Last Updated on November 4, 2026 by Daniel Globe
American Express Membership Rewards is one of the most versatile credit card loyalty programs available, allowing cardholders to earn transferable points on daily purchases and redeem them across a wide network of airline and hotel partners. While Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is widely considered one of the most valuable frequent flyer programs due to its generous award chart and Oneworld alliance access, American Express does not have a direct transfer partnership with Alaska Airlines. A former 1:1 workaround through HawaiianMiles ended when Amex removed Hawaiian Airlines as a transfer partner on June 30, 2025, and Mileage Plan has since become Atmos Rewards.
Quick Answer
You cannot transfer Amex Membership Rewards points directly to Alaska Airlines. The old 1:1 route through HawaiianMiles closed on June 30, 2025, when Amex removed Hawaiian Airlines as a transfer partner, and Alaska Mileage Plan is now Atmos Rewards. Today the main points currencies that convert to Atmos are Bilt (1:1) and Marriott Bonvoy (3:1). See more Amex to Alaska options below.
Key Takeaways
- Hawaiian Route Closed: Amex stopped transferring to Hawaiian Airlines on June 30, 2025, so the old Amex to HawaiianMiles to Alaska route no longer works.
- No Direct Partnership: American Express does not list Alaska Airlines as a direct Membership Rewards transfer partner.
- What Still Works: Bilt points transfer 1:1 to Atmos Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at 3:1.
- Oneworld Value: Transferred miles can be redeemed for award flights on Alaska Airlines and Oneworld partners like Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines, and Qantas.
At a Glance: Amex to Alaska Point Transfer Details
| Transfer Ratio | Not available (Hawaiian route ended June 30, 2025) |
| Minimum Transfer | N/A |
| Transfer Speed | N/A |
| Transfer Fees | N/A |
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Update: The two-step route described below no longer works. American Express removed Hawaiian Airlines as a transfer partner on June 30, 2025, so Membership Rewards points can no longer be moved to HawaiianMiles. Alaska and Hawaiian then merged their loyalty programs into Atmos Rewards in August 2025 (replacing Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles). As of 2026, American Express does not list Alaska Atmos Rewards as a direct transfer partner, so check Amex’s current partner list before planning a transfer; the steps below are kept for reference only.
Overview of Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards (Formerly Mileage Plan)
The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is widely recognized as one of the most traveler-friendly frequent flyer programs in North America. Alaska Airlines maintains a robust route network across the West Coast, Hawaii, and major domestic destinations. Following its integration into the Oneworld Alliance, Mileage Plan members can redeem miles across global partner airlines including American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qantas, and Qatar Airways.
One distinct advantage of Alaska Mileage Plan is its award chart structure and routing rules. Unlike many legacy carriers that have shifted to fully dynamic pricing models, Alaska Airlines retains valuable distance-based award structures for partner redemptions and permits a free stopover on eligible one-way international award bookings.
Can Amex Membership Rewards Points Be Transferred to Alaska Airlines?
Direct transfers from American Express Membership Rewards to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan are not available. Alaska Airlines is not a direct transfer partner in the American Express Membership Rewards portal.
Until June 30, 2025, cardholders could complete a 1:1 transfer indirectly using Hawaiian Airlines as an intermediary bridge; that option has ended, and the details below are historical. Following the combination of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, a joint points transfer tool was launched enabling seamless 1:1 mileage movements between HawaiianMiles and Alaska Mileage Plan. Because HawaiianMiles is an official 1:1 transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, cardholders can move Amex points to HawaiianMiles first, and then move those miles directly to Alaska Airlines at full 1:1 parity.
How the Old Amex-to-Alaska Transfer Route Worked (Ended June 30, 2025)
Transferring your points requires completing two simple online transactions:
Step 1: Transfer Amex Points to HawaiianMiles
- Log in to your account at American Express and navigate to the Membership Rewards section.
- Select Earn & Redeem, then click Transfer Points.
- Locate Hawaiian Airlines (HawaiianMiles) in the airline partner list.
- Link your HawaiianMiles account number to your Amex account (names on both accounts must match exactly).
- Enter the number of points you wish to transfer (in increments of 1,000) and confirm the transfer. Points typically post to HawaiianMiles instantly.
Step 2: Transfer HawaiianMiles to Alaska Mileage Plan
- Visit the official Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines points transfer portal.
- Log in to link your Alaska Mileage Plan account with your HawaiianMiles account.
- Select the quantity of HawaiianMiles you want to move to Alaska Airlines.
- Confirm the transfer. The miles will transfer at a 1:1 ratio instantly and become available for award bookings on Alaska Airlines and its Oneworld partners.
Warning: All point transfers from American Express to HawaiianMiles and subsequently to Alaska Airlines are final and irreversible. Once points are converted into airline miles, they cannot be returned to your Membership Rewards balance.
Why the Old Amex Route Was Popular (Historical)
Moving your Membership Rewards points to Alaska Airlines via the HawaiianMiles bridge unlocks premium travel opportunities that are otherwise difficult to access through other Amex transfer partners:
- Access to Oneworld Partners: Redeem miles for long-haul business and first-class cabins on world-class carriers such as Qatar Airways (Qsuite), Japan Airlines, and Cathay Pacific.
- Generous Stopover Policy: Alaska Airlines allows one free stopover on one-way international award tickets, letting you visit two destinations for the cost of a single award flight.
- No Added Surcharges on Select Partners: Unlike certain European frequent flyer programs, Alaska Mileage Plan does not pass along heavy fuel surcharges on many of its international award partners.
Limitations and Restrictions of Transferring Points
Irreversible Transfers
Once you confirm the transfer from Amex to HawaiianMiles, the transaction cannot be cancelled or reversed. Always confirm award seat availability on Alaska Airlines or its partner airlines before initiating a point transfer.
Award Seat Availability
High-demand routes, particularly international business class seats on partner carriers, have limited award space. Finding availability requires searching well in advance or remaining flexible with travel dates.
Account Name Matching
To successfully transfer points from Amex to HawaiianMiles and onward to Alaska Airlines, the legal first and last name registered on your American Express account, HawaiianMiles account, and Alaska Mileage Plan account must match identical records.
Tips for Maximizing the Value of Transferred Points
Pro Tip: Before transferring your points, place your desired award flight on hold if searching on partner sites, or verify availability directly on AlaskaAir.com. Transferring points takes only a few minutes, but award seats can be booked by other travelers quickly.
To maximize the value of your transferred points, keep the following strategies in mind:
- Leverage the Free Stopover: If you book a single flight from North America to Asia or Europe on a partner airline, add an intermediate stopover in the partner carrier’s hub city (e.g., Tokyo via Japan Airlines or Doha via Qatar Airways) at no extra mileage charge.
- Watch for Transfer Bonuses: Amex transfer bonuses to HawaiianMiles are no longer relevant since that partnership ended, but Bilt and Marriott Bonvoy occasionally run promotions that can stretch transfers to Atmos Rewards.
- Compare Alternative Pathways: If you hold Marriott Bonvoy points, you can also transfer Marriott points directly to Alaska Airlines at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred.
“Atmos Rewards points still unlock premium cabin redemptions across the Oneworld alliance, but Amex Membership Rewards is no longer a way to get them.”
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
While American Express does not offer a direct transfer option to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, the former indirect pathway via HawaiianMiles ended on June 30, 2025. If you want Atmos Rewards points, Bilt and Marriott Bonvoy transfers or flying and spending with Alaska and Hawaiian are the practical routes, while Amex points are better used through Amex Travel or other transfer partners. Plan ahead, confirm award seat availability prior to transferring, and utilize routing features like free international stopovers to get maximum value from every point.
Which Credit Card Points Transfer to Atmos Rewards in 2026?
Alaska Airlines launched Atmos Rewards on August 20, 2025, combining Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles into one program (one mile became one point). If you want Alaska or Hawaiian award flights, this is where each major points currency stands as of November 2026:
| Program | Transfers to Atmos? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amex Membership Rewards (Platinum, Gold, etc.) | No | The Hawaiian Airlines workaround ended June 30, 2025 |
| Chase Ultimate Rewards | No | Not on Chase’s partner list |
| Capital One miles | No | Not on Capital One’s partner list |
| Citi ThankYou | No | Not an Atmos transfer partner |
| Bilt Rewards | Yes | 1:1, not eligible for status points |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Yes | 3:1, plus 5,000 bonus points per 60,000 Bonvoy points, per Marriott |
Alaska’s own everyday partners page lists Bilt (1:1) and Diners Club (1:1 for U.S. members) as points-conversion partners, with no Amex option. If you hold Amex points, including from the Platinum Card, your practical choices are booking a paid Alaska or Hawaiian fare through Amex Travel with Pay with Points, or transferring to a oneworld program that appears on Amex’s current partner list and booking an Alaska-operated award there. Chase cardholders face the same gap; see our guide on Chase points and Alaska Airlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer American Express points directly to Alaska Airlines?
No. American Express Membership Rewards does not transfer to Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards. The former workaround through HawaiianMiles ended on June 30, 2025, when Amex removed Hawaiian Airlines as a transfer partner. Bilt points (1:1) and Marriott Bonvoy points (3:1) are the main transferable currencies that still convert to Atmos Rewards.
How long does it take to transfer points from Amex to Alaska Airlines?
There is no Amex to Atmos Rewards transfer to time, because Membership Rewards points cannot currently be moved to Atmos. If you transfer Bilt or Marriott Bonvoy points instead, check the posting time shown on the transfer screen and confirm award space before you move points.
Are there any fees for transferring Amex points to Alaska Airlines?
Amex does not offer a transfer to Atmos Rewards, so there is no Amex transfer fee to worry about. If you move Bilt or Marriott Bonvoy points to Atmos instead, review the ratio and any terms shown on that program’s transfer page before confirming.
Can I transfer Amex points to someone else’s Alaska Airlines account?
No. Amex points cannot be transferred to any Atmos Rewards account, yours or someone else’s. If you use a program that does transfer to Atmos, such as Bilt, check its rules on whose loyalty accounts you can link before you start, and make sure the names on both accounts match.
How can I get Alaska Airlines miles with Amex?
You cannot transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards, and the old route through HawaiianMiles ended on June 30, 2025. To use Amex points for Alaska flights, book a paid Alaska or Hawaiian fare through Amex Travel with Pay with Points, or transfer to a oneworld partner on Amex's current list. To earn Atmos points directly, look at Bilt (1:1), Marriott Bonvoy (3:1) or an Atmos co-branded card.
Can I transfer Chase points or Amex points to Atmos Rewards?
No. As of November 2026, neither Chase Ultimate Rewards nor Amex Membership Rewards transfers to Atmos Rewards, and Capital One and Citi do not either. Bilt Rewards transfers to Atmos at 1:1, and Marriott Bonvoy converts at 3:1 with a 5,000-point bonus for every 60,000 Bonvoy points transferred. Diners Club Club Rewards also converts at 1:1 for U.S. members.
How can I transfer points to Alaska Airlines from Amex Platinum?
You cannot. The Platinum Card earns Membership Rewards points, and Atmos Rewards is not an Amex transfer partner. The two-step trick of moving points to HawaiianMiles and then to Alaska stopped working when Amex dropped Hawaiian Airlines on June 30, 2025. Use Pay with Points on Amex Travel for Alaska fares, or transfer to a oneworld partner that Amex still lists.
Sources
- American Express Membership Rewards Partner Directory — Official listing of direct airline transfer partners and terms.
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Airline Partners — Official documentation on Alaska partner redemptions and alliance rules.
- Oneworld Alliance – Alaska Airlines — Details on alliance-wide award availability and member airline integrations.
