American Express Membership Rewards Transfer Partners: Top Choices for 2024

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American Express Membership Rewards is recognized as one of the leading rewards programs due to its flexibility and value. The points accrued through this program are highly prized for their adaptability, featuring 18 airline and three hotel transfer partners, which opens up extensive travel options globally. Additionally, a variety of American Express credit cards provide numerous opportunities for point accumulation, each designed for different lifestyles and spending patterns.

To fully maximize the Membership Rewards program, it’s crucial to effectively utilize its transfer partners. If you're new to travel points and airline miles, you may require assistance in understanding the various Amex transfer partners and how to save on travel costs using Amex points. This comprehensive guide offers insights into the best transfer options for Membership Rewards.

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Airline transfer partners of American Express Membership Rewards

American Express Membership Rewards features an impressive array of airline transfer partners, providing cardholders with exceptional flexibility in using their points for travel. With 18 airlines, including major players like Delta, Emirates, and British Airways, members can easily convert their points into frequent flyer miles.

This vast network enables redemptions through various alliances like Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance, providing access to an extensive global flight network. Whether you're booking premium cabins for luxurious travel or optimizing points for economy flights, the airline transfer partners of American Express Membership Rewards cater to a wide range of travel preferences and objectives, making it a prized feature for frequent flyers and travel enthusiasts alike.

• Air Lingus Aerclub

• Aeromexico Rewards

• 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 (5:4)

• Qantas Frequent Flyer

• Qatar Airways Privileges Club

• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

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Aer Lingus Aerclub

Aer Lingus Aerclub utilizes a distance-based award model, offering excellent value for flights to Dublin. You can snag economy flights from the East Coast for as little as 13,000 Avios each way during off-peak times, while off-peak business class flights are available for a competitive 50,000 miles each way.

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Aeromexico Rewards

While Aeromexico Rewards may not always offer the best rates for flights from the US to Mexico, it shines as a valuable choice for partner award travel. For example, you can fly from the East Coast to Paris for only 33,000 miles one way in economy class. Since Amex points convert to Aeromexico at a rate of 1:1.6, you'll need about 21,000 points for this trip, making it an appealing option to explore.

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Air Canada Aeroplan

Air Canada Aeroplan is a member of the Star Alliance, enabling you to use your miles for United flights. The program is particularly advantageous for short-haul journeys (under 600 miles), starting at just 6,000 points each way. For flights to Europe, Aeroplan offers competitive rates, beginning at 35,000 points in economy class and 60,000 in business.

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Air France-KLM Flying Blue

Flying Blue provides excellent deals on international award travel. If you’re planning a trip to North Africa, you can fly for just 15,000 miles one way in economy class or 55,000 miles in business. Moreover, Promo Rewards feature significant discounts on flights globally, with long-haul trips between Los Angeles and Europe currently available for only 15,000 miles each way in economy – roughly half the cost compared to other loyalty programs.

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All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club

For those dreaming of an international business class getaway, ANA Mileage Club is an excellent choice. This program offers some of the most cost-effective premium cabin flights available. You can secure a round-trip business class ticket from the US to Europe for just 88,000 miles, while journeys to Asia start at only 75,000 miles. These rates are roughly half of what other carriers in the Star Alliance network typically charge.

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Avianca Lifemiles

Avianca Lifemiles can be easily acquired through a 1:1 transfer relationship with American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One miles, and Citi ThankYou Rewards. Additionally, Avianca often offers miles at significant discounts, making them a great option for booking affordable Star Alliance flights. A prime example is the 35,000-mile one-way business class ticket from New York (JFK) to Lisbon (LIS).

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British Airways Executive Club

British Airways Executive Club determines award costs based on segments and distance, providing the best rates for short-haul, direct flights. Partner flights tend to offer superior value as they typically bypass the hefty fuel surcharges that British Airways imposes on long-haul international trips via the UK. A standout award option is flying with Alaska Airlines or American from the West Coast to Hawaii for as low as 13,000 Avios each way in economy class.

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Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles program offers an excellent opportunity to redeem Oneworld awards using Amex points. For example, one-way tickets to Doha on Qatar Airways' renowned QSuites start at 75,000 miles each way. If you're seeking an economical business class fare to Europe, you can use 50,000 Asia Miles for American Airlines flights each way.

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Delta SkyMiles

In general, converting Amex points to Delta SkyMiles isn't the best strategy due to Delta's dynamic pricing, which often leads to high and variable redemption rates. Many savvy travelers prefer to use their points and miles to save money, especially during busy travel periods. Unfortunately, Delta's steep redemption rates can complicate this goal. Additionally, be aware that transferring points to Delta SkyMiles incurs an excise tax of $0.0006 per point.

However, there are times when you might find a reasonably-priced domestic award flight, making it worthwhile to investigate availability. The SkyMiles Deals page is an excellent resource for discovering such flights.

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Emirates Skywards

Emirates is renowned for its luxurious in-flight experiences, particularly in business and first class. To enjoy Emirates’ acclaimed first-class cabin at a lower cost, consider booking a fifth-freedom flight to Milan instead of Dubai. A one-way award flight from New York (JFK) to Milan (MXP) requires only 87,000 miles each way.

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Etihad Guest

Etihad has significantly increased its award rates in recent years, making it less appealing to transfer points to them. However, you can still find value in booking short-haul awards (flights under 500 miles), which start at 7,000 miles each way for economy class. These awards are a great option for traveling within the Middle East while keeping expenses low.

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Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles

HawaiianMiles offer a fantastic way to explore the Hawaiian islands with convenient inter-island flights. Travel within Hawaii begins at just 7,500 miles each way in economy class, with discounted awards available for as low as 6,375 miles.

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Iberia Plus

Iberia Plus is a fantastic program for traveling to Spain with points and miles, featuring some of the lowest redemption rates available. With direct flights from many US cities to Spain, it caters to a diverse range of travelers. The best offers are typically on the East Coast, with one-way economy fares from New York (JFK) to Madrid (MAD) starting at only 17,000 Avios for economy class and 34,000 Avios for business. This pricing is often lower than some airlines' domestic flights, providing remarkable value.

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JetBlue TrueBlue

JetBlue's relatively limited route network may restrict redemption options, particularly for those looking to travel internationally. The value of JetBlue points hovers around 1.5 cents each, which falls short compared to the potential value from many other loyalty programs when booking premium class tickets. However, if JetBlue provides the most straightforward route and you prefer their comfort on long domestic flights, transferring Amex points could be worthwhile.

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Qantas Frequent Flyer

While Qantas Frequent Flyer may not have numerous standout deals, there are a few effective ways to use points. For instance, you can secure an Emirates economy ticket from the East Coast to Dubai for 90,000 miles round-trip. Another excellent option for using Qantas miles is for domestic flights within Australia, starting at just 6,400 miles each way.

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Qatar Airways Privileges Club

If you’ve dreamed of experiencing Qatar Airways’ luxurious Qsuites and the stunning Al Mourjan lounge, Qatar Airways Privileges Club is an excellent option. A business class flight from the US to the Middle East requires only 70,000 miles each way. Occasionally, American Express offers transfer bonuses that can further reduce the cost. You can also transfer your British Airways Avios to Qatar Privileges at a 1:1 ratio, making it a valuable use of Avios.

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Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer features a region-based award chart that offers excellent value on certain routes. For instance, you can book a United business class round-trip for just 40,000 miles or 25,000 miles for economy. It’s also a superb option for economy flights to Europe at 55,000 miles round-trip and business class tickets to the Middle East and North Africa for 115,000 miles round-trip.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Virgin Atlantic offers some of the most budget-friendly economy award tickets for travel to Europe. Flights from the East Coast start at only 10,000 miles each way, while those from the West Coast can be booked for 15,000 miles per leg.

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American Express Membership Rewards hotel transfer partners

Amex Membership Rewards features a diverse trio of hotel transfer partners, providing a wide array of redemption options worldwide. While using points for hotel transfers may not always be the most advantageous within the Amex program, it can be worthwhile for booking luxury accommodations or when you need a few additional points for an award. Watch for occasional transfer bonuses that enhance the value, making these transfers an appealing way to maximize your Amex points.

• Choice Privileges

• Hilton Honors

• Marriott Bonvoy

Choice Privileges

With more than 7,000 hotels globally and award nights starting at just 8,000 points, Choice Privileges is a solid program for transferring Amex points. It offers more favorable redemption rates for premium awards compared to programs like Hilton and Marriott. Additionally, the program features discounts of up to 40% through its Free Night Sweet Spots promotions.

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Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors standard award nights can vary from 5,000 to 95,000 points per night, with Hilton Silver members and above enjoying a complimentary fifth night. Amex points transfer to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio, making them a viable option for low-tier awards or to boost your balance for a luxury hotel stay. However, remember that Hilton points generally hold less value than airline miles, so it's wise to compare paid rates with points requirements to ensure you're receiving good value.

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott stands as the largest hotel chain globally, featuring over 8,900 properties. Standard award nights can cost between 10,000 and 100,000 points, with a bonus of a free fifth night for consecutive bookings. While transferring Amex points to Marriott may not offer the best value, it can be useful for supplementing your points balance when needed.

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Strategies for maximizing your Amex Membership Rewards

American Express Membership Rewards rank among the most valuable points available. By applying a few strategies, you can enhance their worth significantly. A key approach is to take advantage of transfer bonus promotions, which can greatly boost the value of your points when converting them to airline miles or hotel points.

Stay alert for these bonus promotions, as they can help maximize your points and open up new travel possibilities. These offers may be limited-time, so it’s essential to keep up with Amex's email updates or check their website regularly.

To maximize value when redeeming points, transferring your Membership Rewards to airline partners is the best route. Airline transfers typically yield more value than hotel transfers, especially for premium cabin flights and international travel.

Another smart tactic is to compare redemption rates across different airline partners prior to transferring points. Different airlines, even those within the same alliance, may have varying mile requirements for awards. For instance, Avianca Lifemiles charges 63,000 miles each way for flights from the West Coast to Europe, while ANA Mileage Club requires just 88,000 miles round-trip. Additionally, booking flights early can help ensure availability and potentially lower redemption costs, particularly for popular routes during peak seasons.

In summary, being aware of promotions, recognizing the value of various redemption options, and planning your redemptions strategically are crucial for maximizing the value of your American Express Membership Rewards points.

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What are the top transfer partners for Amex Membership Rewards?

Choosing the best Amex Membership Rewards transfer partners hinges on your travel aspirations. For domestic journeys, British Airways Executive Club and Avianca Lifemiles are excellent choices. Executive Club offers attractive rates on short flights, while Lifemiles shine for long-haul travel.

If you're planning an international getaway, ANA Mileage Club features some of the most economical award flights to Japan and Europe. A round-trip economy ticket to Japan costs only 40,000 miles, while business class is 75,000 miles. For Europe, expect to pay 55,000 miles for economy and just 88,000 miles for business class. These rates are approximately half of what many other loyalty programs charge for flights to these regions.

Generally, transferring Amex points to hotel loyalty programs isn’t the most advantageous option. Typically, you'll receive less value for your points compared to transferring them to airline miles. However, it may be beneficial if you need to complete your balance for a specific high-value redemption. Always compare the award costs against redeeming points through the Amex Travel portal before making a transfer decision.

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How to transfer Amex points to partner programs

After identifying an award you wish to book, check if you can place it on hold. While most Amex points transfer instantly, some may take up to 48 hours. You don’t want to miss out on flights because the points haven't posted in time. Always put your award on hold if possible. Transferring Amex Membership Rewards is quite simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide for transferring Amex points to travel partners:

1. Log into your American Express account and find the “Explore Rewards” link on the right side of the page. This will take you to the “Rewards and Benefits” section.

2. Scroll to the “Ready to Redeem” area and click on the “transfer points” tab.

3. Select “View all” to see the complete list of Amex transfer partners.

4. On the transfer partner page, click “show details” next to the program you want to transfer points to.

5. Input your rewards number for the desired program. If your account is linked, skip this step and just enter the number of points you want to transfer. The minimum transfer is 1,000 points.

6. Click “review transfer,” confirm the details, and then select “submit transfer.”

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Credit cards that accumulate Amex Membership Rewards

American Express credit cards provide a fantastic chance to earn Membership Rewards on every purchase. Many Amex travel cards come with attractive welcome bonuses, offering a significant number of points when you meet the minimum spending requirement within the initial months of account opening. Remember, American Express enforces a once-per-lifetime rule for welcome bonuses, so if you've received one before, you probably won’t get it again.

In addition to these initial bonuses, cardholders can earn points consistently through everyday purchases by taking advantage of category bonuses. These bonuses provide enhanced rewards in common spending areas like dining, travel, groceries, and gas, helping cardholders accumulate Membership Rewards quickly by aligning their spending habits with their preferences.

Along with generous rewards, these cards come with significant benefits, including application fee credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and no foreign transaction fees for international purchases.

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees): Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after $20,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: (see rates and fees) Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 in your first six months of card membership.

• American Express® Business Gold Card: (see rates and fees) Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

• American Express® Gold Card: (see rates and fees) Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in your first 6 months. Additionally, receive 20% back in statement credits on worldwide restaurant purchases within the first 6 months, up to $100 back. Limited time offer ends 11/6/24.

• American Express® Green Card: Earn 40,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first six months of card membership.

• Business Green Rewards Card*: Earn 15,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months of card membership.

• EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express*: Earn 15,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first six months of card membership.

• The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express*: Earn 10,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first six months of card membership.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which Amex cards permit transfers to partners?

All Amex cards that accrue points enable transfers to partners. Notable examples include the Amex Gold, Amex Everyday Preferred, and Amex Platinum Card.

Is it possible to transfer American Express points to American Airlines?

You cannot directly transfer American Express points to American Airlines. However, you can use Amex points to cover American Airlines flights through the Amex Travel portal at a rate of one cent per point.

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Are Amex points usable on any airline?

You can redeem Amex points on various airlines via the Amex Travel portal. However, Amex has direct point transfer options with only 18 airlines.

To which airlines can I transfer my Amex points?

You can transfer Amex points to 18 different airlines, such as Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Avios, Delta SkyMiles, and more.

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Is it possible to transfer Amex points to another person?

Regrettably, transferring Amex points to another person is not permitted.

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* Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. For more information, please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Editorial disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain. These opinions have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any of these entities.