American Express Membership Rewards points are a favorite among travel enthusiasts and experts alike, and for good reason. Their flexibility and potential for high value redemptions are unparalleled, especially when leveraging their extensive network of transfer partners.
Whether you’re dreaming of luxurious first-class flights to exotic destinations or budget-friendly hotel stays, understanding American Express Points Partners is key to unlocking incredible travel experiences. Amex Membership Rewards boasts an impressive roster of 18 airline and three hotel partners, giving you a wide array of options to maximize your points.
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, introduce you to the partner programs, and highlight strategies to make the most of your Amex points for your next adventure.
Earning American Express Membership Rewards Points
The first step to utilizing Amex points partners is to earn Membership Rewards points. This is achieved by using eligible American Express cards for your everyday spending and travel purchases. Several popular Amex cards offer generous welcome bonuses and compelling rewards structures, accelerating your points accumulation.
Here are some of the top American Express cards for earning Membership Rewards points:
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium travel card that offers a wealth of benefits and a strong earning potential. New cardholders can often earn substantial welcome bonuses. Check the CardMatch tool for potentially elevated offers.
Earning Points:
- 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
- 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
- 1x point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Annual Fee: $695 (see rates and fees)
American Express Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card is a popular choice for its strong rewards on everyday spending categories, particularly dining and groceries. Welcome bonuses are also frequently offered. Use the CardMatch tool to check for potentially higher offers.
Earning Points:
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
- 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
- 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com
- 2x points on prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com
- 1x point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Annual Fee: $325 (see rates and fees)
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
For business owners, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express provides premium perks and accelerated earnings on business-related expenses. A large welcome bonus is typically available for new cardmembers.
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 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Annual Fee: $695 (see rates and fees)
American Express Business Gold Card
The American Express® Business Gold Card offers flexible bonus categories tailored to your business spending, along with a solid welcome bonus.
Earning Points:
- 4x points in the two select categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle (on up to $150,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 1x)
- 3x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com
- 1x point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Annual Fee: $375 (see rates and fees)
American Express Green Card
The American Express® Green Card is a more accessible option with a lower annual fee, still offering bonus rewards on popular travel and dining categories, along with a welcome bonus.
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 on all other eligible purchases
Annual Fee: $150
Note: Information for the American Express Green Card is collected independently. Card details may not be reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Discovering American Express Airline Transfer Partners
American Express provides access to a diverse network of airline partners, encompassing all three major airline alliances: SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and Oneworld. This extensive selection ensures you have valuable options for flights across the globe, regardless of your preferred alliance or destination.
Here’s a list of American Express airline transfer partners:
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- Aeromexico Club Premier
- Air Canada Aeroplan (Star Alliance)
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue (SkyTeam)
- All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club (Star Alliance)
- Avianca LifeMiles (Star Alliance)
- British Airways Executive Club (Oneworld)
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (Oneworld)
- Delta Air Lines SkyMiles (SkyTeam)
- Emirates Skywards
- Etihad Guest
- Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
- Iberia Plus (Oneworld)
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Qantas Frequent Flyer (Oneworld)
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club (Oneworld)
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (Star Alliance)
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Related: Best frequent flyer programs for US travelers
Exploring American Express Hotel Transfer Partners
In addition to airlines, American Express also partners with three prominent hotel chains, providing options for transferring points towards hotel stays. While generally offering less lucrative redemption values compared to airline transfers, hotel partners can still be useful in specific situations.
The American Express hotel transfer partners are:
- 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 Step-by-Step Guide
Transferring your Membership Rewards points to partner programs is a straightforward process. Here’s how it works:
- Have an Eligible Amex Account: Ensure your American Express account is active and in good standing.
- Link Partner Accounts: Log in to your Membership Rewards account on the American Express website. Navigate to the “Transfer Points” section and link your accounts with each desired transfer partner. You’ll need to provide your loyalty program membership details for each partner.
- Initiate the Transfer: Once linked, select the partner program and specify the number of points you wish to transfer. Transfers are typically in increments of 1,000 points, with a minimum transfer of 1,000 points.
- Confirm and Complete: Review the transfer details and confirm the transaction. Keep in mind that transfers are usually non-reversible, so double-check everything before finalizing.
Important Considerations for Transfers:
- Non-Reversible Transfers: Once you transfer points to a partner, the transaction cannot be reversed. Ensure you have a clear plan for using the transferred points before proceeding.
- Name Matching: The name on your Amex account must precisely match the name on your loyalty program accounts to facilitate successful transfers.
- Authorized Users: You can transfer points to your own loyalty accounts and those of authorized users on your Amex card account. However, authorized users must be on the account for at least 90 days to be eligible for transfers.
- Excise Tax Offset Fee: Transfers to U.S. frequent flyer programs (Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue) incur a small federal excise tax offset fee. This fee is typically 60 cents per 1,000 points (capped at $99).
Related: How to transfer credit card rewards to partner programs
Maximizing Your Amex Points with Transfer Partners
The true power of American Express Membership Rewards lies in strategically utilizing transfer partners to unlock outsized value for your points. By transferring points to airline partners and redeeming for award flights, particularly in premium cabins or for long-haul travel, you can often achieve significantly higher redemption values compared to other redemption options.
Here are some key strategies for maximizing your Amex points with transfer partners:
- Target Premium Cabin Redemptions: Aim to redeem points for business class or first class flights. These premium cabins often offer exceptional value per point compared to economy redemptions.
- Explore Award Sweet Spots: Research specific award chart sweet spots within each partner program. Some programs offer particularly attractive redemption rates for certain routes or regions.
- Take Advantage of Transfer Bonuses: American Express frequently offers transfer bonuses to select partners, providing an even greater boost to your point value. Keep an eye out for these promotions to maximize your transfers.
- Plan in Advance: Award flight availability, especially in premium cabins, can be limited. Plan your travel in advance and book award flights as early as possible to secure your desired flights.
- Consider Alliances: Understand the strengths of each airline alliance (SkyTeam, Star Alliance, Oneworld) and choose partners within the alliance that best serve your travel needs and destinations.
Related: Best ways to use Amex Membership Rewards points: From business class flights to Europe to Hawaii
Conclusion: Unlock a World of Travel with Amex Points Partners
American Express Membership Rewards points are undeniably among the most valuable transferable points currencies available. The extensive network of airline and hotel transfer partners is the cornerstone of this value, providing unparalleled flexibility and opportunities for maximizing your travel rewards.
By understanding how to earn Membership Rewards points and strategically leveraging Amex points partners, you can unlock a world of travel possibilities, from luxurious flights to dream vacations. The ability to transfer points to partners at your convenience empowers you to take control of your travel rewards and make your travel aspirations a reality.
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.
