Amex transfer partner
How to Transfer Amex Points to Delta SkyMiles (2026 Guide)
Delta SkyMiles is the only place you can book Delta One with Amex points and have Delta itself handle the reservation, but Delta abandoned its award chart years ago — pricing moves with cash fares.
By the Point Finder team · Updated 2026-07-17 · Ratios and transfer times verified against issuer transfer pages
- Ratio
- 1:1
- Transfer speed
- Up to 48 hours
- Alliance
- SkyTeam
- Type
- Airline
The short version
Amex Membership Rewards points transfer to Delta SkyMiles at 1:1, up to 48 hours. The only way to book Delta One using Amex points; a federal excise-tax offset fee applies.
Delta's Pricing Has No Chart — Here's What That Means
Delta was the first major US airline to drop published award charts. Every SkyMiles price is generated in real time, tied to the cash fare for that flight on that date.
The same New York-Paris flight in Delta One can price anywhere from the low six figures to well over 300,000 miles one-way depending on demand and how far out you're booking.
Don't transfer speculatively — search Delta.com first, confirm the miles price, and only then move points. Amex's official policy allows up to 48 hours, but in practice transfers to Delta SkyMiles are frequently instant or near-instant.
When Delta SkyMiles Beats Flying Blue or Virgin Atlantic
Flying Blue and Virgin Atlantic both price Delta award flights using their own charts, often cheaper than Delta's direct pricing — particularly Virgin Atlantic in Delta One.
Delta One business class is regularly bookable through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (and at times through Flying Blue), often at substantially lower point costs than booking direct with SkyMiles. It is a well-known partner sweet spot, not a cabin that partners are generally locked out of.
The Excise Tax Offset Fee, Explained
Transfers into Delta carry a fee of $0.0006 per point, capped at $99, tied to a federal excise tax on airline mileage sold to banks. It generally doesn't apply to transfers to international partners like Flying Blue or Virgin Atlantic.
Who Can Transfer, and How Fast
Membership Rewards points transfer to Delta at a flat 1:1 ratio. Eligible transfer cards include Platinum, Gold, Green, Business Platinum, and Business Gold (any Membership Rewards-earning card with transfer eligibility). Transfers post within 48 hours in most cases.
Sweet spots worth booking
| Route | Cabin | Points |
|---|---|---|
| US-Europe | Delta One | ~85,000-160,000+ one-way, dynamicWatch for Delta One flash sales, especially to Europe. |
| US-Japan / North Asia | Delta One | ~150,000-280,000+ one-way, dynamicMidweek departures outside peak seasons price lower. |
| US domestic (short-haul) | Main Cabin | As low as ~9,000-12,000 one-way on off-peak routesDelta's most consistently reasonable value. |
| US-Caribbean / Latin America | Delta One / First | ~50,000-90,000 one-way, dynamicShorter premium-cabin hops price far lower than transoceanic ones. |
How to transfer Amex points to Delta SkyMiles
- 1Decide route and cabin, then search Delta.com directly for award pricing before transferring.
- 2Cross-check the same flight through Flying Blue and Virgin Atlantic.
- 3Log in to Amex Membership Rewards and select Delta SkyMiles.
- 4Enter the exact points needed, review the excise tax offset fee, and submit.
- 5Allow up to 48 hours for points to post, then complete booking before pricing changes.
- 6If the seat disappears before the transfer completes, recheck in a day or two.
Tips before you transfer
- •Transfer only after confirming live award space at an acceptable price.
- •Budget for the excise tax offset fee ($0.0006/point, capped at $99).
- •Delta One is a well-known partner sweet spot — check Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Flying Blue pricing before booking direct with SkyMiles.
- •For other cabins, price Flying Blue and Virgin Atlantic first.
- •Watch for Delta One flash sales to Europe.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Amex to Delta SkyMiles transfer ratio?
1:1.
How long does the transfer take?
Up to 48 hours, though often faster.
Which Amex cards can transfer to Delta?
Platinum, Gold, Green, Business Platinum, and Business Gold.
Why does Delta charge more or less for the same flight on different days?
Delta uses fully dynamic pricing tied to the cash fare, with no published chart.
Is it ever better to transfer to Flying Blue or Virgin Atlantic instead of Delta?
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (and sometimes Flying Blue) is often the better way to book Delta One specifically — not an exception where partner access is unavailable — though Delta One award space via partners is scarce and Virgin's surcharges are steep westbound (US to Europe), so the value is strongest on Europe-to-US routings.
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