Can I transfer my Amex points to someone else?

Can You Share Your Amex Points? The Definitive Answer

American Express Membership Rewards points are a valuable perk for cardholders, offering a range of redemption options from travel and merchandise to statement credits. But what happens if you want to share those points with a friend or family member? The short answer is: you can’t.

Contrary to some wishful thinking, American Express Membership Rewards points are strictly non-transferable between individuals. This means that the points accumulated in your Amex account remain solely yours. You cannot gift them, sell them, or otherwise transfer them to another person’s Amex account or any other account.

This policy is firmly in place for several reasons:

• Account Security: Allowing point transfers would create significant vulnerabilities for fraud and unauthorized access. Maintaining the link between points and the original account holder is crucial for security.
• Program Integrity: Transferability could lead to the exploitation of the rewards program, potentially impacting the value of points for all members.
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Transferring points might trigger various legal and regulatory issues related to financial transactions and rewards programs.

Therefore, any attempts to transfer your Amex points to another person, whether through informal arrangements or third-party services, will likely be unsuccessful and could even violate Amex’s terms of service.

What are your options if you want to help someone else earn rewards?

While you can’t directly transfer points, you can explore alternative ways to help others benefit from Amex rewards:

• Joint Accounts: Consider adding an authorized user to your Amex card account. While the points still accrue to your primary account, the authorized user can help earn points through their spending.
• Gift Cards: Redeem your points for gift cards and gift them to the intended recipient. This allows them to use the value however they choose, although they won’t be using Amex points directly.
• Shared Experiences: Use your points for experiences that you can share with others, like booking a vacation for your family or friends.

In conclusion, while the inability to transfer Amex Membership Rewards points may be frustrating, it’s a crucial element of the program’s security and integrity. Understanding this limitation and exploring alternative options will help you maximize the value of your points while adhering to Amex’s terms and conditions.