Unlock Your Next Adventure: A Step-by-Step Guide to Transferring American Express SkyMiles to Delta!
Hey there, fellow traveler! Are you sitting on a pile of American Express Membership Rewards points, dreaming of that next getaway, but wondering how to turn those points into actual Delta SkyMiles? You've come to the right place! This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, ensuring a smooth and successful transfer so you can be one step closer to your dream destination. Let's dive in!
Understanding the Relationship: American Express Membership Rewards and Delta SkyMiles
Before we begin, it's crucial to understand a key distinction: you don't directly transfer "American Express SkyMiles" to Delta. What you're actually doing is transferring your American Express Membership Rewards points to your Delta SkyMiles account. American Express offers various credit cards, and some, like the Delta SkyMiles co-branded cards, directly earn SkyMiles. However, if you have cards that earn Membership Rewards points (like the Platinum Card®, Gold Card®, or Green Card®), those points are a separate currency that can be converted into SkyMiles.
The general transfer ratio is 1,000 Membership Rewards points to 1,000 Delta SkyMiles, though it's always worth checking for any limited-time transfer bonuses that might pop up!
The Journey Begins: Your Step-by-Step Transfer Guide
Ready to transform those valuable points into flight possibilities? Let's get started!
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility and Login!
Are you ready to fly? The very first thing you need to do is ensure you have both an active American Express Membership Rewards account and a Delta SkyMiles account. If you don't have a SkyMiles account, don't worry, it's free and easy to sign up on the Delta Air Lines website. Make sure the name on your American Express account exactly matches the name on your Delta SkyMiles account to avoid any transfer hiccups.
Time to access your rewards portal: Go to the official American Express website and log in to your Membership Rewards account. This is your command center for all things points-related!
Step 2: Navigate to the Transfer Partners Section
Once you're logged into your American Express Membership Rewards account:
Find the "Rewards" or "Redeem" tab: Look for a prominent section, often labeled "Rewards," "Redeem Points," or "Travel."
Locate "Transfer Points": Within the rewards section, you'll typically find an option to "Transfer Points to Travel Partners" or "Transfer Points." Click on this.
Step 3: Select Delta SkyMiles as Your Transfer Partner
You'll now be presented with a list of American Express's various airline and hotel transfer partners.
Spot the Delta logo: Scroll through the list until you find Delta SkyMiles. It will usually be clearly marked with the Delta logo.
Understand the transfer ratio: Before proceeding, double-check the transfer ratio. As mentioned, it's usually 1:1, meaning 1,000 Membership Rewards points equals 1,000 SkyMiles. Also note any minimum transfer amounts. American Express typically requires a minimum transfer of 1,000 points, and transfers often need to be in increments of 1,000 points (though some sources mention 500-point increments in certain regions, so always verify on your specific Amex portal).
Step 4: Link Your Delta SkyMiles Account (If Not Already Linked)
If this is your first time transferring points to Delta, or if your accounts aren't linked, you'll be prompted to do so.
Enter your SkyMiles number: Carefully input your Delta SkyMiles account number.
Confirm your details: The system will usually ask you to confirm your name and other relevant details to ensure a match with your American Express account. This step is critical for a successful transfer.
Verification steps: You might be asked for a 3-digit card security code from the back of your Amex card for verification.
Step 5: Specify the Transfer Amount
Now comes the exciting part – deciding how many points to transfer!
Input your desired amount: Enter the number of Membership Rewards points you wish to convert into Delta SkyMiles. Remember to adhere to the minimum transfer amount and any specified increments.
Consider your redemption goal: It's often advisable to only transfer the amount of miles you need for a specific redemption. Once points are transferred to Delta SkyMiles, they cannot be transferred back to your American Express Membership Rewards account. Plus, while SkyMiles don't expire, Membership Rewards points offer more flexibility as they can be transferred to various other airline and hotel partners.
Factor in the Excise Tax Offset Fee: For transfers to U.S. airline loyalty programs like Delta, American Express charges a small excise tax offset fee of $0.0006 per point (with a maximum fee, typically $99). This fee will be charged to your linked American Express card. You generally have the option to pay this fee with points, but it's highly recommended to pay with cash as the value you get for your points when covering this fee is extremely low.
Step 6: Review and Confirm Your Transfer
Before hitting that final button, take a moment to review all the details.
Check everything carefully: Confirm the number of points you're transferring, your Delta SkyMiles account number, and the applicable excise tax offset fee.
Read the terms and conditions: Briefly review the terms and conditions associated with the transfer. This will reiterate that transfers are final and outline any other important policies.
Click "Confirm Transfer" or "Submit": Once you're confident everything is accurate, click the final confirmation button.
Step 7: Monitor Your Transfer
Instant or near-instant transfers: While American Express states that transfers to Delta SkyMiles can take up to 30 minutes, many users report that these transfers are often instantaneous or complete within a few minutes.
Check your Delta SkyMiles account: Log in to your Delta SkyMiles account on delta.com or via the Fly Delta app. Your newly transferred miles should appear in your balance. If they don't appear immediately, don't panic – give it a little time, perhaps 30 minutes to an hour, and try logging out and back in.
What if it takes longer? If your miles haven't appeared after 24-48 hours, it's time to contact American Express customer service. Have your transfer confirmation number ready.
And there you have it! Your American Express Membership Rewards points are now Delta SkyMiles, ready to be used for your next incredible flight!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to: Confirm if my American Express card earns Membership Rewards points?
Check your American Express card statement or log into your Amex online account. Cards that earn Membership Rewards points will explicitly state "Membership Rewards" as the points currency. Co-branded Delta SkyMiles cards earn SkyMiles directly.
How to: Find my Delta SkyMiles account number?
You can find your Delta SkyMiles account number by logging into your account on delta.com or through the Fly Delta mobile app. It's usually prominently displayed on your profile page.
How to: Handle the excise tax offset fee when transferring to Delta?
When prompted, always choose to pay the excise tax offset fee with your American Express card (cash), rather than using points. Using points for this fee gives you a very poor redemption value.
How to: Know if there's a transfer bonus for Delta SkyMiles?
American Express occasionally offers limited-time transfer bonuses to specific airline partners, including Delta. These promotions are usually advertised prominently on the Membership Rewards transfer page or through email communications from Amex. Always check before you transfer!
How to: Reverse a transfer if I make a mistake?
Unfortunately, transfers from American Express Membership Rewards to airline or hotel loyalty programs, including Delta SkyMiles, are final and irreversible. This is why it's crucial to double-check all details before confirming.
How to: Transfer American Express points to another person's Delta SkyMiles account?
Generally, American Express Membership Rewards points must be transferred to a SkyMiles account in the same name as the American Express cardholder. While there are some indirect methods (like adding an authorized user to your Amex card for a certain period, then transferring to their linked SkyMiles account), these can be complex and may not always be straightforward. It's usually simpler to book a flight for someone else directly from your own SkyMiles account after the transfer.
How to: Use my newly transferred Delta SkyMiles?
Once the miles are in your Delta SkyMiles account, you can use them to book award flights on delta.com. Search for flights and select "Shop with Miles" or "Miles" as your payment option.
How to: Combine SkyMiles from multiple Delta accounts?
Delta does not typically allow combining miles from different SkyMiles accounts, even if they belong to family members. However, you can book tickets for other people from your own SkyMiles account.
How to: Avoid fees when transferring Delta SkyMiles between SkyMiles accounts?
While this guide focuses on transferring Amex MR points to Delta, it's worth noting that Delta charges fees if you try to transfer SkyMiles between two separate SkyMiles accounts. This is generally not recommended due to the high cost.
How to: Get help if my transfer doesn't go through?
If your miles don't appear in your Delta SkyMiles account within 24-48 hours, first ensure you've refreshed your Delta account and logged out/in. If they're still missing, contact American Express customer service, providing your transfer confirmation details. They can investigate the issue.
