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Want to get the most value from your American Express Membership Rewards points? Transferring them to one of AmEx’s transfer partners from airline and hotel loyalty programs often delivers significantly better returns than other redemption options. This comprehensive guide breaks down which AmEx transfer partners offer the best value and which ones you should skip.
On this page
- AmEx points transfer basics
- The best 7 AmEx transfer partners for maximum value
- 1. Air Canada Aeroplan: Best for Star Alliance flights
- 2. Air France-KLM Flying Blue: Best if you can jump on a promo reward
- 3. ANA Mileage Club: Best for premium travel to Asia
- 4. Avios programs (Aer Lingus AerClub, The British Airways Club, Iberia Plus and Qatar Airways Privilege Club): Best for flexibility
- 5. Delta SkyMiles: Best for domestic travel
- 6. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- 7. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Decent AmEx transfer partners
- AmEx transfer partners to avoid
- Credit cards that earn AmEx Membership Rewards points
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AmEx points transfer basics
- Transfer ratio: Most partners offer 1:1 transfers (that means 1 AmEx point = 1 partner point).
- Point value: NerdWallet values AmEx points at 1.6 cents each when transferred to partners, so you should aim for at least that value when deciding whether to transfer your points. If your redemption value is below 1 cent per point, then you should consider booking your travel through AmEx’s travel portal.
- Target value: Aim for at least 1.6 cents per point value in your redemptions.
- Avoid: Partners with less than 1:1 transfer ratios unless there's exceptional value.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
AmEx points typically transfer at a 1:1 ratio with travel partners, meaning one Membership Rewards point becomes one hotel or airline point. Some don’t transfer at a 1:1 ratio, and NerdWallet generally recommends avoiding partners where ratios are less than 1:1. For example, a 5:4 ratio means you’d have to spend 5 AmEx points to get 4 points in another program. The best 7 AmEx transfer partners for maximum value
There are seven AmEx transfer partners that regularly provide good value. That's not to say the other AmEx transfer partners can't serve you, but do your own calculations to ensure you're getting a good redemption. Most of the time, these seven (listed alphabetically) do provide a great redemption:
- Avios programs.
1. Air Canada Aeroplan: Best for Star Alliance flights
Transfer ratio: 1:1
Points value: 1.1 cents each (based on Air Canada economy flights).
Air Canada’s Aeroplan program stands out as one of the most valuable AmEx transfer partners, particularly for premium cabin travel. The program uses a distance-based award chart and provides access to Star Alliance airlines plus numerous non-alliance partners. NerdWallet values Aeroplan points at 1.1 cents each when booking economy flights on Air Canada itself, though there's a good chance you'll score even better value from your Aeroplan points through its partner award chart.
Examples of great uses:
- Lufthansa first class transatlantic flights.
- Star Alliance partner awards.
- Premium cabin redemptions.
Watch out for: Dynamic pricing on United Airlines flights can reduce value. Always calculate your redemption rate before booking.
2. Air France-KLM Flying Blue: Best if you can jump on a promo reward
Transfer ratio: 1:1
Points value: 0.8 cent each (based on Air France economy flights).
Flying Blue miles excel when you take advantage of strategic redemptions and monthly promotions. The program offers discounts up to 50% on select routes through Promo Rewards.
Best uses:
- Monthly Promo Rewards (up to 50% off).
- Premium cabin bookings.
- SkyTeam alliance partner flights.
- Transfer bonus opportunities from AmEx.
Pro tip: Wait for AmEx transfer bonuses to Flying Blue to maximize your points.
» Learn more: The ultimate guide to Flying Blue
Transfer ratio: 1:1
Major update: Now allows one-way bookings (as of 2025)
ANA Mileage Club, the loyalty program for Japanese airline All Nippon Airways, provides excellent value for Star Alliance bookings, especially for those coveted business and first-class seats.
Best uses:
- ANA business and first class.
- Star Alliance partner awards (United, Lufthansa, Air New Zealand).
- Economy awards with good availability.
Important notes:
- Transfers take 2-4 days (the lack of instant transfers can be irritating).
- Miles expire after 36 months.
- Book popular routes quickly before availability disappears.
4. Avios programs (Aer Lingus AerClub, The British Airways Club, Iberia Plus and Qatar Airways Privilege Club): Best for flexibility
Transfer ratio: 1:1
Points value: 1.2 cents each (based on British Airways)
Points value: 1.2 cents each (based on British Airways)
Avios is a points currency shared across multiple airlines, including Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia and Qatar Airways. Members can transfer Avios between the different airline loyalty programs, making it a flexible currency in its own right.
Best uses:
- Short-haul flights (distance-based pricing).
- Transfers between partner programs.
- Finding sweet spots across different award charts.
5. Delta SkyMiles: Best for domestic travel
Transfer ratio: 1:1
Points value: 1.2 cents each.
Despite its reputation for variable pricing, Delta SkyMiles offers genuine value for domestic travelers and via occasional flash sales.
Another quirk of the Delta SkyMiles program is the ability to book basic economy fares using miles. This means you can book cheaper award fares as long as you’re OK with some additional restrictions. This isn’t for everyone, so make sure you’re familiar with the rules of Delta basic economy before booking.
Those who are all in on Delta might consider getting a Delta-branded credit card that offers the TakeOff 15 benefit, which gives you 15% off award travel on Delta-operated flights.
» Learn more: Is a Delta SkyMiles credit card worth it?
6. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Transfer ratio: 1:1
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer partners with multiple transferable currencies, including American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards® and Citi ThankYou. That makes it easy to amass a large number of points, especially if you’re eyeing a premium cabin redemption on Singapore Airlines itself, such as in one of its incredibly fancy Singapore Suites.
While many people report KrisFlyer transfers to be instant, AmEx cautions that it could take up to 48 hours.
7. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Transfer ratio: 1:1
Point value: 1.4 cents each.
Point value: 1.4 cents each.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club offers some of the best award travel deals, whether you’re interested in flying Virgin Atlantic or one of its partner airlines. You can typically find cheap award redemptions — whether in economy or business — although keep in mind that you’ll often need to pay a good amount extra for taxes and fees (if you’re averse to paying a lot out of pocket, this transfer partner is probably not for you). NerdWallet values Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points at 1.4 cents each.
Best uses:
- ANA premium cabin partner awards — assuming you can find availability (award search tools are your friend here).
- Virgin Atlantic business class.
- Premium cabin sweet spots on partners.
» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now
Decent AmEx transfer partners
Avianca LifeMiles
Transfer ratio: 1:1
Once a top-tier program, Avianca LifeMiles has gone through multiple devaluations. However, deals still exist for those willing to search.
However, that’s not to say it’s always a bad program. There are still deals to be had, and sometimes you can get lower award pricing for mixed-cabin awards. You’ll just need to work harder to find them, especially because its website interface is hard to navigate for newcomers.
And be prepared once you actually redeem your miles. Especially when booking with another Star Alliance partner, the experience of finding your reservation can often be dicey (and typically involves a phone call with customer service).
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Transfer ratio: 5:4
Cathay Pacific’s distance-based award chart means that Asia Miles usually work best for shorter flights and Cathay Pacific premium cabin bookings, whether you’re flying on Cathay Pacific or its Oneworld partners.
Etihad Guest
Transfer ratio: 1:1
Etihad's non-alliance status limits options, but the program works for specific premium cabin redemptions.
Etihad Guest uses a distance-based award chart, but its long-haul award rates tend to be higher than other frequent flyer program options. However, if you’re looking to fly on Etihad’s premium-class product, you’ll likely have the most success booking those seats using your Etihad Guest miles.
AmEx transfer partners to avoid
Aeromexico Rewards
Transfer ratio: 1:1.6 (seems good but isn't)
At face value, Aeromexico Rewards may seem like a good transfer partner. After all, you get 1.6 AeroMexico points for every 1 AmEx point transferred. However, it can be needlessly complicated to book an award ticket with Aeromexico, and there aren’t great redemptions to be had. With so many other options to choose from, we’d skip this one.
Choice Privileges
Transfer ratio: 1:1
Choice Privileges can be valuable, but they’re so much more valuable when transferred from Citi ThankYou points. That’s because Citi points transfer at a 1:2 ratio for select cards, doubling the amount of Choice points you’d get compared to transferring from AmEx. If you’re looking for Choice Privileges sweet spots, consider opening a card that earns Citi ThankYou points.
Emirates Skywards
Transfer ratio: 5:4 (you lose 20% of your points)
Point value: 1 cent each.
Emirates offers some of the finest experiences in the sky, but its awards are notoriously expensive to book — in terms of points required as well as taxes and fees. It doesn’t help that AmEx points transfer to Emirates Skywards at a 5:4 ratio, meaning you only get 4 Emirates points for every 5 AmEx points transferred.
Hilton Honors
Transfer ratio: 1:2 (looks good on paper)
Point value: 0.4 cent each.
Hilton Honors is another transfer partner that seems great at face value, with the ability to transfer 1 AmEx point for 2 Hilton points. However, factor in that NerdWallet values Hilton points at 0.4 cent cent per point, and you’ll see why it’s not as great of a deal as it seems.
Still, there are ways to boost the value of your Hilton points, such as taking advantage of its fifth-night-free perk for elite status holders, allowing you to book five award nights for the price of four.
» Learn more: The guide to book reward nights with Hilton points
JetBlue TrueBlue
Transfer ratio: 5:4 (you lose points).
JetBlue TrueBlue points transfer at a 5:4 ratio with AmEx. Meanwhile, folks with Chase Ultimate Rewards® points can transfer those to JetBlue at a better 1:1 ratio.
JetBlue redemptions are typically tied to the cash price of the ticket, so you won’t often find outsized value on JetBlue flights. If you do decide to use JetBlue points, you might be able to find better value redeeming points for the airline’s Mint business class seats or flights on one of its partners like Japan Airlines.
Marriott Bonvoy
Transfer ratio: 1:1
Point value: 0.8 cent each.
Point value: 0.8 cent each.
NerdWallet values Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.8 cent per point , which means you'll get better value redeeming AmEx points through the AmEx travel portal at 1 cent per point.
Unless you really need to top off a Marriott points balance for a specific redemption, skip this. Better yet, save your AmEx points and instead boost your Marriott points stash by earning a welcome offer on a new Marriott credit card.
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Transfer ratio: 1:1
Qantas Frequent Flyer uses a distance-based award chart that underwent major changes in August 2025, making awards more expensive and less appealing. There weren’t that many great redemption options to begin with, and with the even-higher prices after the devaluation, you’re probably better off skipping this one.
Credit cards that earn AmEx Membership Rewards points
Looking to boost your stash of AmEx Membership Rewards points (or to get started on earning them)? You’ll need to have an eligible AmEx card that earns these points.
Top AmEx cards that earn points
Annual fee
- $325
- $895
- $0
Rewards
• 4 points per $1 at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per year).
• 4 points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year).
• 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express' travel portal.
• 2 points per $1 on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases made through American Express' travel portal.
• 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
• 5 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express, on up to $500,000 spent per year.
• 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked through American Express.
• 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
• 2 points per $1 on the first $50,000 in purchases each calendar year.
• 1 point per $1 on purchases above $50,000 in a calendar year.
Terms apply.
» See more options: Best American Express cards
Select benefits (see reviews for more)
• $120 annual dining credit, available as $10 monthly credits on purchases from select partners (enrollment required).
• Up to $120 a year in Uber Cash ($10 per month). Enrollment required. Must add the card to Uber app and pay with it (or another AmEx card) to use benefit.
Terms apply.
• Access to airport lounges worldwide, including AmEx's own Centurion Lounges. Plus limited access to Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta).
• Credit for the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
• Hundreds of dollars a year in credits for travel, shopping and entertainment. These include up to $200 a year for incidental fees on an airline you choose*, up to $300 for digital entertainment from select providers, and up to $200 a year for Uber. Enrollment required.
Terms apply.
• Ability to earn American Express Membership Rewards points for a $0 annual fee.
• 0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, and then the ongoing APR of 16.74%-26.74% Variable APR .
• Terms apply.
Welcome offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 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.
You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $12,000 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. Terms apply.
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
Learn more
To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, see this page.
To view rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, see this page.
*More from American Express
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
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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