A Big Change to American Express Membership Rewards Points Transfer Policy for US Cardholders

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Million Mile Secrets reader Robben commented:

Hi Daraius, Can I transfer my wife’s American Express Membership Rewards points to my British Airways Avios account or Air Canada account?  Or is the transfer limited to her frequent flyer accounts only? Thanks!

Robben wants to know if he can transfer his wife’s American Express Membership Rewards points to his British Airways Avios or Air Canada account.

For US cardholders, you can only transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points to someone else’s frequent flyer account when that person is listed as an “additional card member” (i.e  as an authorized user) on your account.

So if Robben and his wife are US AMEX cardholders, Robben’s wife can only transfer her American Express Membership Rewards points to Robben’s frequent flyer accounts IF he is an authorized user on her account.

But if Robben and his wife are Canadian AMEX cardholders, he CAN transfer his wife’s American Express Membership Rewards points to his Air Canada account, but NOT his British Airways account.  Per this thread on Flyertalk, only transfers to an Air Canada account work.

American Express Membership Rewards Points

Link:   American Express Membership Rewards (US cardholders)

Link:   Transfer American Express Membership Rewards Points (US cardholders)

Robben used to be able to transfer his wife’s American Express Membership Rewards points to his British Airways or Air Canada account.  However, American Express has started to enforce their transfer policy which only allows transfer to the cardholder or an authorized user on the account.

If Robben and his wife are US American Express cardholders, he can only transfer his wife’s American Express Membership Rewards points to his British Airways Avios or Air Canada account IF he is an authorized user on her card.

If you are eligible to transfer points, you’ll see this option listed in the Travel category on membershiprewards.com. The frequent customer program account that you transfer points into must be held by you or an Additional Card Member linked to your program account.

That said, Robben might be able to transfer his wife’s American Express Membership Rewards points IF his British Airways Avios or Air Canada account were already linked to her account.

So if Robben’s wife had transferred American Express Membership Rewards points to his account in the past, he might be able to still transfer points.

No Change for Canadian AMEX Cardholders

Link:   American Express Membership Rewards (Canadian cardholders)

Link:   Transfer American Express Membership Rewards Points (Canadian cardholders – sign-in required)

While US AMEX cardholders can NO longer transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to anyone, Canadian AMEX cardholders are NOT subject to the same rules.

According to the terms, Canadian AMEX cardholders can NOT transfer their American Express Membership Rewards points to someone else.

However, according to this thread on Flyertalk, IF Robben and his wife are Canadian AMEX cardholders, he can still transfer his wife’s American Express Membership Rewards points to his Air Canada account.

Robben can transfer his wife’s American Express Membership Rewards points to his Air Canada account online.  He should NOT call American Express.

However, he can NOT transfer his wife’s American Express Membership Rewards points to his British Airways account.

And according to this thread on Flyertalk, Robben can only transfer his wife’s American Express Membership Rewards points to his Air Canada account.  He can NOT transfer her American Express Membership Rewards points to another Canadian AMEX transfer partner like Delta Airlines.

Bottom Line

Robben can NOT transfer his wife’s American Express Membership Rewards points to his British Airways or Air Canada account IF they are US AMEX cardholders UNLESS he is an authorized user on her AMEX account.

If Robben and his wife are Canadian AMEX cardholders, he CAN transfer his wife’s American Express Membership Rewards points to his Air Canada (but not British Airways) account.

What has your experience been with American Express enforcing the transfer policy?

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Intro APR on purchases

N/A

Regular APR

15.99%-22.99% Variable

Annual Fee

$95

Balance Transfer Fee

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee $95

Other

Credit Needed Excellent / Good

Issuer Chase

Card Type Visa

MORE INFO