How to Use Amex Points For Flights?
You can use Amex Membership Rewards points for flights in two main ways:
1. Transfer Amex Points to Airline Partners (Best Value – 1.5 to 2.2 Cents Per Point)
- Amex partners with 20+ airlines, allowing you to transfer points and book flights.
- Best for business/first-class flights, where points are worth more.
How to Transfer Amex Points to Airlines:
- Log in to your Amex account (Membership Rewards site).
- Go to “Transfer Points” under the rewards section.
- Select an airline partner (Delta, Emirates, British Airways, etc.).
- Link your frequent flyer account for that airline.
- Transfer points (minimum transfer amounts vary by airline).
- Book your flight directly on the airline’s website using transferred points.
✅ Best Airline Partners for Maximum Value:
- Aeroplan (Air Canada) – Great for Star Alliance flights.
- Avianca LifeMiles – Cheap business class redemptions.
- ANA (All Nippon Airways) – Best for round-trip international flights.
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer – First-class suites with good redemption rates.
- Delta SkyMiles – Good for U.S. domestic and international flights.
2. Use Amex Travel Portal to Book Flights (Fixed Value – 1 Cent Per Point)
- Book flights directly through Amex Travel like a normal booking site.
- Fixed value of 1 cent per point (e.g., 50,000 Amex points = $500).
How to Book Flights via Amex Travel Portal:
- Log in to your Amex account (Amex Travel).
- Search for flights as you would on any travel site.
- Choose a flight and select “Pay with Points” at checkout.
- Confirm your redemption, and the points will be deducted.
✅ Best for:
- Economy class flights.
- Quick, hassle-free bookings without dealing with airline miles.
❌ Downside: Value is lower compared to transferring points to airline partners.
3. Use the Amex Business Platinum 35% Rebate (For Business Class or Premium Economy)
If you have the Amex Business Platinum Card, you can:
- Get a 35% points rebate on flight bookings.
- Effectively increase point value to ~1.54 cents per point.
- Works only on first-class, business-class, or your airline of choice.
Which Method is Better?
| Method | Best For | Value Per Point |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer to Airlines | First-class, business-class, international flights | 1.5 – 2.2 cents |
| Amex Travel Portal | Economy flights, easy bookings | 1 cent |
| Business Platinum 35% Rebate | Business/first-class on selected airlines | 1.54 cents |
🔹 For the best value, transfer to airlines.
🔹 For easy booking, use the Amex Travel Portal.
Would you like help choosing the best transfer partner for your trip? 😊