Last edit by: mia
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
Germany: 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?
(The Canadian transfer ratios are listed directly on the Canadian site.)
Q: After I transfer, when will my miles expire at that airline/hotel program? Is there anything I can do to avoid expiration there?
The Miles/Points that Do and Don't Expire wiki lists all of the Amex USA airline/hotel transfer partners and their respective expiration policies.
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 or any other OneWorld carrier redeem through:
American also has partnership outside OneWorld with:
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
Germany: 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.
In the USA version of Membership Rewards the exceptions are:
El AL Israel Airlines: 1,000 points = 20 Matmid points
Hilton®: 1,000 points = 2,000 Honors points (as of 1/11/2018)
JetBlue Airways: 250 points = 200 JetBlue TrueBlue® points
In the USA version of Membership Rewards the exceptions are:
El AL Israel Airlines: 1,000 points = 20 Matmid points
Hilton®: 1,000 points = 2,000 Honors points (as of 1/11/2018)
JetBlue Airways: 250 points = 200 JetBlue TrueBlue® points
Q: After I transfer, when will my miles expire at that airline/hotel program? Is there anything I can do to avoid expiration there?
The Miles/Points that Do and Don't Expire wiki lists all of the Amex USA airline/hotel transfer partners and their respective expiration policies.
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 or any other OneWorld carrier redeem through:
- Asia Miles (Cathay Pacific)
- British Airways
- Iberia Airlines
- Qantas Airways
American also has partnership outside OneWorld with:
- Etihad
To travel on Delta Air Lines or any other SkyTeam carrier redeem through:
- Delta Air Lines (DL permits one-way awards as of 01 JAN 2015, however trips originating in Europe carry additional surcharges; Delta also imposes surcharges on trips using some partner airlines such as China Eastern or China Southern, but notably not on trips involving its European partners (as long as the trip originates outside Europe) or Virgin Australia.)
- AeroMexico
- Alitalia
- FlyingBlue (Air France, KLM, Air Europa, Kenya Airways, Aircalin and Tarom.)
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. See also transatlantic strategy discussion HERE. Read about changes to redemption charts in December 2015 HERE.
- All Nippon Airways. Read about ANA fuel surcharges HERE. Read about changes to partner redemption charts in April 2015 HERE.
- Avianca Airlines
- Singapore Airlines. Read HERE
Read about Singapore Airlines' reciprocal mile conversion arrangement with Virgin Australia HERE.
To travel on Alaska Airlines redeem through:
- BA British Airways
- CX Asia Miles https://www.asiamiles.com/en/earn-mi...irlines#redeem
- EK Emirates https://www.emirates.com/us/english/...-airlines.aspx
- SQ Singapore Airlines https://www.singaporeair.com/saar5/p...s_AwdChart.pdf
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? (2015 - 2021)
#406
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
Welcome to Flyertalk
Correct, but you could redeem one-way through Aeroplan and the other direction through MileagePlus. Two separate transactions.
Correct, but you could redeem one-way through Aeroplan and the other direction through MileagePlus. Two separate transactions.
#407
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 146
Hey guys,
I have about 60k amex points and looking to fly one way from NYC (any airport) to ICN and I need a direct flight. Im flying with two puppies and a lot of luggage because I'm moving to korea. Anyone know any airline that I can fly direct? I was going to use ANA to fly asiana, but they ANA doesn't offer one way flights.
I have about 60k amex points and looking to fly one way from NYC (any airport) to ICN and I need a direct flight. Im flying with two puppies and a lot of luggage because I'm moving to korea. Anyone know any airline that I can fly direct? I was going to use ANA to fly asiana, but they ANA doesn't offer one way flights.
#408
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Hey guys,
I have about 60k amex points and looking to fly one way from NYC (any airport) to ICN and I need a direct flight. Im flying with two puppies and a lot of luggage because I'm moving to korea. Anyone know any airline that I can fly direct? I was going to use ANA to fly asiana, but they ANA doesn't offer one way flights.
I have about 60k amex points and looking to fly one way from NYC (any airport) to ICN and I need a direct flight. Im flying with two puppies and a lot of luggage because I'm moving to korea. Anyone know any airline that I can fly direct? I was going to use ANA to fly asiana, but they ANA doesn't offer one way flights.
Availability and KE blackout dates may be an issue, but if you find availability on a date you want, that's all that matters, and the Amex>DL transfer is instant.
If you want to find a J seat, that will be more difficult and potentially out of your price range at 80k(?) a seat on KE/DL.
#409
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
Hey guys,
I have about 60k amex points and looking to fly one way from NYC (any airport) to ICN and I need a direct flight. Im flying with two puppies and a lot of luggage because I'm moving to korea. Anyone know any airline that I can fly direct? I was going to use ANA to fly asiana, but they ANA doesn't offer one way flights.
I have about 60k amex points and looking to fly one way from NYC (any airport) to ICN and I need a direct flight. Im flying with two puppies and a lot of luggage because I'm moving to korea. Anyone know any airline that I can fly direct? I was going to use ANA to fly asiana, but they ANA doesn't offer one way flights.
But, you could also look at doing a one-way award on Asiana using Aeroplan miles. And worth researching whether either Aeroplan or Korean would offer a better baggage allowance or lower fees for the excess baggage charges you are likely to incur.
Last edited by bgriff; Apr 28, 2016 at 10:07 am
#410
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 728
Delta seems to have lots of availability that route. 35k each in economy comfort or 25k each in economy. book your car rental ASAP. We love Alaska
#411
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 146
Edit -- never mind the information I had previously posted as it is out of date.
But, you could also look at doing a one-way award on Asiana using Aeroplan miles. And worth researching whether either Aeroplan or Korean would offer a better baggage allowance or lower fees for the excess baggage charges you are likely to incur.
But, you could also look at doing a one-way award on Asiana using Aeroplan miles. And worth researching whether either Aeroplan or Korean would offer a better baggage allowance or lower fees for the excess baggage charges you are likely to incur.
#412
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 178
Whats the best airline to transfer to with 80k points to fly from NYC to London? Round trip
#413
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
#414
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: DCA
Posts: 818
Are you looking for Economy or Business/First? American flies between JFK and LHR - you can book those flights in economy with 30k Etihad miles, or 20k during off-peak dates (October 15 – May 15). With the current transfer bonus of 30% from MR to Etihad, you could get roundtrip on AA metal in economy for 47k MR points during peak months, or 31k off-peak.
#416
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
80k plus substantial fees (from $1120 to $1344, per virginatlantic.com). It appears there is a new transfer bonus offer to Virgin Atlantic, but the site errors out when I click the link. Will try again on Monday.
Last edited by mia; May 1, 2016 at 7:40 pm Reason: Add fee range.
#417
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 178
You're saying it will be 80k points + fees of 1k-1.2k (flight, taxes, etc.)?
It seems I can transfer to Aeroplan with a 1:1 ratio and book a flight for 60k points and pay about $200 in taxes. Seems to be a better deal vs paying absurd fuel charges and taxes.
It seems I can transfer to Aeroplan with a 1:1 ratio and book a flight for 60k points and pay about $200 in taxes. Seems to be a better deal vs paying absurd fuel charges and taxes.
Last edited by WantsAmex; May 2, 2016 at 9:49 am
#418
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,460
The 60k Aeroplan ticket youi're talking about is economy which is fine if that's what you want to fly. I don't do longhaul economy anymore so I can't speak to the quality.
#419
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,932
I updated the wiki to correct the USA hotel ratios. The Wiki had said that Hilton was 1000:1000, whereas it's 1000 MR : 1500 HH per the USA Amex site linked in the wiki. The Wiki had said that SPG was 1000 : 500, whereas it's 1000 MR : 333 SPG per the USA Amex site linked in the wiki.
#420
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
Thank you. The inaccurate edit was made only a few days ago, and reflects confusion between the USA and Canadian transfer ratios.
The Canadian ratios can be verified here:
http://catalogue.membershiprewards.c...orySearch=true
The USA ratios can be verified here:
https://rewards.americanexpress.com/...R&viewfullsite
The Canadian ratios can be verified here:
http://catalogue.membershiprewards.c...orySearch=true
The USA ratios can be verified here:
https://rewards.americanexpress.com/...R&viewfullsite