If you’re earning American Express Membership Rewards points, your best redemption strategy is often a transfer to a travel partner. With 18 airline partners and three hotel chains on Amex’s roster, it’s the best way to turn your points into miles or hotel rewards in a matter of clicks. Done right, your everyday spending can turn your Tuesday grocery runs into a Business Class flight to Tokyo!
In this blog, we break down how the process works, who the partners are, and how to get the best return on your points.
How to Earn Amex Membership Rewards Points
There are a few solid ways to earn American Express card reward points. The quickest way to get a big chunk of points is through a welcome bonus. If you’re approved for an eligible American Express card and meet the minimum spend in the first few months, you’ll usually get a generous haul of points as a sign-up reward. These bonuses can often be enough for a return flight or a couple of hotel nights right off the bat.
After that, it’s all about earning through your everyday spending. If you’re buying groceries, booking flights, or just grabbing coffee, use the right Amex card to translate those purchases into points. Some cards offer higher earning rates in certain categories, such as dining, travel, or business expenses, so it’s worth picking a card that fits your habits.
In total, there are nine American Express cards that earn Membership Rewards points:
Personal Cards
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
Representative APR: 685.3% variable (£650 annual fee). Cash Advance APR: 36.3%. New Cardmember Offer: 75,000 MR points + £250 Travel Credit after £10k spend (ends 26 May 2026). Key Benefits: 1,550+ lounge access, Priority Pass UK pre-books (8/year from 2026), hotel elite status, worldwide travel insurance. - American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card
Representative APR: 85.8% variable (£0 first year, £195 ongoing). Cash Advance APR: 36.3%. Welcome Bonus: 40,000 MR points after £5k spend (ends 26 May 2026). Key Benefits: 3x points Amex Travel/foreign/1x other (uncapped), 4x Priority Pass visits, Deliveroo £5 credit x2/month, supplementary cards. - American Express® Rewards Credit Card (UK: often referred to as the "free for life" card)
Representative APR: 29.1% variable (£0 fee). Cash Advance APR: 36.3%. New Offer: 10,000 MR points after £2k spend (3 months). Key Benefits: 1 MR/£1, redeem Amazon/Boots, travel/shopping protection, flexible payments. - Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card
Representative APR: 52.5% variable (£95 annual fee). Cash Advance APR: 36.3%. New Offer: 20,000 Marriott points after £3k spend (3 months). Key Benefits: Auto Silver Elite (Gold at £15k spend), 15 Elite Night Credits/year, Free Night after £25k anniversary spend. - Amex® Cashback Everyday Credit Card
Representative APR: 29.1% variable. Annual Fee: £0. Welcome Offer: 5% cashback up to £125 (first 5 months). Key Benefits: Uncapped cashback, Amex Offers, FX 2.99%. - Amex® Cashback Credit Card
Representative APR: 34.6% variable. Annual Fee: £25. Welcome Offer: 5% cashback up to £125 (first 3 months). Key Benefits: Uncapped cashback, supplementary cards, Amex Offers, FX 2.99%. - American Express® Gold Card (U.S. and some other regions)
Pro tip: You can also boost your balance by using partner platforms like Rakuten, which lets you earn Membership Rewards instead of cash back when you shop through their site.
How to Transfer Membership Rewards Points
Once you've built up a solid stash of American Express Membership Rewards points, transferring them to a travel partner is straightforward, but there are a few steps you'll want to follow to make sure it all goes smoothly.
- Log in to your American Express account.
Head to the Rewards & Benefits section, and from there, click on "Transfer Points" under the "Ready to Redeem?" area. - Browse the available partners.
Amex usually highlights two featured programmes, but you can view the complete list of 18 airline and 3 hotel partners by selecting "View All" at the bottom of the page. - Link your frequent flyer or hotel loyalty account.
You'll need to link your account if it's your first time transferring to a specific partner. Simply enter your loyalty programme number, confirm your identity, and complete a quick verification process. - Choose the number of points to transfer.
Most partners accept transfers in 1,000-point increments, but there are a few exceptions:- JetBlue: 250-point increments
- Qantas: 500-point increments
- Review and confirm.
Double-check the transfer amount and your linked account details. Once you're ready, click "Submit Transfer."
Transfers can take up to 48 hours, but in many cases they're much faster. Some partners even offer instant transfers. Still, if you plan to use your points for a specific flight or hotel booking, make sure you confirm availability before initiating the transfer.
One thing to note: transferring points to U.S.-based airlines like Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, or Hawaiian Airlines comes with a small fee. This is to offset the federal excise tax that Amex is required to pay on these types of redemptions. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- The fee is $0.0006 per point, which works out to 60 cents per 1,000 points transferred
- The fee is capped at $99 per transfer
- You can pay the fee using cash or points, but keep in mind, using points is twice as expensive as paying cash
Airline Transfer Partners and Ratios
One of the biggest perks of the Membership Rewards programme is its strong lineup of airline partners covering major global alliances and regional carriers alike. Most of these partners have a 1:1 transfer ratio, meaning 1,000 Amex points gets you 1,000 miles in the airline's frequent flyer programme. But there are a few exceptions you'll want to keep in mind.
1:1 Transfer Partners
For most travellers, these are the go-to options. With a 1:1 ratio, what you see is what you get, and in many cases, the value can far exceed what you'd get by redeeming directly through Amex Travel.
Here are the Membership Rewards airline partners that offer a 1:1 transfer ratio:
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Air France–KLM Flying Blue
- ANA Mileage Club
- Avianca LifeMiles
- British Airways Club
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Delta SkyMiles
- Emirates Skywards
- Etihad Guest
- Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
- Iberia Plus
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
While 1:1 is the standard, there are a few outliers with different transfer rates:
JetBlue TrueBlue:
Transfers at a 1:0.8 ratio (1,000 Amex points = 800 JetBlue points)
Qantas Frequent Flyer:
Transfers at a 1:1 ratio, but with a minimum increment of 500 points
Quick tip: Alaska Airlines isn't a direct Amex partner, but there's a clever workaround. You can transfer Membership Rewards points to Hawaiian Airlines (1:1) and then transfer those HawaiianMiles to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. It adds a step, but it's one of the only indirect paths to redeem Amex points on Alaska flights.
Hotel Transfer Partners and Ratios
American Express Membership Rewards points can also be transferred to a few major hotel loyalty programmes. While hotel redemptions typically don't offer as high a value per point as premium flight redemptions, they can still be a great option in the right scenario, especially during peak seasons, special promotions, or when availability is limited on other platforms.
Amex currently partners with three hotel loyalty programmes, each with its own transfer ratio:
1:1 Transfer Partners
These hotel programmes allow you to transfer Amex points at a straightforward 1:1 ratio, meaning 1,000 Membership Rewards points = 1,000 hotel points:
Choice Privileges
A solid choice (no pun intended) for domestic and budget-friendly international stays. Choice has a large footprint of hotels across North America, Europe, and Asia, including Comfort Inn, Sleep Inn, and Ascend Hotel Collection properties. While it doesn't scream luxury, it's a great practical option for road trips or reliable city-centre hotels.
Marriott Bonvoy
One of the most popular hotel loyalty programmes, Marriott Bonvoy covers a massive global portfolio: everything from Courtyard and Sheraton to W Hotels, Ritz-Carlton, and St. Regis. While award pricing varies, this programme is especially valuable when you take advantage of promotions or stay for five nights (where the fifth night is often free when using points).
1:2 Transfer Ratio
- Hilton Honors Transfers at a 1:2 ratio, meaning 1,000 Amex points = 2,000 Hilton points. While that sounds like a great deal on the surface, Hilton Honors points tend to have a lower per-point value overall. Still, this can be useful for topping off your Hilton balance or booking lower-tier properties, and it becomes even more appealing when Hilton runs transfer bonuses or offers discounted award rates.
Quick tip: Unlike airline miles, hotel points generally have more flexible availability, and they're often best used for mid-tier or promotional stays. Before transferring, always check the cash price and compare it to the points cost. That'll help you decide if you are getting a good deal.
Getting the Most Out of Your Membership Rewards Transfers
With a little planning, transferring points can be one of the most rewarding ways to use your Membership Rewards balance, but timing, research, and knowing the fine print can make all the difference.
Before moving your points, keep these key tips in mind to make sure you're getting the best deal:
Check Award Availability First
Before transferring any points, confirm that the flight or hotel you want is actually available to book using points or miles.
Look Out for Limited-Time Bonuses
Occasionally, Amex offers transfer bonuses to select partners, often in the range of 20% to 50% extra value. These can increase your return, especially if you're transferring to a programme you use often. For example, Virgin Atlantic has offered a 40% bonus in the past, and Marriott Bonvoy has bumped theirs up by 35%. Just be sure you're transferring with a plan in mind.
Compare Booking Options
Take a few minutes to shop around before committing to a transfer. Price out the same flight or hotel through Amex Travel, through the airline/hotel directly, and via any partners. The cost in points can vary widely depending on the booking method.
Don't Forget Fees and Taxes
When transferring points to U.S.-based airlines like Delta, JetBlue, or Hawaiian, Amex charges a small fee to offset the federal excise tax. It's $0.0006 per point, or 60 cents per 1,000 points, with a maximum fee of $99 per transfer. You can pay in cash or points, though cash is the better deal. Also, be aware that award bookings may come with additional carrier surcharges or destination taxes, especially for international flights.
Transfers Are Final
This one's important: once you transfer points out of your Membership Rewards account, you can't get them back. Even if your plans change or you find a better option later, Amex doesn't reverse transfers. Make sure you've got your trip details locked in before you commit.
Should You Transfer or Book Through Amex Travel?
Transferring points to airline and hotel partners is often the best way to get maximum value from your Membership Rewards, but it's not always the right move. Sometimes, booking directly through the Amex Travel portal makes more sense.
When to Transfer
You'll usually come out ahead when booking international Business or First Class flights, where cash prices are sky-high but award rates through airline loyalty programmes are far more reasonable. Programmes like ANA Mileage Club, Air Canada Aeroplan, or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club can offer excellent value when you're strategic about when and where you fly.
Transfers can also be smart when you're topping off an existing points balance or taking advantage of a limited-time transfer bonus. If you already have miles with a programme and just need a few thousand more to book your ideal itinerary, it's an easy way to bridge the gap.
When to Book Through Amex Travel
If the award seats you want aren't available or if you're looking at low-cost domestic flights or hotel stays, booking directly through Amex Travel can be the more practical option. Your points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for flights through the portal, and you won't have to deal with award charts or blackout dates.
This option is also appealing if you want a simpler booking process or prefer to keep everything in one place. There's no need to transfer, and you'll often still earn miles or hotel points on your booking.
Does the American Express British Airways Card Earn Amex Membership Rewards?
No, the American Express British Airways card does not earn Membership Rewards points. Instead, it earns credit card Avios directly, which are automatically transferred to your British Airways Club account.
Final Thoughts
American Express Membership Rewards is one of the most versatile loyalty programmes out there, and that's largely thanks to its strong network of transfer partners. Used strategically, it can give you exceptional value. The key is to take a few extra minutes to compare your options, watch for transfer bonuses, and always double-check availability before committing points. A bit of research can go a long way.
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