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]
Sep 22, 2013, 7:15 pm
#526
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 302
Think the best bet for Amex points to a *A carrier is Aeroplan if my intentions are to fly United domestically in Economy? I'm mostly concerned with not paying fees and being able to book one-ways. Platinum fee is due in a few days so wanted to get rid of the remaining ~33k points I still had sitting there... thinking maybe 25k to Aeroplan and the rest to JetBlue. Thoughts?
Or maybe if I hang on to the card until January, I can run the $200 airline credit and then cancel it and pay the pro-rated fee, breaking even but gaining time to decide.
Or maybe if I hang on to the card until January, I can run the $200 airline credit and then cancel it and pay the pro-rated fee, breaking even but gaining time to decide.
Sep 22, 2013, 9:12 pm
#527
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States
Programs: AA, BA, UA, Spirit, Delta, PC Plat, SPG Gold, HHonors Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,735
They do. See this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...30-2013-a.html
The amounts are neatly displayed here:
http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/rede...ers_redeem_002
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...30-2013-a.html
The amounts are neatly displayed here:
http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/rede...ers_redeem_002
Sep 24, 2013, 8:49 pm
#528
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Aeroplan Diamond, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, Marriott
Posts: 1,839
Good idea, wait for the BA transfer promo, or even the Aeroplan transfer promo (chance is small, I know).
Sep 29, 2013, 10:03 am
#529
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 15
Sorry if this is in the wrong spot--I'm a long time lurker with only a few posts and am trying to track down the right answer after reading so many threads my head is spinning.
After flying Southwest for years and mastering their rewards I've shifted to Delta (mostly) and am learning how their system works (have reached Gold, about 10K shy of Platinum). I have the delta reserve and have already hit the spending thresholds. Have almost 200K miles in Delta and over 500K points on our amex gold. Is there any way to transfer the points from the amex to my delta account and get MQMs out of them? We are accumulating points and miles faster than we can use them and it would benefit me more to hit a higher status on delta, but I won't be able to squeeze in a mileage run in time (most likely). We had been planning on using our points for our yearly international trip, but unfortunately realized these trips aren't flexible enough for the points to accommodate.
Other than that what would be your best recommendation? Just hold on to all of these for now and wait for bonuses etc? We anticipate more than doubling what we have by this time next year and I'm wondering if shifting to a cash back card might be a better idea? Or perhaps the amex platinum has better benefits than the gold?
Sorry for all of the questions--I'm open to any thread links or PMs also. THANKS in advance!
ETA--I tracked down a thread that cleared a few things up for me. It looks like my best redemption at this point is pay with points, correct (since I want to pay for my flights at this time)? My main questions still are if upgrading to the amex platinum would benefit me at all (it'd be in hubby's name, delta amex is in mine) or if there is a way to transfer these points to delta and get higher status out of them. We also stay at a lot of hotels, though these are most often covered through work--is there a way to use points through transferring to Hilton, Ritz etc to pay for incidentals?
After flying Southwest for years and mastering their rewards I've shifted to Delta (mostly) and am learning how their system works (have reached Gold, about 10K shy of Platinum). I have the delta reserve and have already hit the spending thresholds. Have almost 200K miles in Delta and over 500K points on our amex gold. Is there any way to transfer the points from the amex to my delta account and get MQMs out of them? We are accumulating points and miles faster than we can use them and it would benefit me more to hit a higher status on delta, but I won't be able to squeeze in a mileage run in time (most likely). We had been planning on using our points for our yearly international trip, but unfortunately realized these trips aren't flexible enough for the points to accommodate.
Other than that what would be your best recommendation? Just hold on to all of these for now and wait for bonuses etc? We anticipate more than doubling what we have by this time next year and I'm wondering if shifting to a cash back card might be a better idea? Or perhaps the amex platinum has better benefits than the gold?
Sorry for all of the questions--I'm open to any thread links or PMs also. THANKS in advance!
ETA--I tracked down a thread that cleared a few things up for me. It looks like my best redemption at this point is pay with points, correct (since I want to pay for my flights at this time)? My main questions still are if upgrading to the amex platinum would benefit me at all (it'd be in hubby's name, delta amex is in mine) or if there is a way to transfer these points to delta and get higher status out of them. We also stay at a lot of hotels, though these are most often covered through work--is there a way to use points through transferring to Hilton, Ritz etc to pay for incidentals?
Last edited by Nelly16; Sep 29, 2013 at 10:35 am
Sep 30, 2013, 7:22 am
#530
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Oct 5, 2013, 8:59 am
#531
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 493
Maybe you could pay for your ticket with MR's from American Express travel. If you have a platinum card, they will give you back 20% of the miles. And I think (but not absolutely positive) you can get mileage credit and MMR's on the ticket from Amex. Haven't done it so don't know for sure, but worth looking into.
Oct 6, 2013, 12:19 am
#532
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: LA/SD
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt Platinum, HHonors Gold
Posts: 125
Maybe you could pay for your ticket with MR's from American Express travel. If you have a platinum card, they will give you back 20% of the miles. And I think (but not absolutely positive) you can get mileage credit and MMR's on the ticket from Amex. Haven't done it so don't know for sure, but worth looking into.
Oct 9, 2013, 1:32 pm
#533
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Moderator action
Discussion about the time to compete a transfer has been moved:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...fer-times.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...fer-times.html
Oct 13, 2013, 12:24 pm
#535
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 493
I was talking to a Platinum representative the other day and she brought it up again.
If it's gone, it's still on their website. (see "Pay With Points")
https://travel.americanexpress.com/travel/mr-landing
You need a Platinum card though.
Oct 14, 2013, 7:54 am
#536
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
The 20% rebate on Pay with Points transactions was removed from USA-issued personal Platinum Cards. It is still a feature of USA-issued Business Platinum cards. Discussion here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ay-points.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ay-points.html
Oct 29, 2013, 8:02 am
#537
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 4
Amex Points to Airlines - living in Texas
Hello,
I have read a number of threads about the transferring of Amex Member Reward points to airlines. I am still unsure what to do because of my location.
Part of my confusion is dealing with the British Airways site that doesn't seem to give much information if you have zero points in their system at the moment. I understand (barely) that you can use BA points on American Airlines but haven't been able to confirm any availability by going to their site, even though I have signed up with BA - with zero points in my account. It gives a notice of "no flights available" if I plug in my home city of San Antonio.
All this being said, anyone have any further suggestions of which airline to go with considering I am in mid America, specifically San Antonio, Texas?
I fly often to Asia but willing to explore Europe for a trip to burn my 56,000 points I have at the moment. I understand there is the 20% bonus on BA the rest of this year.
Additionally, any pointers how I can "see" an AA reservation available while at the BA website?
And a quick refresher of how to avoid those BA taxes/gas surcharges would be appreciated.
Thank you!!
I have read a number of threads about the transferring of Amex Member Reward points to airlines. I am still unsure what to do because of my location.
Part of my confusion is dealing with the British Airways site that doesn't seem to give much information if you have zero points in their system at the moment. I understand (barely) that you can use BA points on American Airlines but haven't been able to confirm any availability by going to their site, even though I have signed up with BA - with zero points in my account. It gives a notice of "no flights available" if I plug in my home city of San Antonio.
All this being said, anyone have any further suggestions of which airline to go with considering I am in mid America, specifically San Antonio, Texas?
I fly often to Asia but willing to explore Europe for a trip to burn my 56,000 points I have at the moment. I understand there is the 20% bonus on BA the rest of this year.
Additionally, any pointers how I can "see" an AA reservation available while at the BA website?
And a quick refresher of how to avoid those BA taxes/gas surcharges would be appreciated.
Thank you!!
Oct 29, 2013, 1:20 pm
#538
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Welcome to FlyerTalk.
By default ba.com searches only for flights operated by BA, but after an unsuccessful search you have the option to search again for "partner" flights, and that is how you would locate flights operated by AA. However, there really is little benefit to searching on ba.com. Instead, search on aa.com. Any flight listed as available for a SAAver award is also available through BA. (Ignore flights which offer only AAnytime awards, those can only be redeemed with AA miles.) Bear in mind that the mileage requirement shown on aa.com applies only if you are redeeming AAdvantage miles. BA has it's own award chart.
AA flights can also be obtained by redeeming through Hawaiian Airlines.
By default ba.com searches only for flights operated by BA, but after an unsuccessful search you have the option to search again for "partner" flights, and that is how you would locate flights operated by AA. However, there really is little benefit to searching on ba.com. Instead, search on aa.com. Any flight listed as available for a SAAver award is also available through BA. (Ignore flights which offer only AAnytime awards, those can only be redeemed with AA miles.) Bear in mind that the mileage requirement shown on aa.com applies only if you are redeeming AAdvantage miles. BA has it's own award chart.
AA flights can also be obtained by redeeming through Hawaiian Airlines.
Oct 29, 2013, 1:38 pm
#539
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,912
.. I understand (barely) that you can use BA points on American Airlines but haven't been able to confirm any availability by going to their site, even though I have signed up with BA - with zero points in my account. It gives a notice of "no flights available" if I plug in my home city of San Antonio.
Avios availability with match AA saver availability which you can definitely easily search.
Oct 29, 2013, 8:47 pm
#540
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 256
I am in SA and use BA miles on AA all the time. The hard part is getting the flight from SAT to DFW. Use the AA site to see if there are award seats, then use the BA site to book or call BA. If you are going to use BA miles to Europe on BA it's easier to get a flight from IAH then DFW. I have no idea about award availability from Austin.