You can transfer Amex points to United at a 1:1 ratio through the Amex website, and the transfer completes within one business day

American Express points transfer directly to United MileagePlus at a one-to-one rate — meaning 10,000 Amex points become 10,000 United miles. The transfer happens through your Amex account online and takes roughly 24 hours to show up in your United account. You do not need to contact either company by phone; the entire process is self-service.

The main reason to transfer is that United miles often have better redemption value on United flights than Amex points do when used through Amex's own travel portal. You also gain access to United's award chart, which lets you see exactly how many miles each flight costs before you commit to the transfer.

Key Takeaways

  • Amex points transfer to United at 1:1, and you can do it yourself through your Amex account without calling anyone.
  • The transfer takes about one business day, so plan ahead if you need miles for a specific flight.
  • You must have both an active Amex account and an active United MileagePlus account linked together before you can transfer.
  • United miles often redeem for less than the cash price of a ticket, so check United's award chart before transferring to make sure the redemption is worth it.

How to link your Amex and United accounts

Before you can transfer points, your Amex account and your United MileagePlus account must be connected. Log into your Amex account online, go to the Membership Rewards section, and look for "Transfer Points." You will see a list of transfer partners, including United Airlines. Click on United and follow the prompts to authorize the link.

Amex will ask for your United MileagePlus number. You can find this on your United account, on any United boarding pass, or by calling United at 1-800-864-8331. Once you enter it and confirm, the accounts are linked. You only have to do this once; after that, you can transfer whenever you want.

The step-by-step transfer process

Log into your Amex account and navigate to Membership Rewards. Select "Transfer Points" and choose United Airlines from the partner list. Enter the number of points you want to transfer — Amex will show you your current balance and let you know the minimum and maximum you can move in one transfer.

Review the transfer details, including the 1:1 conversion rate and the fact that the transfer is final and cannot be reversed. Click confirm. Amex will send you a confirmation email with a reference number. The points will leave your Amex account immediately, but they typically appear in your United account within 24 hours.

When transfers take longer than expected

Most transfers land in your United account within one business day. If more than 24 hours have passed and the miles have not appeared, log into your United account and check your transaction history. Sometimes the miles show up there before they appear in your balance.

If the miles do not appear after two business days, contact Amex with your transfer confirmation number. Amex can see on their end whether the transfer was sent to United, and they can investigate if something went wrong. United's customer service can also look up the transfer on their end using your MileagePlus number.

Checking United's award chart before you transfer

United publishes an award chart that shows how many miles each flight costs. Before you transfer Amex points, search for your desired flight on United's website and note the mileage cost. Then decide whether that cost is worth the transfer.

For example, a domestic round-trip flight might cost 25,000 miles one way and 30,000 miles another way depending on demand and route. If you can book that same flight for $300 cash, and you value your Amex points at more than 1.2 cents each, you might be better off using the points elsewhere or selling them through Amex's shopping portal. The math changes for each person and each flight.

Transfer limits and timing

Amex does not publish a daily or monthly limit on how many points you can transfer to United. However, you can only transfer in increments that United accepts — typically 1,000-point blocks, though some partners accept smaller amounts. Check the transfer screen in your Amex account to see the minimum for United.

Transfers are final once confirmed. Amex cannot reverse a transfer, and United cannot send miles back to Amex. If you transfer by mistake, you would need to contact United to see if they can help, but they are not obligated to undo the transaction. Always double-check the amount and the destination before you confirm.

Why you might transfer to United instead of using Amex points directly

Amex lets you book flights through their travel portal using Membership Rewards points. However, the redemption rate is often worse than transferring to United and booking with miles. On Amex's portal, you might need 1.5 to 2 cents per point to cover a flight, whereas United miles often provide better value on United flights specifically.

Transferring also gives you access to United's partner airlines. United is part of the Star Alliance, which includes airlines like Lufthansa, Air Canada, and Singapore Airlines. If you want to book a flight on one of those carriers using miles, transferring to United is one way to do it. Amex points cannot be used directly on partner airlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose points if the transfer fails?

No. If a transfer fails, the points stay in your Amex account. Amex will notify you by email if something goes wrong. You can then try again or contact Amex support with your confirmation number.

Can I transfer United miles back to Amex?

No. United miles cannot be transferred back to Amex Membership Rewards. Transfers are one-way only, from Amex to United. Once the miles are in your United account, they stay there.

What if I do not have a United MileagePlus account yet?

You must open a MileagePlus account before you can transfer. Go to United's website and sign up for free. It takes a few minutes. Once your account is active, you can link it to Amex and begin transferring.

Are there any fees to transfer points to United?

No. Amex does not charge a fee to transfer points to United, and United does not charge a fee to receive them. The transfer is free.

Can I transfer points from multiple Amex cards to the same United account?

Yes. If you have more than one Amex card, you can link all of them to the same United MileagePlus account and transfer from any of them. The miles all go to the same United account.