Last Updated July 15, 2025

If you're serious about maximizing your travel rewards, American Express Membership Rewards points should be at the top of your strategy. With 17 airline partners and 3 hotel partners, Amex offers one of the most flexible and valuable points currencies in the travel rewards game.

The real magic happens when you transfer these points to airline and hotel partners—often unlocking premium travel experiences for a fraction of what you'd pay with cash. Whether you're dreaming of first-class flights to Asia or extended stays at luxury hotels, understanding Amex transfer partners is your ticket to extraordinary travel value.

Bottom line: American Express transfer partners can turn your everyday spending into life-changing travel experiences when you know how to use them strategically.

What Are American Express Membership Rewards Points?

American Express Membership Rewards points are the premium currency of the Amex ecosystem. You earn these points through everyday purchases on eligible American Express cards, with earning rates that vary based on your specific card and spending categories.

What makes these points truly valuable is their transferability. Unlike many credit card rewards that lock you into specific redemption options, Membership Rewards points give you the flexibility to transfer to partner airlines and hotels at competitive ratios—typically 1:1.

This flexibility means you can:

• Wait for the perfect redemption opportunity
• Take advantage of transfer bonuses when they appear
• Book award flights across multiple airline alliances
• Access premium cabin experiences that would otherwise cost thousands

For those new to the points and miles world, our comprehensive beginner's guide to points, miles, and credit cards covers everything you need to know to get started. Understanding why transferable points are worth more than other rewards will help you appreciate the true power of the Amex system.

Complete List of American Express Transfer Partners

Airline Transfer Partners (17 Partners)

American Express partners with airlines across all three major global alliances, giving you incredible flexibility for award bookings. Understanding why you should focus on transferable points over airline miles becomes clear when you see this extensive network.

Star Alliance Partners:

• Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1 ratio, instant transfers)
• All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club (1:1 ratio, 48-hour transfers)
• Avianca LifeMiles (1:1 ratio, instant transfers)
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (1:1 ratio, up to 24-hour transfers)

Oneworld Partners:

• Aer Lingus AerClub (1:1 ratio, instant transfers)
• British Airways Executive Club (1:1 ratio, instant transfers)
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:1 ratio, 48-hour transfers)
• Iberia Club (1:1 ratio, 48-hour transfers)
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club (1:1 ratio, instant transfers)
• Qantas Frequent Flyer (1:1 ratio, instant transfers)

SkyTeam Partners:

• Aeromexico Club Premier (1:1.6 ratio, 24-hour transfers)
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue (1:1 ratio, instant transfers)
• Delta Air Lines SkyMiles (1:1 ratio, instant transfers)

Non-Alliance Partners:

• Emirates Skywards (1:1 ratio, instant transfers)
• Etihad Airways Guest (1:1 ratio, instant transfers)
• JetBlue TrueBlue (250:200 ratio, instant transfers)
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1 ratio, 24-hour transfers)

Important Update: Hawaiian Airlines was removed as a transfer partner on June 30, 2025, so it's no longer available for new transfers. This change reflects ongoing evolution in the transfer partner landscape, as detailed in industry coverage from TPG's transfer partner updates.

Hotel Transfer Partners (3 Partners)

While airline transfers typically offer better value, Amex's hotel partners can be worthwhile in specific situations. For comprehensive comparisons, check out choosing the right hotel loyalty program to see how these programs stack up:

• Choice Privileges (1:1 ratio, instant transfers)
• Hilton Honors (1:2 ratio, instant transfers)
• Marriott Bonvoy (1:1 ratio, instant transfers)

When booking hotels with cash or points, consider using Booking.com for competitive rates and flexible cancellation policies.

Best American Express Credit Cards for Earning Membership Rewards

To maximize your transfer partner strategy, you need the right credit cards earning Membership Rewards points. Here are the top options:

Premium Personal Cards

The Platinum Card from American Express

• Welcome offer: Up to 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in first 6 months
• Annual fee: $695
• Earning rate: 5x on flights and prepaid hotels, 1x on everything else
• Key benefits: Airport lounge access, airline credits, hotel status

American Express Gold Card

• Welcome offer: Up to 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in first 6 months
• Annual fee: $325
• Earning rate: 4x dining and US supermarkets, 3x flights, 1x everything else
• Key benefits: Strong earning rates on everyday spending

Business Cards

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

• Welcome offer: 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 in first 3 months
• Annual fee: $695
• Earning rate: 5x flights and hotels, 1.5x on large business purchases
• Key benefits: Business-focused perks and higher earning potential

For detailed comparisons of these cards, check out our guides on Amex Platinum vs. Amex Gold and choosing between the Amex Gold vs. Green cards. If you're traveling internationally, these premium cards often include valuable benefits like airport lounge access through Priority Pass and comprehensive travel insurance coverage.

How to Transfer American Express Points

Transferring Membership Rewards points is straightforward once you understand the process:

Step-by-Step Transfer Process

1. Log into your Amex account and navigate to the Membership Rewards section
2. Add partner accounts by linking your frequent flyer or hotel loyalty program numbers
3. Select your transfer partner and enter the number of points to transfer
4. Review and confirm the transfer details (remember, transfers are non-reversible)
5. Wait for processing based on the partner's typical transfer time

Important Transfer Restrictions

• Minimum transfer: 1,000 points in increments of 1,000
• Name matching required: Your Amex account and loyalty program accounts must have identical first and last names
• Authorized users: Can only transfer to their own accounts after being on your card for 90+ days
• Non-reversible: Once transferred, points cannot be moved back to Amex
• US program fees: Delta and JetBlue transfers incur a federal excise tax offset fee of $0.60 per 1,000 points transferred

Strategic Sweet Spots for Maximum Value

Understanding where to get the best value from your transfers can make the difference between good and exceptional redemptions:

Premium Cabin Sweet Spots

ANA First Class via Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

• Route: US West Coast to Japan
• Cost: 72,500 Virgin Atlantic points one-way
• Value: Often worth $6,000+ in cash tickets

Singapore Airlines First Class

• Route: New York to Frankfurt
• Cost: 97,000 KrisFlyer miles one-way
• Value: Experience the world's best first-class product

Economy Value Plays

British Airways Short-Haul Awards

• Route: US East Coast to Dublin on Aer Lingus
• Cost: 26,000 Avios round-trip (off-peak)
• Value: Perfect for European getaways

Flying Blue Promo Rewards

• Route: Various destinations with monthly promotions
• Cost: 20,000+ miles to Europe (economy)
• Value: Last-minute deals with significant discounts

For more detailed redemption strategies, explore our Ultimate Guide to Getting Free Travel. To stay updated on the best flight deals and mistake fares, consider subscribing to Going.com for notifications when exceptional award space opens up.

Transfer Bonuses: When to Pull the Trigger

American Express occasionally offers transfer bonuses ranging from 15% to 40%, but timing is crucial:

Transfer Bonus Strategy

• Don't transfer just for bonuses unless you have a specific redemption planned
• Stack bonuses with sweet spots for maximum value
• Monitor seasonal patterns as bonuses often align with peak travel seasons
• Act quickly as most bonuses last only days or weeks

Current Best Practices

Transfer bonuses create excellent opportunities, but remember that keeping points flexible in transferable currencies like Amex often provides more long-term value than transferring during every bonus promotion. For current deals, our guide to promotions for buying points and miles can help you time your transfers strategically.

Avoiding Common Transfer Partner Mistakes

Low-Value Transfers to Avoid

Hotel transfers generally offer poor value compared to airline options. The exception is Hilton's 1:2 transfer ratio during bonus promotions.

Cash equivalents like gift cards or statement credits typically provide only 1 cent per point value—far below the 2+ cents possible with strategic transfers.

Fuel Surcharge Awareness

Some partners impose significant fuel surcharges that can diminish award value:

• British Airways on BA-operated flights
• Virgin Atlantic on Virgin-operated flights
• Lufthansa when booked through ANA

Our Capital One transfer partners guide shows how other programs handle these fees, providing useful comparison points for your transfer decisions.

Research total costs including taxes and fees before committing to transfers. Consider protecting your investment with comprehensive travel insurance from InsureMyTrip, especially for high-value award redemptions.

Best Practices for Maximum Value

Keep Points Flexible

The golden rule of points and miles: maintain flexibility until you have a specific redemption in mind. Amex points don't expire as long as your account remains open, so there's rarely pressure to transfer immediately.

Research Before Transferring

Use tools like award search engines to:

• Compare redemption values across partners
• Check award availability before transferring
• Calculate total costs including taxes and fees

Professional tools like Point.Me can help identify the best redemption opportunities across multiple programs. When you're ready to travel, quality luggage from Samsonite or Nomatic ensures your gear can handle the adventures your points make possible.

Monitor Your Amex Account

Stay engaged with your Membership Rewards account by:

• Setting up account alerts for transfer bonuses
• Regularly checking for targeted offers
• Following travel blogs for redemption ideas and updates

For comprehensive travel planning, tools like Expedia can help you compare award availability with cash prices, ensuring you're getting optimal value from your point transfers.

Maximizing Your American Express Strategy

The Amex Ecosystem Approach

Consider building an American Express trifecta with cards that complement each other's earning categories. This approach maximizes points earning across all your spending. For advanced strategies, explore maximizing benefits with the Amex trifecta.

Business Card Advantages

Don't overlook business cards, which often offer:

• Higher welcome bonuses
• Better earning rates on business spending
• Separate credit limits from personal cards

Check out our guide to choosing the best business card for travel rewards to see if business cards fit your strategy. For small business owners, exploring unlocking the potential of business credit can open additional earning opportunities.

Credit Management

Keep your accounts in good standing to maintain transfer privileges:

• Pay balances on time and in full
• Avoid manufactured spending that could trigger account reviews
• Maintain reasonable credit utilization ratios

For comprehensive credit management, our Ultimate Guide to Credit Card Retention Offers provides strategies for maximizing card value while maintaining good standing with issuers.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Amex Transfers

The transfer partner landscape continues evolving, with periodic additions and occasional removals like Hawaiian Airlines. According to American Express's official transfer partner page, the program maintains partnerships across all major airline alliances.

Stay informed about program changes that could affect your strategy by following industry publications like The Points Guy and NerdWallet's travel section for the latest updates.

Trends to Watch

• Dynamic award pricing becoming more common across partners
• Transfer bonuses appearing more frequently but for shorter durations
• New partnerships potentially expanding redemption options

Conclusion: Your Path to Travel Success

American Express transfer partners represent one of the most powerful tools in travel rewards. With 17 airline partners spanning all major alliances and competitive transfer ratios, Membership Rewards points offer unmatched flexibility for booking award travel.

Key takeaways for success:

• Choose the right Amex cards for your spending patterns
• Keep points flexible until you have specific redemption plans
• Research thoroughly before transferring
• Focus on premium cabin sweet spots for maximum value
• Stay informed about transfer bonuses and program changes

Remember, the best transfer partner strategy is one that aligns with your actual travel goals. Whether you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime first-class adventure or looking for consistent value on family vacations, American Express transfer partners can help you get there for less.

When booking activities and tours at your destination, GetYourGuide offers excellent experiences worldwide. For international connectivity, consider an eSIM from Airalo to stay connected without roaming charges.

Want to dive deeper into credit card strategy? Our Ultimate Guide to Credit Card Retention Offers can help you maximize value from your existing cards while building your points portfolio. For those interested in hotel strategies, explore maximizing IHG Rewards Club for family travel and maximizing your IHG One Rewards.