You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Delta at a 1:1 ratio through your online account

American Express lets you move Membership Rewards points directly to your Delta SkyMiles account. The transfer happens at a fixed rate: one Membership Rewards point equals one SkyMiles mile. You do this through your American Express online account or mobile app, and the miles land in your Delta account within hours.

Not all American Express cards earn Membership Rewards points. Only cards in the Membership Rewards program — like the American Express Gold Card, Platinum Card, and Green Card — can transfer to Delta. Cards that earn other point currencies, like Hilton Honors points or Marriott Bonvoy points, cannot be transferred to Delta.

Key Takeaways

  • You transfer points through your American Express account online or in the app, not through Delta's website.
  • The transfer rate is always 1:1, meaning 10,000 Membership Rewards points become 10,000 SkyMiles miles.
  • Miles appear in your Delta account within a few hours of the transfer.
  • You must have an active Delta SkyMiles account before you can transfer points to it.
  • Transfers are permanent and cannot be reversed, so confirm your Delta account number before you proceed.

Steps to transfer points from American Express to Delta

Log into your American Express account online or open the mobile app. Go to the Membership Rewards section, usually labeled "Rewards" or "Points" in the main menu. Look for an option that says "Transfer Points" or "Redeem Points."

Select Delta Air Lines from the list of transfer partners. American Express will ask you to enter your Delta SkyMiles account number. Double-check this number — it appears on your SkyMiles card, in the Delta app, or on your Delta account page. If you enter the wrong number, the miles go to someone else's account and cannot be recovered.

Enter the number of points you want to transfer. American Express sets a minimum transfer amount, usually 1,000 points, and you can only transfer in increments of 1,000. Review the transfer details one more time, then confirm. The transaction is final once you submit it.

What happens after you transfer

Your Membership Rewards points leave your American Express account when ready. The miles appear in your Delta SkyMiles account within a few hours, though American Express says to allow up to 24 hours. You can check your SkyMiles balance in the Delta app or on Delta's website to confirm the miles arrived.

Once the miles are in your SkyMiles account, you can use them to book flights, upgrade seats, or pay for other travel expenses through Delta's website. The miles never expire as long as your SkyMiles account remains active, which means you have time to use them.

When transferring points makes sense

Transferring Membership Rewards points to Delta is worth considering if you have a specific Delta flight in mind and need miles to book it. The 1:1 transfer rate is straightforward, so you know exactly how many miles you'll have. If Delta is your regular airline or you have elite status with them, moving points there can help you reach a redemption goal faster.

However, you should compare this to other ways to use your Membership Rewards points. American Express lets you redeem points for cash back, statement credits, or transfers to other airline and hotel partners. Sometimes the value per point is higher when you redeem for cash back or use points for a statement credit toward a flight you've already booked. Calculate the value before you transfer, since transfers cannot be undone.

Transfer partners and alternatives

American Express has transfer partnerships with many airlines beyond Delta, including United, Southwest, JetBlue, and international carriers. You can also transfer to hotel chains like Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt. If you don't have a Delta redemption in mind, exploring other partners might give you better value for your points.

Another option is to use your Membership Rewards points for a statement credit toward a flight purchase. This approach lets you book any airline at any price, and the points cover part of the cost. The value per point varies depending on the flight price, so this method works well if you're flexible about which airline you fly.

Membership Rewards cards that transfer to Delta

The American Express Gold Card, Platinum Card, and Green Card all earn Membership Rewards points and can transfer to Delta. The Gold Card earns points on dining and groceries. The Platinum Card earns points on flights and hotels booked directly. The Green Card earns points on dining, shipping, and transit. Each card has an annual fee, and the earning rates differ, so the card you hold affects how many points you accumulate.

American Express also offers the Blue Business Plus Card and other business cards that earn Membership Rewards points. These can also transfer to Delta using the same process. If you have multiple American Express cards in your account, you can combine points from all of them before transferring to Delta, as long as they all earn Membership Rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Delta miles back to American Express?

No. Transfers only go one direction: from American Express to Delta. Once miles are in your SkyMiles account, they stay there. You cannot convert them back to Membership Rewards points.

What's the minimum number of points I can transfer?

American Express requires a minimum transfer of 1,000 Membership Rewards points, and you can only transfer in increments of 1,000. So you can transfer 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, and so on, but not 1,500 or 2,750.

How long does it take for miles to show up in my Delta account?

Miles usually appear within a few hours. American Express allows up to 24 hours for the transfer to complete. Check your SkyMiles balance in the Delta app or on Delta's website to confirm they arrived.

What if I transferred points to the wrong Delta account?

Contact American Express customer service right away. While transfers are normally permanent, American Express may be able to help if you report the error quickly. Do not delay — the longer you wait, the less likely they can recover the miles.

Do I lose value when I transfer points to Delta?

The transfer rate is 1:1, so you do not lose points in the transfer itself. However, the value you get from those miles depends on the flights you book. A mile is worth more when you use it for an expensive flight and less when you use it for a cheap one. Compare the per-point value of your redemption to other ways you could use your Membership Rewards points before you transfer.