It’s clear why travel enthusiasts and savvy spenders alike value American Express Membership Rewards points. The program offers incredible flexibility and value, especially when it comes to transferring points to partner airlines and hotels. Whether you’re dreaming of a luxurious first-class flight to a far-off destination or a relaxing hotel stay, understanding how to leverage your American Express points through their transfer partners is key. With an impressive roster of 18 airline partners and three hotel partners, the American Express Membership Rewards program opens up a world of travel possibilities. And for American Express Platinum cardholders, these transfer partners become even more valuable.
Understanding American Express Membership Rewards
American Express Membership Rewards points are more than just points; they’re a flexible currency that can be redeemed in numerous ways. However, one of the most powerful and potentially lucrative methods is by transferring them to American Express’s network of partner loyalty programs. These partnerships allow you to convert your Membership Rewards points into miles or points with various airlines and hotels, often unlocking significantly higher value than redeeming directly through Amex Travel or for cash back.
The Power of Transfer Partners for Platinum Card Holders
For holders of The Platinum Card from American Express, the transfer partner program is a standout benefit. The Platinum card is designed for premium rewards and travel perks, and access to these transfer partners amplifies its value proposition. By strategically transferring points, Platinum card members can access award flights and hotel stays that would otherwise be significantly more expensive when booked directly with cash. This unlocks aspirational travel experiences and maximizes the return on everyday spending. The flexibility to choose from a diverse range of partners across major airline alliances like SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and Oneworld ensures that there are options to suit a wide range of travel preferences and destinations.
American Express Platinum Card: Key to Unlocking Transfer Partners
The gateway to maximizing American Express transfer partners often starts with earning Membership Rewards points, and The Platinum Card from American Express is a prime vehicle for doing so.
American Express Platinum Card Design for earning Membership Rewards points.
Currently, new Platinum cardholders can often take advantage of substantial welcome bonuses, earning a large sum of Membership Rewards points after meeting initial spending requirements. Beyond the welcome offer, the card provides ongoing earning opportunities:
- Earning Points:
- 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).
- 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.
- 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
While the annual fee of $695 (see rates and fees) might seem significant, the potential value unlocked through transfer partners and other card benefits can easily outweigh this cost for frequent travelers who strategically utilize the program.
Exploring American Express Transfer Partners: Airlines & Hotels
American Express boasts a strong portfolio of transfer partners, giving you a wide array of options for your Membership Rewards points. This includes a diverse mix of airlines spanning all major alliances and a selection of hotel chains to cover various accommodation preferences.
Logos of American Express Membership Rewards transfer partners for flights and hotels.
Here’s a breakdown of the American Express Membership Rewards 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
- Emirates Skywards
- Etihad Guest
- Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
- Iberia Plus
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Hotel Partners:
- Choice Privileges
- Hilton Honors
- Marriott Bonvoy
This extensive list means you can potentially find a transfer partner that aligns with your travel goals, whether it’s flying on a specific airline, reaching a particular destination, or staying at a preferred hotel brand.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Transfer Amex Points
Transferring your Membership Rewards points to partner programs is a straightforward process:
- Log in to your American Express account: Access your account through the American Express website or mobile app.
- Navigate to the Membership Rewards section: Find the section dedicated to your Membership Rewards points.
- Select “Transfer Points”: Look for the option to transfer points to partners.
- Link your partner account: If you haven’t already, you’ll need to link your loyalty program account (e.g., your Delta SkyMiles account) to your American Express account. This typically involves entering your loyalty program membership number and name.
- Choose your transfer partner and amount: Select the partner program you want to transfer to and specify the number of points you wish to transfer. Transfers are generally made in increments of 1,000 points, with a minimum transfer of 1,000 points.
- Confirm the transfer: Review the details and confirm the transfer.
Important Considerations When Transferring:
- Transfers are Non-Reversible: Once you transfer points, the transaction cannot be reversed. Therefore, ensure you have a concrete plan for using the transferred miles or points before you initiate the transfer.
- Name Matching is Crucial: The name on your American Express account must precisely match the name on your partner loyalty program account.
- Authorized Users: You can transfer points to your own loyalty program accounts or to those of authorized users on your American Express card. However, authorized users must have been on your account for at least 90 days to be eligible for transfers.
- Excise Tax Offset Fee: For transfers to U.S.-based frequent flyer programs (Delta SkyMiles, HawaiianMiles, and JetBlue TrueBlue), American Express charges a small federal excise tax offset fee. This is currently 60 cents per 1,000 points transferred, up to a maximum of $99.
Strategic Ways to Use American Express Platinum Transfer Partners
The real magic of American Express transfer partners lies in strategic redemptions that maximize the value of your points. Instead of redeeming for fixed-value options, transferring to partners and booking award travel can often yield significantly higher returns, particularly for premium cabin flights.
For example, transferring points to airline partners like ANA Mileage Club or Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer can unlock incredible value for business class or first-class flights to Asia. Similarly, Flying Blue (Air France-KLM) can offer sweet spots for flights to Europe. By staying flexible and researching award availability and redemption rates, Platinum cardholders can consistently achieve outsized value from their Membership Rewards points through transfer partners.
Beyond Platinum: Other Amex Cards Earning Membership Rewards
While the Platinum card is a powerhouse for earning and leveraging Membership Rewards points, it’s not the only card in the American Express ecosystem that participates in the program. Other American Express cards also allow you to earn Membership Rewards points, providing various earning structures and annual fees to suit different spending habits and preferences.
American Express Gold and Green Cards as alternatives to earn Membership Rewards.
These include:
- American Express Gold Card: Known for its strong earning on dining and groceries.
- The Business Platinum Card from American Express: Designed for business spending with bonus categories and a high welcome offer.
- American Express Business Gold Card: Offers flexible bonus categories based on your business spending.
- American Express Green Card: Provides solid rewards on travel and dining with a lower annual fee.
While the Platinum card often offers the most comprehensive suite of benefits for frequent travelers, exploring these other cards can be beneficial depending on your spending patterns and travel goals within the Membership Rewards ecosystem.
Bottom Line
American Express Membership Rewards points are undeniably among the most valuable rewards currencies available, and a large part of this value stems from their impressive array of airline and hotel transfer partners. For American Express Platinum cardholders, these transfer partners are an essential tool for unlocking premium travel experiences and maximizing the rewards earned from everyday spending. The flexibility and potential for high-value redemptions make understanding and utilizing American Express transfer partners a key strategy for any points and miles enthusiast. By strategically earning and transferring Membership Rewards points, especially with the Amex Platinum, you can transform your travel dreams into reality.
