You cannot transfer Amex points directly to another cardholder, but you can move them to a travel partner or use them to buy a gift card for someone else
American Express does not allow you to send your points balance to another person's account. You cannot log in, select an amount, and transfer it the way you might send money through a bank app. However, Amex gives you several ways to use your points for someone else or to move them into a shared account.
The most common route is Amex Transfer Partners, a program that lets you move points to airline and hotel loyalty programs. If the other person has a frequent flyer account with one of those partners, you can transfer your points there, and they can use them to book travel. You can also buy gift cards through your Amex rewards portal and give them to someone else, or use your points to purchase a statement credit that reduces your bill.
Key Takeaways
- Amex Transfer Partners let you move points to airline and hotel programs where another person can redeem them if they have an account with that partner.
- You can buy gift cards with your points through the Amex rewards portal and give the card to someone else to use.
- Some Amex cards offer a Pay with Points feature that lets you use points to pay for purchases made by an authorized user on your account.
- Points cannot be transferred between two separate Amex cardholders' accounts, and Amex does not allow you to gift points directly.
Using Amex Transfer Partners to move points to someone else
If you want another person to use your points for travel, Transfer Partners is the main tool. Amex partners with airlines including Delta, United, American, Southwest, and JetBlue, as well as hotel programs like Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. When you transfer points to one of these programs, they land in that program's account — not in a person's name, but in the loyalty account number you specify.
The other person must already have an account with the airline or hotel program you choose. You log into your Amex account, go to the Transfer Partners section, select the partner program, enter the account number or member ID of the person you want to send points to, and choose how many points to transfer. The points move within a few minutes to a few hours. That person can then use those points to book travel through the partner's website or app.
Not all Amex cards include Transfer Partners. Premium cards like the American Express Platinum Card and the American Express Gold Card offer this feature, but some entry-level cards do not. Check your card's benefits guide or log into your account to see whether Transfer Partners is available to you.
Buying gift cards with your points
You can use your Amex points to purchase gift cards through the Amex rewards portal, then give the physical or digital card to someone else. Amex offers gift cards from hundreds of retailers including Amazon, Target, Best Buy, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The gift card is a separate product — once you buy it, it belongs to whoever you give it to, and they can use it like any other gift card.
To buy a gift card, log into your Amex account, go to the rewards or points section, search for the retailer you want, and select the gift card option. You will see the points cost and the dollar value. After you confirm the purchase, Amex will either email you a digital code or mail a physical card to an address you provide. You can then forward the code or card to the other person.
Gift card redemption rates vary by retailer. Some gift cards cost fewer points per dollar of value than others, so compare before you buy. The Amex rewards portal shows the point cost and the card value side by side, so you can see exactly what you are getting.
Using Pay with Points for authorized users
Some Amex cards offer a Pay with Points feature that works differently from transfers. This feature lets you use your points to pay for a purchase that an authorized user made on your account. If you add a family member or friend as an authorized user on your Amex card, any purchases they make appear on your bill. You can then use your own points to pay down that portion of the bill.
This is not the same as giving points to another person — the points stay in your account, and you control when and how they are used. But it does let you cover someone else's purchase with your rewards. Check your card's benefits to see whether Pay with Points is available.
What happens to points if you close your account or pass away
If you close an Amex card, your points balance typically expires within a set timeframe, usually 90 days. Amex does not transfer unused points to another account or to a family member. If you want to preserve your points, you must use them before you close the card, or transfer them to a Transfer Partner program before the account closes.
If a cardholder passes away, the account holder's estate or authorized representative should contact Amex directly. Amex may allow the estate to use remaining points, but policies vary and depend on the account status and the relationship of the person requesting access. There is no automatic transfer of points to a beneficiary.
Why Amex does not allow direct point transfers between cardholders
American Express restricts direct point transfers between separate cardholders to prevent fraud and point abuse. If points could be freely transferred, stolen or compromised accounts could be emptied, and people could buy points from others and resell them at a profit. By limiting transfers to partner loyalty programs and gift cards, Amex keeps points tied to legitimate redemption channels.
This also protects the value of the rewards program itself. If points could be traded like currency, their value would fluctuate and become harder to price. By controlling how points move, Amex maintains a stable redemption environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my Amex points to my spouse's Amex account?
No, Amex does not allow direct transfers between cardholders' accounts. However, you can transfer points to a shared airline or hotel loyalty program that your spouse has an account with, or you can buy a gift card and give it to them. If your spouse is an authorized user on your card, you can use Pay with Points to cover their purchases.
What if the person I want to send points to does not have a Transfer Partner account?
They would need to open an account with the airline or hotel program first. This is free and takes a few minutes. Once they have an account number, you can transfer your points to it. Alternatively, you can buy a gift card instead and give that to them.
Do I lose points when I transfer them to an airline program?
No, the points themselves do not decrease. However, the value you get may differ depending on how the other person uses them. Airline points are worth different amounts depending on the flight booked, so the same number of points might cover a short flight or a long one.
Can I transfer points to someone else's account if they are not a family member?
Yes, you can transfer points to any Transfer Partner account number, regardless of the relationship. You straightforward need the person's loyalty account number or member ID for the airline or hotel program. Amex does not restrict transfers based on family ties.
What is the fastest way to give someone my Amex points?
If they already have an airline or hotel loyalty account, transferring points directly through Transfer Partners is fastest — points move within minutes to hours. If they do not have a partner account, buying a gift card is usually quicker than having them open a new loyalty account.