Transfer Rate From Amex To Emirates Will Drop in September

Updated: October 17, 2025, 4:10pm CDT

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Amex Transfer Rate to Emirates Decreasing
Other Points Transfer Issues With Emirates Skywards
Final Thoughts

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Bad news, Emirates fans. On September 16, 2025, American Express transfers to Emirates Skywards will devalue, losing their current 1:1 transfer rate.

This follows other oddities with points transfers to Emirates Skywards. For example, Citi will soon drop its transfer rate, and other transferable points programs temporarily paused transfers earlier this year.

Here’s what you need to know about this upcoming change.

Amex Transfer Rate to Emirates Decreasing

On September 16, 2025, transfers from Amex Membership Rewards to Emirates Skywards will no longer be 1:1. As of that date, transfers will process at a 5:4 ratio, losing 20% of the current transfer value.

A notice about this change is clearly listed on American Express’ transfer partners page. On this page, you’ll see a pop-up message next to Emirates Skywards’ listing. More information is available when you initiate a transfer.

Amex to Emirates transfer page with note 2025 — Image Credit: American Express

If you plan to book an Emirates award ticket soon, consider taking advantage of the current transfer rate. You can transfer at a 1:1 ratio until September 16.

Hot Tip:

Need some inspiration? Check out the best ways to redeem Emirates Skywards miles so you can make use of these at the current 1:1 transfer rates.

Other Points Transfer Issues With Emirates Skywards

Amex isn’t the only partner reducing transfer rates to Emirates.

On July 27, 2025, Citi will drop its transfer rate to Emirates by 20%. After that date, it will use a 1:0.8 transfer rate, effectively producing the same value as the new Amex 5:4 ratio.

It’s also worth mentioning that points transfers from Bilt, Amex, and Chase to Emirates were temporarily offline earlier this year. Transfers have since resumed.

So far, we haven’t heard about any potential decreases in transfer rates at Chase Ultimate Rewards, Bilt Rewards, or Capital One Rewards. Those transfers still have a 1:1 transfer rate for the time being. However, with Citi and now Amex making changes, it wouldn’t be surprising to see other partners reduce their transfer ratios.

Update:

Chase Ultimate Rewards ended its transfer partnership with Emirates on October 16, 2025.

Final Thoughts

The points transfer rate from Citi to Emirates will drop later this month. The same will happen in September with transfers to Emirates from Amex.

After multiple transferable points programs temporarily took Emirates transfers offline earlier this year, we wondered what was going on behind the scenes. It seems odd that American Express temporarily brought transfers back online at the original 1:1 transfer rate, only to announce a reduction just a few weeks later.

Now that Citi and Amex are reducing the points transfer rate to Emirates, we won’t be surprised if transfers from other programs also devalue this summer.