How to transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Delta
If you want solid value from your Amex points, transferring them to partner hotel or airline loyalty programs is often your best bet.
Did you know you can transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points to 18 airline and three hotel partner programs? Plus, Membership Rewards are easy to earn and redeem.
Here's how to transfer Amex points to Delta Air Lines' SkyMiles program and other things you should know before transferring your Membership Rewards points.
How to transfer Amex points to Delta
Before learning how to transfer Membership Rewards points to Delta, make sure you have a SkyMiles account. If you don't, head to Delta's website, click "Sign Up" and create an account.
Then, to transfer Amex points to SkyMiles, log in to your Membership Rewards account, click on the "Rewards" tab at the top and select "Transfer Points" from the drop-down box.
You'll then see a list of transfer partners to choose from. Select "Delta SkyMiles," and then you'll need to link your account to your Membership Rewards account by entering your SkyMiles account number, ensuring the name on your SkyMiles account exactly matches the name on your Membership Rewards account.
You'll then be prompted to enter the 3-digit card security code on the back of your Amex card.
Once you enter that you should receive a confirmation that your accounts are now linked.
Then click "Get Started" and select how many Amex points you would like to transfer to SkyMiles in increments of 1,000, with a minimum of 1,000 and a maximum of 999,000, using the slider to reach your desired number. Unfortunately, you will be charged a small excise tax offset fee.
Once you've selected your ideal transfer amount, click "Review Transfer" and then "Submit Transfer" on the next screen. The excise tax offset fee will be charged directly to your card.
While Amex claims transfers will take 48 hours, the transfers from Membership Rewards to Delta SkyMiles have been instant in our testing.
Amex to Delta transfer ratio
The Amex to Delta transfer ratio is 1:1. You must transfer American Express points in increments of 1,000, which means you can convert 1,000 Amex points into 1,000 Delta SkyMiles. You might occasionally find a transfer bonus that boosts the Amex to Delta transfer ratio, but these are rare.
Based on TPG's August 2024 valuations, Amex points are worth 2.0 cents each, and SkyMiles are worth 1.15 cents each. Since transferable points are more valuable, you'll lose theoretical value when you transfer Amex points. But, as we'll discuss in the next section, this doesn't mean you shouldn't transfer Amex points to Delta.
Related: Best American Express credit cards
Should I transfer Amex points to Delta?
Delta SkyMiles isn't the most valuable transfer partner based on our valuations. For example, fellow SkyTeam member Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club has a higher valuation at 1.4 cents each, as does Air France-KLM's Flying Blue program at 1.3 cents per point, per TPG's August 2024 valuations.
So you may want to reserve your Membership Rewards points for transfers to these higher-value partners — especially if you haven't accrued a large balance of Amex points. But you can get good value from SkyMiles on some redemptions. Be sure to read our guide on redeeming Delta SkyMiles to get started.
How to earn Amex Membership Rewards points
The best way to earn lots of Membership Rewards points quickly is by utilizing welcome offers on Amex cards. Here are some of our favorites:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $12,000 on purchases in your first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you many not be eligible for an offer.
- American Express® Gold Card: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 200,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.
Bottom line
These are the steps you need to follow to transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles.
While there are some higher-value transfer partners than Delta SkyMiles to which you can consider transferring your Membership Rewards points, you can still find good value in the SkyMiles program. Remember that transfers from Amex to partner programs are irreversible, so make sure you're certain you have a use for the miles when you transfer them out of Amex.
Once you transfer Amex points to Delta and find an award flight you want to book, follow the steps above to transfer the number of points you need to book your award flight.
Remember, you must transfer points in increments of 1,000, so you may be required to transfer slightly more points than you need to book your flight.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees