British Airways: Instant (up to 48 hours) Delta Air Lines: Instant (up to 48 hours) EL AL Israel Airlines: Instant (up to 48 hours) Emirates: Instant (up to 48 hours)

For most American Express Membership Rewards members in 2026, the transfer of points to British Airways Avios is instantaneous, though official documentation suggests it can take up to 48 hours in rare cases. To ensure an instant transfer, your British Airways Executive Club account must be linked to your AmEx account beforehand; if you are linking them for the first time during the transfer process, a security delay of a few hours is possible. The transfer ratio is typically 1:1 (or 3:2 depending on your specific region's card program). In early 2026, AmEx frequently runs "anniversary" promotions, such as a 25% bonus on transfers to celebrate their long-standing partnership with the airline. Once the Avios appear in your BA account, they are immediately available for booking "Reward Flights" or for use in "Avios + Cash" holiday packages. It is important to remember that all transfers are final, so you should always verify that your desired flight has "Award Seat" availability on the British Airways website before hitting the final transfer button on the AmEx portal.