American Express Membership Rewards points are a favorite among travel enthusiasts and savvy spenders alike, and for good reason. The flexibility and potential value they offer are truly outstanding, especially when it comes to transferring these points to partner programs. Whether your dream is to relax in a luxurious hotel or jet off to an exotic destination in a premium cabin, understanding American Express Point Transfer Partners is key to unlocking incredible travel experiences.
With an impressive roster of 18 airline and three hotel partners, the American Express Membership Rewards program provides a plethora of options for redeeming your points. These partnerships span across major airline alliances, ensuring you can find a valuable redemption regardless of your preferred travel style or destination. Furthermore, the ease of earning and transferring Membership Rewards points makes them a highly accessible and rewarding currency for anyone looking to elevate their travel game.
This guide will delve into everything you need to know about American Express Membership Rewards transfer partners. We’ll explore how to earn these valuable points, who the transfer partners are, and, most importantly, how to leverage these partnerships to maximize the value of your Amex points for unforgettable journeys.
How to Earn American Express Membership Rewards Points
The gateway to the world of Membership Rewards points is holding an eligible American Express card. Amex offers a range of cards that earn these coveted points, each with its own unique earning structure and benefits.
Image alt text: A collection of American Express cards, including Platinum, Gold, and Green cards, showcasing the variety of options for earning Membership Rewards points.
Several American Express cards are particularly popular for their generous welcome bonuses and ongoing rewards earning potential. Here are a few notable examples:
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express is renowned for its premium benefits and robust rewards program. New cardmembers can often earn significant bonus points after meeting the spending requirement within the initial months of card membership. It’s always worth checking the CardMatch tool for potentially even higher, targeted welcome offers.
Earning Points:
- 5 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly from 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
Annual Fee: $695 (see rates and fees)
American Express Gold Card
American Express® Gold Card is a top choice for food lovers and everyday spenders. Similar to the Platinum card, keep an eye out for elevated welcome offers via the CardMatch tool.
Earning Points:
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
- 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
- 3 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly from airlines or through amextravel.com
- 2 points per dollar on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on amextravel.com
- 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Annual Fee: $325 (see rates and fees)
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is geared towards business owners and offers substantial rewards for business-related spending, along with a rich welcome bonus for new cardmembers.
Earning Points:
- 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
- 1.5 points per dollar in select business categories and on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
- 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Annual Fee: $695 (see rates and fees)
American Express Business Gold Card
American Express® Business Gold Card provides flexible bonus categories tailored to business spending habits, making it a valuable tool for maximizing rewards.
Earning Points:
- 4 points per dollar in the two categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle (from six eligible categories, on up to $150,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
- 3 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com
- 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Annual Fee: $375 (see rates and fees)
American Express Green Card
American Express® Green Card is a more accessible option with a lower annual fee, still offering solid rewards on everyday spending categories, particularly for travel and dining.
Earning Points:
- 3 points per dollar on dining at restaurants worldwide, takeout, and delivery in the U.S.
- 3 points per dollar on travel and transit
- 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Annual Fee: $150
Note: Terms and conditions apply to all offers and benefits. Welcome bonuses and earning structures are subject to change. Verify current offers and card details directly with American Express.
Amex Membership Rewards Transfer Partners: Your Gateway to Global Travel
The true power of American Express Membership Rewards points lies in their transferability. Amex boasts an impressive portfolio of American Express point transfer partners, consisting of 18 airlines and 3 hotel chains. This diverse selection ensures that you have access to a wide array of redemption opportunities across the globe, covering all major airline alliances: SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and Oneworld.
Image alt text: A visually appealing graphic listing the logos of American Express’s airline and hotel transfer partners, highlighting the breadth of travel options available.
Here’s a breakdown of the American Express airline transfer 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
Related: Best frequent flyer programs for US travelers
And here are the American Express hotel transfer partners:
- Choice Privileges
- Hilton Honors
- Marriott Bonvoy
Related: Best hotel rewards programs in the world: Which one is right for you?
How to Transfer Membership Rewards Points to Partners
Transferring your Membership Rewards points to partner programs is a straightforward process. To initiate a transfer, you’ll need to ensure you have an active and valid American Express account. Then, you can link each transfer partner loyalty program to your Membership Rewards account online. Points are typically transferred in increments of 1,000, with a minimum transfer of 1,000 points.
American Express occasionally offers transfer bonuses to select partners, providing an even greater value for your points. These bonuses can significantly enhance your redemption power, so it’s always wise to check for current offers before transferring.
However, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind when transferring points:
- Transfers are irreversible: Once you transfer points to a partner program, the transaction cannot be reversed. Therefore, confirm your travel plans and award availability before proceeding with the transfer.
- Name Matching: 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 accounts or to the accounts of authorized users on your Amex card. However, authorized users must have been on your account for at least 90 days to be eligible for point transfers.
- Excise Tax Offset Fee: Transfers to U.S. airline programs (Delta SkyMiles, HawaiianMiles, and JetBlue TrueBlue) are subject to a small federal excise tax offset fee. This fee is currently 60 cents (or 120 points) per 1,000 points transferred, capped at $99 (or 19,800 points).
Related: How to transfer credit card rewards to partner programs
Maximizing Value with American Express Point Transfers
With such a diverse range of American Express point transfer partners, deciding where to transfer your points can feel overwhelming. The beauty of transferable points programs like Membership Rewards is that you can hold onto your points until you identify the ideal redemption opportunity.
Image alt text: A person happily seated in a premium airline cabin, suggesting the luxurious travel experiences achievable by strategically using American Express Membership Rewards points.
To inspire your next adventure, here are some key strategies for maximizing your American Express point transfer partners:
- Aim for Premium Cabin Redemptions: Transferring points for business or first-class flights often yields significantly higher value compared to economy redemptions. Look for sweet spots in partner award charts for long-haul flights.
- Utilize Airline Alliances: Leverage the power of airline alliances like Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam to access a vast network of destinations and airlines through a single transfer partner.
- Consider Hotel Transfers for Specific Needs: While generally, airline transfers offer better value, hotel transfers can be useful for topping off accounts for specific stays or taking advantage of unique redemption opportunities.
- Stay Updated on Transfer Bonuses: Keep an eye on current transfer bonuses to boost your points balance and achieve your travel goals faster.
- Research Award Availability in Advance: Before transferring points, always confirm award availability with the partner airline or hotel program to ensure your desired flights or accommodations are available.
Related: Best ways to use Amex Membership Rewards points: From business class flights to Europe to Hawaii
Bottom Line
American Express Membership Rewards points stand out as one of the most valuable and flexible rewards currencies available. This is largely attributed to the extensive and high-quality network of American Express point transfer partners. The ability to transfer points to a diverse range of airlines and hotels empowers you to unlock exceptional travel experiences that would otherwise be significantly more expensive.
The flexibility to strategically choose when, where, and how many points to transfer is a major advantage, giving you control over your rewards and allowing you to tailor them to your individual travel aspirations. By understanding and utilizing American Express point transfer partners, you can truly maximize the value of your Membership Rewards points and embark on unforgettable journeys around the world.
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.
