American Express Membership Rewards can be transferred to various airline and hotel partners, offering many options to meet your travel goals. Whether you aim to fly first-class to Tokyo, book a luxury stay in Paris, or even secure a budget-friendly road trip across the U.S., Membership Rewards points can make it happen.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the intricacies of the American Express Membership Rewards program, exploring its numerous partners, the transfer process, the best ways to earn points, and how to maximize value from your redemptions. We’ll also provide a detailed comparison of Amex’s airline and hotel partners, so you can make informed decisions when transferring points.
Amex Airline Transfer Partners
American Express has a long list of airline partners where you can transfer your Membership Rewards points. The transfer ratios vary, but many sit at 1:1, meaning one Amex point equals one airline point.
| Amex Airline Transfer Partner | Min Transfer | Transfer Ratio (Amex > Partner) | Transfer Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus AerClub | 1,000 | 1:1 | Instant |
| Aeromexico Club Premier | 1,000 | 1:1.6 | 24 hours |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1,000 | 1:1 | Instant |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | 1,000 | 1:1 | Instant |
| ANA Mileage Club | 1,000 | 1:1 | 48 hours |
| Avianca LifeMiles | 1,000 | 1:1 | Instant |
| British Airways Executive Club | 1,000 | 1:1 | Instant |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 1,000 | 1:1 | 48 hours |
| Delta SkyMiles | 1,000 | 1:1 | Instant |
| Emirates Skywards | 1,000 | 1:1 | Instant |
| Etihad Guest | 1,000 | 1:1 | Instant |
| Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles | 1,000 | 1:1 | Instant |
| Iberia Plus | 1,000 | 1:1 | 48 hours |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | 250 | 1:0.8 | Instant |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | 500 | 1:1 | Instant |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | 1,000 | 1:1 | Instant |
| Singapore KrisFlyer | 1,000 | 1:1 | 24 hours |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 1,000 | 1:1 | 24 hours |
Aer Lingus AerClub
Hailing from Dublin, Aer Lingus operates the AerClub loyalty program. It uses Avios points, which you can exchange with other airlines like British Airways, Iberia, and Qatar Airways. American Express Membership Rewards points transfer directly to Aer Lingus at a 1-to-1 ratio.
That said, AerClub might not be your first choice for maximizing points. You might find that transferring your Amex points to British Airways provides a more lucrative deal on Aer Lingus flights.
Transfer time: Instant.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.
Aeromexico Club Premier
Aeromexico, based in Mexico City, features the Club Premier loyalty program. As a SkyTeam member, it’s in good company with airlines like Delta and Air France. Club Premier points come from Amex at a 1-to-1.6 ratio, giving you more bang for your buck.
Club Premier is renowned for its round-the-world itineraries, allowing for multiple stops during your global journey, especially appealing in business class. Note that Aeromexico calculates award tickets differently, using kilometers instead of miles. Economy and business class tickets cost 224,000 and 352,000 kilometers, respectively. Given the 1:1.6 transfer ratio, you’d need 140,000 or 220,000 Amex points.
Transfer time: 24 hours.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.6.
Air Canada Aeroplan
Aeroplan, the loyalty program of Air Canada, is a Star Alliance member with partners like United and Lufthansa. AmEx points transfer to Aeroplan at a 1-to-1 ratio.
Since its revamp in 2020, Aeroplan has turned into one of Amex’s top transfer partners. The program offers standard award charts, omits fuel charges, and incorporates excellent stopover rules. For instance, you could fly from Los Angeles to Mumbai via Hong Kong for only 105,000 points in business class and stop in Hong Kong for an extended visit.
To check if Aeroplan is right for you, study the Aeroplan award chart and consider transferring Amex points to Air Canada for your next trip.
Transfer time: Instant.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.
Air France-KLM Flying Blue
The Flying Blue program unites two airlines: Air France and KLM, allowing seamless point redemption between the two and other SkyTeam members like Delta and Korean Air. The transfer ratio from AmEx points is 1-to-1.
Despite the loyalty program dynamically pricing all awards, it often presents bargains on international award flights. For instance, you could score a one-way business class ticket from the U.S. to Europe for just 53,000 points. However, bear in mind that fuel surcharges typically apply, usually ranging from $250 to $400 on most international business-class routes. Comparatively, Flying Blue can be a cheaper option for international SkyTeam redemptions against competitors like Delta SkyMiles or Alitalia MilleMiglia.
Transfer time: Instant.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.
ANA Mileage Club
ANA Mileage Club, another Star Alliance member, is revered for its bountiful reward redemptions, including a round-trip to Europe in business class for just 88,000 miles. AmEx points transfer to ANA at a 1-to-1 ratio.
The ANA Mileage Club is a favorite among reward point enthusiasts due to its stunning award deals, though they permit only round-trip award bookings. Their off-peak flights also offer great value, starting at 75,000 miles for a round-trip ticket from the U.S. to Asia. Plus, you can include a stopover, letting you explore two cities for the cost of one. They also offer an attractive round-the-world ticket offer with reasonable pricing and clear routing rules. Unfortunately, ANA does pass on fuel surcharges, which can exceed $1,000 for a business-class round-trip ticket to Europe on partner airlines. However, choosing carriers like ANA, United, and LOT Polish Airlines can help minimize these surcharges.
Transfer time: 48 hours.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.
Avianca LifeMiles
Avianca, a Colombian airline, runs the LifeMiles program. As a Star Alliance member, it offers a 1-to-1 transfer ratio for AmEx points.
Avianca LifeMiles stands out for its standard award chart, which eliminates the worry of dynamic pricing. One-way business- and first-class flights to Europe and domestic flights on United offer the best deals, but you can find other rewarding redemptions too. For instance, business-class flights from the U.S. to Europe cost 63,000 LifeMiles on average, which can be further reduced if you choose economy for shorter legs of your journey. Domestic United flights also present great value, especially since LifeMiles doesn’t pass on fuel surcharges. Instead, you’ll cover standard taxes and fees and a $25 booking fee.
Transfer time: Instant.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.
British Airways Executive Club
British Airways, a part of the Oneworld alliance, operates its reward program, Avios, which can be exchanged with Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Qatar Airways. AmEx points transfer to British Airways at a 1-to-1 ratio.
The British Airways Executive Club is frequently used for AmEx point transfers. Though the program imposes high fuel surcharges on British Airways flights, excellent deals can be found when booking with partner airlines. The distance-based award chart means you’ll pay more points for longer flights. However, short-haul domestic flights on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines in the U.S. can offer good value, costing just 7,500 Avios for flights up to 600 miles and 9,000 Avios for a one-way flight up to 1,151 miles, with minimal taxes and fees.
Transfer time: Instant.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Asia Miles is the reward program for Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific, a Oneworld alliance member. AmEx points can be transferred at a 1-to-1 ratio.
The best value of Asia Miles is often found when booking flights on Cathay Pacific, where you’ll gain access to award space not available to partner airlines. The airline offers a standard award chart for its flights. For example, a business-class flight from Hong Kong to Los Angeles costs 70,000 points and $121.77 in taxes and fees, while longer flights from Chicago and New York cost 85,000 points one-way.
Transfer time: 48 hours.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.
Delta SkyMiles
As one of the “Big 3” U.S. airlines, Delta uses SkyMiles for its loyalty program. AmEx points can be converted to SkyMiles at a 1-to-1 ratio.
Delta SkyMiles generally offers the best deals on domestic tickets due to its dynamic award chart, which can charge high miles for international flights. Nevertheless, you can find award tickets starting at just 4,500 SkyMiles one-way in basic economy. Moreover, the program provides good deals on flights to Canada, operated by either Delta or its partner WestJet.
Transfer time: Instant.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.
Emirates Skywards
Famous for its first-class suites, Emirates offers a unique experience of virtual windows. AmEx points can be transferred to Emirates Skywards at a 1-to-1 ratio.
Emirates Skywards is an excellent choice for booking Emirates flights, from fifth-freedom routes from New York to Europe to first-class tickets from Los Angeles to Dubai. However, flights to Dubai come with high fuel surcharges that can be circumvented by flying from the U.S. to Europe. The program uses a standard, distance-based award pricing for its tickets, which can be calculated using the Emirates mileage calculator.
Transfer time: Instant.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.
Etihad Guest
Etihad Guest, the loyalty program of the Middle Eastern airline Etihad, accepts AmEx point transfers at a 1-to-1 ratio. Though the airline isn’t part of any airline alliance, it has individual partnerships with over a dozen airlines worldwide. Etihad’s partnership with American Airlines is particularly useful, offering lower point requirements for flights than American’s own AAdvantage program. However, Etihad’s own flights don’t provide as much value due to scarcity of award space and high pricing on saver flights.
Transfer time: Instant.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.
Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
Hawaiian Airlines isn’t part of a major airline alliance but maintains a strong award program and has partnerships with other airlines. AmEx points can be transferred to HawaiianMiles at a 1-to-1 ratio. HawaiianMiles are best utilized on economy-class flights to Hawaii, with tickets priced based on a standard award chart. While better deals might be found with Avios or Singapore miles, HawaiianMiles offers a reasonable value.
Transfer time: Instant.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.
Iberia Plus
Iberia Plus, the loyalty program of Spain’s national airline, Iberia, also uses Avios as its loyalty currency, interchangeable with British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Qatar Airways. AmEx points can be transferred to Iberia Plus at a 1-to-1 ratio. The best value is often found by redeeming for off-peak awards on Iberia flights from certain U.S. cities to Madrid.
Transfer time: 48 hours.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.
JetBlue TrueBlue
JetBlue Airways, which serves destinations in North America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Latin America, also accepts AmEx points transfers to its TrueBlue program, but at a less favorable 2.5-to-2 ratio. Award flight prices are based on cash flight costs, and transferred points tend to offer limited value.
Transfer time: Instant.
Transfer ratio: 250:200.
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Qantas, a member of Oneworld, operates its own frequent flyer program, which can be used for flights with partners like American Airlines. AmEx points can be transferred to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program at a 1-to-1 ratio. One good use of Qantas points could be to book El Al award tickets, as AmEx lost El Al as a transfer partner in 2020.
Transfer time: Instant.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Qatar Airways, known for its high-quality service, extensive route network, and excellent business-class product, has a loyalty program called the Qatar Airways Privilege Club. This Oneworld member uses Avios as its points currency, and you can earn and redeem miles when flying Qatar Airways and its Oneworld partners. AmEx points can be transferred to Qatar Airways Privilege Club at a 1-to-1 ratio.
Transfer time: Instant.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.
Singapore KrisFlyer
Singapore Airlines is a member of Star Alliance, and its loyalty program, KrisFlyer, accepts AmEx points transfers at a 1-to-1 ratio. KrisFlyer has two award charts, one for Singapore Airlines awards and another for Star Alliance award tickets. The program was devalued in July 2022, meaning it now requires more points than before. However, it’s the only program (apart from Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan) to book premium-cabin awards on Singapore Airlines flights. Some partner tickets also offer good value, such as spending 19,500 for a one-way ticket from the mainland U.S. to Hawaii on United Airlines.
Transfer time: Up to 24 hours.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Though not part of an airline alliance, Virgin Atlantic maintains strong partnerships with airlines like Air France-KLM, ANA, and Delta. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club accepts AmEx point transfers at a 1-to-1 ratio. While booking Virgin Atlantic flights with points can result in high fuel surcharges, there are sweet spots with partner airlines. For instance, you can use 50,000 points to book a one-way flight from the U.S. to Europe in Delta One business class. Virgin Atlantic points also offer great value for ANA first and business-class awards.
Transfer time: Roughly 24 hours.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.
Amex Hotel Transfer Partners
| Amex Hotel Transfer Partner | Min Transfer | Transfer Ratio (Amex > Partner) | Transfer Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choice Privileges | 1,000 | 1:1 | Instant |
| Hilton Honors | 1,000 | 1:2 | Instant |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1,000 | 1:1 | Instant |
Choice Privileges
Choice Hotels, though not offering many high-end properties, have a robust international presence and offer great redemptions for hotels in Scandinavia. The AmEx points transfer to Choice Privileges at a 1-to-1 ratio. However, given the value of AmEx points, it is generally better to pay cash for most Choice awards rather than transferring points. Award prices vary by property and date.
Transfer time: Instant.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.
Hilton Honors
As one of the largest hotel chains globally, Hilton offers a multitude of properties for redemption. The AmEx points can be transferred to Hilton at a 1-to-2 ratio. But, due to the difference in the estimated worth of AmEx points (2 cents) and Hilton points (0.6 cents), transferring points to Hilton can lead to a loss in point value. However, Hilton Honors still offers solid deals for stays on standard and off-peak dates.
Transfer time: Instant.
Transfer ratio: 1:2.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott, the world’s largest hotel chain, has a unique feature allowing the conversion of Marriott Bonvoy points to various airlines. Amex points can be transferred to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1-to-1 ratio. With its recent move to dynamic award pricing, Marriott offers a wide range of redemption options. However, similar to Hilton, transferring points to Marriott is generally not advisable due to a lower return on value.
Transfer time: Instant.
Transfer ratio: 1:1.
Earning Amex Membership Rewards
Membership Rewards, American Express’s loyalty program, is renowned for its flexibility and value, especially for frequent travelers. There are several ways to earn these coveted points.
1. Spending on Amex cards: The easiest way to earn Membership Rewards is by making purchases using an eligible Amex card. Different cards offer bonus points in various spending categories. For example, the Amex Gold Card offers 4X points at restaurants and up to $25,000 annually at U.S. supermarkets. The Amex Platinum card earns 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.
2. Welcome Bonuses: Amex is well-known for offering lucrative welcome bonuses on its cards. These bonuses, which often require a minimum spend within the first few months, can help you quickly accumulate a substantial number of points.
3. Referral Bonuses: You can earn bonus points by referring a friend or family member to apply for an Amex card. You’ll receive a referral bonus if the person you referred is approved.
4. Other Earning Opportunities: Amex Offers provide bonus points for spending at certain retailers, while the Amex shopping portal and dining programs can earn you extra points. Linking your Amex account with Rakuten allows you to earn points on various online purchases.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 80,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months.
- The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
- 5x points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
- 5x points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
- Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
- TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
- Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
- Access to Amex International Airline Program
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
American Express® Gold Card
Earn 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 6 months.
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- $10 monthly Uber Cash for Uber Eats or Uber rides in the U.S.
- $10 monthly dining credit at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- $250 annual fee
- No lounge access
How to Transfer Amex Membership Rewards
Transferring Membership Rewards points is simple.
Log into your Amex account and navigate to the “Explore Rewards” section.
Then go to “Earn and Redeem” in the top navigation and click “Transfer Points” from the dropdown menu.
You’ll see a complete list of transfer partners on the next screen. Choose the partner you’d like to transfer points to. If this is the first time you’re transferring to a particular partner, you must enroll by entering your partner account number for the transfer partner (e.g., your SkyMiles number for Delta).
After you enroll, you’ll have the ability to transfer points. Enter the amount of points you’d like to transfer, click “review transfer,” and then on the next screen, click “submit transfer.”
Amex Transfer Bonuses
American Express periodically offers transfer bonuses to its partner programs. These bonuses, ranging from 10% to 50%, provide extra value for your points. For instance, a 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic could allow you to book a first-class round-trip ticket to Japan on ANA for just 93,000 Amex points – a flight that normally costs upwards of $20,000. Or a 25% transfer bonus to British Airways could net you 1,250 Avios per 1,000 Amex points. Amex offers these bonuses more frequently than many other reward programs, making their points even more flexible and valuable.
Booking Travel With the Amex Travel Portal
The Amex Travel Portal is another way to redeem Membership Rewards points. Booking directly through the portal can sometimes offer better value, particularly if there’s a sale or you’re booking last minute. You can book flights, hotels, rental cars, and more.
The portal prices are typically comparable to other travel booking sites, and you can either pay entirely with points, use a combination of points and cash, or just use your Amex card. However, keep in mind that the redemption value of your points is usually less through the portal than when transferred to partner programs.
Should You Transfer or Book Through Amex?
Deciding whether to transfer Membership Rewards points or book through Amex largely depends on your travel preferences, goals, and the specific redemption scenario.
As a general rule of thumb, transferring points often yields higher value, particularly for premium cabin flights or high-end hotel stays. However, booking through Amex can make sense in certain situations, such as:
- During sales or last-minute bookings: You might find better deals on the Amex Travel Portal, especially when airlines or hotels run sales or for last-minute bookings.
- When fares are low: If the cash fare for a flight or hotel room is unusually low, it might be a better deal to book through Amex than to transfer points.
- When award availability is limited: In high-demand periods, award availability can be scarce. In these cases, booking through Amex might be your only option.
Redeeming Membership Rewards
You can redeem Membership Rewards points for travel, gift cards, shopping, or statement credits, but the value varies. Booking through Fine Hotels & Resorts can yield up to 1 cent per point in value. However, redeeming for gift cards or shopping, such as at Amazon or Walmart, usually provides less value. The bottom line is that to maximize your Membership Rewards points, it’s best to stick to travel redemptions.
Other Ways To Use Your Points
Membership Rewards points can be redeemed in ways other than travel:
- Gift Cards: You can redeem points for gift cards from a variety of merchants. However, this typically offers less value than travel redemptions.
- Statement Credits: Points can be used to offset purchases on your statement, but the redemption value is low.
- Shopping: Points can be used to shop with merchants like Amazon. While convenient, this is generally a lower-value use of points.
- Donations: You can use points to donate to charitable causes. The value of the donation is tax-deductible, but you’ll get less value compared to travel redemptions.
Combining Membership Rewards From Different Accounts
You can’t directly transfer Membership Rewards from one person to another, but you can transfer them to the airline program account of another person if they’re an authorized user on one of your Amex cards. This allows you to consolidate points into one airline account, which can be useful for making larger redemptions. It’s worth noting that this person must have been an authorized user for at least 90 days.
If you have multiple Amex cards, they can all be linked to the same Membership Rewards account, allowing you to pool points from different cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What airlines can I transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to?
Amex has 18 airline transfer partners, including Aer Lingus AerClub, Aeromexico Club Premier, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, ANA Mileage Club, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Executive Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Delta SkyMiles, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles, Iberia Plus, JetBlue TrueBlue, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
What hotels can I transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to?
Amex has 3 hotel transfer partners, including Choice Privileges, Hilton Honors, and Marriott Bonvoy.
Can you transfer your Amex Membership Rewards points to another person?
No, you cannot directly transfer Membership Rewards points to another person. However, you can transfer points to the airline program account of another person if they’re an authorized user on one of your cards.
Can you transfer points from an airline to Membership Rewards points?
No, you cannot transfer points or miles from an airline to Membership Rewards points.
Do Amex Membership Rewards points expire?
No, as long as your account remains open and in good standing, your Membership Rewards points do not expire.
How much are Membership Rewards points worth?
The value of Membership Rewards points can vary widely based on how you use them. However, as a general guideline, I estimate their value to be around 2 cents per point when used for travel.
Can I transfer American Express points to Amazon?
Yes, you can link your Membership Rewards account to Amazon and use points to pay for purchases. However, this is generally not the most valuable use of points.
Bottom Line
American Express Membership Rewards points offer great value and versatility for travelers. With a wide array of transfer partners across airlines and hotels, you have numerous options to tailor your travel experience.
The program’s flexibility lets you strategically earn and redeem points to maximize their value. Whether through targeted spending, leveraging transfer bonuses, or strategically booking through the Amex Travel Portal, the potential value you can extract from Membership Rewards points is impressive.
However, remember that not all redemptions are created equal. It’s usually best to transfer points to airline and hotel partners for travel bookings or to use them in the Amex Travel portal, while other redemption options like shopping or gift cards often yield less value.
