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]
Jan 2, 2013, 8:25 am
#286
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
There are three Star Alliance transfer partners: AC, NH and SQ. All three programs can be used for travel on flights operated by UA or US or any Star Alliance member. Each has strengths and weaknesses, depending on your destination and class of service.
Jan 2, 2013, 11:28 am
#287
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: PC RA, Hertz PC, (Flybe) Premier card, Tesco Platinum
Posts: 1,329
Check out the Tesco thread in the BA forum. ;-)
Jan 2, 2013, 2:48 pm
#288
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: East Coast
Posts: 1,018
Best use of MR?
I have about 122K of AmEx MR points and wondering what would be the best value for me. Initially, I was going to add most of them to my 75K Delta and fly in J or First class internationally. However, it`s been a challenge to get a low miles award ticket on Delta, and I am not willing to bank all of my MR into DL for high miles ticket.
I am flexible with airlines, but do not want to pay high taxes in addition to the miles. I will consider hotel points, if that makes sense, as well. Maybe I am missing something else...
Any ideas are welcome
I am flexible with airlines, but do not want to pay high taxes in addition to the miles. I will consider hotel points, if that makes sense, as well. Maybe I am missing something else...
Any ideas are welcome
Jan 2, 2013, 2:57 pm
#289
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL PM, SPG Plat
Posts: 885
I have about 122K of AmEx MR points and wondering what would be the best value for me. Initially, I was going to add most of them to my 75K Delta and fly in J or First class internationally. However, it`s been a challenge to get a low miles award ticket on Delta, and I am not willing to bank all of my MR into DL for high miles ticket.
I am flexible with airlines, but do not want to pay high taxes in addition to the miles. I will consider hotel points, if that makes sense, as well. Maybe I am missing something else...
Any ideas are welcome
I am flexible with airlines, but do not want to pay high taxes in addition to the miles. I will consider hotel points, if that makes sense, as well. Maybe I am missing something else...
Any ideas are welcome
Oh, and when do you want to travel? How flexible are your dates?
And how many tickets?
Jan 2, 2013, 3:09 pm
#290
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: East Coast
Posts: 1,018
Where do you want to travel ideally, and where are you departing from (best if you indicate which airport code, not just which country, you plan to depart from)? Also, how much in taxes/fees do define as "high"?
Oh, and when do you want to travel? How flexible are your dates?
And how many tickets?
Oh, and when do you want to travel? How flexible are your dates?
And how many tickets?
Would you like my SS# as well?
Jan 2, 2013, 3:16 pm
#291
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Marriott LT Platinum+Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, Delta Plat, United Silver, AX Biz Cent
Posts: 705
You are probably best to either wait for a bonus to take advantage of (eg: the just-expired 35% bonus to virgin atlantic), or wait to transfer it to whomever has the best availability when you are going to use it. International business/first class is going to generally be the best value.
Jan 2, 2013, 3:24 pm
#292
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: East Coast
Posts: 1,018
You are probably best to either wait for a bonus to take advantage of (eg: the just-expired 35% bonus to virgin atlantic), or wait to transfer it to whomever has the best availability when you are going to use it. International business/first class is going to generally be the best value.
Jan 2, 2013, 3:29 pm
#293
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL PM, SPG Plat
Posts: 885
Mostly out of MCO. I consider reasonable tax amount up to around $160' over $300 is very high. I travel to South Korea, Italy, Germany, Russia-quite often, and planning a trip to Japan and China in a near future (along with previously listed countries). One ticket, business or first class. Spring and Summer of 2013.
Your other transfer options will likely involve fees in the $300+ range.
In PM please
Jan 2, 2013, 3:37 pm
#294
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL PM, SPG Plat
Posts: 885
Another consideration with Delta is the ability to add BOTH a stopover AND an open jaw on a single award ticket. This allows you to really bounce around a region on a single award flight. For example, USA-FCO (stop over) - FRA (destination and open jaw) / MUC-USA. Of course, this would likely involve some extra fees, but you can see the possibilities.
Jan 2, 2013, 8:28 pm
#295
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: united
Posts: 104
I need help with points transfer dilemma
I have 116k amex business platinum points and 165k miles with united. I am wanting to take a winter vacation with my wife to the caribbean and am trying to find out the best way to combine points and maximize airfare and hotel stay using them. any suggestions? I am premier gold with united and gold medallioin with Delta
Jan 3, 2013, 7:49 am
#297
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Marriott LT Platinum+Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, Delta Plat, United Silver, AX Biz Cent
Posts: 705
Virgin charges high fees for redeeming flying club miles to fly on Virgin ... There are no fees for using them as a gateway to transfer to Hilton, and there are lower fees for using the miles to fly partner airlines (which includes some very nice airlines like Singapore Airlines).
Jan 3, 2013, 9:18 am
#299
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,603
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
If you're looking at a Caribbean destination to which AA offers direct service from NYC, then BA Avios can provide very good value, since BA uses a distance-based redemption scheme, rather than a zone-based one. But only AA's "MileSAAver" award seats can be obtained with Avios, so check award availability at aa.com before deciding whether to convert MR points to Avios points.
Originally Posted by tjpatte
ewr, lga, and jfk
Jan 11, 2013, 10:59 am
#300
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 141
Best use of 90,000 points - need to spend/transfer within 2 months
Don't see any sticky posts in this forum dealing with this sort of fairly common question, so here goes...
I've got about 90,000 Membership Rewards points, mostly from a Business Gold Rewards credit card sign-up offer last March. Not going to renew the card in a couple months because of annual fee, unless someone can provide a compelling reason. Primary card is SPG Amex. Just read a thread about the value of instant transfers, so that's a plus for MR points.
My understanding is my MR points are tied to this Amex Business credit card, though an Amex rep told me we'd have 30 days after canceling the card to 'spend' the points since we hold another(s) Amex card.
We have no status with any airlines. Usually fly American, sometimes Delta, but no strong preference (at least 2 hours from any hub cities).
Our only hotel status is SPG Gold, via CC spend; no SPG properties within an hour of us.
We are located in the Midwest.
I'd like to get the best value possible from these MR points and looking for help. My general idea of 'best value' is airline miles that would take us the furthest possible distance or hotel points that would provide the greatest number of nights, considering redemption levels and taxes/fees. Assumption is we can get greater value from the MR points in a travel capacity than converting them to gift cards or other near-cash equivalents (e.g. Amazon store credit, using points to offset everyday charges -- is that a 1:1 ratio? Don't see it spelled out in the T&Cs on my Amex account).
Seems that converting the points via a decent bonus offer like the current British Airways 30% may be the best option?
Open to ideas.
I've got about 90,000 Membership Rewards points, mostly from a Business Gold Rewards credit card sign-up offer last March. Not going to renew the card in a couple months because of annual fee, unless someone can provide a compelling reason. Primary card is SPG Amex. Just read a thread about the value of instant transfers, so that's a plus for MR points.
My understanding is my MR points are tied to this Amex Business credit card, though an Amex rep told me we'd have 30 days after canceling the card to 'spend' the points since we hold another(s) Amex card.
We have no status with any airlines. Usually fly American, sometimes Delta, but no strong preference (at least 2 hours from any hub cities).
Our only hotel status is SPG Gold, via CC spend; no SPG properties within an hour of us.
We are located in the Midwest.
I'd like to get the best value possible from these MR points and looking for help. My general idea of 'best value' is airline miles that would take us the furthest possible distance or hotel points that would provide the greatest number of nights, considering redemption levels and taxes/fees. Assumption is we can get greater value from the MR points in a travel capacity than converting them to gift cards or other near-cash equivalents (e.g. Amazon store credit, using points to offset everyday charges -- is that a 1:1 ratio? Don't see it spelled out in the T&Cs on my Amex account).
Seems that converting the points via a decent bonus offer like the current British Airways 30% may be the best option?
Open to ideas.