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 18, 2008, 3:33 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Connecticut, USA
Programs: Delta Silver, US Air,AA, NW, Cont'l, UA, PC Plat., SPG Gold, Fairmont Pres., Hertz Gold
Posts: 8
Transfer Membership Rewards points to which airline or hotel program? [2008 - 2014]
I have about 150K Memb Rewards points. I'm tempted to transfer them into my Delta SkyMiles account, since SkyMiles is now offering a 20% bonus on such transfers. However, SkyMiles is a one-way program -- miles can go in from other FF and loyalty programs, but not out. I'd like to be able to use some of my MR points for hotel rewards, so am thinking of splitting my MR miles between SkyMiles and Priority Club. Any pros, cons, or other advice?
Sep 18, 2008, 7:57 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Even with the 20% bonus, don't put them into DL unless you really think you'll use them there. While MR isn't great for hotel rewards, saving them until you really have a reason to transfer them is better than taking the 20% just because, IMHO.
Sep 18, 2008, 8:05 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: OAK
Programs: AS MVPG 100k
Posts: 3,756
IMHO, about the best $ value you can get with amex is VS TATL MFU PE=> UC @ ~8cents/point.
Of course, many people would never spend $5k+ on a TATL UC seat, but another way to think about it is would you pay an extra $1k for UC vs PE - and if the answer is yes then you are getting 2c/point, which is staill at least as good as you're likely to get on DL.
Of course, many people would never spend $5k+ on a TATL UC seat, but another way to think about it is would you pay an extra $1k for UC vs PE - and if the answer is yes then you are getting 2c/point, which is staill at least as good as you're likely to get on DL.
Sep 19, 2008, 8:56 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, MTA Rust, Hertz Five Star something or other
Posts: 2,858
Be careful with DL.. I was tempted to do the same, but thank god I didn't. VS is running specials on award tickets.. and I recently transferred to Iberia without a hitch and booked a $2000 ticket for 30,500 points and $45 dollars. DL is in the process of raising mileage requirements and hiking all fees on award tickets. Buyer beware.
Sep 20, 2008, 6:49 am
#5
Moderator: Asiana & Qantas Frequent Flyer
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: STR/SYD/SMF
Programs: QF Lifetime SG, LH HON, OZ Lifetime Diamond +, HH Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 14,375
Another good parking point is SPG. The points are quite valuable there plus can be transfered to many other programs so avoiding your one-way problem.
Sep 20, 2008, 11:46 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Scottsdale
Posts: 2,949
I would set up an Aeroplan account with Air Canada, which is Star Alliance and transfer MR points there.
R/T TATL is 80,000 miles for Biz and 100,000 for F.
R/T TPAC is 100K biz and 120K for F.
Best value for miles is LH/LX F - about $.18 per mile for a $18,000 F ticket equivalent.
Also good is NH/SQ F - about $.16 per mile for a $20,000 F ticket equivalent.
R/T TATL is 80,000 miles for Biz and 100,000 for F.
R/T TPAC is 100K biz and 120K for F.
Best value for miles is LH/LX F - about $.18 per mile for a $18,000 F ticket equivalent.
Also good is NH/SQ F - about $.16 per mile for a $20,000 F ticket equivalent.
Sep 20, 2008, 12:19 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SXSW
Programs: DL Plat; HH Diamond; SPG & Hyatt Plat
Posts: 996
Sep 20, 2008, 12:59 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SXSW
Programs: DL Plat; HH Diamond; SPG & Hyatt Plat
Posts: 996
Sep 20, 2008, 1:21 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SXSW
Programs: DL Plat; HH Diamond; SPG & Hyatt Plat
Posts: 996