Sep 19, 2014, 7:20 am
Last edit by: HookemHorns
Membership Rewards (USA) points can be transferred to airline and hotel accounts in the name of the primary cardholder -or- the name of a supplementary cardholder on any card account linked to the same Membership Rewards account. You only need to request a supplementary card. It need not ever be given to the cardholder, nor used for any purchases. American Express will not issue cards for children under age 13.
Bear in mind that American Express (USA) generally limits customers to four credit cards, plus an unspecified number of charge cards. Most of the cards which can be used to add free supplementary cardholders are credit cards, choose one that you actually want to use,
These products allow you to add free Supplementary cardholders:
PERSONAL CARD ACCOUNTS
SMALL BUSINESS CARD ACCOUNTS
Bear in mind that American Express (USA) generally limits customers to four credit cards, plus an unspecified number of charge cards. Most of the cards which can be used to add free supplementary cardholders are credit cards, choose one that you actually want to use,
These products allow you to add free Supplementary cardholders:
PERSONAL CARD ACCOUNTS
- Premier Rewards Gold charge card. $175 fee for primary card, up to five free supplementary cards.
- Mercedes-Benz credit card. $95 fee for primary card, free supplementary cards.
- Everyday Preferred credit card. $95 fee for primary card, free supplementary cards.
- Everyday credit card. No fee for primary or supplementary cards.
- Blue from American Express credit card. No fee for primary or supplementary cards, but this card participates in Membership Rewards Express. Express points are not eligible for transfer unless you also hold a card participating in the full Membership Rewards program. Caution: Blue Cash, Blue Cash Everyday, Blue Cash Preferred, Blue Sky and Blue Sky Preferred do not participate in Membership Rewards, and supplementary cardholders are not eligible to receive transfers.
SMALL BUSINESS CARD ACCOUNTS
- Business Gold Rewards charge card. $175 fee for the primary card, $50 for the first supplementary card, but additional supplementary cards are free.
- Blue for Business credit card. No fee for primary card or supplementary cards, but this card participates in Membership Rewards Express. Express points are not eligible for transfer unless you also hold a card participating in the full Membership Rewards program. This is the best Membership Rewards card for general spending because it earns a 30% annual bonus on all spending.
AMEX (USA) kills ability to transfer MR to non-account holder's airline or hotel acct
Jun 30, 2014, 2:05 pm
#46
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York City
Posts: 801
Jun 30, 2014, 3:34 pm
#47
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: DL BA Amex
Posts: 916
As this thread clearly details... AMEX has effectively stopped the "unofficial" ability to transfer Membership Rewards Points to any partner account that does not have the same name as the Amex account.
However, the transfers will still work if the frequent flier account has already been linked to the Amex account.
So I guess really what Amex has done is stop the ability to LINK an account with a different last name...
However, the transfers will still work if the frequent flier account has already been linked to the Amex account.
So I guess really what Amex has done is stop the ability to LINK an account with a different last name...
Jun 30, 2014, 3:37 pm
#48
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York City
Posts: 801
As this thread clearly details... AMEX has effectively stopped the "unofficial" ability to transfer Membership Rewards Points to any partner account that does not have the same name as the Amex account.
However, the transfers will still work if the frequent flier account has already been linked to the Amex account.
So I guess really what Amex has done is stop the ability to LINK an account with a different last name...
However, the transfers will still work if the frequent flier account has already been linked to the Amex account.
So I guess really what Amex has done is stop the ability to LINK an account with a different last name...
I think you need to reread the post I quoted.
Jun 30, 2014, 3:58 pm
#49
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: DL BA Amex
Posts: 916
But you did put OFFICIALLY in quotes, which means it maybe possible "unofficially"...
Other than the AU route, transfers to the accounts of others are not going to happen.
Jun 30, 2014, 4:01 pm
#50
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York City
Posts: 801
Further, OP only asked with respect to AUs (i.e. can he transfer MR to AU's MR, or must he transfer MR to AU's FFN). He doesn't mention third parties at all.
Jun 30, 2014, 4:52 pm
#51
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: world
Programs: all
Posts: 1,422
I don't think its a good idea to keep adding AU just for the purpose of transferring points. My guess is that it would be ok if you do it a few times, but if you make it a habit you are inviting a review by amex
Jun 30, 2014, 7:10 pm
#53
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,957
Officially it isn't permitted. Customer service has made exceptions, but recent reports suggest that they no longer has this discretion:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ds-points.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ds-points.html
Jun 30, 2014, 7:10 pm
#54
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,957
Officially it isn't permitted for accounts issued in the USA. Customer service has made exceptions, but recent reports suggest that they no longer have this discretion:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ds-points.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ds-points.html
Jun 30, 2014, 11:04 pm
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
So yes, constantly adding and dropping AUs will throw a flag, which is the whole point.
Jul 1, 2014, 11:45 am
#57
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: world
Programs: all
Posts: 1,422
Nobody will blink an eye if you are adding family members (even extended family) for the purpose of a FFP transfer. The change was to put a control on the free for all transferring and selling of miles to complete strangers.
So yes, constantly adding and dropping AUs will throw a flag, which is the whole point.
So yes, constantly adding and dropping AUs will throw a flag, which is the whole point.
exactly...the issue is that mileage brokers have been buying amex miles and transferring them here and there and then redeeming premium tickets. This mostly addresses that issue.
Aug 18, 2014, 9:24 am
#59
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Seattle
Programs: United Airlines Premier, Starwood Gold Preferred Guest, Hyatt Gold Passport, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 356
How were you able to link it if it wasn't under your name? Did you put in the account number and put your name instead? There's a verification step at the FFP end to accept/reject. Most of them do that using name, some of them don't bother. I guess we just found out that ANA does.
Aug 18, 2014, 9:43 am
#60
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,957
Solution: make the family member a Supplementary Cardholder (authorized user) on one of your card accounts. (It must be a card which earns Membership Rewards.) You will then be able to link their frequent flyer accounts to your Membership Rewards account. There is no requirement that the Supplementary card ever be used.