You've landed in the right place if you're looking to turn your hard-earned American Express Membership Rewards points into exciting Delta SkyMiles! This guide will walk you through every single step of the process, ensuring you maximize your travel potential. So, are you ready to unlock a world of travel opportunities with Delta Air Lines? Let's dive in!
Converting American Express Points to Delta SkyMiles: Your Step-by-Step Guide
American Express Membership Rewards are incredibly flexible, offering you the power to transfer your points to a variety of airline and hotel partners. Delta SkyMiles is one of their most popular airline transfer partners, and for good reason! With a 1:1 transfer ratio (meaning 1,000 Membership Rewards points become 1,000 SkyMiles), it's a straightforward way to boost your Delta mileage balance for your next flight.
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility and Gather Your Information
Before you even think about transferring, let's make sure you're all set.
Sub-heading: Do You Have an Amex Card Earning Membership Rewards?
First things first, ensure that the American Express card you hold earns Membership Rewards points. Not all Amex cards do! For example, co-branded Delta SkyMiles American Express cards earn SkyMiles directly, so this transfer process wouldn't apply. Cards like the American Express Platinum Card, Gold Card, or Green Card typically earn Membership Rewards.
Sub-heading: Do You Have a Delta SkyMiles Account?
This might seem obvious, but you must have a Delta SkyMiles account to transfer your points. If you don't have one yet, don't worry, it's completely free and easy to sign up on the Delta Air Lines website (
Sub-heading: Know Your SkyMiles Number
You'll need your Delta SkyMiles account number. Keep it handy, as you'll be inputting this during the transfer process.
Step 2: Log In to Your American Express Account
This is where the magic begins!
Sub-heading: Access Your Membership Rewards Dashboard
Go to the official American Express website (americanexpress.com).
Log in to your American Express online account using your User ID and Password.
Once logged in, navigate to the "Membership Rewards" section. This is usually found under a "Rewards" or "Benefits" tab in your account dashboard. You might see a "Rewards Summary" or "Explore Rewards" option.
Step 3: Initiate the Transfer to a Travel Partner
Now it's time to tell Amex where you want those points to go!
Sub-heading: Select "Transfer Points"
Within the Membership Rewards section, look for an option like "Transfer Points" or "Transfer Points to Partner Programs." This will typically be found under a "Redeem" or "Earn and Redeem" menu.
Click on this option to see a list of all available transfer partners.
Sub-heading: Choose Delta SkyMiles
From the list of airline and hotel partners, find and select "Delta Air Lines SkyMiles".
You'll typically see the transfer ratio displayed, which for Delta SkyMiles is 1:1 (1,000 Membership Rewards points = 1,000 SkyMiles). This is an excellent ratio, as some partners have less favorable rates.
Step 4: Link Your Delta SkyMiles Account (First Time Only)
If this is your first time transferring points to Delta SkyMiles, you'll need to link your accounts.
Sub-heading: Provide Your SkyMiles Account Details
The system will prompt you to add your Delta SkyMiles account.
Carefully enter your Delta SkyMiles account number. Double-check for any typos!
Confirm that the name associated with your SkyMiles account matches your Amex account.
American Express may have a security step here, requiring you to verify your identity.
Sub-heading: Important Note on Authorized Users
You can only transfer points to your own Delta SkyMiles account or to the SkyMiles account of an authorized user on your American Express card. If you're transferring to an authorized user's account, they typically need to have been an authorized user for at least 90 days.
Step 5: Enter the Transfer Amount and Confirm
Almost there!
Sub-heading: Specify Your Points for Transfer
Once your Delta SkyMiles account is linked, you'll be asked to enter the number of Membership Rewards points you wish to transfer.
Pay close attention to the minimum transfer amount. For Delta SkyMiles, the minimum is typically 1,000 Membership Rewards points, and transfers must usually be in increments of 500 or 1,000 points.
Keep in mind that once transferred, points are non-reversible. So, be sure of the amount you want to transfer!
Sub-heading: Review and Confirm
Before finalizing, you'll be presented with a summary of your transfer. Review all the details carefully: the number of points, the conversion ratio, and your Delta SkyMiles account number.
There may be a small federal excise tax offset fee for transfers to U.S. airline programs like Delta. This is usually $0.0006 per point, with a maximum fee of $99. You may have the option to pay this fee with points or with your Amex card.
Click "Confirm" or "Submit" to complete the transfer.
Step 6: Monitor Your Transfer and Plan Your Redemption
Congratulations! You've successfully initiated the transfer.
Sub-heading: Check Transfer Time
While many American Express transfers to Delta SkyMiles are instantaneous, the official stated transfer time can be "up to 30 minutes" or even "up to 48 hours" in some cases. Don't panic if they don't show up immediately. Log out and back into your Delta SkyMiles account after a short while to check.
Sub-heading: Plan Your Delta SkyMiles Redemption
Now that your points are SkyMiles, it's time to put them to good use!
Search for Award Flights: Head to delta.com and search for flights using your SkyMiles. Delta's award pricing is dynamic, meaning it can vary greatly based on demand, route, and time of year.
Consider "Miles + Cash": Delta often offers "Miles + Cash" options, allowing you to use a combination of miles and money to book flights. This can be useful if you don't have enough miles for a full redemption or want to save some for future travel.
Look for SkyMiles Deals: Delta frequently has "SkyMiles Deals" or flash sales. Keep an eye out for these to potentially get even more value from your miles.
Utilize Delta Amex Card Benefits: If you hold a co-branded Delta SkyMiles American Express card (like the Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, or Reserve), you might be eligible for benefits like a 15% discount on award travel (TakeOff 15), free checked bags, or companion certificates, which can further enhance the value of your SkyMiles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to check my American Express Membership Rewards point balance?
You can check your American Express Membership Rewards points balance by logging into your American Express online account. Your points summary is usually displayed prominently on your account dashboard or under the "Rewards" section.
How to find my Delta SkyMiles account number?
Your Delta SkyMiles account number can be found by logging into your Delta SkyMiles account on delta.com. It's typically displayed on your profile or dashboard. You may also find it on previous Delta booking confirmations or digital boarding passes.
How to join the Delta SkyMiles program?
You can join the Delta SkyMiles program for free by visiting
How to ensure my name matches on both accounts for the transfer?
When signing up for a Delta SkyMiles account, ensure you use the exact same first and last name that appears on your American Express card and account. If there are discrepancies, you may need to contact American Express or Delta customer service to get them aligned before transferring.
How to know the transfer ratio from Amex to Delta SkyMiles?
The standard transfer ratio from American Express Membership Rewards to Delta SkyMiles is 1:1, meaning 1,000 Membership Rewards points equal 1,000 SkyMiles. This will be displayed on the Amex transfer page.
How to find the minimum points needed for transfer to Delta?
The minimum transfer amount for American Express Membership Rewards to Delta SkyMiles is typically 1,000 points, and transfers usually must be in increments of 500 or 1,000 points. This information will be clearly stated on the Amex transfer portal.
How to check if my points have transferred to Delta SkyMiles?
After initiating the transfer, log out and then back into your Delta SkyMiles account on delta.com. Check your mileage balance. While many transfers are instant, it can sometimes take up to 30 minutes or even a few hours.
How to pay the federal excise tax offset fee for the transfer?
When you transfer points to a U.S. airline frequent flyer program like Delta, American Express charges a small federal excise tax offset fee (currently $0.0006 per point, max $99). You'll be given the option to pay this fee with your American Express card or sometimes by redeeming additional Membership Rewards points.
How to get the best value from my Delta SkyMiles after transferring?
To get the best value, focus on off-peak travel, flexible dates, and economy class redemptions. Look for Delta's "SkyMiles Deals" or flash sales. Utilizing the "TakeOff 15" discount (if you have an eligible Delta Amex card) can also significantly improve your redemption value. Avoid booking last-minute as prices tend to be higher.
How to contact American Express customer service for transfer issues?
If you encounter any issues during the transfer process or if your points don't appear within the expected timeframe, you can contact American Express customer service by calling the number on the back of your card. Be ready to provide your account details and the transfer confirmation.
