You can transfer Amex points to airline and hotel programs, but the process and value depend on which card you hold and which partner you choose

American Express points transfer to over 20 airline and hotel partners, but not all Amex cards offer this feature. The Platinum Card, Gold Card, and Business Platinum all allow transfers; the Blue Cash and Green Card do not. When you transfer, points go into a partner's loyalty account within 24 hours, and the conversion rate is usually 1 Amex point to 1 partner point — though some transfers offer bonuses like 1.25 or 1.5 points per Amex point during promotional periods.

The real value of transferring depends on what you can buy with those partner points. A transfer that seems like a good deal at face value can be wasteful if the partner's redemption rates are poor. Before you transfer anything, check what award flights or hotel nights cost in the partner program, then compare that to what you could buy with the same points through Amex's own redemption options.

Key Takeaways

  • Only certain Amex cards allow point transfers — Platinum, Gold, Business Platinum, and a few others — so check your card's benefits guide first.
  • Points land in a partner's account within 24 hours, and the standard conversion is 1 Amex point to 1 partner point, though promotional bonuses sometimes offer better rates.
  • You transfer through your Amex online account under the Rewards section, and you need an active account with the airline or hotel program before you can transfer.
  • The value of a transfer varies widely by partner and by what you want to book, so comparing award prices in the partner program against Amex's own redemption options is essential before transferring.

Which Amex cards allow point transfers

The American Express Platinum Card, Gold Card, and Business Platinum all include point transfer privileges as a standard benefit. The Business Gold Card also allows transfers. The Blue Cash Everyday, Blue Cash Preferred, and Green Card do not offer this feature — holders of those cards can only redeem points through Amex's own catalog or for statement credits.

If you are unsure whether your card includes transfers, log into your Amex account and look for a "Transfer Points" or "Rewards" section. If the option does not appear, your card does not support transfers. You can also call the number on the back of your card and ask directly.

How to transfer points through your Amex account

Log into your American Express online account and navigate to the Rewards section. Look for an option labeled "Transfer Points" or "Manage Rewards." Select the airline or hotel partner you want to transfer to, then enter the number of points you wish to transfer. Amex will show you the conversion rate (usually 1:1) and any current promotional bonuses before you confirm.

You must have an active account with the partner airline or hotel program before you transfer. If you do not yet have one, create it first — you will need your membership number or frequent flyer account number to complete the transfer. Once you confirm the transfer in your Amex account, the points typically appear in your partner account within 24 hours.

Some transfers process faster than others depending on the partner. Transfers to major carriers like Delta, United, and American Airlines usually land within a few hours. Transfers to smaller programs or international carriers may take the full 24 hours.

Amex's airline and hotel transfer partners

American Express maintains partnerships with major U.S. carriers including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. International carriers on the partner list include Air France-KLM, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.

Hotel partners include Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, Hyatt World of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards, and Wyndham Rewards. The full list of partners changes occasionally, and promotional transfer bonuses rotate throughout the year. Check your Amex account's transfer page to see the current partner list and any active bonuses.

When transfer bonuses are worth using

Amex periodically offers promotional bonuses on transfers to specific partners — for example, 1.25 Amex points per partner point instead of the standard 1:1 rate. These bonuses are most valuable when you have already decided which partner you want to transfer to and you know what you plan to book.

A 25% bonus sounds good, but it only makes sense if the partner's award prices are reasonable. If you can book a flight for 50,000 partner points and that same flight would cost 60,000 Amex points through Amex's own redemption, then waiting for a bonus to transfer is worth it. If the partner's prices are inflated and the flight costs 80,000 partner points, the bonus does not help.

Promotional bonuses typically last 30 to 60 days and are announced in your Amex account. You do not have to act immediately — if the bonus does not align with your travel plans, skip it and wait for the next one.

Comparing transfer value against Amex redemption

Before you transfer, check what you can buy with the same points through Amex's own redemption options. Log into your Amex account and browse available flights, hotels, and other rewards in Amex's catalog. Note the point cost for something you actually want to book.

Then visit the partner airline or hotel's website, log into their loyalty account, and search for the same flight or hotel night. Note how many partner points it costs. If the partner's cost is lower than what Amex charges, a transfer makes sense. If the partner's cost is higher or similar, you may get better value by redeeming directly through Amex.

This comparison is especially important for hotel transfers. Some hotel programs have high award rates, meaning you need many points for a night's stay. Others are more generous. Marriott Bonvoy, for example, has a wide range of award rates depending on the property, so the same transfer can be excellent for one hotel and wasteful for another.

What happens after you transfer

Once points land in your partner account, they are yours to use according to that program's rules. You cannot transfer them back to Amex, and you cannot undo the transfer. Some partners allow you to combine points from multiple accounts or transfer points to a family member, but those options vary by program.

Points in partner accounts may expire if you do not use them within a certain period — typically three to five years, though some programs have longer or shorter windows. Check the partner's terms to understand their expiration policy before you transfer a large amount of points you do not plan to use immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer points to someone else's airline account?

No, you cannot transfer Amex points directly to another person's account. However, some airline partners allow you to combine points from multiple accounts or gift points to family members after the points land in your account. Check the specific partner's rules after you transfer.

Do I lose points when I transfer?

No, the standard conversion is 1 Amex point to 1 partner point. During promotional periods, you may actually gain value — for example, 1 Amex point becomes 1.25 partner points. You never lose points in the transfer itself, though the partner's award prices may make the transfer a poor value.

How long does a transfer take?

Most transfers appear in your partner account within 24 hours. Major U.S. carriers often process transfers within a few hours. If your transfer does not appear after 24 hours, contact Amex customer service with your confirmation number.

What if I transfer points but then change my mind?

Transfers cannot be reversed once they are confirmed. Before you transfer, make sure you have checked the partner's award prices and confirmed you want to use those points with that program. If you transfer and then regret it, contact Amex customer service immediately — they may be able to help in rare cases, but reversal is not may provide.

Are there any fees for transferring points?

No, Amex does not charge a fee to transfer points to partner programs. The transfer itself is free; you only pay if you use the partner points to book a flight, hotel, or other service.