Yes, you can transfer Amex points to United, but only through specific Amex cards

You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to United Airlines, but not from every Amex card. Only cards in the Amex portfolio that are linked to the Membership Rewards program allow point transfers to airline partners. United is one of several airline partners Amex has agreements with, meaning your points can move directly from your Amex account to your United MileagePlus account.

The transfer itself is when ready and happens online through your Amex account. Once the points land in your United account, they become MileagePlus miles and follow United's rules for redemption and expiration. The transfer is permanent — you cannot move miles back to Amex once they arrive at United.

Key Takeaways

  • Only Amex cards with Membership Rewards can transfer points to United; not all Amex cards have this feature.
  • Transfers happen when ready online through your Amex account and cannot be reversed once completed.
  • Points transfer at a 1:1 ratio, meaning 1,000 Amex points become 1,000 United miles.
  • United miles expire after 18 months of account inactivity, so confirm your United account is active before transferring.
  • You must have both an active Amex account and an active United MileagePlus account to complete a transfer.

Which Amex cards let you transfer to United

Amex offers several cards that include Membership Rewards with transfer privileges. The most common are the Platinum Card, the Gold Card, and the Business Platinum Card. Each of these cards allows you to transfer points to United and other airline partners. Some Amex cards, like certain co-branded cards or older card versions, do not include transfer privileges — they may only let you redeem points for cash back or statement credits.

Check your Amex account online or call the number on the back of your card to confirm whether your specific card includes Membership Rewards with transfer rights. Amex customer service can tell you when ready whether United is available as a transfer partner for your card.

How to transfer your points to United

Log into your Amex account online or through the Amex mobile app. Navigate to the Membership Rewards section, usually labeled "Rewards" or "Points." Look for an option that says "Transfer Points" or "Redeem Points." Select United Airlines from the list of transfer partners.

Enter the number of points you want to transfer. Amex typically requires a minimum transfer amount — often 1,000 points — and transfers usually happen in increments of 1,000. Enter your United MileagePlus account number. Double-check this number before confirming, because the transfer cannot be undone. Click confirm, and the transfer completes when ready. You will see the miles appear in your United account within minutes.

Transfer ratios and point value

Amex transfers points to United at a 1:1 ratio. This means 5,000 Amex points become exactly 5,000 United miles. There is no bonus or penalty — the conversion is straightforward. Some Amex cards occasionally offer transfer bonuses, such as a 25% bonus on transfers to certain partners during promotional periods. These bonuses are temporary and Amex announces them through your account or email, so check your Amex communications before transferring if you want to time your transfer to a bonus period.

The value you get from those miles depends on what you book with United. A United mile is worth different amounts depending on whether you use it for a domestic flight, an international flight, or a premium cabin seat. Unlike cash back, which has a fixed value, miles redemption varies widely.

What happens after your points arrive at United

Once your Amex points land in your United MileagePlus account as miles, they follow United's rules, not Amex's. United miles do not expire as long as your account remains active. An account is considered active if you earn or redeem miles, or if you have a United credit card open. If your account sits completely inactive for 18 months with no activity, United will close the account and miles will be lost.

You can use your United miles to book flights, upgrade cabin classes, or purchase other travel-related services through United's website. You can also transfer United miles to United's airline partners, though that is a separate transaction from your Amex transfer. Miles transferred to United cannot be moved back to Amex.

Before you transfer: things to check

Confirm your United MileagePlus account number is correct before you transfer. Entering the wrong account number means your miles go to someone else's account, and Amex cannot reverse the transfer. If you do not have a United account yet, you can create one for free on United's website before transferring your points.

Check whether your United account is currently active. If it has been inactive for more than 18 months, United may have closed it. You can log into United's website to verify your account status. If your account is closed, create a new one before transferring points from Amex.

Consider whether you have a specific United flight or redemption in mind. Transferring points without a plan means they sit in your account until you decide to use them. United miles do expire if your account becomes inactive, so having a rough timeline for use helps you avoid losing miles to inactivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer United miles back to Amex?

No. Transfers are one-way only. Once your Amex points become United miles, they stay in your United account. You cannot convert them back to Amex points or move them to another airline partner.

What if I transfer points to the wrong United account?

Amex cannot reverse transfers once they complete. Contact United customer service when ready with your confirmation number and explain the error. United may be able to move the miles to the correct account, but this is not may provide and depends on United's policies at the time.

Do I lose points when I transfer to United?

No. The transfer ratio is 1:1, so you do not lose any points in the conversion. However, the value you get from those miles when you redeem them depends on what you book and when you book it.

How long does it take for points to show up in my United account?

Transfers are when ready. Miles should appear in your United MileagePlus account within minutes of completing the transfer through Amex. If they do not appear within an hour, contact Amex with your confirmation number.

Can I transfer partial points, like 500 points?

Most Amex cards require transfers in increments of 1,000 points, with a minimum of 1,000. You cannot transfer 500 points or other amounts below 1,000. Check your specific card's terms, as some business cards may have different minimums.