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In the UK you can transfer Membership Rewards points to airline and hotel partners, convert them to Nectar or Club Eurostar, buy gift cards, or use them to pay for purchases. Transfers to airlines at 1 to 1, such as Avios and Virgin Points, usually give the most value. Gift cards return 0.5p per point and paying with points returns a little less.
This guide covers cards issued in the UK. The US Membership Rewards programme has different partners and rates, and will have its own guide.
Your options at a glance
| Option | What you get | Typical value |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer to an airline | Miles for reward flights | Highest, especially in business class |
| Transfer to a hotel scheme | Points for free nights | Varies by hotel and date |
| Nectar or Club Eurostar | Shopping or rail points | Nectar is 1 to 1, worth about 0.5p |
| Gift cards | Vouchers for retail and dining brands | 0.5p per point |
| Pay with points | Money off purchases, Amazon or PayPal | A little under 0.5p per point |
UK transfer partners and rates
These are the partners and rates American Express UK lists, checked on 10 November 2026.
| Partner | Rate (Amex points to partner) | Minimum | Stated transfer time |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways Club (Avios) | 1 to 1 | 1,000 | Instant |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 1 to 1 | 1,000 | Instant |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club (Avios) | 1 to 1 | 500 | Up to 48 hours |
| Iberia Club (Avios) | 1 to 1 | 1,000 | 4 working days |
| Flying Blue (Air France and KLM) | 1 to 1 | 500 | 4 working days |
| Cathay (Asia Miles) | 1 to 1 | 1,000 | 3 working days |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | 1 to 1 | 500 | 3 working days |
| Delta SkyMiles | 1 to 1 | 1,000 | Up to 30 minutes |
| SAS EuroBonus | 1 to 1 | 1,000 | 5 working days |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 3 to 2 | 900 | 15 working days |
| Emirates Skywards | 2 to 1 | 1,000 | 2 working days |
| Hilton Honors | 1 to 2 | 200 | Up to 20 working days |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 2 to 3 | 400 | Up to 1 working day |
| Radisson Rewards | 1 to 3 | 3 | 10 working days |
| ALL Accor | 3 to 1 | 300 | Instant |
| Nectar | 1 to 1 | 1 | 4 working days |
| Club Eurostar | 15 to 1 | 1,500 | 5 working days |
Two things stand out. Emirates and Singapore Airlines transfer at worse than 1 to 1, so the same flight costs more Amex points through them. And transfer times vary from instant to three weeks, which matters when a reward seat could disappear.
Option 1: transfer to an airline
This is where most of the value is. Avios and Virgin Points both transfer instantly at 1 to 1, and both airlines fly long haul from London.
A verified example
| Route | Cabin | Points | Cash fees | Price checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London to New York, return, off-peak | British Airways Club World (business) | 176,000 Avios | About £499 | 10 November 2026 |
This is British Airways' published Reward Flight Saver example, not a member booking, so there is no booking date. Reward prices change: check the live price before you transfer points.
Because the rate is 1 to 1, that flight needs 176,000 Membership Rewards points. To see how to judge the value, use the pence per point method in our points and miles beginner's guide.
How to transfer
- Find the reward seat on the airline's site first and note the points and fees.
- In your Amex account, open Membership Rewards and link your airline account. The names on both accounts should match.
- Transfer only the points you need. Transfers cannot be reversed.
- Book as soon as the miles arrive.
Option 2: transfer to a hotel scheme
Hilton, Marriott, Radisson and Accor are all partners. Hotel points are generally worth less each than airline miles, so compare the points price with the cash rate for your dates before you move anything.
Option 3: Nectar and Club Eurostar
Nectar converts at 1 to 1 and is simple to spend, but the value is close to gift cards. Club Eurostar can work for rail trips to Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam if you are short of the points for a ticket.
Option 4: gift cards
American Express says 25,000 points are worth up to £125 in gift cards, which is 0.5p per point. Treat that as your floor: any other use should beat it.
Option 5: pay with points
You can use points against eligible purchases on your statement, at Amazon and other online stores, and on eligible PayPal purchases. The rate is shown in your account before you confirm and is typically a little under the gift card rate.
Which option should you choose?
- If you want to fly long haul in a premium cabin, transfer to an airline at 1 to 1.
- If you only take short trips, compare Avios short haul rewards with Club Eurostar.
- If you will not travel, gift cards beat paying with points.
New to all of this? Start with travel hacking for beginners.