Transferring your hard-earned American Express Membership Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles can be a fantastic way to unlock amazing travel experiences, from luxurious first-class flights to getting closer to your dream destinations. But how exactly do you navigate this process? Don't worry, we're here to guide you through it step-by-step!
Your Gateway to Delta Dreams: Transferring Amex Membership Rewards to SkyMiles
You've collected a treasure trove of American Express Membership Rewards points, and now you're eyeing that incredible Delta flight. Excellent choice! Transferring your points is often one of the most valuable ways to redeem them, especially for premium cabin travel. This guide will walk you through every aspect of transferring your Amex points to Delta SkyMiles, ensuring a smooth journey from your rewards dashboard to the skies.
Step 1: Are You Ready to Fly? Check Your Delta SkyMiles Account!
Before you even think about transferring a single point, the absolute first thing you need to do is ensure you have a Delta SkyMiles account. If you don't, it's incredibly easy and free to sign up on the Delta Air Lines website.
Sub-heading: If You Already Have a SkyMiles Account:
Great! Make sure you have your SkyMiles account number handy. You'll need it during the transfer process. It's also a good idea to log in to your Delta account and verify that all your personal details (name, date of birth) match exactly what's on your American Express account. Any discrepancies can cause delays.
Sub-heading: If You Don't Have a SkyMiles Account:
No problem at all! Head over to the official Delta Air Lines website (delta.com) and look for the "SkyMiles" section. You can easily sign up for a free account. Once registered, make a note of your new SkyMiles number. Remember, the name on your new SkyMiles account must match the name on your American Express card.
Engagement Tip: Think about that dream destination you've been putting off! Is it a tropical escape, a bustling city adventure, or a serene mountain retreat? Having a specific travel goal in mind can make this whole process even more exciting!
Step 2: Accessing Your American Express Membership Rewards Portal
Now that your Delta SkyMiles account is ready, it's time to dive into your American Express account.
Sub-heading: Logging In:
Go to the official American Express website (americanexpress.com) and log in to your account. You'll need your username and password.
Important Note: If you have multiple Amex cards, ensure you're logged into an account associated with a Membership Rewards-earning card. Co-branded Delta SkyMiles cards or Marriott Bonvoy cards, for instance, don't earn Membership Rewards points directly.
Sub-heading: Navigating to the Rewards Section:
Once logged in, look for the "Rewards" or "Membership Rewards" section. This is usually clearly visible on your account dashboard.
Within the rewards section, you'll typically find an option like "Use Points," "Transfer Points," or "Airline & Hotel Partners." Click on the relevant link to proceed.
Step 3: Selecting Delta SkyMiles as Your Transfer Partner
This is where you tell American Express where you want your points to go!
Sub-heading: Finding Delta on the List:
You'll be presented with a list of American Express's various airline and hotel transfer partners. Scroll through the list until you find Delta SkyMiles®.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for any active transfer bonuses! Occasionally, American Express offers promotional bonuses for transferring points to specific partners, meaning you'd get more SkyMiles for the same number of Membership Rewards points. These are fantastic opportunities to maximize your value.
Sub-heading: Understanding the Transfer Ratio:
For Delta SkyMiles, the standard transfer ratio is 1:1. This means 1,000 American Express Membership Rewards points will convert to 1,000 Delta SkyMiles. This is a very favorable ratio compared to some other partners.
Step 4: Linking Your Delta SkyMiles Account (If Not Already Linked)
If this is your first time transferring points to Delta, you'll need to link your accounts.
Sub-heading: Providing Account Details:
American Express will prompt you to enter your Delta SkyMiles account number. Double-check this number carefully to avoid any errors!
You may also need to confirm personal details to ensure the names on both accounts match. This is a crucial security step.
Security Verification: Be prepared to provide the Card Security Code (CSC) from the American Express card you logged in with, and potentially a one-time passcode sent via text or email for further verification.
Sub-heading: Important Considerations for Authorized Users:
Did you know you can transfer points to an authorized user's Delta SkyMiles account? However, there's a specific rule: the authorized user must have been on your Amex account for at least 90 days prior to linking their loyalty program account. The name on their Delta account must also perfectly match their name as it appears on your Amex authorized user card.
Step 5: Specifying the Number of Points to Transfer
Now for the main event – how many points do you want to send over?
Sub-heading: Minimum and Increments:
The minimum transfer amount to Delta SkyMiles is typically 1,000 Membership Rewards points.
Transfers must usually be in increments of 500 points (though sometimes 1,000 point increments are stated, 500 is generally accepted).
American Express's system will usually prevent you from entering an invalid amount, guiding you on the correct increments.
Sub-heading: Strategic Transferring – Don't Transfer Blindly!
This is arguably the MOST CRITICAL step: DO NOT transfer your points until you have confirmed award availability for the flight you want to book on Delta's website!
Once Membership Rewards points are transferred to Delta SkyMiles, the transfer is irreversible. You cannot transfer them back to your Amex account.
Check Delta.com for the specific flight, date, and cabin class you desire, and make sure there are award seats available at the SkyMiles price you're targeting.
Consider "Phantom Availability": While rare, sometimes an award seat might appear available online but isn't actually bookable. It's always best practice to verify.
Step 6: Reviewing and Confirming Your Transfer
Almost there!
Sub-heading: The Review Screen:
American Express will present a summary of your transfer. Carefully review:
The number of Membership Rewards points you are transferring.
The number of Delta SkyMiles you will receive.
Your Delta SkyMiles account number.
Any applicable fees (more on this next!).
Sub-heading: Understanding the Excise Tax Offset Fee:
For transfers to U.S. based airlines (which includes Delta), American Express charges a small "excise tax offset fee." This fee is $0.0006 per point, or $0.60 per 1,000 points, capped at a maximum of $99. This fee will be charged to your American Express card. For example, if you transfer 50,000 points, the fee would be $30 (50 * $0.60).
This fee applies to Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, and JetBlue. It does not apply to foreign airline partners.
Sub-heading: Final Confirmation:
Once you've reviewed everything and are satisfied, tick any agreement boxes (confirming you understand the terms and that transfers are final) and click "Confirm" or "Submit Transfer."
Step 7: Verifying the Transfer in Your Delta SkyMiles Account
The last step is to confirm your points have arrived!
Sub-heading: Transfer Timeframes:
Transfers from American Express Membership Rewards to Delta SkyMiles are often instantaneous or take up to 30 minutes. However, American Express states to allow up to 48 hours for completion, just in case.
If you don't see them immediately, try logging out of your Delta SkyMiles account and logging back in, or refreshing the page. Sometimes it's just a display lag.
Sub-heading: Booking Your Award Flight:
Once the SkyMiles are in your account, you can proceed to book your desired award flight directly on Delta.com using your newly transferred miles! Congratulations, you're one step closer to your next adventure!
Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 common questions about transferring Amex points to Delta, with quick answers:
How to check my American Express Membership Rewards balance?
You can check your Membership Rewards balance by logging into your American Express online account and navigating to the "Rewards" or "Membership Rewards" section.
How to find my Delta SkyMiles account number?
Your Delta SkyMiles account number is typically visible when you log in to your Delta.com account, usually on your profile or dashboard page.
How to avoid the excise tax offset fee when transferring Amex points?
The excise tax offset fee only applies to U.S.-based airlines (Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue). To avoid it, you would need to transfer to a foreign airline partner, though this means you wouldn't get Delta SkyMiles.
How to determine if a Delta flight has award availability before transferring points?
You can search for award availability directly on Delta.com by selecting "Shop with Miles" or similar options when performing a flight search. This allows you to see how many SkyMiles a flight would cost.
How to deal with my name not matching between Amex and Delta accounts?
If your names don't match, you'll need to contact American Express customer service or Delta SkyMiles customer service to get the discrepancy resolved before attempting a transfer. This is crucial for security.
How to use Delta SkyMiles once they are transferred?
Once transferred, your points become SkyMiles and can be used directly on Delta.com for award flights, seat upgrades, Delta Vacations packages, and sometimes even for in-flight purchases.
How to know if there's an Amex transfer bonus to Delta?
American Express occasionally offers transfer bonuses to airline partners. These promotions are usually advertised directly on the Membership Rewards transfer page when you're logged into your Amex account.
How to transfer Amex points to someone else's Delta SkyMiles account?
You can transfer points to an authorized user's Delta SkyMiles account, provided that authorized user has been on your American Express account for at least 90 days, and their Delta account name exactly matches their Amex card name.
How to get the best value from my Delta SkyMiles?
The best value from SkyMiles often comes from redeeming them for international business or first-class flights, or during Delta's "SkyMiles Deals" which offer reduced mileage rates on certain routes.
How to combine multiple Delta SkyMiles accounts?
If you have multiple Delta SkyMiles accounts, you can usually request to merge them through Delta's customer service or via a dedicated form on their website.