Jan 17, 2015, 11:52 am
Last edit by: mia
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
Germany: 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?
(The Canadian transfer ratios are listed directly on the Canadian site.)
Q: After I transfer, when will my miles expire at that airline/hotel program? Is there anything I can do to avoid expiration there?
The Miles/Points that Do and Don't Expire wiki lists all of the Amex USA airline/hotel transfer partners and their respective expiration policies.
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 or any other OneWorld carrier redeem through:
American also has partnership outside OneWorld with:
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
Germany: 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.
In the USA version of Membership Rewards the exceptions are:
El AL Israel Airlines: 1,000 points = 20 Matmid points
Hilton®: 1,000 points = 2,000 Honors points (as of 1/11/2018)
JetBlue Airways: 250 points = 200 JetBlue TrueBlue® points
In the USA version of Membership Rewards the exceptions are:
El AL Israel Airlines: 1,000 points = 20 Matmid points
Hilton®: 1,000 points = 2,000 Honors points (as of 1/11/2018)
JetBlue Airways: 250 points = 200 JetBlue TrueBlue® points
Q: After I transfer, when will my miles expire at that airline/hotel program? Is there anything I can do to avoid expiration there?
The Miles/Points that Do and Don't Expire wiki lists all of the Amex USA airline/hotel transfer partners and their respective expiration policies.
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 or any other OneWorld carrier redeem through:
- Asia Miles (Cathay Pacific)
- British Airways
- Iberia Airlines
- Qantas Airways
American also has partnership outside OneWorld with:
- Etihad
To travel on Delta Air Lines or any other SkyTeam carrier redeem through:
- Delta Air Lines (DL permits one-way awards as of 01 JAN 2015, however trips originating in Europe carry additional surcharges; Delta also imposes surcharges on trips using some partner airlines such as China Eastern or China Southern, but notably not on trips involving its European partners (as long as the trip originates outside Europe) or Virgin Australia.)
- AeroMexico
- Alitalia
- FlyingBlue (Air France, KLM, Air Europa, Kenya Airways, Aircalin and Tarom.)
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. See also transatlantic strategy discussion HERE. Read about changes to redemption charts in December 2015 HERE.
- All Nippon Airways. Read about ANA fuel surcharges HERE. Read about changes to partner redemption charts in April 2015 HERE.
- Avianca Airlines
- Singapore Airlines. Read HERE
Read about Singapore Airlines' reciprocal mile conversion arrangement with Virgin Australia HERE.
To travel on Alaska Airlines redeem through:
- BA British Airways
- CX Asia Miles https://www.asiamiles.com/en/earn-mi...irlines#redeem
- EK Emirates https://www.emirates.com/us/english/...-airlines.aspx
- SQ Singapore Airlines https://www.singaporeair.com/saar5/p...s_AwdChart.pdf
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? (2015 - 2021)
Aug 27, 2016, 7:57 am
#511
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,932
Last edited by sdsearch; Aug 27, 2016 at 8:07 am Reason: corrected airline code
Aug 27, 2016, 3:07 pm
#512
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
If you are set on using miles for that particular award it could be worth considering buying a cash ticket through Amex Travel and redeeming your MR points against it for 1 cent each (or better, paying cash and saving your MR points for another trip).
Aug 27, 2016, 6:53 pm
#513
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,932
Air Tahiti Nui (TN) is also an AA (non-alliance) partner. But not bookable/searchable on aa.com online (you have to call to book).
TN award availabiltiy is searchable on the paid side Expert Flyer (tho you can try it free for 5 days).
I can tell you that at this instant, TN (Air Tahiti Nui) has award availability AKL-PPT in both Business and Coach on Jul 16 (lv AKL 4:15 pm), 1 seat in Business only on July 17 (lv AKL 9:30 am), and award availability in both Business and Couch on Jul 17 (lv AKL 4:15 pm).
As you can see, TN's AKL-PPT schedule is completely different depending on the day of the week. (Btw, the plane type varies too.)
The AKL-PPT flight is just under 5 hours.
TN award availabiltiy is searchable on the paid side Expert Flyer (tho you can try it free for 5 days).
I can tell you that at this instant, TN (Air Tahiti Nui) has award availability AKL-PPT in both Business and Coach on Jul 16 (lv AKL 4:15 pm), 1 seat in Business only on July 17 (lv AKL 9:30 am), and award availability in both Business and Couch on Jul 17 (lv AKL 4:15 pm).
As you can see, TN's AKL-PPT schedule is completely different depending on the day of the week. (Btw, the plane type varies too.)
The AKL-PPT flight is just under 5 hours.
Last edited by sdsearch; Aug 27, 2016 at 6:59 pm
Aug 30, 2016, 12:06 am
#514
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Northwest, United
Posts: 3,256
Linking Amex account and airline partner - TWO WEEKS?!
Am getting ready to shoot some Amex MR points from my account to an airline transfer partner (in this case, ANA). I go to the Amex website, link my accounts and it says "The account link request has been submitted for the selected partner(s)." and Status: "Your request has been accepted and will be processed by the partner." Then the money shot: "Each partner will process your request separately. This may take up to two weeks."
Two weeks?!!
Really? Or is that a bit pessimistic?
Two weeks?!!
Really? Or is that a bit pessimistic?
Aug 30, 2016, 12:09 am
#515
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: EWR
Posts: 2,112
Am getting ready to shoot some Amex MR points from my account to an airline transfer partner (in this case, ANA). I go to the Amex website, link my accounts and it says "The account link request has been submitted for the selected partner(s)." and Status: "Your request has been accepted and will be processed by the partner." Then the money shot: "Each partner will process your request separately. This may take up to two weeks."
Two weeks?!!
Really? Or is that a bit pessimistic?
Two weeks?!!
Really? Or is that a bit pessimistic?
Aug 30, 2016, 12:51 am
#516
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Northwest, United
Posts: 3,256
Based on estimates from others, I'm expecting the points to land in my account in 24-48 hours. We'll see. I will report back (in the appropriate thread) on how long it took.
Aug 31, 2016, 8:19 pm
#517
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,972
What would be the best partners to dump 280k MR?
I'm planning either SFO/LAX - PPT
or SFO/LAX - MLE
and SFO - DUS/AMS/CGN/FRA
Also what's the best way to fly SFO - TLV
Everything preferably in F or J with low YQ, but SFO/LAX - PPT in Y is OK.
I'm planning either SFO/LAX - PPT
or SFO/LAX - MLE
and SFO - DUS/AMS/CGN/FRA
Also what's the best way to fly SFO - TLV
Everything preferably in F or J with low YQ, but SFO/LAX - PPT in Y is OK.
Last edited by yugi; Aug 31, 2016 at 8:38 pm
Sep 1, 2016, 2:32 pm
#518
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,932
What do you mean "dump"? If you want to move all 280k now and use them later, keep in mind that many of the foreign airlines have pretty nasty expiration policies compare to domestic airlines (where any of a wide variety of periodic "activity" doable from home resets expiration indefinitely).
If you have (or get) the Amex Everyday (no annual fee) card, you can still transfer, and it costs you nothing to keep the points for years, so you can defer the decision on MR transfers until you really know what and when you're going to use them for.
Meanwhile, please read a few posts above yours, redemption for PPT was just discussed very recently here.
Also, without knowing when exactly you want to do each trip, it's hard to make a recommendation. For example, I was able to do a business class trip LAX-AMS (connecting in PDX one direction, SLC the other direction) on Delta for just 125k miles because I went in April (great time for AMS because of the nearby annual giant flower show). But Delta would had required way more miles had I wanted to go in May or later!
See, that's why it's not necessarily a good idea to "dump" miles somewhere (when you don't have to). Because until you search for availability, you won't know which airline has award availability to your desired location on your desired dates. Availability one year is not at all a predictor of availability in a subsequent year. So you can't substitute prediction for actual availability checks at the time you're about to book.
If you have (or get) the Amex Everyday (no annual fee) card, you can still transfer, and it costs you nothing to keep the points for years, so you can defer the decision on MR transfers until you really know what and when you're going to use them for.
Meanwhile, please read a few posts above yours, redemption for PPT was just discussed very recently here.
Also, without knowing when exactly you want to do each trip, it's hard to make a recommendation. For example, I was able to do a business class trip LAX-AMS (connecting in PDX one direction, SLC the other direction) on Delta for just 125k miles because I went in April (great time for AMS because of the nearby annual giant flower show). But Delta would had required way more miles had I wanted to go in May or later!
See, that's why it's not necessarily a good idea to "dump" miles somewhere (when you don't have to). Because until you search for availability, you won't know which airline has award availability to your desired location on your desired dates. Availability one year is not at all a predictor of availability in a subsequent year. So you can't substitute prediction for actual availability checks at the time you're about to book.
Last edited by sdsearch; Sep 1, 2016 at 2:38 pm
Sep 1, 2016, 2:45 pm
#519
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YVR to SEA
Posts: 2,533
A cheap cash fare to tlv is probably the best. There's been a few on premium fares forum
Maldives:
90k plus 370 USD one way on Krisflyer flying Singapore, or 75k plus maybe a hundred USD on Aeroplan flying Turkish (no YQ added). Can probably go the other way too on Aeroplan without YQ if you can find United flights to Singapore
Maldives:
90k plus 370 USD one way on Krisflyer flying Singapore, or 75k plus maybe a hundred USD on Aeroplan flying Turkish (no YQ added). Can probably go the other way too on Aeroplan without YQ if you can find United flights to Singapore
Sep 1, 2016, 7:50 pm
#520
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,972
Maldives:
90k plus 370 USD one way on Krisflyer flying Singapore, or 75k plus maybe a hundred USD on Aeroplan flying Turkish (no YQ added). Can probably go the other way too on Aeroplan without YQ if you can find United flights to Singapore
90k plus 370 USD one way on Krisflyer flying Singapore, or 75k plus maybe a hundred USD on Aeroplan flying Turkish (no YQ added). Can probably go the other way too on Aeroplan without YQ if you can find United flights to Singapore
Sep 1, 2016, 7:54 pm
#521
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,972
What do you mean "dump"? If you want to move all 280k now and use them later, keep in mind that many of the foreign airlines have pretty nasty expiration policies compare to domestic airlines (where any of a wide variety of periodic "activity" doable from home resets expiration indefinitely).
If you have (or get) the Amex Everyday (no annual fee) card, you can still transfer, and it costs you nothing to keep the points for years, so you can defer the decision on MR transfers until you really know what and when you're going to use them for.
Meanwhile, please read a few posts above yours, redemption for PPT was just discussed very recently here.
Also, without knowing when exactly you want to do each trip, it's hard to make a recommendation. For example, I was able to do a business class trip LAX-AMS (connecting in PDX one direction, SLC the other direction) on Delta for just 125k miles because I went in April (great time for AMS because of the nearby annual giant flower show). But Delta would had required way more miles had I wanted to go in May or later!
See, that's why it's not necessarily a good idea to "dump" miles somewhere (when you don't have to). Because until you search for availability, you won't know which airline has award availability to your desired location on your desired dates. Availability one year is not at all a predictor of availability in a subsequent year. So you can't substitute prediction for actual availability checks at the time you're about to book.
If you have (or get) the Amex Everyday (no annual fee) card, you can still transfer, and it costs you nothing to keep the points for years, so you can defer the decision on MR transfers until you really know what and when you're going to use them for.
Meanwhile, please read a few posts above yours, redemption for PPT was just discussed very recently here.
Also, without knowing when exactly you want to do each trip, it's hard to make a recommendation. For example, I was able to do a business class trip LAX-AMS (connecting in PDX one direction, SLC the other direction) on Delta for just 125k miles because I went in April (great time for AMS because of the nearby annual giant flower show). But Delta would had required way more miles had I wanted to go in May or later!
See, that's why it's not necessarily a good idea to "dump" miles somewhere (when you don't have to). Because until you search for availability, you won't know which airline has award availability to your desired location on your desired dates. Availability one year is not at all a predictor of availability in a subsequent year. So you can't substitute prediction for actual availability checks at the time you're about to book.
Sep 1, 2016, 9:20 pm
#522
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YVR to SEA
Posts: 2,533
Toronto to tlv was on premium fares for under 1.3k USD
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/premium-fare-deals/1786974-9w-ly-yyz-tlv-1265usd-rt-business.html
Yes those are the prices for j because that's what you asked for. Double it for the return.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/premium-fare-deals/1786974-9w-ly-yyz-tlv-1265usd-rt-business.html
Yes those are the prices for j because that's what you asked for. Double it for the return.
Sep 2, 2016, 7:44 am
#523
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
Aeroplan won't get you to PPT, only Delta can possibly do that among MR transfer partners, but it is hard to find availability and hard to book that award, so if it's a rush to clear the account I would recommend going with Aeroplan which gives you the most flexibility for a variety of other possible trips, and if you end up wanting to do PPT at some point just buy a ticket.
Also worth looking at the Aeroplan award chart and targeting a couple of likely redemptions (like 2x business class to Europe), and transferring only that number of miles, with the rest going to BA, so you're not stuck with an odd number of leftover miles in your Aeroplan account.
Sep 2, 2016, 8:58 pm
#524
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,972
Toronto to tlv was on premium fares for under 1.3k USD
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/premi...-business.html
Yes those are the prices for j because that's what you asked for. Double it for the return.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/premi...-business.html
Yes those are the prices for j because that's what you asked for. Double it for the return.
Sep 2, 2016, 9:12 pm
#525
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,972
If you just want to clear out, Aeroplan is probably the best option for you in SFO. Star is the easiest option in SFO and ANA and Singapore charge fuel surcharges on all awards while Aeroplan charges only on some partners, so Aeroplan gives you the best chance at avoiding fees.
Aeroplan won't get you to PPT, only Delta can possibly do that among MR transfer partners, but it is hard to find availability and hard to book that award, so if it's a rush to clear the account I would recommend going with Aeroplan which gives you the most flexibility for a variety of other possible trips, and if you end up wanting to do PPT at some point just buy a ticket.
Also worth looking at the Aeroplan award chart and targeting a couple of likely redemptions (like 2x business class to Europe), and transferring only that number of miles, with the rest going to BA, so you're not stuck with an odd number of leftover miles in your Aeroplan account.
Aeroplan won't get you to PPT, only Delta can possibly do that among MR transfer partners, but it is hard to find availability and hard to book that award, so if it's a rush to clear the account I would recommend going with Aeroplan which gives you the most flexibility for a variety of other possible trips, and if you end up wanting to do PPT at some point just buy a ticket.
Also worth looking at the Aeroplan award chart and targeting a couple of likely redemptions (like 2x business class to Europe), and transferring only that number of miles, with the rest going to BA, so you're not stuck with an odd number of leftover miles in your Aeroplan account.