Oct 9, 2013, 1:33 pm
Last edit by: gooselee
Q. Where can I find a list of the airline and hotel transfer partners?
Partner airline and hotel programs, transfer ratios, and rules vary by the country where your American Express card is issued:
Australia: Airlines & Hotels
Canada: Airlines & Hotels
International Dollar & Euro Cards: Airlines & Hotels
New Zealand: Airlines & Hotels
UK: Airlines, Hotels
USA: Airlines & Hotels Transfer ratios explained below.
Q. What are the transfer ratios to USA airline and hotel partners?
Q. How long does it typically take to compete a transfer?
MR USA airline and hotel partner transfer times.
Q. How can I use Membership Rewards points to travel on American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines or other carriers which are not transfer partners?
Membership Rewards (USA) points can be transferred to three or more frequent flyer programs in each of the international alliances. Any program can arrange award travel on flights operated by all members of the same alliance. Points cannot be transferred from one frequent flyer program to another, instead you redeem for a partner award. The number of miles required is determined by the program through which you redeem, not by the airline operating the flights. Programs in the same alliance will require different amounts of miles, and different co-payments, for the same flights. Do not transfer until you understand the full cost of the flights you need. Do not transfer until you have confirmed availability for your specific dates and route.
To travel on American Airlines, US Airways or any other OneWorld carrier redeem through:
To travel on Delta Air Lines or any other SkyTeam carrier redeem through:
To travel on United Airlines or any other Star Alliance carrier redeem through:
To travel on Alaska Airlines redeem through:
Q. Rather than transferring now, can I preserve my Membership Rewards USA points balance without paying any annual fee?
Apply for an American Express Everyday card, and link it to the same Membership Rewards account. You may then close the other cards.
Partner airline and hotel programs, transfer ratios, and rules vary by the country where your American Express card is issued:
Australia: Airlines & Hotels
Canada: Airlines & Hotels
International Dollar & Euro Cards: Airlines & Hotels
New Zealand: Airlines & Hotels
UK: Airlines, Hotels
USA: Airlines & Hotels Transfer ratios explained below.
Q. What are the transfer ratios to USA airline and hotel partners?
For most frequent customer programs, 1,000 Membership Rewards points will equal 1,000 miles, points or credits and must be transferred in 1,000-point increments unless otherwise noted.
The only exceptions are:
JetBlue Airways: 250 points = 200 JetBlue TrueBlue® points; must be transferred in 250-point increments
El AL Israel Airlines: 1,000 points = 20 Matmid points
Starwood Preferred Guest®: 1,000 points = 333 Starpoints®
Hilton®: 1,000 points = 1,500 HHonors™ points
Virgin America: 200 points = 100 Elevate points; must be transferred in 200-point increments
The only exceptions are:
JetBlue Airways: 250 points = 200 JetBlue TrueBlue® points; must be transferred in 250-point increments
El AL Israel Airlines: 1,000 points = 20 Matmid points
Starwood Preferred Guest®: 1,000 points = 333 Starpoints®
Hilton®: 1,000 points = 1,500 HHonors™ points
Virgin America: 200 points = 100 Elevate points; must be transferred in 200-point increments
Q. How long does it typically take to compete a transfer?
MR USA airline and hotel partner transfer times.
Q. How can I use Membership Rewards points to travel on American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines or other carriers which are not transfer partners?
Membership Rewards (USA) points can be transferred to three or more frequent flyer programs in each of the international alliances. Any program can arrange award travel on flights operated by all members of the same alliance. Points cannot be transferred from one frequent flyer program to another, instead you redeem for a partner award. The number of miles required is determined by the program through which you redeem, not by the airline operating the flights. Programs in the same alliance will require different amounts of miles, and different co-payments, for the same flights. Do not transfer until you understand the full cost of the flights you need. Do not transfer until you have confirmed availability for your specific dates and route.
To travel on American Airlines, US Airways or any other OneWorld carrier redeem through:
- Asia Miles (Cathay Pacific)
- British Airways
- Iberia Airlines
------------------ - El Al is not a OneWorld member, but they do have a rewards partnership with American Airlines, see HERE. Ends October 31, 2014.
- Hawaiian Airlines is not a OneWorld member, but they do have a rewards partnership with American Airlines, see HERE.
To travel on Delta Air Lines or any other SkyTeam carrier redeem through:
- Delta Air Lines
- AeroMexico
- Alitalia
- FlyingBlue (Air France, KLM, Air Europa, Kenya Airways, Aircalin and Tarom.)
*Note: DL permits one-way awards as of 01 JAN 2015, however trips originating outside of USA carry additional surcharges.
To travel on United Airlines or any other Star Alliance carrier redeem through:
- Aeroplan (Air Canada) No fuel surcharge on flights operated by UA and many other airlines. Read current list HERE.
- All Nippon Airways. Read about ANA fuel surcharges HERE. Read about changes to partner redemption charts in April 2015 HERE.
- Singapore Airlines. Read HERE
Read about Singapore Airlines' reciprocal mile conversion arrangement with Virgin Australia HERE.
To travel on Alaska Airlines redeem through:
- Asia Miles
- British Airways
- Delta Airlines
- Emirates
- FlyingBlue
Q. Rather than transferring now, can I preserve my Membership Rewards USA points balance without paying any annual fee?
Apply for an American Express Everyday card, and link it to the same Membership Rewards account. You may then close the other cards.
Transfer Membership Rewards points to which airline or hotel program? [2008 - 2014]
Apr 22, 2013, 3:19 pm
#391
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
Apr 22, 2013, 3:40 pm
#392
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 21
But interestingly enough - on the united site I can book the same flight for the same 60 K (it is Lufthansa both ways - direct), but only $125 in fees
On aeroplan it is $679 - same as ANA.
Apr 22, 2013, 3:59 pm
#393
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
However, you may be able to make a two step transfer:
MR -> AC -> [via points.com] US
I believe you will lose about 15% of the points in the points.com transfer from AC to US. See if US offers the same LH flights that you see on ua.com.
Apr 22, 2013, 4:00 pm
#394
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,786
The same 60K UA or AC miles should get U all the way from ATL--FRA--GOJ with or without spending time in Frankfurt! So save your LH miles for next time.
AFAIK, UA refuses to charge YQ on any award tickets, while AC charges it on its own TATL flights & those of *A partners that charge their own miles-holders YQ! So your best bet is to transfer Amex to AC & surrender to the nasty YQ. Too bad U don't have Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which do transfer to UA!
I don't know if US charges YQ on LH flights, but US has crazy fees of its own: Award Processing Fee + Phone Booking Fee on any partner airlines!
LifeMiles is also a *A airline.
AFAIK, UA refuses to charge YQ on any award tickets, while AC charges it on its own TATL flights & those of *A partners that charge their own miles-holders YQ! So your best bet is to transfer Amex to AC & surrender to the nasty YQ. Too bad U don't have Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which do transfer to UA!
I don't know if US charges YQ on LH flights, but US has crazy fees of its own: Award Processing Fee + Phone Booking Fee on any partner airlines!
LifeMiles is also a *A airline.
Apr 22, 2013, 4:50 pm
#395
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 21
The same 60K UA or AC miles should get U all the way from ATL--FRA--GOJ with or without spending time in Frankfurt! So save your LH miles for next time.
AFAIK, UA refuses to charge YQ on any award tickets, while AC charges it on its own TATL flights & those of *A partners that charge their own miles-holders YQ! So your best bet is to transfer Amex to AC & surrender to the nasty YQ. Too bad U don't have Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which do transfer to UA!
I don't know if US charges YQ on LH flights, but US has crazy fees of its own: Award Processing Fee + Phone Booking Fee on any partner airlines!
LifeMiles is also a *A airline.
AFAIK, UA refuses to charge YQ on any award tickets, while AC charges it on its own TATL flights & those of *A partners that charge their own miles-holders YQ! So your best bet is to transfer Amex to AC & surrender to the nasty YQ. Too bad U don't have Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which do transfer to UA!
I don't know if US charges YQ on LH flights, but US has crazy fees of its own: Award Processing Fee + Phone Booking Fee on any partner airlines!
LifeMiles is also a *A airline.
Thanks for the advice on UA. I do have some Chase points.
Question - when they transfer bonus - right after the spending limit is met or after 3 months?
Apr 22, 2013, 5:25 pm
#396
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: New York
Programs: Cutting down :-(
Posts: 604
I can only book all the way from ATL--FRA--GOJ with 60K of UA. For my dates it would be 75K AC. How did you get 60K on AC miles - on www.aeroplan.com?
Thanks for the advice on UA. I do have some Chase points.
Question - when they transfer bonus - right after the spending limit is met or after 3 months?
Thanks for the advice on UA. I do have some Chase points.
Question - when they transfer bonus - right after the spending limit is met or after 3 months?
Apr 22, 2013, 6:52 pm
#397
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,786
Alex, Cvarming is right. We assume you're referring to the sign-up bonus of 40K or so??
Once you have Chase points, just hit the transfer button & they arrive in your UA instantly!
Sorry, I just guessed that GOJ (Nizhny Novgorod--I just Bing'ed it) was in the 60K USA--to-Europe zone in both programs. I may be wrong re: AC.
BTW, Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GOJ says that Czech Airlines & Ural Airlines fly Prague--GOJ direct. Czech is a Delta/ SkyTeam partner but U might need to phone DL to use miles to fly them.
If there are no direct flights ATL--PRG, you can fly via New York or Montreal! Spend a week in Montreal ("stopover") then via Prague to Nizhny--for no extra miles!
Once you have Chase points, just hit the transfer button & they arrive in your UA instantly!
Sorry, I just guessed that GOJ (Nizhny Novgorod--I just Bing'ed it) was in the 60K USA--to-Europe zone in both programs. I may be wrong re: AC.
BTW, Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GOJ says that Czech Airlines & Ural Airlines fly Prague--GOJ direct. Czech is a Delta/ SkyTeam partner but U might need to phone DL to use miles to fly them.
If there are no direct flights ATL--PRG, you can fly via New York or Montreal! Spend a week in Montreal ("stopover") then via Prague to Nizhny--for no extra miles!
Last edited by Brendan; Apr 22, 2013 at 7:09 pm
Apr 22, 2013, 8:17 pm
#398
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 21
BTW, Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GOJ says that Czech Airlines & Ural Airlines fly Prague--GOJ direct. Czech is a Delta/ SkyTeam partner but U might need to phone DL to use miles to fly them.
If there are no direct flights ATL--PRG, you can fly via New York or Montreal! Spend a week in Montreal ("stopover") then via Prague to Nizhny--for no extra miles!
If there are no direct flights ATL--PRG, you can fly via New York or Montreal! Spend a week in Montreal ("stopover") then via Prague to Nizhny--for no extra miles!
I have a question about transferring to US airways via points. I tried to see if I can book LH flight UA and AC offer, but on US airways site they only offer US flights. How/where can I see if I can book with partners as well?
UPDATE: you need to call to book with partners... Oh, man!
It still may be a better deal, since it would be around 60K miles for a trip + 180 fee, compares with around 670 if booked using AC.
Last edited by alexxgr; Apr 22, 2013 at 8:29 pm
Apr 22, 2013, 9:16 pm
#399
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,786
I just tried Expedia.com, but I can't find the flights I mentioned above. Maybe the info is outdated, seasonal, or they fly only on certain days of the week!
Trouble is when converting AC to US on points.com, U lose about 20% of the points: 75,406 AC---> 60K US! The lost miles are worth $308 IMO!
Plus the change fees are $0--75 when using UA miles, $90 on AC, or $150 on US! Also, last time I checked, once U fly to Russia, your return ticket booked on US miles may not be changed at all--even by paying a fee! So if U want to come home later or earlier, U must buy a new one-way ticket!
Trouble is when converting AC to US on points.com, U lose about 20% of the points: 75,406 AC---> 60K US! The lost miles are worth $308 IMO!
Plus the change fees are $0--75 when using UA miles, $90 on AC, or $150 on US! Also, last time I checked, once U fly to Russia, your return ticket booked on US miles may not be changed at all--even by paying a fee! So if U want to come home later or earlier, U must buy a new one-way ticket!
May 5, 2013, 1:59 pm
#400
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 2
about to cancel amex platinum, can someone offer some points help?
hey there:
i am about to cancel my amex platinum in favor of the chase united club card, since i fly united now mostly. i still have 60000 unused amex points. i know, not a ton, but what is the BEST use of these remaining points.
side note: do have a virgin america elevate account, i fly them about 1, maybe 2 times, per year.
thanks!
i am about to cancel my amex platinum in favor of the chase united club card, since i fly united now mostly. i still have 60000 unused amex points. i know, not a ton, but what is the BEST use of these remaining points.
side note: do have a virgin america elevate account, i fly them about 1, maybe 2 times, per year.
thanks!
May 5, 2013, 3:27 pm
#401
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP, lowly UA 1K; Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold; National EC, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,213
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/onemil...ewards-points/
This is a recent blog post with what you can do with 50K points. Might give you a few ideas.
This is a recent blog post with what you can do with 50K points. Might give you a few ideas.
May 5, 2013, 3:33 pm
#402
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 2
interesting
this is interesting, but i am in california, and most of these ideas are not close to here.
i was hoping someone could chime in with the most value redemption ideas for the points.
perhaps someone who cancelled their platinum card and had a similar issue?
thanks!
i was hoping someone could chime in with the most value redemption ideas for the points.
perhaps someone who cancelled their platinum card and had a similar issue?
thanks!
May 5, 2013, 4:09 pm
#403
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
Welcome to FlyerTalk. You have asked a question to which there is no answer. I have moved your question into the established thread on points transfers, but you should also read this one to understand why airline transfers are nearly always the best monetary value:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...giftcards.html
If you wish to use the miles for travel on UA you will transfer to AC, NH or SQ. You cannot tramsfer miles from those programs to UA, but you can redeem for travel on flights operated by any Star Alliance carrier.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...giftcards.html
If you wish to use the miles for travel on UA you will transfer to AC, NH or SQ. You cannot tramsfer miles from those programs to UA, but you can redeem for travel on flights operated by any Star Alliance carrier.
May 7, 2013, 9:01 pm
#404
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 5
Almost 400K
I have almost 400K to transfer from my MR accounts. Would like to use points for a 20th wedding anniversary trip. Best suggestions for using points for business class or first class air to Europe, and hotel??
Would like to go to either Spain, Italy or Scandinavia.
Where do I start??
Would like to go to either Spain, Italy or Scandinavia.
Where do I start??
May 7, 2013, 10:49 pm
#405
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,531
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
"Where do I start??"
Where do you start from? Your departure airport might be relevant, as some frequent-flyer programs are distance-based, rather than zone based.
"Where do I start??"
Where do you start from? Your departure airport might be relevant, as some frequent-flyer programs are distance-based, rather than zone based.