Thinking about using your valuable American Express Membership Rewards points for an American Airlines flight? That's a fantastic goal! But before you hit that "transfer" button, there's a crucial piece of information you need to know: you cannot directly transfer Amex points to American Airlines AAdvantage.
Don't panic! This doesn't mean your Amex points are useless for flying AA. It just means you need to be a little strategic. This lengthy guide will walk you through the process, explain why it works, and help you understand how long it might take to get those points where you need them.
Let's dive in and unlock the world of American Airlines flights with your Amex points!
How Long Does It Take to Transfer Amex Points to American Airlines? (The Indirect Route Explained)
Since American Airlines AAdvantage is not a direct transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, the "transfer time" isn't a simple direct answer. Instead, it involves transferring your Amex points to a partner airline of American Airlines (which is part of the Oneworld alliance) and then using that partner's miles to book your American Airlines flight. This process, while slightly more involved, opens up a world of possibilities for maximizing your Amex points.
Let's break down the steps and typical timelines.
Step 1: Discovering the Indirect Path – Choosing Your Oneworld Partner
Ready to start your journey? The very first thing you need to understand is that to fly American Airlines using Amex points, you'll be leveraging Oneworld Alliance partners. American Airlines is a proud member of the Oneworld alliance, which means you can often book flights on American Airlines using the miles of other Oneworld member airlines.
The most popular and often recommended Amex transfer partners for booking American Airlines flights are:
British Airways Executive Club (Avios): This is often the go-to choice due to favorable redemption rates for short-haul flights and relatively quick transfer times.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: Another solid Oneworld partner that can offer good value, especially for longer-haul flights.
Qantas Frequent Flyer: While sometimes less competitive for certain routes, Qantas is another viable Oneworld option.
Other potential Oneworld partners via Amex: Aer Lingus (which uses Avios, interchangeable with BA and Iberia), Iberia Plus (also uses Avios).
Before you do anything else, decide which partner program you want to use. This decision often depends on the specific American Airlines flight you want to book and the award availability within each partner's program.
Step 2: Verifying Award Availability – The Crucial Pre-Transfer Check
This is arguably the most critical step and one you absolutely must do before transferring any points. Once you transfer Amex points to an airline partner, the transfer is irreversible. You can't get those points back to your Amex account.
Sub-heading: Why Verify First?
Award space is dynamic: Just because a flight is available for sale with cash doesn't mean it's available for booking with miles. Award availability can change rapidly.
Partner limitations: Sometimes, not all American Airlines flights are available for booking through partner airlines.
Saving yourself headaches: Imagine transferring 50,000 points only to find the flight you want isn't available! Don't let that happen.
Sub-heading: How to Check Award Availability
Create an Account: If you don't already have one, create a free loyalty account with your chosen Oneworld partner (e.g., British Airways Executive Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles).
Search for Your Flight: Log into the partner airline's website and use their award search tool to look for the American Airlines flight you intend to book.
British Airways Executive Club: Go to ba.com, log in, and click on "Executive Club" then "Spend Avios" to search for flights.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: Log into your Asia Miles account and search for award flights on their booking portal.
Note Down Details: Pay close attention to the specific flight numbers, dates, and the number of miles required for your desired itinerary. Make sure you see "partner award" or similar language indicating it's a flight operated by American Airlines.
If you can't find the award space, or if the mileage cost is too high, do not transfer your points. Look for alternative dates, different routes, or consider another Oneworld partner.
Step 3: Linking Your Accounts – The Bridge Between Amex and Airlines
Once you've confirmed award availability and are ready to proceed, you'll need to link your Amex Membership Rewards account to your chosen airline partner's loyalty program.
Log in to your Amex Membership Rewards Account: Go to the American Express website and log into your Membership Rewards account.
Navigate to Transfer Points: Look for a section like "Rewards & Benefits," then "Membership Rewards," and finally "Transfer Points" or "Travel Partners."
Select Your Partner: Choose the airline loyalty program you've decided on (e.g., British Airways Executive Club).
Link Account: You will be prompted to enter your airline loyalty program membership number. Ensure the name on your Amex account exactly matches the name on your airline loyalty account. Even a slight discrepancy can cause delays or outright rejections.
Step 4: Initiating the Transfer – Sending Your Points on Their Way
With your accounts linked and award space confirmed, it's time to transfer your points.
Enter Transfer Amount: Specify the number of Amex Membership Rewards points you wish to transfer. Remember that Amex usually requires transfers in increments of 1,000 points.
Pro-tip: Sometimes Amex offers transfer bonuses to specific airline partners, giving you more miles for your transferred points. Keep an eye out for these promotions as they can significantly increase the value of your redemption!
Review and Confirm: Double-check all the details – the partner chosen, the number of points, and your account information.
Submit Transfer: Confirm the transfer. You'll typically receive an email confirmation from Amex.
Step 5: The Waiting Game – How Long Does It Really Take?
Now for the answer you've been waiting for! The transfer time from Amex Membership Rewards to its airline partners can vary significantly.
Sub-heading: Typical Transfer Times to Key Oneworld Partners:
British Airways Executive Club (Avios): Often instant, though American Express officially states "up to 5 business days." Many users report seeing their Avios appear in their BA Executive Club account almost immediately after initiating the transfer.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: Generally takes 3 to 5 business days, but can sometimes be faster or take up to a week if there are issues.
Qantas Frequent Flyer: Typically takes 3 business days.
Iberia Plus (Avios): Can be up to 4 working days, similar to other Avios partners.
Remember, these are general estimates. While many transfers are instant or very quick, it's always wise to account for the longer stated times, especially if your travel dates are rigid. Weekends and holidays can also affect transfer times.
Sub-heading: What if it Takes Longer?
Check your email: Amex often sends confirmations when transfers are complete.
Log into the airline loyalty account: Continuously check your balance on the partner airline's website.
Contact Amex: If the stated transfer time has passed and your points still haven't appeared, contact American Express Membership Rewards customer service. Have your transfer confirmation number ready. They can investigate the delay.
Step 6: Booking Your American Airlines Flight – The Final Step
Once your points have successfully landed in your chosen Oneworld partner airline account, you can proceed with booking your American Airlines flight.
Log in to the Partner Airline's Website: Access your account with the airline whose miles you just transferred.
Re-confirm Award Availability: While you checked this in Step 2, it's always a good idea to quickly re-verify that the award space is still available just before booking, especially if there was a significant wait time for the transfer.
Book Your Flight: Proceed with the booking process, selecting your desired American Airlines flight and using your newly transferred miles to cover the cost. You will still be responsible for any taxes and fees associated with the award ticket.
Important Considerations for Amex to American Airlines Transfers:
Transfer Ratios: Most Amex airline partners transfer at a 1:1 ratio, meaning 1 Amex point equals 1 airline mile. However, always confirm the specific ratio for your chosen partner on the Amex website.
Minimum Transfer Amounts: Most partners have a minimum transfer amount, typically 1,000 Amex points.
Federal Excise Tax Offset Fee (for U.S. carriers): When transferring Amex points to U.S.-based frequent flyer programs (like Delta SkyMiles or JetBlue TrueBlue), Amex may charge a federal excise tax offset fee of $0.0006 per point (or $0.60 per 1,000 points), up to a maximum of $99. While this doesn't directly apply to Oneworld partners like British Airways, it's good to be aware of for other potential transfers.
Expiry Dates: Be mindful of any expiry dates on your Amex points or the transferred airline miles.
Award Chart vs. Dynamic Pricing: Some partner airlines, like British Airways, use distance-based award charts, which can be excellent for short-haul American Airlines flights. Others may have more dynamic pricing. Researching the partner's award chart can help you identify sweet spots.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to use Amex points for American Airlines flights directly?
You cannot directly transfer Amex points to American Airlines AAdvantage. Instead, you transfer Amex points to one of American Airlines' Oneworld alliance partners (like British Airways Avios) and then use those partner miles to book your AA flight.
How to find the best Oneworld partner for booking American Airlines with Amex points?
The "best" partner depends on your specific flight. British Airways Avios is often excellent for short-haul American Airlines flights due to its distance-based award chart. For longer or more complex itineraries, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles or Qantas Frequent Flyer might offer better value. Always check award availability and mileage costs on multiple partner sites before transferring.
How to ensure my Amex points transfer to the airline loyalty program successfully?
Ensure the first and last name on your American Express Membership Rewards account exactly matches the first and last name on your airline loyalty program account. Any discrepancies can cause significant delays or prevent the transfer.
How to check my Amex Membership Rewards points balance?
You can check your Amex Membership Rewards points balance by logging into your American Express online account and navigating to the "Membership Rewards" section.
How to find American Airlines award availability on partner websites?
Log into the website of your chosen Oneworld partner (e.g., British Airways, Cathay Pacific) and use their award search tool. Be sure to select the option to search for award flights or use miles.
How to avoid making a mistake when transferring Amex points?
Always verify award availability on the partner airline's website before initiating any transfer. Transfers are irreversible, so you want to be certain the flight you want is available for the number of miles you're transferring.
How to take advantage of Amex transfer bonuses?
Keep an eye on the Amex Membership Rewards website for special promotions where they offer bonus miles when you transfer to specific airline partners. These can significantly increase the value of your points.
How to handle taxes and fees when booking American Airlines flights with partner miles?
Even when booking with miles, you will still be responsible for paying taxes and carrier-imposed fees. These are typically paid directly to the partner airline when you complete your award booking.
How to know if a specific American Airlines flight is bookable with partner miles?
Generally, if an American Airlines flight has "Saver" level award availability (the lowest mileage redemption tier), it should be bookable through Oneworld partners. However, this isn't always guaranteed, so direct verification on the partner's website is essential.
How to get help if my Amex points transfer is delayed?
If your points haven't appeared in your airline loyalty account within the estimated or stated transfer time, first re-check your airline account, then contact American Express Membership Rewards customer service with your transfer confirmation details.
