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)
Jan 29, 2019, 4:08 pm
#841
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,573
Wanted to get some suggestions. I'm about 12000AAdvantage miles short of what I need to book the family in business on a flight to Europe this summer on American. (I know you can't transfer directly). I have a few hundred thousand MR points. Are there any suggestions on a way to do a two-way transfer from my MR account to another account - like Marriott/SPG - and then over to my AA account? Every article I find seems to focus on efficiency and point optimization vs. just brute forcing points across at all costs. Any thoughts or suggestions would be great.
Feb 2, 2019, 2:24 pm
#842
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Los Angeles California
Posts: 1,395
I have 225k MR points and want to know whats the best option to stay 5 nights (Nov 23 - 28) in Times Square (NY) area hotels? I don't have any status with any hotel chain except IHG where I am platinum elite because of my IHG Chase card.
Feb 2, 2019, 2:49 pm
#843
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 590
Which IHG card do you have? Do you have the one that gives you the 4th night free on redemptions? Because a hotel that is actually pretty nice is the EVEN Times Square. It's 50k per night so would still be 200k if your credit card is the one that gives you the 4th night free. You'd have to move 200k from AMEX to Virgin Atlantic. And then call Virgin to move those 200k to IHG.
In either case, I don't think it's a great use of MR points but that decision is ultimately up to you.
Last edited by kapooncha; Feb 2, 2019 at 2:56 pm
Feb 2, 2019, 5:08 pm
#844
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Los Angeles California
Posts: 1,395
There are a few options with Marriott. Renaissance, Westin, Algonquin all have points availability for your requested dates. Each night is 50k, 5th night free, so you'd have to move 200k to Marriott.
Which IHG card do you have? Do you have the one that gives you the 4th night free on redemptions? Because a hotel that is actually pretty nice is the EVEN Times Square. It's 50k per night so would still be 200k if your credit card is the one that gives you the 4th night free. You'd have to move 200k from AMEX to Virgin Atlantic. And then call Virgin to move those 200k to IHG.
In either case, I don't think it's a great use of MR points but that decision is ultimately up to you.
Which IHG card do you have? Do you have the one that gives you the 4th night free on redemptions? Because a hotel that is actually pretty nice is the EVEN Times Square. It's 50k per night so would still be 200k if your credit card is the one that gives you the 4th night free. You'd have to move 200k from AMEX to Virgin Atlantic. And then call Virgin to move those 200k to IHG.
In either case, I don't think it's a great use of MR points but that decision is ultimately up to you.
Feb 2, 2019, 5:13 pm
#845
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
What activities?
Unless you go to a broadway show nearby, there are no activities. They light it up very bright at night, which might be a drag to try to sleep if you have a hotel which overlooks it.
There is a pedestrian zone and probably a lot of overpriced restaurants with frontage to the area.
Feb 2, 2019, 5:41 pm
#846
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Los Angeles California
Posts: 1,395
What activities?
Unless you go to a broadway show nearby, there are no activities. They light it up very bright at night, which might be a drag to try to sleep if you have a hotel which overlooks it.
There is a pedestrian zone and probably a lot of overpriced restaurants with frontage to the area.
Unless you go to a broadway show nearby, there are no activities. They light it up very bright at night, which might be a drag to try to sleep if you have a hotel which overlooks it.
There is a pedestrian zone and probably a lot of overpriced restaurants with frontage to the area.
got it,, what would be your recommendation?
Feb 2, 2019, 6:12 pm
#847
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
No, I'm kind of asking myself. I've never stayed around Times Square. Stayed a couple of blocks away, to walk to it.
A long time ago, Times Square was a shady place, porn shops but also a lot of quirky places you wouldn't see now, such as a store that just sells wigs.
Now people accuse it of being Disney-fied, with chain restaurants and such.
November could be cold and wet. I guess you'll be there when they're doing the Thanksgiving parade. Otherwise, most of the city might have Christmas decorations by then.
There aren't as many activities in NY, which I've visited more than once in the winter. For instance, in the spring, summer and fall, there are bike tours all over the city, in Central Park, across the Brooklyn Bridge, etc.
But if you can skate, the rinks in Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park are cool -- worth a look even if you don't skate.
Probably should research what other events there may be at the time, in different areas of the city, including Times Square.
Another option to consider as far as where to stay, you may want to browse Airbnb a bit. May be able to find a more roomy accommodation as well as more affordable than Manhattan hotels.
A long time ago, Times Square was a shady place, porn shops but also a lot of quirky places you wouldn't see now, such as a store that just sells wigs.
Now people accuse it of being Disney-fied, with chain restaurants and such.
November could be cold and wet. I guess you'll be there when they're doing the Thanksgiving parade. Otherwise, most of the city might have Christmas decorations by then.
There aren't as many activities in NY, which I've visited more than once in the winter. For instance, in the spring, summer and fall, there are bike tours all over the city, in Central Park, across the Brooklyn Bridge, etc.
But if you can skate, the rinks in Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park are cool -- worth a look even if you don't skate.
Probably should research what other events there may be at the time, in different areas of the city, including Times Square.
Another option to consider as far as where to stay, you may want to browse Airbnb a bit. May be able to find a more roomy accommodation as well as more affordable than Manhattan hotels.
Feb 3, 2019, 11:55 am
#848
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Los Angeles California
Posts: 1,395
No, I'm kind of asking myself. I've never stayed around Times Square. Stayed a couple of blocks away, to walk to it.
A long time ago, Times Square was a shady place, porn shops but also a lot of quirky places you wouldn't see now, such as a store that just sells wigs.
Now people accuse it of being Disney-fied, with chain restaurants and such.
November could be cold and wet. I guess you'll be there when they're doing the Thanksgiving parade. Otherwise, most of the city might have Christmas decorations by then.
There aren't as many activities in NY, which I've visited more than once in the winter. For instance, in the spring, summer and fall, there are bike tours all over the city, in Central Park, across the Brooklyn Bridge, etc.
But if you can skate, the rinks in Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park are cool -- worth a look even if you don't skate.
Probably should research what other events there may be at the time, in different areas of the city, including Times Square.
Another option to consider as far as where to stay, you may want to browse Airbnb a bit. May be able to find a more roomy accommodation as well as more affordable than Manhattan hotels.
A long time ago, Times Square was a shady place, porn shops but also a lot of quirky places you wouldn't see now, such as a store that just sells wigs.
Now people accuse it of being Disney-fied, with chain restaurants and such.
November could be cold and wet. I guess you'll be there when they're doing the Thanksgiving parade. Otherwise, most of the city might have Christmas decorations by then.
There aren't as many activities in NY, which I've visited more than once in the winter. For instance, in the spring, summer and fall, there are bike tours all over the city, in Central Park, across the Brooklyn Bridge, etc.
But if you can skate, the rinks in Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park are cool -- worth a look even if you don't skate.
Probably should research what other events there may be at the time, in different areas of the city, including Times Square.
Another option to consider as far as where to stay, you may want to browse Airbnb a bit. May be able to find a more roomy accommodation as well as more affordable than Manhattan hotels.
Thanks for all the info WCO8. I ended up using my Chase points to book 5 nights at Homewood suites Times square by Hilton for around 89k chase ultimate reward points. Its a good location and includes free breakfast ...
Feb 3, 2019, 12:37 pm
#849
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Enjoy your trip!
Feb 4, 2019, 1:47 pm
#850
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 512
Transfer to Marriott
I've merged my Marriott and SPG accounts. Do I use the new member number to transfer Amex MR to Marriott/SPG or should I use my old SPG number?
Feb 4, 2019, 2:56 pm
#851
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 590
Use your old SPG number.
Feb 4, 2019, 4:07 pm
#852
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
My Membership Rewards account is linked to my Marriott number.
Feb 5, 2019, 11:30 am
#853
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
I was able to successfully transfer from Amex MR to Marriott back in September, long before I merged in my SPG account (and I ended up keeping my Marriott account number when I merged anyway), but after Starpoints no longer existed (as such) already.
Feb 18, 2019, 9:50 am
#854
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PVR
Programs: Aeroplan, Alaska Airlines
Posts: 420
I’m in Canada so my direct transfer options are limited. I have about 160k MR points and will be cancelling my platinum in March before the next annual fee hits. I considered getting the gold card again to keep my points in MR, but I don’t trust them to give me the bonus since I’ve had that card a few times. I will just keep my SPG Amex, none of the others appeal to me right now.
I’m trying to figure out where to transfer the points. In the past I always transferred to Aeroplan but I’m not sure I trust them enough right now. I primarily use points for J travel to BKK. I have enough Aeroplan now for my winter 2019-2020 trip.
I think I might put a few in Etihad, since I base out of Thailand when in Asia and I read they can be used on Bangkok Airways. I didn’t look into it in depth so I’m not sure if they are relatively easy to use or not? I have some Avios and haven’t found a good use for them so don’t really want to move more there. I scanned some Asia Miles threads and that seemed pretty convoluted. So any opinions about whether to move them to Aeroplan hoping to be able to use them 2020-2021, or move them to SPG (where I’ll lose a lot moving them to another program) or putting them in Asia Miles? Or is there another good option for Canada - BKK J class that I’m missing? I have about 500k SPG right now and plan to eventually use them for flights, not sure which program yet.
Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions!
I’m trying to figure out where to transfer the points. In the past I always transferred to Aeroplan but I’m not sure I trust them enough right now. I primarily use points for J travel to BKK. I have enough Aeroplan now for my winter 2019-2020 trip.
I think I might put a few in Etihad, since I base out of Thailand when in Asia and I read they can be used on Bangkok Airways. I didn’t look into it in depth so I’m not sure if they are relatively easy to use or not? I have some Avios and haven’t found a good use for them so don’t really want to move more there. I scanned some Asia Miles threads and that seemed pretty convoluted. So any opinions about whether to move them to Aeroplan hoping to be able to use them 2020-2021, or move them to SPG (where I’ll lose a lot moving them to another program) or putting them in Asia Miles? Or is there another good option for Canada - BKK J class that I’m missing? I have about 500k SPG right now and plan to eventually use them for flights, not sure which program yet.
Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions!
Feb 18, 2019, 10:00 am
#855
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954