American Express Membership Rewards: every airline and hotel partner, the ratio, and where Amex points go furthest right now.
As of November 1, 2026, American Express Membership Rewards transfers to 16 airlines and 4 hotel programs. Most partners transfer at 1:1; exceptions include Aeromexico Rewards at 1:1.6, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles at 1:0.8, Emirates Skywards at 1:0.8 and JetBlue TrueBlue at 1:0.8. The best-known ways to use Amex points: ANA business/first to Japan via Virgin Atlantic, Aeroplan partner business to Europe (East Coast) and Aeroplan stopover on one-way awards.
Award prices that beat the cash fare by a wide margin, booked through partners Amex transfers to.
Five steps, in this order. The order is what protects your points.
Base ratios without temporary bonuses. Green means you get more miles than the points you send.
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer time |
|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus AerClub (Avios) | 1:1 | instant |
| Aeromexico Rewards1,000 MR = 1,600 Aeromexico Rewards points. | 1:1.6 | instant |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1:1 | instant |
| Air France-KLM Flying BlueA 25% transfer bonus ran through 2026-10-31 (expired); base ratio 1:1. | 1:1 | instant |
| ANA Mileage Club | 1:1 | 1-2 days |
| Avianca LifeMiles | 1:1 | instant |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles1,000 MR = 800 Asia Miles. | 1:0.8 | <24 hours |
| Delta SkyMilesAmex charges an excise tax offset fee on transfers to US airlines: $0.0006/point, max $99 per transfer. | 1:1 | instant |
| Emirates Skywards1,000 MR = 800 Skywards miles (cut from 1:1 on 2025-09-16). | 1:0.8 | instant |
| Iberia Club (Avios) | 1:1 | 1-2 days |
| JetBlue TrueBlue250 MR = 200 TrueBlue points; 250-point increments. Amex charges an excise tax offset fee on transfers to US airlines: $0.0006/point, max $99 per transfer. | 1:0.8 | instant |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer500-point increments (500 MR = 500 Qantas Points). | 1:1 | instant |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club (Avios) | 1:1 | <24 hours |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1:1 | <24 hours |
| British Airways Club (Avios) | 1:1 | instant |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying ClubAmex's own page estimates 48 hours; AwardWallet data shows typically immediate. Min 1,000, max 999,000, 1,000 increments. | 1:1 | instant |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer time |
|---|---|---|
| Choice Privileges | 1:1 | instant |
| Hilton Honors1,000 MR = 2,000 Hilton points. | 1:2 | instant |
| Marriott BonvoyUsually under an hour, but has occasionally taken days. | 1:1 | instant |
| The Leading Hotels of the World Leaders Club1,000 MR = 250 Leaders Club points. Added 2026-07-28. Transfer time not yet documented. | 4:1 | Varies |
American Express Membership Rewards transfers to 16 airlines (Aer Lingus AerClub (Avios) 1:1, Aeromexico Rewards 1:1.6, Air Canada Aeroplan 1:1, Air France-KLM Flying Blue 1:1, ANA Mileage Club 1:1, Avianca LifeMiles 1:1, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles 1:0.8, Delta SkyMiles 1:1, Emirates Skywards 1:0.8, Iberia Club (Avios) 1:1, JetBlue TrueBlue 1:0.8, Qantas Frequent Flyer 1:1, Qatar Airways Privilege Club (Avios) 1:1, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer 1:1, British Airways Club (Avios) 1:1 and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club 1:1) and 4 hotel programs (Choice Privileges 1:1, Hilton Honors 1:2, Marriott Bonvoy 1:1 and The Leading Hotels of the World Leaders Club 4:1). Ratios checked November 1, 2026.
Transfer to an airline partner for a premium-cabin award, where points are often worth 2 cents or more. Well-known options: ANA business/first to Japan via Virgin Atlantic (Business 52,500 (West Coast) / 60,000 (Central & East) one-way), Aeroplan partner business to Europe (East Coast) (60,000 one-way (75,000 for 4,001-6,000 mi, e.g. West Coast/Midwest)) and Aeroplan stopover on one-way awards (+5,000 points). Always confirm award space before transferring; transfers can't be undone.
Cashing out usually gets about 0.6 to 1.1 cents per point. A good transfer redemption gets about 1.25 to 1.75 cents, and premium-cabin sweet spots can reach 2 to 5 cents. Compare against the cash fare you would actually pay.
To transfer Amex points, find and confirm the award seat first, then sign in at americanexpress.com → Rewards → Transfer points, link your airline account and transfer only what you need (minimum 1,000 points, in 1,000-point steps).
Most Amex transfers are instant or arrive within a day or two, but some partners take longer. Check the partner list above, and only transfer once you've confirmed the award seat is bookable.
Tell Points or Cash your balance and the trip. It finds the partner that gets you there for the fewest points.
Sources: https://global.americanexpress.com/rewards/transfer · https://awardwallet.com/mile-transfer-times?program=Amex · https://thepointsguy.com/news/amex-ends-points-transfers-to-etihad-guest/ · https://frequentmiler.com/leading-hotels-of-the-world-american-express-membership-rewards-transfer-partner/ · https://thepointsguy.com/loyalty-programs/amex-excise-tax-offset-fees/
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