Amex and loyalty program accounts.
- Authorized User Transfers: Transfers are allowed to your own accounts or those of authorized users on your card for at least 90 days.
- Excise Tax Offset Fee: Transfers to U.S. frequent flyer programs (Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue) incur a federal excise tax offset fee of $0.0006 per point (up to $99).
Maximizing Your Rewards
The value of transferable points lies in their flexibility. Hold onto your points until you’ve identified the best redemption opportunity. Research partner award charts and sweet spots to maximize the value of each point. Consider factors like travel dates, destination, and cabin class when choosing a transfer partner.
Conclusion
American Express travel partners provide a gateway to unforgettable travel experiences. By understanding the program’s nuances and leveraging the extensive partner network, you can unlock incredible value for your Membership Rewards points. Choose the right card, earn strategically, and transfer wisely to maximize your travel rewards.
