I Just Transferred Nearly Half a Million Amex Points to Alaska — Here’s Why

As points and miles experts, we generally advise against transferring points to hotels or airlines without a game plan in place. However, there are always exceptions to the rule, and this is one of those times.

Last year, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines merged, creating a roundabout way that allowed transfers from American Express Membership Rewards to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan via Hawaiian Airlines. So, why is this a big deal?

The Mileage Plan has some great sweet spots that make it an incredibly valuable program. However, it only has a single 1:1 transfer partner. Once the Hawaiian Airlines loophole officially closes on June 30, 2025, Alaska Airlines miles will once again be difficult to earn.

I had been debating whether or not to transfer points from Amex to Alaska via Hawaiian for a while, and I finally decided to go for it. In this post, I’ll share my reasoning for making this speculative transfer, and I’ll give you a quick look at how you can do the same.

Limited-Time Sweet Spot: Amex to Alaska Transfers

What’s the big deal about transferring Amex points to Alaska Airlines? The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program has lots of great sweet spots that make it flexible and valuable.

However, Alaska miles tend to be difficult to earn since there is only a single 1:1 transfer partner in Bilt Rewards. (You can also transfer points from Marriott Bonvoy, but at a less-than-desirable 3:1 ratio.)

When Alaska Airlines merged with Hawaiian Airlines late last year, it opened up the ability to transfer points back and forth between the programs. That meant there was a back-door way to transfer Amex points to Alaska, using Hawaiian as the middleman.

However, the last day to transfer Amex points to Hawaiian (and therefore to Alaska) is June 30, 2025, which is leading many people to ask, “Should I speculatively transfer Amex points to Alaska Airlines?”

Why I Transferred Amex Points to Alaska Airlines

I have actually only used Alaska Airlines miles once — to book a Condor business class flight from Boston to Frankfurt for 55,000 miles. It seems kind of nuts to speculatively transfer 440,000 American Express points, which are worth a whopping $9,680 according to our valuations.

However, I strongly value the ability to redeem Alaska miles for airlines in the Oneworld alliance and even other carriers, such as Korean Airlines and Starlux Airlines.

As I was researching this topic for episode 9 of “The Upgraded Points Podcast” (releasing on June 9, 2025), I came across excellent availability and pricing on flights I need to book for travel next year. I found flights for 45,000 to 55,000 Alaska Airlines miles each way in business class between my home airport in Columbus, Ohio (CMH), and both Barcelona (BCN) and Rome (FCO) for 4 people each way.

I didn’t want to give up the opportunity to have access to those flights, so I decided to transfer some (okay, a lot of) Amex points to Alaska. I decided to move enough points to book 4 round-trip business class tickets to Europe at the 55,000-point rate, which worked out to be 440,000 American Express points.

My husband and I had over 1 million points combined, so even though I transferred a lot of points, I still have over half a million Amex points sitting in those accounts. We earned 1 million Amex Membership Rewards points from spending on the The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express and The Platinum Card^® from American Express. Both cards also offer massive welcome bonus offers upon meeting minimum spend requirements.

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

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Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than the Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection^®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club^® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
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• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
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• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• $895 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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ELEVATED WELCOME OFFER

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The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

Earn 150,000 200,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

200,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $4,400

Annual Fee

$895

APR

18.24% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,550 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on eligible travel purchases like flights, prepaid hotels, and prepaid short-term rentals booked through AmexTravel.com
• Access to over 1,550 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Earn 2x Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year)

Cons

• High annual fee of $895 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

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Card Highlights

• Elevated Welcome Offer: Earn 200,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Business Platinum Card^® within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 07/2025.
• See how you can unlock over $3,500 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
• New! Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Business Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• No Preset Spending Limit: The spending limit on the Business Platinum Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
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• Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
• Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
• Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™.
• New! Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
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• Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required.
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• Enhanced! 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
• 1X points on other eligible purchases
• $895 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.24% - 28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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How To Transfer Amex Points to Alaska

Before transferring your Amex points to Alaska, you’ll need to create both Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines accounts. Then you’ll need to link your Hawaiian and Alaska accounts to each other and then link your Hawaiian account to your American Express account.

It’s best to do this at least a few days before you need to transfer your points, so do it now, even if you’re still unsure whether you will transfer points.

Next, initiate a transfer from American Express to Hawaiian Airlines. You’ll find this in the Rewards & Benefits section of your account under Earn and Redeem. When I transferred my points, I received them instantly.

One of the annoying quirks of the American Express Membership Rewards program is that you have to pay an excise tax offset fee when transferring to a domestic airline. This fee maxes out at $99, so it’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something you should know about.

Once your Amex points are in your Hawaiian Airlines account, you can transfer them to the Alaska Mileage Plan program. However, you won’t find this ability on the Hawaiian Airlines website — it needs to be done through the Points.com Alaska/Hawaii exchange page.

After completing this final step, the miles showed up in my husband’s Alaska account within a few minutes, although it can take up to 72 hours. In total, it took 10 to 15 minutes to transfer points from Amex to Hawaiian to Alaska.

Final Thoughts

I have never speculatively transferred points out of a flexible program until now. Since the ability to transfer Amex points to Alaska (via Hawaiian) is ending on June 30, 2025, I decided to go ahead and move over 440,000 points.

I’ll still have over half a million Amex points left over, so I didn’t even come close to draining my accounts. If you think you’ll be able to use Alaska miles in the next year or so and have a healthy balance of Amex points, you might also want to consider making a speculative transfer — just this once!