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]
Oct 16, 2014, 12:24 pm
#811
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
No. It's only a good deal if you have a specific HHonors redemption planned and need the points. I you need HHonors points they can easily be earned at a much better rate by applying for and using the HHonors credit cards issued by American Express and Citibank. Think of the ability to transfer from Membership Rewards only as a way to top up your HHonors account if you are a little short of the amount required for an award stay.
Yes, you should join all three programs. It doesn't matter where you live. Then, you should spend some time studying the terms and award charts for each program to figure out how many miles and what amount of co-payment they require for flights from the USA to Taiwan on United Airlines. Make sure you are looking at each program's "partner" reward chart, because the mileage requirements may be different than for their own flights. Understanding the co-payments is critical. The program may call these "fuel surcharges" or "carrier imposed fees", and on Flyertalk they are often referred to as "YQ".
...sign up for those partner programs, and then book through them to travel from US to Taiwan if they have that available
Oct 16, 2014, 12:31 pm
#812
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 50
No. It's only a good deal if you have a specific HHonors redemption planned and need the points. I you need HHonors points they can easily be earned at a much better rate by applying for and using the HHonors credit cards issued by American Express and Citibank. Think of the ability to transfer from Membership Rewards only as a way to top up your HHonors account if you are a little short of the amount required for an award stay.
Yes, you should join all three programs. It doesn't matter where you live. Then, you should spend some time studying the terms and award charts for each program to figure out how many miles and what amount of co-payment they require for flights from the USA to Taiwan on United Airlines. Make sure you are looking at each program's "partner" reward chart, because the mileage requirements may be different than for their own flights. Understanding the co-payments is critical. The program may call these "fuel surcharges" or "carrier imposed fees", and on Flyertalk they are often referred to as "YQ".
Yes, you should join all three programs. It doesn't matter where you live. Then, you should spend some time studying the terms and award charts for each program to figure out how many miles and what amount of co-payment they require for flights from the USA to Taiwan on United Airlines. Make sure you are looking at each program's "partner" reward chart, because the mileage requirements may be different than for their own flights. Understanding the co-payments is critical. The program may call these "fuel surcharges" or "carrier imposed fees", and on Flyertalk they are often referred to as "YQ".
Oct 16, 2014, 12:49 pm
#813
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
Oct 22, 2014, 1:57 pm
#814
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 1
Hello everyone. I have been saving points for over ten years now and I have a fair amount to transfer. I've been saving and waiting for some kind of a bonus to an airline that I would frequently fly in the USA for domestic or international.
I saw the 35% bonus for Virgin Atlantic and I'm wondering if this is a good time to invest my points? I typically fly Delta but I'm not tied down to them and given I could fly so many airlines (http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/us/en.../airlines.html) through Virgin Atlantic, this seems like a good time to transfer?
I don't have any pressing trips which is why I've been sitting around for so long. It seems like if I were to transfer something like 100,000 membership points to receive 135,000 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Miles, that I would be able to take 5 domestic flights with a lot of airlines, or even two international trips.
Since I'm okay waiting, should I see if a better deal comes around? Or is this a good opportunity to jump on with the points that have just been sitting there? Thanks so much!
I saw the 35% bonus for Virgin Atlantic and I'm wondering if this is a good time to invest my points? I typically fly Delta but I'm not tied down to them and given I could fly so many airlines (http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/us/en.../airlines.html) through Virgin Atlantic, this seems like a good time to transfer?
I don't have any pressing trips which is why I've been sitting around for so long. It seems like if I were to transfer something like 100,000 membership points to receive 135,000 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Miles, that I would be able to take 5 domestic flights with a lot of airlines, or even two international trips.
Since I'm okay waiting, should I see if a better deal comes around? Or is this a good opportunity to jump on with the points that have just been sitting there? Thanks so much!
Nov 5, 2014, 8:17 am
#815
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 50
Best use of points to travel to Asia
I have about 80K MR points and would like to use them toward travel to Asia (Thailand,Singapore). What is the best option for me? Also I am based out of DFW if that matters.
Nov 5, 2014, 7:14 pm
#816
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: NYC
Posts: 498
Might have to make a weekend flight from NYC to DCA at the end of this month. Would my best bet be to transfer 9,000 MR points to Avios +$11? Did some searching and I think that's the best redemption I can find.
Nov 7, 2014, 11:04 am
#817
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,786
Yes, Amex fCoA! It doesn't get any better than that, esp. because BA does not charge short-notice booking fees ^ !
Just for comparison, AAdvantage charges 25K miles (flat rate for flying domestically within USA) + that same $11.20 TSA tax +$75 if you don't have 21 days before your flight
!
Just for comparison, AAdvantage charges 25K miles (flat rate for flying domestically within USA) + that same $11.20 TSA tax +$75 if you don't have 21 days before your flight
!
Nov 10, 2014, 2:59 am
#818
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 7
Membership rewards imminent transfer
Hello, I know there isn't a right answer here, but I need to transfer membership rewards, 80K. There seem to be three choices and I am trying to compare.
I am currently mostly in Europe.
British Airways by all intents is the best option, though the fuel surcharges on long-haul are prohibitive.
Right now, Virgin Atlantic has a 33% bonus, so that's great, but their destinations and partners seem limited. Overall they seem to have less miles and cheaper than BA.
Flying Blue. To fly out of Amsterdam or Paris. But i was told that the ratio is higher to transfer and redeem.
Any opinion between these? Does the 33% at the moment trump all else?
And once I get them to Virgin, can I trade them at a rate that won't lop off everything?
Thank you.
I am currently mostly in Europe.
British Airways by all intents is the best option, though the fuel surcharges on long-haul are prohibitive.
Right now, Virgin Atlantic has a 33% bonus, so that's great, but their destinations and partners seem limited. Overall they seem to have less miles and cheaper than BA.
Flying Blue. To fly out of Amsterdam or Paris. But i was told that the ratio is higher to transfer and redeem.
Any opinion between these? Does the 33% at the moment trump all else?
And once I get them to Virgin, can I trade them at a rate that won't lop off everything?
Thank you.
Nov 10, 2014, 8:54 am
#819
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
Welcome to FlyerTalk. I have appended your question to the established thread on this topic. Why do you "need" to transfer the points? One of the best features of Membership Rewards is the ability to transfer instantly while in process of booking. No need to transfer in advance on speculation.
Nov 10, 2014, 10:22 am
#820
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 7
Amex Member Rewards headaches...
Welcome to FlyerTalk. I have appended your question to the established thread on this topic. Why do you "need" to transfer the points? One of the best features of Membership Rewards is the ability to transfer instantly while in process of booking. No need to transfer in advance on speculation.
I'm based in Belgium, these days. That's why the Flying Blue was interesting. Flying to North America through KLM, and Africa via Air France. But 80K is not too much.
Is there flexibility to fly on American with BA without the fuel charges? And I have a few hundred AA, so is there a way to combine with BA?
Last, I thought of taking the VA for the extra points, but reading here and lots of places, though they seem to be less expensive and take less miles than BA, it seems availability with them and their partners is a problem.
But I thought that if I did get the 35% extra, I may be able to trade at some point with a ratio that would keep it at 80K or so per airline.
Any of this make sense to a pro?
Thank you.
Nov 10, 2014, 10:26 am
#821
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
Nov 10, 2014, 10:58 am
#823
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...day-cards.html
2. I cannot think of a situation in which it would cost $800 to transfer 80,000 points. Can you explain?
Nov 10, 2014, 12:24 pm
#824
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 7
It's not a direct payment, it's more a correlate but it would "cost."
It seems that everybody is trying to get into One World with points, vis a vis BA, (Iberia or Cathay.) VA doesn't have a good reputation. And folks aren't too high on Flying Blue. What's your surmise on my choices? Thanks for your help.
It seems that everybody is trying to get into One World with points, vis a vis BA, (Iberia or Cathay.) VA doesn't have a good reputation. And folks aren't too high on Flying Blue. What's your surmise on my choices? Thanks for your help.
Nov 10, 2014, 12:34 pm
#825
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...otel-acct.html
You can redeem BA Avois for travel on AA domestic USA flights with very low fees (the same fees as would apply if redeeming AAdvantage miles, in most cases.) You can also redeem Avois for transatlantic flights operated by Air Berlin or Aer Lingus with low fees. See here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...os-2014-a.html
