How long does it take to transfer AMEX MR Points?

American Express is one of the oldest players in the credit card rewards game and has earned a reputation for its versatile membership rewards (MR) points. These points can be redeemed for multiple options, including brand vouchers, goods, and our personal favorite – airmiles and hotel program points.

Transfer Partners – Best Option to Redeem AMEX MR Points

As of May 2023, American Express has partnered with 8 airlines and 2 hotel chains for their MR points transfer program. We have previously covered Axis and HDFC cards’ transfer partners, and the table below shows the partners that are shared between both Axis/HDFC and Amex, either exclusively or otherwise:

This is likely the best option for redeeming your MR points, as it provides one of the best reward ratios. You can expect to receive around ₹3 to ₹4 per point for business class redemptions and approximately ₹0.8 to ₹1 per point for economy class and hotel redemptions. Other options provide a significantly lower value.

Transfer Timelines & Ratios

Most transfers with AMEX are as quick as their customer service – instant. Notably, important partners include Marriott Bonvoy, which offers a 1:1 ratio and is probably the best card to redeem MB points. Additionally, Emirates Skywards and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club are important partners, but are not available with Axis and HDFC.

Important Points to Note

While we have understood the transfer timelines, there are some things to be considered when making these transfers:

• Fee involved: There is no fee involved for transferring points.
• The minimum amount for transfer: The minimum amount for transfer varies for each program. It is explicitly mentioned on the transfer page of Amex.
• Can it be transferred to someone else’s account?: No, points can only be transferred to the cardholder’s account. Any difference in the name might cause a delay.
• Can I reverse a transfer?: No, all transfers are final and cannot be reversed.

We recommend holding your award bookings by calling the transfer partner so that you don’t end up losing the booking during the transfer process.

If you have any disputes related to miles/points transfer, you can contact their award-winning customer support at 1-800-419-212 (there are also exclusive numbers for premium cards). A chat option is also available.

How to transfer AMEX MR Points?

AMEX has one of the most user-friendly interfaces for making transfers. To transfer points, simply click on “Transfer Points” on the Explore Rewards page.

After viewing all transfer partners, you will see the different options available, along with their transfer ratios and minimum point requirements for each partner.

You need to enroll your loyalty program accounts in AMEX, after which it’s just a matter of a couple of clicks for the points to reach the partner you choose.

Conclusion

AMEX offers a range of cards that cater to different needs, each earning MR points that can be transferred to various programs. AMEX is particularly advantageous for Marriott, as the 1:1 ratio can secure great deals for aspirational properties.

AMEX is also exclusive to Emirates Skywards and offers a direct option to redeem with them, instead of redeeming Emirates flights with alliance partners.

While the number of partners may be fewer than those of other players such as Axis and HDFC, transfers are instant, and customer support is unparalleled.