You can move American Express Membership Rewards points directly to United Airlines through your Amex account online, and the transfer posts to your United account within 24 hours.
American Express and United Airlines have a partnership that lets you convert Membership Rewards points into United MileagePlus miles at a 1:1 ratio. This means 10,000 Amex points become 10,000 United miles. The transfer happens in your Amex account — you do not need to contact United or fill out a separate form. Once you initiate the transfer, the miles land in your United account the next business day.
The main reason to transfer is that United miles often have better redemption value than Amex points for flights, especially on partner airlines. However, transfers are permanent — you cannot move miles back to Amex once they leave. You should confirm your United account number and your travel plans before you transfer.
Key Takeaways
- Transfers happen at a 1:1 ratio and post within 24 hours, so you can book a flight when ready after the miles arrive.
- You need an active United MileagePlus account with a valid account number before you start the transfer.
- Amex points transferred to United cannot be moved back, so confirm your redemption plan first.
- The transfer is free and happens entirely within your Amex online account under the Membership Rewards section.
Step-by-step process to transfer your points
Log into your American Express account on the Amex website or mobile app. Go to the Membership Rewards section — this is usually listed in the main menu under "Rewards" or "Points".
Look for an option called "Transfer Points" or "Redeem Points." Click on it and select "Transfer to Airline Partners" or similar language. Amex will show you a list of partner airlines, including United Airlines. Select United from that list.
Enter your United MileagePlus account number. This is the nine-digit number on your United membership card or in your United account. Double-check it — if you enter the wrong number, the miles go to someone else's account and Amex cannot recover them. You can find your account number by logging into your United account or checking any United email confirmation.
Enter the number of points you want to transfer. Amex usually requires a minimum transfer of 1,000 points. You can transfer in increments of 1,000 after that. Review the amount and confirm the transfer. Amex will send you a confirmation email with the transfer details and a reference number.
What happens after you transfer
The miles typically appear in your United account within 24 hours, though Amex states it can take up to two business days. You can check your United account balance by logging into MileagePlus online or calling United at 1-800-864-8331. Once the miles are there, you can use them to book flights, seat upgrades, or other United rewards when ready.
United miles do not expire as long as you have some account activity at least once every 18 months. Activity includes earning or redeeming miles, so booking a flight or transferring points counts. If your account goes inactive for 18 months, United may close it and you will lose the miles.
Things to verify before you transfer
Make sure your United MileagePlus account is active and in good standing. If your account has been closed or suspended, the transfer will fail. You can check your account status by logging into United.com or calling United customer service.
Confirm that the account number you have is correct. Amex does not verify the account number before processing the transfer — if you enter a wrong number, the miles go to that account instead. There is no way to recover them after the transfer completes.
Check current United award prices for the flights you want to book. United uses dynamic pricing, which means the number of miles required for a flight changes based on demand. A flight that costs 25,000 miles today might cost 35,000 miles next week. If you are transferring points to book a specific flight, look up the current price first to make sure you have enough miles.
When transferring points makes sense
Transferring Amex points to United is most valuable when you have a specific flight in mind and the United award price is reasonable. United miles are worth more per point on premium cabin flights (business and first class) than on economy, so if you are booking a long-haul business class seat, the transfer is usually worth it.
Transferring also makes sense if you are close to a United award threshold and just need a few more miles. For example, if you need 5,000 more miles to book a flight, transferring 5,000 Amex points is faster than waiting to earn them through credit card spending or flying.
Do not transfer if you are uncertain about your travel plans. Once the miles are in your United account, you own them as United miles, not Amex points. If you change your mind about the trip, you can still use the miles for a different United flight, but you lose the flexibility of Amex points, which can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or other rewards.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common error is entering the wrong United account number. Amex processes the transfer when ready without verifying the number, so if you mistype even one digit, the miles go to a different account. Write down your account number and read it back to yourself before confirming the transfer.
Another mistake is transferring more points than you need. United award prices vary by date and route, so transferring a large amount and then discovering you do not need all of it leaves you with unused miles. Transfer only what you need for your planned redemption, plus a small buffer for price increases.
Some people transfer points without checking whether United flies the route they want or whether the award price is reasonable. Before you transfer, search for your flight on United.com and note the mile cost. If the price seems high, check what the same flight costs on partner airlines — you might get better value by transferring to a different partner instead.
What to do if the transfer fails
If your transfer does not appear in your United account after 48 hours, log back into your Amex account and check the transfer status. Amex shows a confirmation number and status for each transfer. If it shows "completed," the miles were sent to United and you should contact United to find out where they went.
Call United at 1-800-864-8331 with your confirmation number from Amex. United can search their system to see if the miles were deposited to your account or a different account. If they went to the wrong account by mistake, United can sometimes recover them, but this is not may provide. This is why verifying your account number before you transfer is critical.
If Amex shows the transfer as "pending" or "failed," contact American Express at the number on the back of your card. Amex can investigate why the transfer did not go through and reprocess it if there was a technical error.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for the miles to show up in my United account?
Miles usually appear within 24 hours, though Amex allows up to two business days. If you do not see them after 48 hours, check your Amex account for the transfer status and contact United with your confirmation number.
Can I transfer points back from United to Amex?
No. Once points are transferred to United, they become United miles and cannot be converted back to Amex Membership Rewards points. Make sure you want the miles in your United account before you transfer.
Is there a limit to how many points I can transfer at once?
Amex does not publish a maximum transfer amount, but most accounts can transfer up to several hundred thousand points in a single transaction. If you are transferring a very large amount, contact Amex first to confirm there are no limits on your account.
What if I enter the wrong United account number?
The miles will be deposited to the account number you entered. Contact United when ready with your Amex confirmation number. United may be able to recover the miles if the receiving account is identifiable, but recovery is not may provide. This is why double-checking your account number is essential.
Do the miles I transfer count toward United elite status?
No. Only miles you earn through United flights, credit card spending, and certain partner activities count toward elite status. Transferred miles add to your balance but do not contribute to status qualification.