You can’t transfer Amex Membership Rewards points directly to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. Instead, move your points to Hawaiian Airlines first, then transfer those miles to Alaska through points.com. You’ll need active Hawaiian and Alaska accounts, and both should have positive balances before you start. Amex to Hawaiian transfers are usually free, but fees and timing for Hawaiian to Alaska can vary. Alaska miles can reveal strong partner award value, and there’s more to know.
Why Amex Points Can’t Transfer Directly to Alaska
Amex Membership Rewards points can’t transfer directly to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan because recent transfer policy changes removed that option. You’re blocked by current Amex policies, so you can’t route points straight into Alaska miles today. Alaska partnerships shifted when airline transfer agreements changed, and that update closed the direct path you may remember from older guides. Chase Ultimate Rewards also don’t support Alaska transfers, so your direct choices are limited across major programs. Right now, you won’t find a known workaround that safely restores a one-step transfer from Amex to Alaska. That means you should plan around the rules you can control: watch transfer portals, verify airline partnership updates, and avoid assuming old options still work. Policies can change again, so staying alert helps you protect your points and keep your travel freedom intact.
Transfer Amex Points to Hawaiian Airlines
To move Amex points toward Alaska, you’ll first transfer them to Hawaiian Airlines through your Amex account’s Transfer Partners section. You’ll need your Hawaiian Airlines account number, and your account must be active with a positive balance before you start. After the Amex-to-Hawaiian transfer posts, you can use the Hawaiian-to-Alaska link through points.com to finish the move.
Amex To Hawaiian Transfer
Since Amex Membership Rewards points can’t transfer directly to Alaska Airlines, you can route them through Hawaiian Airlines instead because of the recent partnership. Log in to your Amex account, open Transfer Partners, and choose Hawaiian Airlines. You’ll need a Hawaiian Airlines account first, so set that up before you start. If you want the freedom to move miles onward later, create an Alaska Airlines account too. Link your Hawaiian Airlines account to Amex, then complete the transfer process with the number of Amex points you want. Keep both loyalty programs active, and make sure your Hawaiian Airlines balance stays positive so the transfer runs smoothly. This setup gives you a practical bridge, letting you move rewards with control instead of waiting on limited direct options.
Hawaiian To Alaska Link
Once your Amex points land in Hawaiian Airlines, you can move them toward Alaska through the Hawaiian–Alaska link. First, make sure you’ve got both a Hawaiian Airlines account and an Alaska Airlines account ready. Log in to Amex, go to Rewards and Benefits, then Transfer Partners, and choose Hawaiian Airlines. Keep your Hawaiian balance positive before you start, or the transfer can fail.
After the miles post, use points.com to send them from Hawaiian to your Alaska account. That gives you a practical bridge to Alaska routes without waiting on a direct Amex option. Check award space before you move anything, and compare the value of Hawaiian benefits against your Alaska goal. This route can open more flexibility, so you can spend smarter and travel freer.
Create Your Hawaiian and Alaska Logins
Before you move any Amex points, create your Hawaiian Airlines account at hawaiianairlines.com and your Alaska Airlines login at alaskaair.com so both accounts are active. Use accurate personal details, then save your Hawaiian account number because you’ll need it to connect with Amex later. Review Hawaiian account benefits, like earning and managing miles in one place, so you know where your balance sits. Then check your Alaska account features to confirm you can sign in, view activity, and keep your profile ready for future transfers. Keep both logins accessible and verify that each account shows active status. A clean setup helps you avoid delays and gives you control over the process. If you haven’t already, make sure your Hawaiian account has some points in it before you continue. That positive balance helps prevent transfer errors and keeps your path clear, flexible, and on your terms.
Move Miles From Hawaiian to Alaska
To move miles from Hawaiian to Alaska, log into your Hawaiian Airlines account on points.com and enter your Alaska Airlines account number to start the Hawaiian to Alaska transfer. Choose the number of miles you want to move, and make sure both accounts have positive balances so the Points.com transfer goes through without errors. After you confirm the details, check your Alaska account to make sure the miles were credited.
Hawaiian To Alaska Transfer
If you want to move your Hawaiian miles to Alaska, the process is now much easier thanks to the airlines’ partnership. You can leverage Hawaiian Airlines benefits and Alaska Airlines partnerships to shift value where you need it most. First, keep both airline accounts active, then use the transfer link through your loyalty accounts. Amex can also send Membership Rewards to Hawaiian, giving you another path into Alaska later.
| Need | What to do |
|---|---|
| Hawaiian account | Keep it active |
| Alaska account | Keep it active |
| Transfer path | Use points.com |
| Best use | Business class awards |
This setup gives you freedom to move miles between programs and access better redemptions without being tied down.
Points.Com Transfer Steps
Once you’ve got your Hawaiian and Alaska accounts ready, you can move your miles through points.com. First, finish account verification for both programs so the transfer process can move without delays. Then log in to points.com, connect your Hawaiian and Alaska accounts, and check your balances.
- Enter points.com and start the transfer process.
- Choose how many Hawaiian miles you want to send to Alaska.
- Review the details, confirm the terms, and finish the transfer.
You stay in control by checking the fees and any transfer limits before you submit. This step helps you move value where it serves you best, with less friction and more freedom. After you confirm, points.com processes the request and updates both accounts.
Check Transfer Fees, Limits, and Timing
Because Amex no longer lets you transfer Membership Rewards directly to Alaska Airlines, you’ll need to move points to Hawaiian Airlines first, then check whether any fee applies when you transfer them from Hawaiian to Alaska. Amex-to-Hawaiian transfers don’t charge a fee, but always verify the Hawaiian-to-Alaska step before you commit. Confirm your transfer limits, too, so you don’t get blocked mid-process. Keep both accounts active and linked, or you may face avoidable errors.
| Step | Fee Check | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Amex to Hawaiian | Usually none | Several hours |
| Hawaiian to Alaska | Verify before sending | Up to 2 days |
| Account linking | No fee | Instant, if set |
| Final posting | N/A | Depends on transaction timing |
Transaction timing isn’t fixed, so plan ahead and don’t assume points will appear immediately. A little patience helps you stay in control and avoid rushed mistakes.
How to Redeem Alaska Miles for Premium Flights
When you’re ready to use Alaska miles for premium travel, focus on partner awards first, since Mileage Plan can deliver strong value on long-haul business class flights with airlines like Cathay Pacific and Emirates. You can often book a one-way business class seat for as few as 50,000 miles on select routes, so your premium flight strategies should target the best mileage sweet spots.
- Search partner award space early and compare routes across Alaska’s 15+ airline partners.
- Look for off-peak dates, because lower mileage prices can help you maximize redemption value.
- Use one-way awards with a stopover if you want to visit another destination without spending extra miles.
You’ll usually get the strongest value on international premium cabins, especially when cash fares run high. Keep your dates flexible, then lock in award space fast when you find it. This approach helps you stretch every mile and travel with more freedom.
Best Backup Options for Amex Points
Since Amex no longer lets you transfer Membership Rewards directly to Alaska Airlines, your best backup is usually Hawaiian Airlines, then a points.com transfer to Alaska miles. You can move Amex points to Hawaiian, then convert them to Alaska if both accounts are active and match your profile. This route isn’t as clean as a direct transfer, so check transfer ratios, fees, and timing before you commit. Keep an eye on backup airline partners inside Membership Rewards too; sometimes another carrier can get you to the same trip with less friction. These alternative redemption strategies give you flexibility when Alaska isn’t available through Amex. Stay alert to partnership changes, because airline rules can shift fast and affect your plans. If you want the most freedom, compare every option before you move points, then choose the path that protects value and keeps your travel goals on track.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Worth Transferring Amex Points to Alaska Airlines?
Yes, it can be worth it if you score premium Alaska awards. Do a value comparison first, then use transfer strategies through Hawaiian when needed. You’ll maximize flexibility, but don’t transfer unless you’ve priced the redemption.
What Is the 3 1 1 Rule on Alaska Airlines?
You can bring liquids, gels, and aerosols in containers of 3.4 ounces or less, packed in one quart-sized bag. Alaska’s baggage policies follow TSA travel restrictions; you must place it in screening, with exceptions.
How Can I Transfer Amex Points to Alaska Airlines?
You can’t transfer Amex points directly to Alaska now. Since 1 in 5 travelers loves flexibility, transfer points to Hawaiian first, then move miles via points.com. Keep both frequent flyer accounts active and funded.
How Much Are 100,000 Amex Points Worth for Flights?
You can usually get $1,000 to $1,500 in flight value from 100,000 Amex points, depending on your point valuation and flight flexibility. With premium cabins or transfer bonuses, you might squeeze out even more.
Conclusion
If you want Alaska flights but only have Amex points, you can still make it work by routing through Hawaiian Airlines. For example, if you transfer 40,000 Amex points to Hawaiian and then move those miles to Alaska, you can book a premium domestic or partner award without paying cash. Just check transfer timing, fees, and award availability first. With a little planning, you’ll turn flexible points into valuable Alaska miles fast.