Yes, you can transfer Amex points to Delta, but only through specific Amex cards and with limits on how many points you can move

American Express lets you transfer points from certain Amex cards directly to Delta SkyMiles, but not from every Amex card you own. The transfer happens through your Amex account online, takes about a week to complete, and moves in increments of 1,000 points. You cannot transfer points back from Delta to Amex once they land in your SkyMiles account, so the decision is permanent.

The catch is that Amex charges a fee for most transfers — typically 1 cent per point, though some cards waive this fee entirely. You also lose value in the exchange: Amex points are usually worth more when you redeem them for cash back or travel through Amex's own portal than when you convert them to airline miles.

Key Takeaways

  • Only Amex cards in the Membership Rewards program can transfer points to Delta, and you must enroll in the transfer partner program first through your Amex account.
  • Transfers cost 1 cent per point on most cards, though the Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum waive this fee for all transfer partners.
  • Points move in blocks of 1,000, take about seven days to arrive in your Delta account, and cannot be reversed once transferred.
  • Amex points typically give you better value when redeemed for statement credits or Amex travel bookings than when converted to Delta miles at the standard 1:1 rate.

Which Amex cards let you transfer points to Delta

Your card must be part of the Amex Membership Rewards program to transfer points anywhere. This includes most consumer and business Amex cards — the Platinum, Gold, Green, Blue, and many others — but not all. The Amex EveryDay card and some co-branded cards (like the Hilton or Marriott Amex cards) do not participate in point transfers to airlines.

Check your Amex account online or call the number on the back of your card to confirm your card is Membership Rewards may be able to access. If it is, you will see a "Transfer Points" or "Rewards" section in your online account dashboard. You do not need to do anything special to enroll — the option appears automatically once your card is set up.

How to transfer points step by step

Log into your Amex account online and navigate to the Rewards or Points section. Look for "Transfer Points" or "Manage Transfer Partners." You will see a list of airlines and hotels you can transfer to, including Delta Air Lines. Click on Delta and enter the number of points you want to transfer — remember, transfers happen in 1,000-point increments, so you can move 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, and so on.

Amex will show you the fee (if any) and ask you to confirm the transfer. You will need your Delta SkyMiles account number, which you can find on your Delta ticket, in your Delta app, or on the Delta website. After you confirm, the transfer enters Amex's system. It typically takes five to seven business days for the points to show up in your Delta account.

Do not close your Delta account or change your account number during this window, as it can delay or block the transfer. Once the points land in Delta, they are yours to use for flights, seat upgrades, or other Delta rewards — but you cannot send them back to Amex.

Transfer fees and which cards waive them

Most Amex cards charge 1 cent per point to transfer to Delta. On a 10,000-point transfer, that is a $100 fee. However, two cards waive this fee entirely: the Amex Platinum and the Amex Business Platinum. If you hold either of these cards, you can transfer points to Delta at no cost.

The fee waiver applies only to transfers to airline and hotel partners — not to other redemption methods. If you are a frequent transferrer, the annual fee for the Platinum card (currently $695) may pay for itself through free transfers alone, depending on how many points you move. Compare this against what you would pay in transfer fees on your current card over a year.

Why Amex points are often worth more if you do not transfer them

Amex points have different values depending on how you use them. When you redeem them for a statement credit (cash back), they are typically worth 1 cent each. When you book travel through Amex's own travel portal, they can be worth 1 to 1.5 cents each. But when you transfer them to Delta at the standard 1:1 rate, you are converting them to airline miles that may be worth less than 1 cent each, depending on the flight you book.

For example, if you transfer 50,000 Amex points to Delta, you get 50,000 Delta miles. But those 50,000 miles might only book you a domestic flight that would cost $400 in cash — meaning each mile is worth less than 1 cent. Meanwhile, those same 50,000 Amex points could have given you $500 in statement credits. The math does not always favor transfers, so calculate the value of the specific Delta flight you want before you move your points.

Transfer limits and timing rules

Amex does not publish a maximum number of points you can transfer per year, but your transfer is limited by your current point balance. You can transfer as many times as you want, as long as you have points available. Each transfer must be at least 1,000 points.

Transfers take five to seven business days, so plan ahead if you need the miles by a specific date. Weekends and holidays can extend this window. If your transfer does not appear after seven business days, contact Amex customer service with your confirmation number — they can track it and troubleshoot delays.

What happens after points land in your Delta account

Once your Amex points arrive as Delta SkyMiles, they behave like any other miles in your Delta account. You can use them to book flights, pay for seat upgrades, purchase extra baggage allowances, or transfer them to other SkyMiles members. Delta miles do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months — a flight, a credit card purchase, or even a transfer counts as activity.

The points are no longer tied to Amex in any way. If you close your Amex card later, your Delta miles stay in your Delta account. However, if you close your Delta account, those miles are gone for good, so do not do that by accident.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Delta miles back to Amex points?

No. Transfers only go one direction — from Amex to Delta. Once your points become Delta miles, they stay in your Delta account. This is why it is important to be certain about the transfer before you confirm it.

What if I transfer points but do not have a Delta account yet?

You need an active Delta SkyMiles account before you transfer. Create one free on the Delta website, then use your SkyMiles number during the Amex transfer process. If you transfer without an account, Amex will reject the transfer and return your points.

Do I lose points if the transfer fails?

No. If a transfer fails for any reason — wrong account number, closed account, system error — your points return to your Amex account automatically. Amex will notify you of the failure and you can try again with corrected information.

Is there a limit to how many points I can transfer at once?

No hard limit exists, but transfers must be in 1,000-point increments. You can transfer your entire balance if you want, though most people transfer only what they need for a specific flight to avoid losing value.

How do I know if my Amex card is Membership Rewards may be able to access?

Log into your Amex account and look for a "Transfer Points" option in the Rewards section. If you see it, your card qualifies. You can also call the number on the back of your card and ask customer service directly.