Transfer Guide — Updated April 2026

Transfer Amex MR to Delta SkyMiles

Move Membership Rewards to Delta SkyMiles at 1:1 — typically worth 1.2 cpp (20% uplift vs the Amex MR portal).

AirlineSkyTeamRatio 1:11.2 cpp

Reviewed by CardCompare Editorial Board

|Points & Miles team|Updated April 2026

Transfer math at a glance

25,000 Membership Rewards

$300

via Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cpp

vs $250 in the Amex MR portal

50,000 Membership Rewards

$600

via Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cpp

vs $500 in the Amex MR portal

100,000 Membership Rewards

$1,200

via Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cpp

vs $1,000 in the Amex MR portal

Sweet spots for this transfer

Delta SkyMiles is revenue-based and notorious for variable pricing. Sweet spots exist on specific flash sales and partner redemptions (Virgin Atlantic, Korean, Air France) but day-to-day SkyMiles value is ~1.2 cpp.

1Delta flash sales — often 10-20K off standard awards
2Virgin Atlantic Upper Class booked via Delta partner awards
3Delta One transcontinental during off-peak windows

Example redemptions — Amex MR → Delta SkyMiles

Redemption	Amex MR needed	Cash value	cpp
Domestic economy one-way JFK → ATL off-peak	12,500	$200	1.6 cpp
Delta One transcontinental one-way JFK → LAX Delta One	55,000	$1,200	2.2 cpp
Transatlantic business one-way JFK → CDG Delta One	120,000	$4,500	3.8 cpp

Booking tips

1Transfer from Amex only when you've confirmed the exact award space — Delta has no award chart.
2Flash sales (SkyMiles Deals) often beat normal pricing by 50% — follow dedicated trackers.
3Use Virgin Atlantic to book Delta metal when cheaper (less common but happens on off-peak).

Cards that earn Membership Rewards

American Express Gold Card$250 annual fee · American Express American Express Platinum$695 annual fee · American Express American Express Blue Business PlusNo annual fee · American Express American Express Blue Business Cash CardNo annual fee · American Express

Frequently asked questions

What is the transfer ratio from Amex MR to Delta SkyMiles?⌄

American Express Membership Rewards transfers to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio. 50,000 Membership Rewards become 50,000 Delta SkyMiles points/miles.

What is the transfer typically worth?⌄

Delta SkyMiles points redeem at approximately 1.2 cents per point when used for airline awards. That makes a 50,000-point transfer worth about $600 in travel value — an 20% uplift over the Amex MR portal (1 cpp).

How long does the Amex MR to Delta SkyMiles transfer take?⌄

Most transfers from Amex MR to Delta SkyMiles post within minutes to 24 hours. Confirm partner availability first — transfers are not reversible, so lock in the award before moving points.

Which credit cards earn Membership Rewards?⌄

The American Express Gold Card, American Express Platinum, American Express Blue Business Plus and 1 more all earn Membership Rewards that transfer to Delta SkyMiles.

Is it better to transfer or use the Amex MR portal?⌄

Transferring to Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cpp beats the Amex MR portal rate of 1 cpp when you find saver or award availability. For everyday redemptions (especially partner awards with good space), transfer is the higher-value path.