Amex Membership Rewards Transfer Partners Guide
The largest transfer partner network with exclusive ANA access
Last updated: March 2026
17+
Airline partners
2-8 cpp
Best value range
Instant to 2 days
Transfer speed
ANA
Exclusive partner
American Express Membership Rewards has the most transfer partners of any US points currency — over 20 airlines and hotels. Earned through the Amex Platinum, Gold, Green, and Business cards, MR points are particularly valuable for premium cabin redemptions to Asia and the Middle East.
Amex's key differentiator is exclusive access to ANA Mileage Club, which enables the legendary ANA first and business class redemption via Virgin Atlantic. This single sweet spot makes the Amex ecosystem uniquely valuable for aspirational travel to Japan.
This guide covers every Amex MR airline transfer partner, the best sweet spots, and strategies for maximizing value beyond the Pay with Points rate.
Airline Transfer Partners
| Program | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1:1 |
| ANA Mileage Club | 1:1 |
| Singapore KrisFlyer | 1:1 |
| Avianca LifeMiles | 1:1 |
| British Airways Avios | 1:1 |
| Iberia Avios | 1:1 |
| Cathay Asia Miles | 5:4 |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | 1:1 |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | 1:1 |
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | 1:1 |
| Delta SkyMiles | 1:1 |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 1:1 |
| Aeromexico Rewards | 1:1.6 |
| Emirates Skywards | 5:4 |
| Etihad Guest | 1:1 |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | 5:4 |
| Aer Lingus AerClub | 1:1 |
Hotel Transfer Partners
| Program | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1:1 |
| Hilton Honors | 1:2 |
| Choice Privileges | 1:1 |
Best Sweet Spots
US to Japan
ANA Mileage Club (via Virgin Atlantic) · 55K-60K OW business
Amex-exclusive. Book through Virgin Atlantic for ANA business class.
US to Middle East
Emirates Skywards · 85K OW business
Note: devalued to 5:4 ratio in 2026 except via Bilt.
US to Europe
Air France/KLM Flying Blue · 22K-44K OW business (promo)
Same promo awards as Chase, but Amex also transfers to more SkyTeam partners.
US to South America
Avianca LifeMiles · 45K-63K OW business
No fuel surcharges. Great Star Alliance availability.
Tips & Strategy
Some Amex transfers take 1-2 business days (notably Delta and Hawaiian). Airline partners like Air France and Singapore are usually instant.
Amex frequently runs transfer bonuses of 20-40% to select partners. These dramatically improve CPP — always check for active bonuses before transferring.
The ANA sweet spot via Virgin Atlantic requires booking through Virgin Atlantic's website. You cannot book this through ANA directly with transferred Amex points.
Amex Platinum's 1 cpp airline credit (Pay with Points on select airlines) is your floor. Always check if a transfer yields more before using the portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Amex transfer to ANA?
Yes, Amex is the only US bank program that transfers directly to ANA Mileage Club. However, the most popular redemption is transferring to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (also an Amex partner) and booking ANA business class through Virgin Atlantic's award chart at 55,000-60,000 miles one-way.
How fast do Amex MR points transfer?
Most Amex transfers are instant. Delta SkyMiles transfers can take 1-2 business days. Always initiate transfers well before award space disappears.
What are the best Amex MR transfer partners?
The highest-value partners are ANA Mileage Club (Amex exclusive), Air France/KLM Flying Blue (for promo business class awards), Singapore KrisFlyer, and Avianca LifeMiles. For hotels, Marriott Bonvoy offers decent value at premium properties.
Can you transfer Amex points to United?
No, Amex does not transfer to United MileagePlus. For Star Alliance flights, you can transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan, Singapore KrisFlyer, Avianca LifeMiles, or ANA Mileage Club instead.
Are Amex transfer bonuses worth waiting for?
Yes. Amex runs frequent transfer bonuses of 20-40%, which effectively reduce the cost of award flights by 17-29%. If you're not in a rush to book, waiting for a bonus to your target program can significantly improve value.
See your Amex Membership Rewards in action
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