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]
Jun 11, 2013, 1:10 am
#421
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 13
I have 100k points with AMEX with the recent signup bouns. And I'd like to figure out how to fly with these points.
My home airport is LAX. I plan fly to East Asia in summer, HKG/ICN/NRT(or any nearby airport) I've found cheap budget airline between Japan and Korea (ICN/NRT). So I still the main route figure out.
Here's my plan:
LAX -> NRT -> ICN -> HKG -> ICN -> NRT -> LAX
or
LAX -> ICN -> HKG -> ICN -> NRT -> ICN -> LAX
Either way I need to figure out which airline do I transfer my miles to. I'm new to this, please guide me.
Thank you.
My home airport is LAX. I plan fly to East Asia in summer, HKG/ICN/NRT(or any nearby airport) I've found cheap budget airline between Japan and Korea (ICN/NRT). So I still the main route figure out.
Here's my plan:
LAX -> NRT -> ICN -> HKG -> ICN -> NRT -> LAX
or
LAX -> ICN -> HKG -> ICN -> NRT -> ICN -> LAX
Either way I need to figure out which airline do I transfer my miles to. I'm new to this, please guide me.
Thank you.
Jun 11, 2013, 7:03 pm
#422
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: San Francisco
Programs: Amex MR, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 518
I have 100k points with AMEX with the recent signup bouns. And I'd like to figure out how to fly with these points.
My home airport is LAX. I plan fly to East Asia in summer, HKG/ICN/NRT(or any nearby airport) I've found cheap budget airline between Japan and Korea (ICN/NRT). So I still the main route figure out.
Here's my plan:
LAX -> NRT -> ICN -> HKG -> ICN -> NRT -> LAX
or
LAX -> ICN -> HKG -> ICN -> NRT -> ICN -> LAX
Either way I need to figure out which airline do I transfer my miles to. I'm new to this, please guide me.
Thank you.
My home airport is LAX. I plan fly to East Asia in summer, HKG/ICN/NRT(or any nearby airport) I've found cheap budget airline between Japan and Korea (ICN/NRT). So I still the main route figure out.
Here's my plan:
LAX -> NRT -> ICN -> HKG -> ICN -> NRT -> LAX
or
LAX -> ICN -> HKG -> ICN -> NRT -> ICN -> LAX
Either way I need to figure out which airline do I transfer my miles to. I'm new to this, please guide me.
Thank you.
Just a quick test makes it look like it's fairly easy to find availability using BA miles LAX-NRT for 50k each way in business, along with $150-$400 in fuel surcharges each way. (It looks like the fuel charges are higher in the NRT-LAX direction, or perhaps it's a function of the operating airline.)
BA and SQ both allow one-way awards so if you wanted to fly JL or MH to NRT on the outbound and then SQ HKG-LAX on the return you could do that also.
Jun 19, 2013, 10:06 pm
#423
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: BUE
Programs: AAdvantage, Onepass, Lifemiles, SPG, Marriott. LANPASS s*cks.
Posts: 598
1.5 million MR
Need expert advice.
I have 1.5 million MRs seating in my account in Argentina. I can transfer them to my US account (once per year)
MR Argentina has 1:1 transfer to Avianca miles, however I can normally purchase those miles for 1.5 cpm.
I am debating over transfereing them to Flying Blue or Aeroplan. I do not have status with neither. Another option could be to Transfer 200k to each program and bank the rest in amex until more is needed.
What would you do?
I have 1.5 million MRs seating in my account in Argentina. I can transfer them to my US account (once per year)
MR Argentina has 1:1 transfer to Avianca miles, however I can normally purchase those miles for 1.5 cpm.
I am debating over transfereing them to Flying Blue or Aeroplan. I do not have status with neither. Another option could be to Transfer 200k to each program and bank the rest in amex until more is needed.
What would you do?
Jun 21, 2013, 8:53 pm
#424
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: Aadvantage ExPlt, SPG Platinum 100, Alaska 75K
Posts: 372
Need expert advice.
I have 1.5 million MRs seating in my account in Argentina. I can transfer them to my US account (once per year)
MR Argentina has 1:1 transfer to Avianca miles, however I can normally purchase those miles for 1.5 cpm.
I am debating over transfereing them to Flying Blue or Aeroplan. I do not have status with neither. Another option could be to Transfer 200k to each program and bank the rest in amex until more is needed.
What would you do?
I have 1.5 million MRs seating in my account in Argentina. I can transfer them to my US account (once per year)
MR Argentina has 1:1 transfer to Avianca miles, however I can normally purchase those miles for 1.5 cpm.
I am debating over transfereing them to Flying Blue or Aeroplan. I do not have status with neither. Another option could be to Transfer 200k to each program and bank the rest in amex until more is needed.
What would you do?
Jun 23, 2013, 8:08 am
#425
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: BUE
Programs: AAdvantage, Onepass, Lifemiles, SPG, Marriott. LANPASS s*cks.
Posts: 598
Thanks! Yes, many trips on mind. EZE-Europe and EZE-Asia. I also use AA miles a lot, but no way to transfer. Just CC.
Jun 28, 2013, 9:55 pm
#426
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 76
where to transfer Amex MR points?
What is the best transfer options? I m not familiar with MR
Got 75k from last signup.
Currently have 100k united, 20k avios, 150k AA
Got 75k from last signup.
Currently have 100k united, 20k avios, 150k AA
Jun 28, 2013, 10:21 pm
#427
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,586
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
There's no one option that's "best" for everyone. Without knowing more about what you hope to get from miles/points, it's impossible to make an informed recommendation.
There's no one option that's "best" for everyone. Without knowing more about what you hope to get from miles/points, it's impossible to make an informed recommendation.
Jun 28, 2013, 10:29 pm
#428
formerly sahiljain22
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: BOS;NYC;YVR;YYZ;DEL;BOM
Programs: Amex Plat; HH Diamond; SPG Plat; Hyatt Diamond; United 1K; National EE; HSBC Premier
Posts: 532
Also WHY do you have to transfer? Are you closing accounts?
I usually transfer to aeroplan, but in your case, BA might an option too.
I usually transfer to aeroplan, but in your case, BA might an option too.
Jun 29, 2013, 6:11 am
#429
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 558
Perhaps you could start by reading the third thread down in this forum
"Which hotel or airline to transfer my Amex MR Membership Rewards points?"
I'm thinking it may be related to your question...
"Which hotel or airline to transfer my Amex MR Membership Rewards points?"
I'm thinking it may be related to your question...
Jun 29, 2013, 2:58 pm
#430
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: US
Programs: SPG Gold
Posts: 105
I have 100k points with AMEX with the recent signup bouns. And I'd like to figure out how to fly with these points.
My home airport is LAX. I plan fly to East Asia in summer, HKG/ICN/NRT(or any nearby airport) I've found cheap budget airline between Japan and Korea (ICN/NRT). So I still the main route figure out.
Here's my plan:
LAX -> NRT -> ICN -> HKG -> ICN -> NRT -> LAX
or
LAX -> ICN -> HKG -> ICN -> NRT -> ICN -> LAX
Either way I need to figure out which airline do I transfer my miles to. I'm new to this, please guide me.
Thank you.
My home airport is LAX. I plan fly to East Asia in summer, HKG/ICN/NRT(or any nearby airport) I've found cheap budget airline between Japan and Korea (ICN/NRT). So I still the main route figure out.
Here's my plan:
LAX -> NRT -> ICN -> HKG -> ICN -> NRT -> LAX
or
LAX -> ICN -> HKG -> ICN -> NRT -> ICN -> LAX
Either way I need to figure out which airline do I transfer my miles to. I'm new to this, please guide me.
Thank you.
http://www.gcmap.com/dist?P=LAX-NRT-ICN-HKG-ICN-NRT-LAX
With ANA's distance based chart this route will cost 105K ANA Miles:
http://www.ana.co.jp/wws/us/e/asw_co...ikeiair_1.html
Star alliance operates all of these routes ANA will be able to book as long as award availability is there.
For instance, sample non-stop operators for all of your segments:
LAX-NRT: UA, SQ, ANA
NRT-ICN: Asiana, UA
ICN-HKG: Asiana, Thai
Jun 30, 2013, 8:47 am
#431
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 3,648
yusiye: If you have any *points, they also transfer into ANA. And if you have any family members with MR points you can transfer theirs into your ANA account.
I just did this, used up all of my MR points, my Mom's MR points, and added just enough *points to get 230K ANA points to fly 2 of us to Borneo on OZ in business class. It did cost me $635 each in SQ though. But the tickets are worth over $7000 each so it was worth it to me. The balance in my ANA account is now 43 points.
I just did this, used up all of my MR points, my Mom's MR points, and added just enough *points to get 230K ANA points to fly 2 of us to Borneo on OZ in business class. It did cost me $635 each in SQ though. But the tickets are worth over $7000 each so it was worth it to me. The balance in my ANA account is now 43 points.
Jul 7, 2013, 9:06 am
#432
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SNA
Programs: hilton gold,hyatt
Posts: 208
One option I can say is transfer your Amex to ANA for travel on Ethihad to HYD. The award availability is awesome from JFK/IAD-AUH-HYD.
Since Etihad is a non-alliance partner of ANA, you cannot add additional segments to get to their Hub. I mean segments like BOS-JFK or BOS-IAD. ANA uses a distance based approach. For a RT from JFK to HYD it is shy under 17K miles and you will look at the 14-18K category which costs you 85K/105K/160K for Econ/Biz/First.
Also the taxes and fees for Etihad Biz is steep. For ex, RT award taxes for JFK-AUH-HYD will be 900$. This is the hardest part for me to digest.
Transfer to ANA takes 2-3 days from MR.
I am looking for more options for MR transfer that will take me to HYD easily.
Since Etihad is a non-alliance partner of ANA, you cannot add additional segments to get to their Hub. I mean segments like BOS-JFK or BOS-IAD. ANA uses a distance based approach. For a RT from JFK to HYD it is shy under 17K miles and you will look at the 14-18K category which costs you 85K/105K/160K for Econ/Biz/First.
Also the taxes and fees for Etihad Biz is steep. For ex, RT award taxes for JFK-AUH-HYD will be 900$. This is the hardest part for me to digest.
Transfer to ANA takes 2-3 days from MR.
I am looking for more options for MR transfer that will take me to HYD easily.
Jul 8, 2013, 12:39 am
#433
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 18
Hi everyone,
I need some advice. I have ~200K points that I need to transfer out of MR as I am closing my cards because of the annual fee.
I usually fly LAX to TLV with my family (5 people) once every year or two. I prefer traveling on non-stop flight with El Al (usually using AA miles), however this will not work here because of the devaluation involved in conversion.
I am going through the list and so far Air France is the best option that I've found with 50K miles+$80 taxes/ticket when going through JFK.
Other options I was looking at are:
El Al - Low redemption rate and high surcharges
ANA - 65K per ticket
Iberia/Singapore/BA - 75K per ticket
Air Canada/Alitalia - 80K per ticket
Cathay Pacific - 90K per ticket
All other airlines do not offer this route
Anyone has any advice on how to utilize/transfer MR better?
TIA!
I need some advice. I have ~200K points that I need to transfer out of MR as I am closing my cards because of the annual fee.
I usually fly LAX to TLV with my family (5 people) once every year or two. I prefer traveling on non-stop flight with El Al (usually using AA miles), however this will not work here because of the devaluation involved in conversion.
I am going through the list and so far Air France is the best option that I've found with 50K miles+$80 taxes/ticket when going through JFK.
Other options I was looking at are:
El Al - Low redemption rate and high surcharges
ANA - 65K per ticket
Iberia/Singapore/BA - 75K per ticket
Air Canada/Alitalia - 80K per ticket
Cathay Pacific - 90K per ticket
All other airlines do not offer this route
Anyone has any advice on how to utilize/transfer MR better?
TIA!
Jul 14, 2013, 10:38 am
#434
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
Barely topic-related question:
How difficult is it booking UA flights using Aeroplan miles transferred from MR?
How difficult is it booking UA flights using Aeroplan miles transferred from MR?