AMEX Miles & More Transfer: Move MR Points? (2026)
Connecting AMEX and Miles & More: Membership Rewards can only be moved to M&M via the PAYBACK bridge (3:1) — usually a bad deal. The 14 better AMEX transfer partners and why you need both systems in parallel.
Quick answer: A direct transfer from AMEX MR to Miles & More is not possible. The detour via PAYBACK (3 MR = 1 point = 1 mile) isn’t worth it. Better: transfer AMEX MR to its own 10 airline partners (British Airways, Flying Blue, Singapore Airlines, and more). And collect PAYBACK separately as a bridge to Miles & More. The best strategy: use both systems in parallel.
“Can I send my AMEX points to Miles & More?” - I get this question every week. The answer is a clear no. But that’s not a problem once you know the right strategy.
AMEX MR and Miles & More: Two separate worlds
AMEX Membership Rewards and Miles & More are two completely independent rewards programs:
| AMEX Membership Rewards | Miles & More | |
|---|---|---|
| Card issuer | American Express | Deutsche Bank (formerly DKB) |
| Currency | MR points | Miles |
| Earning | AMEX credit cards | M&M credit cards + flying |
| Transfer to M&M | Only via PAYBACK (3:1 - not worth it) | - |
| Airline partners | 10 (British Airways, Flying Blue, Singapore…) | Star Alliance + partners |
There is no direct transfer between the two systems. In theory you can move MR to PAYBACK (3 MR = 1 PAYBACK point) and then PAYBACK to M&M (1:1). But at a ratio of 3 MR = 1 mile, you lose so much value that it’s never worth it.
More on the comparison: AMEX vs Miles & More: Why you need BOTH
Why isn’t transferring from AMEX to Miles & More worth it?
Miles & More is not a direct AMEX transfer partner. The only detour runs through PAYBACK: 3 MR → 1 PAYBACK point → 1 mile. At this 3:1 ratio you lose two thirds of the value of your MR points. By comparison: with British Airways you get a full 4 Avios for 5 MR (5:4).
This is due to the different alliances:
- AMEX MR partners: Mainly Oneworld (British Airways, Iberia, Cathay Pacific) and SkyTeam (Flying Blue, Delta), plus Singapore Airlines and Emirates
- Miles & More: Star Alliance (Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, United, Singapore Airlines via Star Alliance)
Your AMEX transfer partners (14 partners)
Even without a Miles & More transfer, AMEX MR are extremely valuable. You can transfer them to 10 airlines, 3 hotels, and PAYBACK:
The best transfer ratios (5:4)
| Airline | Ratio | Alliance | Especially good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways Avios | 5:4 (MR:Avios) | Oneworld | Short-haul Europe |
| Iberia Club | 5:4 (MR:Avios) | Oneworld | Spain + South America |
| Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) | 5:4 (MR:Miles) | SkyTeam | Europe + Promo Rewards |
| SAS EuroBonus | 5:4 (MR:Points) | SkyTeam | AF/KLM/Delta network |
Medium transfer ratios (3:2)
| Airline | Ratio | Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 3:2 (MR:Miles) | Star Alliance |
| Cathay Pacific | 3:2 (MR:Miles) | Oneworld |
| Delta SkyMiles | 3:2 (MR:Miles) | SkyTeam |
| Etihad Guest | 3:2 (MR:Miles) | Independent |
| Qatar Privilege Club | 3:2 (MR:Avios) | Oneworld |
Worst ratio
| Airline | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Emirates Skywards | 2:1 (MR:Miles) - you lose 50% |
Tip: British Airways, Iberia, Flying Blue, and SAS offer the best value (5:4). Since August 2025, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Etihad, and Qatar are only 3:2. Emirates (2:1) is the worst option.
Complete guide: Redeeming AMEX Points: All Transfer Partners & Value Table
The PAYBACK bridge to Miles & More
There is an indirect way to end up with both AMEX MR and Miles & More miles:
PAYBACK as the connection
PAYBACK points can be transferred 1:1 to Miles & More miles. And the PAYBACK AMEX* (free) collects PAYBACK points on every purchase.
Here’s how it works:
- Collect PAYBACK points (through purchases at partners + PAYBACK AMEX)
- Wait for the transfer bonus (1-2x per year, 20-25% extra)
- Transfer your PAYBACK points to Miles & More
Important: This is NOT a transfer of AMEX MR to M&M. The PAYBACK AMEX collects PAYBACK points (not MR), and those become M&M miles. Your AMEX MR from other cards (Platinum, Gold) remain a separate balance. You could transfer MR to PAYBACK (3:1), but that’s destroying value - better to use MR for the 10 airline partners.
The optimal two-pillar strategy
| Pillar | Cards | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| AMEX MR | Platinum, Gold, Business Gold | 10 airline partners, flexibility |
| Miles & More | M&M credit card + PAYBACK transfer | Lufthansa/Star Alliance flights |
Both systems complement each other perfectly:
- AMEX MR for international flights (British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Flying Blue)
- Miles & More for Lufthansa flights and Star Alliance awards
Which AMEX card earns MR points?
Not every AMEX card earns Membership Rewards. The MR cards with a current welcome bonus:
| Card | Welcome bonus | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| AMEX Platinum Business* | 200,000 MR | €850 |
| AMEX Platinum Private* | 85,000 MR | €720 |
| AMEX Business Gold* | 75,000 MR | €175 |
| AMEX Gold Private* | 50,000 MR | €240 |
The PAYBACK AMEX, by contrast, collects PAYBACK points (not MR!) - ideal for the M&M transfer.
Not sure which card? Which AMEX card suits me?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I convert AMEX Membership Rewards into Miles & More miles?
Not directly. The detour via PAYBACK (3 MR = 1 point = 1 mile) is technically possible, but at a 3:1 ratio it destroys value. Better to use MR for the 10 airline transfer partners like British Airways (5:4), Flying Blue (5:4), or Singapore Airlines (3:2).
Which airlines are AMEX transfer partners?
The most important AMEX MR transfer partners in Germany are British Airways Avios, Iberia Club, Flying Blue (Air France/KLM), SAS EuroBonus, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and Cathay Pacific. The best transfer ratios are offered by British Airways, Iberia, Flying Blue, and SAS (5:4 each). Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific have been only 3:2 since August 2025.
Is AMEX worth it if I only fly Lufthansa?
Yes, because AMEX MR offer significantly more flexibility. For example, you can book Star Alliance flights through Singapore Airlines (including Lufthansa!). For direct Lufthansa bookings, use a Miles & More credit card and the PAYBACK transfer in parallel.
Is there a bridge between AMEX and Miles & More?
Yes, via PAYBACK - but in two ways: you can transfer MR directly to PAYBACK (3 MR = 1 point), but that’s a bad ratio. Better: the free PAYBACK AMEX* collects PAYBACK points separately, which can be transferred 1:1 to Miles & More miles.
What’s better: AMEX MR or Miles & More?
Neither one - the combination is best. AMEX MR offer flexibility (14 transfer partners), Miles & More gives you direct access to Lufthansa and Star Alliance. In the comparison article we explain the differences in detail.
Conclusion
AMEX Membership Rewards can only be transferred to Miles & More via the PAYBACK detour (3:1) - and that’s not worth it. With 10 airline partners and 3 hotel partners, AMEX MR are actually more flexible than Miles & More miles.
The best strategy: use both systems in parallel and collect in two pots at the same time.
Further reading:
- Redeeming AMEX Points: All Transfer Partners - All AMEX transfer options
- AMEX vs Miles & More: Why you need BOTH - The complete comparison
- PAYBACK to Miles & More: Transfer Bonus Guide - Using PAYBACK as a bridge
How to optimally combine both systems and which card combination fits your travel profile, you’ll learn in the Premium Handbook. There we show the complete master plan with concrete examples.
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MEILENKÖNIG
Expert for miles, points, and credit card strategies. Helps travelers fly business & first class for a fraction of the price.