You can move Amex points to Delta through the Membership Rewards transfer program

American Express lets you transfer Membership Rewards points directly to Delta Air Lines at a 1:1 ratio — meaning 1,000 Amex points becomes 1,000 Delta SkyMiles. The transfer happens online through your Amex account and usually completes within 24 hours. You need an active Delta SkyMiles account linked to your Amex profile before you start.

Not all Amex cards offer this transfer option. Cards in the Amex Platinum, Gold, and Green families include Membership Rewards transfer privileges, but basic cash-back cards and some older cards do not. Check your card's benefits guide or log into your Amex account to see if transfer partners appear in your dashboard.

Key Takeaways

  • Amex transfers points to Delta at a 1:1 ratio through the Membership Rewards program, and the transfer completes within 24 hours.
  • You must have an active Delta SkyMiles account and link it to your Amex profile before you can transfer points.
  • Only certain Amex cards include transfer privileges — check your card's benefits or your online account to confirm yours does.
  • Transferred points go into your Delta account as SkyMiles and can be used for flights, seat upgrades, and other Delta products.
  • Once transferred, points cannot be moved back to Amex, so confirm your Delta account details before completing the transfer.

Check that your Amex card includes transfer privileges

Log into your American Express account online or through the mobile app. Look for a section called "Membership Rewards" or "Transfer Partners." If you see Delta listed as an option, your card supports transfers. If you do not see a transfer partners section at all, your card does not include this benefit.

You can also call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask whether your specific card allows transfers to Delta. Amex will tell you yes or no in one call. If your card does not support transfers, you can still redeem points for Delta flights through Amex's own travel portal, but you will not move the points into your Delta account.

Link your Delta SkyMiles account to your Amex profile

Before you transfer, you need a Delta SkyMiles account and it must be connected to your Amex account. If you do not have a SkyMiles account yet, go to delta.com and create one — it is free and takes about five minutes. You will need your name, email, and date of birth.

Once your Delta account exists, log into your Amex account and find the Membership Rewards section. Look for an option to "Link" or "Add" transfer partners. Select Delta and enter your SkyMiles account number (a nine-digit number that appears in your Delta account). Amex will verify the account and show it as linked within a few minutes.

Transfer your points through your Amex account

Log into your Amex account and go to Membership Rewards. Find the transfer partners section and select Delta. You will see a box where you can enter how many points you want to transfer. Type the amount and review the details — the screen will show your Amex account, the number of points leaving, and your linked Delta SkyMiles account number.

Click the button to confirm the transfer. Amex will ask you to verify the action (sometimes through a security code sent to your email or phone). Once you confirm, the transfer is submitted. You will see a confirmation number on screen and in your email. The points typically appear in your Delta account within 24 hours, though Amex says transfers can take up to 48 hours in rare cases.

Understand what happens to your points after transfer

Once points land in your Delta account as SkyMiles, they are no longer Amex points — they belong to Delta and follow Delta's rules. You can use SkyMiles to book flights on Delta and its partners, buy seat upgrades, pay for baggage fees, or redeem them through Delta's shopping portal. Delta does not convert them back to Amex points, so make sure you want them in Delta before you transfer.

SkyMiles do not expire as long as you have some account activity with Delta at least once every 24 months. Activity includes earning miles, redeeming miles, or flying with Delta. If your account goes inactive for more than 24 months, Delta may close it and you could lose the miles.

Know the transfer limits and timing

Amex does not publish a maximum transfer amount per transaction, but most accounts can transfer large balances in one go. If you are moving tens of thousands of points, you may want to call Amex first to confirm there are no limits on your account. There is no minimum transfer amount — you can move as few as 1,000 points if you want.

Transfers happen once per day at most. If you submit multiple transfers in the same day, Amex may batch them or process them on separate days. Plan ahead if you need points in your Delta account by a specific date — submit the transfer at least two days before you need to book.

Decide whether transferring makes sense for your redemption

Transferring points to Delta is worth doing if you plan to book Delta flights or upgrades soon. The 1:1 ratio is straightforward, and Delta SkyMiles can be valuable for premium cabin seats or short flights where the point cost is low. However, if you are not sure when you will use the miles, or if you might want to book a different airline, it may be safer to keep points in your Amex account and redeem them through Amex's travel portal later.

Amex's travel portal lets you book any airline and hotel without transferring points, though the point value may be lower than a direct transfer to Delta. Compare the point cost of your planned trip on both Delta's website and through Amex's portal before you transfer. If Delta's cost is much lower, transfer. If they are similar, you have more flexibility keeping points in Amex.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Delta SkyMiles back to Amex?

No. Once points move to Delta, they stay in your Delta account. Delta does not allow transfers back to Amex or to other airlines. Make sure your Delta account details are correct and you are ready to use the miles before you transfer.

What if I enter the wrong Delta account number?

If you catch the error before the transfer completes, cancel it and start over. If the transfer already went through to the wrong account, contact Amex customer service when ready. They may be able to reverse the transfer, but it is not may provide. Always double-check your SkyMiles number before confirming.

Do transferred points count toward Delta elite status?

No. Transferred SkyMiles count as miles in your account and can be redeemed, but they do not count toward earning elite status. Only miles earned through flying or credit card spending count toward status tiers.

How long does the transfer take?

Amex typically processes transfers within 24 hours. In rare cases it can take up to 48 hours. You will receive a confirmation email when ready when you submit the transfer, and a second email when the miles appear in your Delta account.

Is there a fee to transfer points?

No. Amex does not charge a fee to transfer Membership Rewards points to Delta or any other transfer partner. The transfer is included in your card benefits.