American Express Membership Rewards
American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to 20 airline and hotel programs, most at 1:1, and 13 of them move instantly. Moved to a partner they're typically worth about 1.75¢ each, against 0.6¢ as cash back.
- Transfer partners
- 20
- 16 airlines, 4 hotels
- At 1:1
- 14 of 20
- 13 move instantly
- Published value
- 1.3 to 2.2¢
- a point, from 4 publishers
- Cards that earn it
- 11
- in our catalog
What 10,000 points are worth
The same points, spent different ways. "Typical" is the middle of what people get, not the best case.
- Cash back or a statement credit$600.6¢ each
- Travel booked through the issuer's portal$1001¢ each
- Transferred to a partner, a typical award$1751.75¢ each
Where American Express Membership Rewards points can go
Airlines
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer time |
|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus AerClub | 1:1 | Instant |
| Aeromexico Rewards | 1:1.61,000 points become 1,600 | 24 hours |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | 1:1 | Instant |
| ANA Mileage Club | 1:1 | 48 hours |
| Avianca LifeMiles | 1:1 | Instant |
| The British Airways Club | 1:1 | Instant |
| Cathay (Asia Miles) | 5:41,000 points become 800 | 48 hours |
| Delta SkyMiles | 1:1 | Up to 48 hours |
| Emirates Skywards | 5:41,000 points become 800 | Instant |
| Iberia Club | 1:1 | 48 hours |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | 1:0.81,000 points become 800 | Instant |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | 1:1 | Instant |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | 1:1 | Instant |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1:1 | Up to 24 hours |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 1:1 | Instant |
Hotels
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer time |
|---|---|---|
| Choice Privileges | 1:1 | Instant |
| Hilton Honors | 1:21,000 points become 2,000 | Instant |
| Leading Hotels of the World Leaders Club | 4:11,000 points become 250 | Up to 72 hours |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1:1 | Instant |
Cards that earn American Express Membership Rewards
Before you transfer
- Transfers go one way. Once points move to a partner they can't come back, so transfer only when the award you want is there to book.
- Ratios change. Issuers add and drop partners and run limited-time transfer bonuses. Check the terms on the day you move.
- "Instant" usually means minutes. Some partners take days, and an award seat can disappear while points are in transit.
- Blocks and names. Most transfers go in blocks of 1,000, and the airline or hotel account must be in your own name.
Membership
- When points expire
- Points do not expire while an eligible card account stays open and in good standing. They are forfeited immediately if you cancel with no other Amex card or checking account open.
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Questions about American Express Membership Rewards
Where can American Express Membership Rewards points be transferred?
To 20 partners: 16 airline programs and 4 hotel programs, including Aer Lingus AerClub, Aeromexico Rewards, Air Canada Aeroplan and Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
What is the American Express Membership Rewards transfer ratio?
Most partners are 1:1. The exceptions: Aeromexico Rewards at 1:1.6, Cathay (Asia Miles) at 5:4, Emirates Skywards at 5:4, JetBlue TrueBlue at 1:0.8, Hilton Honors at 1:2 and Leading Hotels of the World Leaders Club at 4:1.
How long does a American Express Membership Rewards transfer take?
13 of the 20 partners receive points instantly. The rest take from hours to a few days, and a transfer can't be reversed once it's sent.
How much are American Express Membership Rewards points worth?
It depends how you use them: 0.6¢ as cash back or a statement credit, 1¢ as travel booked through the issuer's portal and 1.75¢ as transferred to a partner, a typical award. 10,000 points are worth about $175 at the typical rate.
Which cards earn American Express Membership Rewards?
American Express Business Gold Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, American Express Gold Card, American Express Green Card, The Platinum Card from American Express, The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley, Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express, Blue from American Express, Business Green Rewards Card from American Express, Centurion Card from American Express and Morgan Stanley Credit Card from American Express.
Do American Express Membership Rewards points expire?
Points do not expire while an eligible card account stays open and in good standing. They are forfeited immediately if you cancel with no other Amex card or checking account open.