How to Convert American Express UK Membership Rewards into Airline Points

If you hold a UK-issued American Express Card enrolled in the Membership Rewards programme, you can turn your everyday spending into airline points. This guide will walk you through how to transfer your Membership Rewards points to airline frequent flyer schemes, and answer any questions you might have along the way. We've also covered how many airline points you'll get per Membership Reward point, you'll be able to find that article here!

What are Membership Rewards?

Membership Rewards is the points programme linked to selected American Express UK Cards. Once enrolled, you can earn points for every full £1 spent on eligible purchases.

Membership Rewards Points are like a form of currency which can be redeemed in a number of ways. These points can then be redeemed for a wide range of rewards, including transfers to airline loyalty programmes, which is our favourite way to redeem these points, as well as cash back or you can transfer them in to hotel rewards programmes (more on that in a future post).

Which Cards are Eligible?

The cards where you can earn Membership Rewards Points are as follows:

1. The Platinum Card

2. The Preferred Rewards Gold Card

3. The American Express Rewards Card

4. The Business Gold Card

5. The Business Platinum Card

Not all Amex UK Cards earn Membership Rewards points, so it’s important to check your card’s features. For instance, any British Airways branded Amex earns Avios instead.

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If you are unsure, you can review your card benefits through your online account or by contacting American Express UK customer service.

Qatar Airways is just one of 12 airline programmes currently available to UK based Amex customers

What Airline Partners Can You Transfer Points To?

Membership Rewards points can be transferred to several major airline frequent flyer schemes. The full list of transfer partners can be accessed through your online account under the “Transfer Points” section. Some of the airline partners available include:

• British Airways Club - Avios

• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

• Delta SkyMiles

• Emirates Skywards

• Etihad Guest

• Flying Blue (Air France & KLM)

• Iberia Plus - Avios

• Qantas Frequent Flyer

• Qatar Airways Privilege Club - Avios

• SAS EuroBonus

• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Please note that availability of partners may change and some may require enrolment or registration prior to transfer.

How to Link Your Airline Loyalty Account

Before you can transfer points, your frequent flyer account must be linked to your American Express Membership Rewards account. This can be done online:

1. Log into your American Express UK account.

2. Navigate to the Membership Rewards section.

3. Select “Transfer Points”.

4. Choose the airline partner you wish to link.

5. Enter your frequent flyer membership number and ensure the name matches your American Express account exactly.

Account verification may take time. If you are registering a new partner, allow up to 14 working days for verification. So plan ahead if your transfer is time-critical!

How to Convert American Express UK Membership Rewards into Airline Points

Once your account is linked, you can convert American Express UK Membership Rewards into airline points directly:

1. Select your chosen airline programme from the Membership Rewards “Transfer Points” page.

2. Input the number of points you wish to transfer. Each partner has its own minimum transfer amount and increment, which will be clearly displayed on the partner’s transfer page.

3. Confirm your transfer. You may be required to enter your card’s security code to complete the process.

Transfers are final and non-reversible, so it is important to double-check all information before submitting.

How Long Do Transfers Take?

Transfer times vary depending on the partner. While some transfers may appear in your airline account within a few hours, others can take several working days.

To avoid disappointment, it is advisable to check seat availability in your airline programme before transferring points, especially for time-sensitive bookings.

The Platinum Card is one option to use

Transfer Ratios and Value

Most airline partners offer a 1:1 transfer ratio, meaning one Membership Rewards point equals one airline mile or point. However, this may vary for specific partners, and the ratio is always displayed before you confirm the transfer. For example, transferring from Membership Rewards to Singapore KrisFlyer is a rate of 3 Membership Rewards points to 2 Singapore KrisFlyer points.

The value you get from each airline mile will depend on how you redeem it. Flights in business or first class typically offer the highest redemption value, but always compare cash prices with award pricing to assess whether a transfer makes sense.

Important Notes to Remember

• Transfers can only be made to your own frequent flyer account; third-party transfers are not permitted.

• Ensure that names match exactly between your American Express and airline loyalty accounts. Mismatched details can cause delays or failed transfers.

• Points cannot be returned once transferred to an airline programme.

• You can view your points balance and transfer history at any time by logging into your Membership Rewards account.

How to Access Membership Rewards

Click here to access your Membership Rewards dashboard. From there, you can:

• Check your points balance

• Browse all airline and travel partners

• View full transfer instructions and terms

• Start a transfer to your linked frequent flyer account

Final Thoughts

Transferring American Express Membership Rewards points to airline loyalty programmes is one of the most effective ways to get high-value redemptions from your everyday spending. Whether you’re saving for a long-haul economy flight or a luxury cabin upgrade, using points for travel can help you go further, literally and figuratively.

For the latest terms, partner availability and transfer rates, always refer to your Membership Rewards account or contact American Express UK directly.

Remember to check back tomorrow to see how many airline points you can get!

Helena

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