At Premium-Flights.com, we help travellers find great deals on business and first-class flights, whether through our curated offers or practical tips like this guide.
This step-by-step guide shows you how to book a flight using American Express Membership Rewards points.
Step 1: Connect Your Airline Account to American Express
To use American Express points for flights, you need to transfer them to an airline’s loyalty program.
Start by linking your airline’s frequent flyer account to your American Express Membership Rewards account, either by calling American Express customer service or using the chat feature in the American Express app. This is a one-time step that might take a few days to process.
For those in Belgium and Luxembourg, American Express works with these top airlines:
Emirates Skywards
Etihad Guest
Delta SkyMiles
British Airways Executive Club
Iberia Plus
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) EuroBonus
Air France/KLM Flying Blue
Our Tip: Set up all your airline accounts with American Express ahead of time. It saves you days when you’re ready to book a business or first-class flight.
Step 2: Transfer Points to Airline Miles
Once your airline account is linked, you can turn your American Express points into airline miles. The easiest way is through the American Express app. Just use the chat feature on your phone or tablet, tell them how many points to transfer, and pick your airline. Keep in mind that transfers can take a few days, depending on the airline.
Step 3: Look for Available Award Seats
Before transferring points, make sure there are award seats available for the flight you want. Business and first-class award seats can be hard to find, so check your airline’s website or app.
We recommend staying open to different travel dates, destinations, and airports to score the best deals, more details below in the ‘What to Expect When Booking with Points’ section.
Our Tip: Search for award seats across all American Express airline partners, like Emirates or Air France, to find the best business or first-class options. Only transfer points after you confirm seats are available, since transfers can’t be undone.
Step 4: Book Your Flight with Miles
After transferring points to your airline’s loyalty program, log into their website or app to book your flight. Choose your business or first-class flight, confirm the mileage cost, and cover any taxes or fees.
Here’s a video showing how to transfer your points to British Airways and book a flight.
How to Book a British Airways Business Class Reward Flight with Amex Points – Step-by-Step Guide! ✈️
We’ll guide you through transferring Amex Membership Rewards points to British Airways and booking your reward flight directly on the British Airways website…
What to Expect When Booking with Points
Using American Express points to book flights takes a bit of strategy. The number of miles you get from your points depends on the airline transfer partner, and award seats can be tricky to find. Here’s what you need to know:
- Miles Costs: The miles required vary by airline and route. Here are a few examples for business class:
USA to Europe (or vice versa): 45,000–90,000 miles per person one-way.
Europe to East Asia (or vice versa): 70,000–110,000 miles per person one-way.
- Award Seats: Finding business or first-class seats with miles can be tough. Airlines like Emirates often release only one or two premium seats per flight, depending on the route. Popular routes, like London to New York, typically have better availability than less frequent ones, like London to Raleigh, due to more flights.
- Best Times to Book: Aim to book 330 to 355 days in advance to maximize your chances of finding award seats, or try within the last two weeks before departure for potential last-minute deals. While it’s possible to find availability outside these windows, the odds are typically lower.
- Group Travel: Booking a single business or first-class seat is easier than finding two. Securing seats for three or more people can be a real challenge, so plan accordingly.
- Our Tip: Major airports often have more award seats, so consider flying from hubs like London or Paris for better options, and book far in advance.
Get Started on Your Next Trip
Using American Express points to book business or first-class flights is a smart way to travel comfortably for less. Connect your airline accounts, check for award seats, and transfer points with confidence.
Applying for a new American Express card can give your points a big boost, making it easier to book those dream flights.
American Express: 80.000 Welcome Bonus Points (Belgium or Luxembourg)
Up to 80.000 Welcome Bonus points for the American Express card for Belgium or Luxembourg. Free airport lounge access, free restaurant credit and more.
Start today and fly better tomorrow!
Maximize Your American Express Card
Want to supercharge your points-earning potential? Check out our guide on how to make the most of your American Express card. It’s packed with tips on maximizing rewards, from everyday spending to exclusive offers, helping you rack up points faster for your next business or first-class flight. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to get more value from their card and plan epic trips with ease.
How to Maximize Your American Express Card Benefits in 2025
Discover expert tips and strategies to maximize the benefits of your American Express card, with a focus on Luxembourg and Belgium.
If you enjoy our blog and would like to support us, you can buy us a coffee 😉
SCAN CODE
