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]
Nov 10, 2014, 12:44 pm
#826
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 7
I am not sure what this means, but if you are buying points from someone who is closing an account be aware that they cannot transfer points to your frequent flyer accounts unless you hold a supplementary card on their American Express account. This is a recent change:
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
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
Nov 10, 2014, 12:54 pm
#827
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,955
Nov 10, 2014, 1:59 pm
#828
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 7
I'd be using them in Europe from/to Brussels. Figure that you can not always get Ryan or EasyJet and especially on short notice they will come in handy. Right thinking, I hope. And thanks.
Nov 11, 2014, 8:29 am
#829
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 62
Rewards at half value
Some time ago (5-6 years?), I downgraded from an Amex Gold to a Green and saw the redemption value of the rewards inflate. Basically, for certain kinds of transfers and redemptions, the lost 50% of their value, a value which re-instated when I re-upped to Gold. Does anyone know if that still occurs?
Nov 11, 2014, 8:51 am
#830
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,955
- Membership Rewards First (Centurion and Platinum cards)
- Membership Rewards (Gold, Green, and Everyday cards)
- Membership Rewards Express (Blue and various discontinued cards)
Membership Rewards Express was formerly called Membership Rewards Options. There was a version of the Green card which carried no annual fee, and which earned Options points. It sounds as if that is the card you held. The card is discontinued, but existing clients may still have one.
Options generally required twice as many points as standard Membership Rewards. Express points cannot be transferred to any other airline or hotel partner program. I do not know if they are still assigned half value when redeeming for giftcards etc.
Are you asking because you still have the Green card, or are you contemplating another change?
Nov 11, 2014, 11:47 am
#831
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,475
You can transfer to DL and then redeem on DL or KE. KE has a flight to DFW IIRC. Starting next year you can do one-way awards.
Nov 12, 2014, 4:48 pm
#832
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: NYC
Posts: 498
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 16, 2014, 9:45 am
#833
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 1,982
Where to stash my points
Switching from PRG to Starwood card. I have about 100k mr points. I am also delta silver and starwood gold. Where should I put these points? Or get a gift card? Pay with points seems like a waste.
Nov 16, 2014, 11:12 am
#834
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 587
You can transfer them to Delta and/or Starwood, depending on which program you need more points at this time.
Nov 16, 2014, 12:16 pm
#835
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,955
You could preserve the Membership Rewards balance by applying for a free Everyday credit card.
The transfer ratio to Starwood is normally 3:1, your 100,000 Membership Rewards points would become about 33,000 Starpoints. If your account qualifies for the current promotion you would receive 50,000 Starpoints.
The transfer ratio to Starwood is normally 3:1, your 100,000 Membership Rewards points would become about 33,000 Starpoints. If your account qualifies for the current promotion you would receive 50,000 Starpoints.
Nov 18, 2014, 11:08 am
#836
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 8
No More US-Europe Business Class Awards?
I am talking about point transfer opportunities, not booking directly with AMEX, which we all know is a rip off.
I noticed today that there is no more award space (any dates, any flights) on US Airways or AA using MR points (transferring MR points to either BA Avios or Asia Miles).
Of course AA / US are the only transatlantic airlines without fuel surcharges, so this is a huge blow.
Has the US / AA (quietly) completely barred partner redemption in their transatlantic business class cabins?
I searched all dates on many of their transatlantic routes, and could not find a single business class seat, on a single AA or US transatlantic flight.
I also noticed that, when redeeming from their own program (which AMEX Membership Rewards holders can't do), that US / AA increased the points for transatlantic business class from 100,000 round trip to 220,000 round trip. Most importantly, they completely shut out the inventory to OneWorld partners.
I noticed today that there is no more award space (any dates, any flights) on US Airways or AA using MR points (transferring MR points to either BA Avios or Asia Miles).
Of course AA / US are the only transatlantic airlines without fuel surcharges, so this is a huge blow.
Has the US / AA (quietly) completely barred partner redemption in their transatlantic business class cabins?
I searched all dates on many of their transatlantic routes, and could not find a single business class seat, on a single AA or US transatlantic flight.
I also noticed that, when redeeming from their own program (which AMEX Membership Rewards holders can't do), that US / AA increased the points for transatlantic business class from 100,000 round trip to 220,000 round trip. Most importantly, they completely shut out the inventory to OneWorld partners.
Last edited by lrgt; Nov 18, 2014 at 11:11 am Reason: addition
Nov 18, 2014, 11:20 am
#837
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,955
Of course AA / US are the only transatlantic airlines without fuel surcharges, so this is a huge blow....that US / AA increased the points for transatlantic business class from 100,000 round trip to 220,000 round trip. Most importantly, they completely shut out the inventory to OneWorld partners.
1. If you redeem BAEC Avois to book transatlantic business class flights operated by AA you will be assessed a substantial co-payment of around $1,000.
2. The 220,000 mile redemptions shown on aa.com are for AAnytime rewards which are not capacity controlled. These have never been available to book through any partner program. To book through a partner you need to find sAAver award inventory.
3. You can use BAEC Avois for transatlantic flights operated by Air Berlin or Aer Lingus without fuel surcharges.
4. You can use Aeroplan miles to book transatlantic flights operated by (for example) Swiss Airlines without fuel surcharges.
I suggest you review this thread. Even if your destination is different, the transatlantic options will be similar, and there are links to other useful resources:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ex-points.html
Nov 19, 2014, 1:50 pm
#838
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
Ok folks. I'm headed to Costa Rica for my honeymoon next year. I have about 90K MR points. Is Delta my best option here? I'm a n00b regarding air travel, as I only fly Southwest domestically for personal travel.
Nov 19, 2014, 5:58 pm
#839
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Antonio
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 2,276
I'm not sure where 'Down South' is, but your best choices to save points should be Southwest via Baltimore (get/use Companion Pass?) or BA Avios on AA via MIA (15K RT from MIA, 24K RT from within 650 miles of MIA) or ANA miles on UA via IAH (22K RT if you live within 448 miles of Houston).
Nov 20, 2014, 5:17 am
#840
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 203
Hello,
I currently have about 98 K MR points and would like to use them for trip from East coast USA (PHL,IAD,NYC,MDT) to KTM(7-8 days) to SIN(maybe 1 week) - USA. I could also do US-SIN-KTM-SIN-US . What airlines would be my best option. I tried searching ANA, Kris but so far coming up short. The only other miles available would be about 30000 US Air miles.
Oh, and my daughter would be more than happy to travel in coach.
I currently have about 98 K MR points and would like to use them for trip from East coast USA (PHL,IAD,NYC,MDT) to KTM(7-8 days) to SIN(maybe 1 week) - USA. I could also do US-SIN-KTM-SIN-US . What airlines would be my best option. I tried searching ANA, Kris but so far coming up short. The only other miles available would be about 30000 US Air miles.
Oh, and my daughter would be more than happy to travel in coach.