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]
Feb 25, 2013, 3:04 pm
#331
Join Date: May 2006
Location: YYZ
Posts: 731
1) buy AirAsia tickets
2) transfer some MR to Avios and experience CX J for 15k pp o/w.
Mar 1, 2013, 12:46 am
#332
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 1
I am slowly making my way through this thread from the beginning but wanted to post to ask for some help. I need some advice from people who are savvier than I about cashing in on points for travel.
I have previously "gotten rid" my Chase UR points. Should I "get rid" these Amex points also or hold out on a fantasy that I will be able to use them?? I'm not a freewheeling single who can travel internationally at the drop of a hat and be able to get tens of thousands of dollars worth of travel for these points.
We have a family of 5 and it's proved to be really difficult the last time I attempted to book my award travel. I had gotten the 150k points from AA cards 2 years ago and it was a pain in the arse to try and finagle flights to Hawaii for Christmas. We we started trying to book right when the tickets became available. We have limited times when we can go anywhere based on kids' vacation times and my husband's work schedule. I'm really leery of the headaches involved in trying to find available flights. There are usually only 2 of the cheap reward seats offered on any given flight, so on our last trip, we had to split up 1 parent with 1 kid and the other parent with 2 kids on 2 different flights both ways. One kid we could not get a free seat so ended up having to pay $500 for a one way and paying a higher amount of points for a business class seat the other way. Whomever was supposed to be sitting between me and my other kid lucked out getting a free upgrade to the 1st class cabin when we did a switcheroo on the plane. We live in Seattle and with sale fares to Hawaii as low as $350RT, it's not a HUGE deal to pay out of pocket excluding holiday times. We had to travel over Christmas because we were all in a family wedding.
So basically I guess what I need help with is figuring out what's the most likely scenario for these points (100k for myself, 100k for my husband):
1 - "Get rid" of them all at some place. :P
2 - Transfer to an airline and close the card before the next annual fee hits.
2a - Transfer to BA Avios intending to use them on a partner airline for family of 5 to Hawaii at some unknown point - maybe winter break (Feb) or spring break (Apr) 2014. What is the shelf life of Avios? Is this going to be too difficult to achieve?
2b - Transfer to an international airline intending to use them for a April 2015 trip for 2 to Japan. Also not sure about shelf life or how difficult it will be to redeem for. May only need one way tickets to Japan if we end up taking a cruise back to Vancouver.
So confused
I have previously "gotten rid" my Chase UR points. Should I "get rid" these Amex points also or hold out on a fantasy that I will be able to use them?? I'm not a freewheeling single who can travel internationally at the drop of a hat and be able to get tens of thousands of dollars worth of travel for these points.
We have a family of 5 and it's proved to be really difficult the last time I attempted to book my award travel. I had gotten the 150k points from AA cards 2 years ago and it was a pain in the arse to try and finagle flights to Hawaii for Christmas. We we started trying to book right when the tickets became available. We have limited times when we can go anywhere based on kids' vacation times and my husband's work schedule. I'm really leery of the headaches involved in trying to find available flights. There are usually only 2 of the cheap reward seats offered on any given flight, so on our last trip, we had to split up 1 parent with 1 kid and the other parent with 2 kids on 2 different flights both ways. One kid we could not get a free seat so ended up having to pay $500 for a one way and paying a higher amount of points for a business class seat the other way. Whomever was supposed to be sitting between me and my other kid lucked out getting a free upgrade to the 1st class cabin when we did a switcheroo on the plane. We live in Seattle and with sale fares to Hawaii as low as $350RT, it's not a HUGE deal to pay out of pocket excluding holiday times. We had to travel over Christmas because we were all in a family wedding.
So basically I guess what I need help with is figuring out what's the most likely scenario for these points (100k for myself, 100k for my husband):
1 - "Get rid" of them all at some place. :P
2 - Transfer to an airline and close the card before the next annual fee hits.
2a - Transfer to BA Avios intending to use them on a partner airline for family of 5 to Hawaii at some unknown point - maybe winter break (Feb) or spring break (Apr) 2014. What is the shelf life of Avios? Is this going to be too difficult to achieve?
2b - Transfer to an international airline intending to use them for a April 2015 trip for 2 to Japan. Also not sure about shelf life or how difficult it will be to redeem for. May only need one way tickets to Japan if we end up taking a cruise back to Vancouver.
So confused
Last edited by chereya; Mar 5, 2013 at 5:09 pm
Mar 3, 2013, 8:59 pm
#333
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 3
Flying to Paris and MR points?
I am new to FT so I have a steep learning curve ahead. I need to buy a RT ticket for my daughter. She is going to Paris for a school program in July. She is travelling with her classmate - she'll get her own ticket for same flight. I have 97k MR points. I don't have status with any airline. Would like to fly out of EWR. Philly and JFK are other options. What airline should I choose? Looking for best use of points/best value. Is this going to be too complicated to pull off? Should I just pay with points for the cheapest ticket?
Mar 4, 2013, 7:22 am
#334
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,172
I am new to FT so I have a steep learning curve ahead. I need to buy a RT ticket for my daughter. She is going to Paris for a school program in July. She is travelling with her classmate - she'll get her own ticket for same flight. I have 97k MR points. I don't have status with any airline. Would like to fly out of EWR. Philly and JFK are other options. What airline should I choose? Looking for best use of points/best value. Is this going to be too complicated to pull off? Should I just pay with points for the cheapest ticket?
Mar 4, 2013, 7:26 am
#335
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,172
Generally speaking, this is illegal for most programs and you could be subject to forfeiture of existing points/awards and ban from future accrual in the program.
I would edit your post to remove any reference to selling miles/points, especially UR.
I would edit your post to remove any reference to selling miles/points, especially UR.
Last edited by vrbaba; Mar 5, 2013 at 9:24 pm
Mar 5, 2013, 6:41 am
#336
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 32
I want to Liquidate My AMEX MR cards
I am trying to simplify my CC's and annual fees. I am focusing on Ultimate Rewards and SPG. We have 2 MR cards-a Plat and a green card and about 150k in MRS. Question is do we cancel the Plat (really cnt justfiy as we dont travel enough) even with airline credit etc...and keep Green card in order to keep MRs (still 95.00 per year) or transfer points out and cancel both?? What are options for transerfing points too? Dont know that we use any airline or hotel more than any other.
Thanks
Thanks
Mar 5, 2013, 7:10 am
#337
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Moderator action
I have moved your question into the thread which discusses the merits of transfer options.
Please see this concurrent thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...redeem-mr.html
Question is do we cancel the Plat
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...redeem-mr.html
Mar 5, 2013, 10:19 pm
#338
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 23
Best Airline Transfer Partner?
Hi Everybody!
I have about 380,000 points in my amex account right now. Which is the best airline transfer partner? I'm thinking of transferring it to Singapore Airlines so my partner and I could maybe try the Suites. Right now, I also have about 220,000 BA Avios and 250,000 AA miles. Don't really have a particular travel destination so far, but most likely somewhere in Europe or Asia.
Thanks!
-Raik
I have about 380,000 points in my amex account right now. Which is the best airline transfer partner? I'm thinking of transferring it to Singapore Airlines so my partner and I could maybe try the Suites. Right now, I also have about 220,000 BA Avios and 250,000 AA miles. Don't really have a particular travel destination so far, but most likely somewhere in Europe or Asia.
Thanks!
-Raik
Mar 6, 2013, 7:39 am
#339
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Why do you need to transfer at this time? Much of the vlaue of Membership Rewards is obtained by holding the points until you are in process of booking a trip.
Mar 6, 2013, 9:22 am
#340
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Spg Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,578
I am trying to simplify my CC's and annual fees. I am focusing on Ultimate Rewards and SPG. We have 2 MR cards-a Plat and a green card and about 150k in MRS. Question is do we cancel the Plat (really cnt justfiy as we dont travel enough) even with airline credit etc...and keep Green card in order to keep MRs (still 95.00 per year) or transfer points out and cancel both?? What are options for transerfing points too? Dont know that we use any airline or hotel more than any other.
Thanks
Thanks
You could donwgrade to a Blue Amex card with no annual fee. I beieve you earn 1/2 MR non transfereable points with the Blue, and lose the ability to transfer your MR points but you definitely dont lose the points.
Then later on when you know what you want to do with the points, you can get any other MR transferable card, and regain the ability to transfer points to all the partners.
Get a new no fee amex , or a with a fee Amex and Cancel the new Amex AF within 30 days for a full refund of Annual Fee after you move points out.
Case closed !
Mar 6, 2013, 5:23 pm
#341
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 23
Forgot to mention that I am planning to close my amex soon cause I don't want to pay the annual fee anymore that's why I am looking to transfer my points now. Thanks!
Last edited by mia; Mar 7, 2013 at 7:18 am
Mar 10, 2013, 10:06 am
#342
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 249
Thanks for the tips. Are there currently particular airline/hotel chains I should look at that have great deals at the moment?
Mar 10, 2013, 1:51 pm
#343
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Gold, US Silver, Starwood Gold, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 331
Can someone confirm the following for me - can I create an account at any of these airline partner sites, transfer the points for miles, and book award travel immediately? That is, I do not need to have any sort of minimum travel or anything else to redeem the MR points. Is that right?
Mar 10, 2013, 3:05 pm
#344
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Programs: All major programs
Posts: 1,403
Can someone confirm the following for me - can I create an account at any of these airline partner sites, transfer the points for miles, and book award travel immediately? That is, I do not need to have any sort of minimum travel or anything else to redeem the MR points. Is that right?
Mar 11, 2013, 11:07 am
#345
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Gold, US Silver, Starwood Gold, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 331
Thanks gv111.