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American Express Membership Rewards: transfer partner guide
American Express Membership Rewards research begins with the eligible U.S. account whose points you plan to use. A card-linked rewards balance and a checking-linked rewards balance can have different redemption access. Read the official transfer page for the account and market you hold. An airline relationship advertised in another country is not sufficient evidence that the same relationship or ratio applies to a U.S. account.
Membership Rewards checking accounts can have a narrower partner selection than eligible card accounts. Open the transfer screen for the account you will actually use. Ratios differ across the receiving programs in the reference, so calculate the expected destination balance for the specific row. Include any fee shown in your transaction screen when comparing the award with a cash booking.
Check the linked loyalty account details before sending points, including the membership number and who may receive them. A similar program name can hide a different currency. If you intend to book a partner-operated flight, search it with the receiving program first. Transferring into that program does not guarantee a seat on its partners.
Test the redemption before the transfer
Search the receiving program for the dates, travelers, and cabin or room you actually need. Record both the required points and the cash charges. A transfer relationship does not create reward inventory, and a ratio does not tell you the cash value of the resulting balance. Compare the booking with an equivalent cash option, including the flexibility and extras you would realistically buy. If the trip needs a positioning flight or an extra hotel night, add that to the comparison.
Read the transfer confirmation in your own account. Check the receiving membership number, account-holder requirements, minimum transaction, increments, any fee, and processing estimate. Those details can depend on account eligibility and destination program. Avoid treating a transfer made by another traveler as a timing guarantee. If availability disappears while points are moving, you may need a different date or itinerary, so consider that possibility before sending your balance.
Understand the dated reference
Read ratios from left to right: source points sent, then destination points received. A larger receiving balance does not automatically mean a better redemption, because the currencies buy different things. Work backward from the award price to the source balance you would spend. Compare that cost with leaving the points in your account for another trip. The right choice depends on the booking you can make and the alternatives you would actually use.
After submitting a transfer, save the confirmation and check the receiving balance before attempting another transaction. Complete the travel reservation, verify the traveler names and dates, and retain the booking conditions. If the credited amount differs from the transfer confirmation, use the source program’s official support route and keep both records. A successful balance transfer and a confirmed travel booking are separate steps.
Transfer partners and ratios
These are dated rates for eligible U.S. accounts. Confirm the partner, ratio, fees and recipient rules in your account before transferring; promotional bonuses are excluded.
Amex: U.S. eligible Membership Rewards accounts; checking-only accounts have limited partners. Include any transfer fees in your comparison.
| Partner | Ratio | Partner-specific conditions | Source / checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus AerClub | 1:1 | — | Official reference · |
| Aeromexico Rewards | 1:1.6 | — | Official reference · |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1:1 | — | Official reference · |
| ANA Mileage Club | 1:1 | — | Official reference · |
| Avianca LifeMiles | 1:1 | — | Official reference · |
| British Airways Club | 1:1 | — | Official reference · |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 5:4 | — | Official reference · |
| Delta SkyMiles | 1:1 | — | Official reference · |
| Emirates Skywards | 5:4 | — | Official reference · |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | 1:1 | — | Official reference · |
| Iberia Club | 1:1 | — | Official reference · |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | 5:4 | — | Official reference · |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | 1:1 | — | Official reference · |
| Qatar Privilege Club | 1:1 | — | Official reference · |
| Singapore KrisFlyer | 1:1 | — | Official reference · |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 1:1 | — | Official reference · |
| Choice Privileges | 1:1 | — | Official reference · |
| Hilton Honors | 1:2 | — | Official reference · |
| Leaders Club | 4:1 | — | Official reference · |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1:1 | — | Official reference · |