American Express Transfer Partners: A Comprehensive Guide for 2024

19.07.2024 - 08:50 / insider.com

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When it comes to transferable credit card rewards points, you might automatically think of Chase Ultimate Rewards® or Capital One miles. But the American Express Membership Rewards program was one of the first points currencies that allowed folks with associated credit cards to convert their hard-earned rewards into miles and points with various airline and hotel partners.

The Amex Membership Rewards program debuted way back in 1991 with just seven U.S. airline partners. Today, Membership Rewards works with 17 frequent flyer programs and three hotel loyalty programs. Those numbers are impressive in and of themselves – consider, Chase has just 14 partners total, and Citi ThankYou Rewards has 16.

What sets Amex apart even more, however, is the excellent quality of its partners, and the myriad redemption opportunities they represent. There are many benefits of transferring points to these airline and hotel partners, which we'll explore in more detail below. 

In this comprehensive guide, we'll show you how to transfer American Express points for travel, and teach you our best tips for maximizing value for Amex Membership Rewards transfers. We'll also walk you through Amex points transfer ratios and policies, point out the best Amex airline transfer partners, and walk you through transferring Amex points to hotel loyalty programs. 

Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Points on other purchases.

$695

N/A

See Pay Over Time APR

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points

Good to Excellent

If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you get a long list of benefits such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, complimentary hotel elite status, and more.

Before you can redeem Amex points, you've actually got to earn them. Only a handful of Amex cards – both business and personal –