Oh, the allure of using those hard-earned Amex Membership Rewards points for your next American Airlines adventure! It's a fantastic goal, but let's be upfront: you cannot directly transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to American Airlines AAdvantage.
Before you sigh in disappointment, hear me out! There are absolutely viable and often highly valuable strategies to use your Amex points for American Airlines flights. It's just a game of knowing the indirect routes. Are you ready to unlock the secret? Let's dive in!
The Essential Truth: No Direct Transfer, But Smart Workarounds Exist!
American Express Membership Rewards and American Airlines AAdvantage are like two different clubs that don't have a direct membership exchange program. However, both clubs have mutual friends. Our goal here is to leverage those mutual friendships (partner airlines) to get you on that American Airlines flight using your Amex points.
 |
| How To Move Amex Points To American Airlines |
Step 1: Understanding the Amex Membership Rewards Ecosystem
First things first, let's get acquainted with your Amex points and their potential.
What are American Express Membership Rewards Points?
These are the flexible points you earn with eligible American Express credit cards, like the Platinum Card, Gold Card, or Green Card. Their flexibility is their greatest asset, as they can be redeemed in various ways, but the most valuable redemption is often through transfer partners.
The Power of Transfer Partners
American Express has a robust list of airline and hotel transfer partners. While American Airlines isn't on that direct list, many of American Airlines' partners are. This is the key to our strategy.
For example, both British Airways and Iberia are direct Amex transfer partners, and they are also part of the Oneworld Alliance, of which American Airlines is a founding member. This means that if you transfer your Amex points to British Airways Avios, you can then use those Avios to book flights on American Airlines! This "sweet spot" is what we're after.
Step 2: Identifying the Best Indirect Transfer Partners for American Airlines Flights
Since direct transfer isn't an option, we need to choose an Amex transfer partner that also has a relationship with American Airlines. The most common and often best-value options typically fall within the Oneworld Alliance, as American Airlines is a core member.
Sub-heading: Top Oneworld Alliance Partners for Amex Transfers
QuickTip: Ask yourself what the author is trying to say.
Here are some of the most popular and effective Amex transfer partners that allow you to book American Airlines flights:
British Airways Executive Club (Avios): This is often the go-to choice for booking American Airlines flights. British Airways is a Oneworld partner, and Amex points transfer to Avios at a 1:1 ratio. The transfer is often instant or within a few hours.
Iberia Plus (Avios): Another excellent Avios program and Oneworld partner, also transferring at a 1:1 ratio. Sometimes, Iberia's award chart can offer slightly different pricing for certain routes compared to British Airways, making it worth checking both. Transfers can take up to 48 hours.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: A Oneworld partner with a 1:1 transfer ratio from Amex. While not always the absolute best for AA flights, it can sometimes offer competitive rates, especially for longer-haul or complex itineraries. Transfers can take around 48 hours.
Qantas Frequent Flyer: Another Oneworld partner, with a 1:1 transfer ratio. Qantas can be useful, though their award charts might sometimes be less favorable than Avios for short-haul AA flights. Transfers typically take around 3 business days.
Sub-heading: Other Potential (Less Common) Transfer Options
While the Oneworld partners are generally the best, other options exist, though they might involve more complex routing or less favorable transfer ratios:
Marriott Bonvoy (and then to American Airlines): You can transfer Amex points to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio. Then, from Marriott, you can transfer to American Airlines AAdvantage. However, this is generally not recommended due to a poor transfer ratio. Marriott Bonvoy points typically transfer to airline miles at a 3:1 ratio (3 Marriott points = 1 airline mile), with a bonus of 5,000 miles when you transfer 60,000 Marriott points (which becomes 25,000 airline miles). This means 60,000 Amex points would become 60,000 Marriott points, which then become only 25,000 American Airlines miles. You lose significant value, so avoid this unless it's a last resort for a small top-up.
Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles (and then to Alaska Airlines, then American Airlines): This is a more convoluted "transfer chain" that some advanced points strategists explore. Amex transfers to Hawaiian Airlines (1:1). Historically, HawaiianMiles could be transferred to Alaska Airlines, which is now a Oneworld partner and can book AA flights. However, this is highly dynamic and not always feasible or the best value, so research thoroughly before attempting.
Step 3: Finding Your American Airlines Flight Availability (The Crucial Pre-Step!)
This is arguably the most important step. Do NOT transfer your Amex points until you have found award availability on the American Airlines flight you want to book. Once points are transferred to an airline partner, they generally cannot be transferred back to Amex Membership Rewards.
Sub-heading: How to Search for American Airlines Award Availability
You'll primarily use the websites of American Airlines' Oneworld partners to search for flights operated by American Airlines.
Start with British Airways Executive Club:
Go to the British Airways Executive Club website (ba.com).
Log in to your account (or create one if you don't have one).
Navigate to the "Book with Avios" section.
Enter your desired American Airlines route and dates.
Look for flights operated by American Airlines. British Airways' search engine is generally quite good at displaying Oneworld partner availability.
Pay attention to the Avios cost and any associated taxes and fees. British Airways is known for sometimes imposing high fuel surcharges on certain routes, so compare carefully.
Check Iberia Plus:
Go to the Iberia Plus website (iberia.com).
Log in to your account.
Search for "Avios" redemption flights.
Enter your desired American Airlines route and dates.
Iberia's award chart can sometimes be more favorable for specific routes (especially transatlantic flights) and may have lower fuel surcharges than British Airways. It's always worth a cross-check.
Explore Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and Qantas Frequent Flyer:
If you're not finding what you need with British Airways or Iberia, or if you want to compare, repeat the search process on the Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and Qantas Frequent Flyer websites.
Be mindful of their respective award charts and potential fees.
Important Considerations During Your Search:
Flexibility is Key: Award availability, especially for popular routes or premium cabins, can be scarce. Being flexible with your travel dates and even departure/arrival airports significantly increases your chances.
Saver vs. Standard Awards: Oneworld partners can generally only book "saver" level award space on American Airlines. If American Airlines only shows "standard" or "AA Anytime" awards, these won't be accessible through partners.
Phantom Availability: Occasionally, you might see award space on a partner's website that isn't actually bookable. This is rare but can happen. It's why confirming before transfer is paramount.
Step 4: Linking Your American Express and Airline Partner Accounts
Once you've identified the perfect American Airlines flight and confirmed award availability through a partner, it's time to prepare for the transfer.
Step 4.1: Log In to Your Amex Membership Rewards Account
Go to the official American Express website (americanexpress.com).
Log in using your user ID and password.
Navigate to the "Membership Rewards" section.
Step 4.2: Access the "Transfer Points" Section
Tip: Reading in short bursts can keep focus high.
Within the Membership Rewards portal, look for an option like "Transfer Points," "Travel Partners," or "Airline Partners."
Click on it to see the list of all available airline and hotel transfer partners.
Step 4.3: Select Your Chosen Airline Partner (e.g., British Airways Executive Club)
Find the airline partner you've decided to use (e.g., British Airways Executive Club) from the list.
Click on it.
Step 4.4: Link Your Loyalty Account
If this is your first time transferring to this partner, you will be prompted to link your airline loyalty program account (e.g., your British Airways Executive Club number) to your Amex Membership Rewards account.
Ensure the name on your American Express account exactly matches the name on your airline loyalty program account. Any discrepancy can cause delays or transfer failures.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the linking process.
 |
Step 5: Transferring Your American Express Points
This is the moment of truth! Only proceed once you are absolutely certain of your flight dates, times, and that award space is available.
Step 5.1: Enter the Number of Points to Transfer
On the transfer page for your chosen airline partner, you'll see an input field to enter the number of Amex Membership Rewards points you wish to transfer.
Amex points typically transfer in increments of 1,000 points, with a minimum transfer of 1,000 points.
Input the exact amount needed for your American Airlines flight, as identified in Step 3. It's often wise to transfer slightly more than you think you need, especially if you're close to a threshold for a desired redemption.
Step 5.2: Review the Transfer Details
Double-check the number of points, the transfer ratio (which is usually 1:1 for most airline partners), and the estimated transfer time.
Note any fees: For transfers to U.S. airline frequent flyer programs (like Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue), American Express charges a federal excise tax offset fee of $0.0006 per point (capped at $99). While British Airways and Iberia are not U.S. airlines, it's always good to be aware of potential fees.
Step 5.3: Confirm the Transfer
Once you've reviewed everything and are confident, click the "Confirm" or "Transfer Points" button.
You may receive a confirmation email from American Express.
Step 6: Booking Your American Airlines Flight with Partner Miles
After transferring your points, the next step is to actually book your flight.
Step 6.1: Wait for Points to Post
Transfer times vary by partner. Many Amex transfers to partners like British Airways and Iberia are instant or take only a few minutes. However, some partners can take up to 48 hours or even longer.
Do not proceed to book until you see the transferred miles/Avios in your airline partner account. Log out and log back in to refresh your balance if needed.
QuickTip: Re-reading helps retention.
Step 6.2: Return to the Airline Partner's Website
Once your points have posted, go back to the website of the airline partner (e.g., British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus).
Log in to your account.
Step 6.3: Book Your American Airlines Flight
Initiate a new award flight search using the same American Airlines flight details you found previously (dates, route, cabin class).
The award availability should still be there. Select your desired American Airlines flight.
Proceed through the booking process. You will use the transferred miles/Avios for the flight cost.
You will still be responsible for paying any taxes, fees, and carrier-imposed surcharges with a credit card. These can vary significantly depending on the airline partner, route, and cabin class.
Step 6.4: Confirm Your Booking
After successfully booking, you should receive a confirmation email from the airline partner.
Make a note of the airline partner's confirmation number.
It's often a good idea to then go to the American Airlines website (aa.com) and use the airline partner's confirmation number to pull up your booking. This allows you to verify the details directly with American Airlines, select seats, or add your AAdvantage number for potential elite benefits if applicable.
Pro Tips for Maximizing Your Amex to AA Transfers
Look for Transfer Bonuses: American Express occasionally offers transfer bonuses to select airline partners (e.g., transfer 1,000 Amex points and get 1,200 Avios). These bonuses can significantly increase the value of your redemption, so always keep an eye out for them before transferring.
Understand Avios Pricing: British Airways and Iberia use a distance-based award chart for Avios redemptions. This often makes them excellent for short-haul, direct American Airlines flights. For longer, multi-segment flights, the cost can quickly add up.
Consider "Sweet Spots": Research specific "sweet spots" for using Avios on American Airlines. For example, short flights within the US or between the US and Canada can be incredibly cheap in Avios, even in first class on some routes.
Be Patient and Persistent: Finding the perfect award availability can take time and effort. Don't get discouraged if your first search doesn't yield results.
Check Different Partner Sites: As mentioned, British Airways, Iberia, and even Cathay Pacific might show slightly different award availability or pricing for the same American Airlines flight. It pays to check multiple options.
Utilize Online Tools: Websites like AwardHacker, Point.me, or Seats.aero can help you identify potential award routes and availability across various programs, giving you a starting point for your research.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to use Amex points for American Airlines domestic flights?
You can use Amex points for American Airlines domestic flights by transferring them to Oneworld partners like British Airways Executive Club (Avios) or Iberia Plus. Search for American Airlines flights on their respective websites and book using the transferred Avios. This is often an excellent value for short-haul flights.
How to find American Airlines award availability for partner bookings?
To find American Airlines award availability for partner bookings, use the award search engines on the websites of Oneworld alliance members such as British Airways (ba.com), Iberia (iberia.com), or Cathay Pacific (cathaypacific.com). Look specifically for "saver" award space.
How to transfer Amex points to British Airways Executive Club?
Log in to your Amex Membership Rewards account, navigate to the "Transfer Points" section, select British Airways Executive Club, link your BA account (if not already linked), enter the desired number of points, and confirm the transfer. Transfers are often instant.
Tip: Don’t just scroll — pause and absorb.
How to transfer Amex points to Iberia Plus?
Similar to British Airways, log in to your Amex Membership Rewards account, go to "Transfer Points," select Iberia Plus, link your Iberia account, input the points, and confirm. Transfers usually take a few hours to 48 hours.
How to determine the value of Amex points when transferring to airline partners?
The value of Amex points when transferring to airline partners is highly variable, depending on the specific redemption. Generally, transferring to a 1:1 partner and redeeming for premium cabin flights or expensive economy tickets often yields a value of 1.5-2 cents per point or more, significantly higher than cash back.
How to avoid high fuel surcharges when booking American Airlines flights with Avios?
To minimize fuel surcharges, consider booking American Airlines flights with Iberia Plus Avios, as Iberia often imposes lower surcharges than British Airways, especially on transatlantic routes. Also, look for flights departing from countries that cap or prohibit fuel surcharges.
How to combine Avios from different programs (British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways)?
You can combine Avios from different programs (British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways) by using the "Combine My Avios" tool on the British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus websites. Ensure all accounts have the same name and email address.
How to book a multi-city American Airlines itinerary using Amex transferred points?
To book a multi-city American Airlines itinerary with transferred Amex points, you'll need to use the multi-city search function on the website of your chosen Oneworld partner (e.g., British Airways or Cathay Pacific). Be aware that complex itineraries might cost more Avios/miles.
How to check if my Amex points transfer is complete?
To check if your Amex points transfer is complete, log in to the airline partner's loyalty program account (e.g., British Airways Executive Club) and view your points balance. If the transfer was recent, you might need to log out and back in to see the updated balance.
How to get the best value from Amex Membership Rewards points for travel?
The best value from Amex Membership Rewards points for travel typically comes from transferring them to airline partners and redeeming for business or first-class award tickets, or for expensive economy flights where the cash price is very high. Look for transfer bonuses to maximize your redemption even further.
 |
