American Express Transfer Partners
Membership Rewards
21 airline + 3 hotel partners - the widest transfer network in the US
All American Express transfer partners
19 airlines and 2 hotel programs. Every transfer is one-way and irreversible - always confirm award availability before transferring.
Transfer Bonus History
1 active| Partner | Base Ratio | Bonus % | Bonus Ratio | Dates | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hilton Honors | 1:1 | +20% | 1:1.2 | Apr 28, 2026 → May 30, 2026 | Active | - |
Transfer Partners
Current American Express transfer bonuses
Transfer bonuses give you extra miles for free - 20,000 points during a +25% bonus becomes 25,000 miles at the partner. Check this section before every transfer.
Never miss a American Express transfer bonus
Get notified the moment a new bonus goes live - before it expires
About American Express Membership Rewards
American Express Membership Rewards is the largest transferable points program in the US by sheer partner count: 21 airline partners and 3 hotel partners, including exclusive access to Delta SkyMiles, ANA Mileage Club, and Japan Airlines that no other US bank can match. If you need to book on specific airlines or through specific programs, Membership Rewards is often the only currency that can get you there.
Most Amex transfers are instant, but there is a cost: US cardholders pay an excise tax of $0.0006 per point transferred, capped at $99 per transfer. On a 100,000-point transfer, that's $60 - significant but usually worth it for a high-value redemption. Amex occasionally waives this fee on specific transfers. The minimum transfer amount is 1,000 points, and transfers are one-way and irreversible.
The Amex lineup spans from the no-fee Blue Business Plus (2× on all purchases, up to $50K/yr) to the premium Platinum ($695/yr, with up to $1,500+ in annual credits that can offset the fee for frequent travelers). The Gold card earns 4× at US supermarkets and restaurants - one of the highest category rates in the industry. Combining a Blue Business Plus for everyday spending with a Gold or Platinum for category bonuses creates a powerful earning engine.
TransferPoints tracks transfer bonuses and partner data in real time. Transfer ratios, speeds, and program rules on this page are verified against official bank sources. Visit the official American Express rewards page
Which American Express cards earn Membership Rewards?
Not all American Express cards unlock transfer access. Here are the cards that earn Membership Rewards that can be transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Amex Platinum
5× on flights (booked direct or through Amex Travel), up to $1,500+ in annual credits
Amex Gold
4× at US supermarkets and restaurants, 3× on flights - best category earner
Amex Green
3× on travel, transit & restaurants - solid mid-tier option
Amex Blue Business Plus
2× on all purchases up to $50K/yr - best no-fee earning card in the market
Best American Express transfer partners
Not all transfer partners deliver the same value. These three consistently offer the best cents-per-point returns for Membership Rewards.
ANA Mileage Club
ANA Mileage ClubANA's round-trip award chart prices US-to-Japan business class at 88,000 miles - significantly lower than most programs. ANA is only accessible via Amex in the US transferable points space, making Membership Rewards the only path for this redemption.
Sweet spot
88,000 ANA miles round-trip business class between the US and Japan - one of the best-value long-haul redemptions available.
Air Canada Aeroplan
AeroplanAeroplan is now one of the best programs for transatlantic and transpacific redemptions. Business class to Europe on Lufthansa or Swiss starts at 85,000 miles, and the program allows stopovers, making it excellent for complex itineraries.
Sweet spot
85,000 Aeroplan miles round-trip business class to Europe on Star Alliance carriers, with no carrier-imposed surcharges on many routes.
British Airways Avios
AviosAvios transfers instantly from Amex (no excise tax waiver needed for instant transfer). The distance-based Avios chart makes short domestic hops on American Airlines extraordinarily cheap at 6,000 Avios for flights under 651 miles.
Sweet spot
6,000–9,000 Avios for short-haul US flights on American Airlines under 1,151 miles, transferring instantly from Amex.
Why earn Membership Rewards?
The only path to Delta, ANA & Japan Airlines
Delta SkyMiles, ANA Mileage Club, and Japan Airlines Mileage Bank are exclusive to Amex in the US transferable points space. No other bank transfers to these programs. If your redemption involves SkyTeam or specific Japan routes, Membership Rewards is your only option.
Broadest partner network in the US
24 transfer partners (21 airlines, 3 hotels) across every major alliance - Star Alliance, oneworld, and SkyTeam are all represented. No other US bank program covers this many programs, giving you the most options for any given itinerary.
Best-in-class category earning on Gold & Platinum
The Amex Gold earns 4× at US supermarkets and restaurants - two of the highest-spend categories for most households. The Platinum earns 5× on flights. Stack these cards with Blue Business Plus (2× on everything else) and you're earning more points per dollar than almost any alternative.
Occasional transfer bonuses, sometimes 30–40%
Amex runs transfer bonuses more frequently than most other programs - sometimes offering 30–40% extra on specific partners like Air Canada, British Airways, and Flying Blue. Timing a bonus can dramatically increase the miles you receive for the same points.
How to transfer Membership Rewards to partners
Follow these steps every time. The golden rule: confirm award availability before moving a single point - transfers are one-way and irreversible.
- 1
Find the award first
Search for award availability on the airline or hotel program's website before transferring. Note the exact flight, date, cabin, and miles required. Award space disappears - transfers cannot be reversed.
- 2
Check for an active transfer bonus
Check the Current Bonuses section above. A +25% bonus means 40,000 points becomes 50,000 miles - free miles that require zero extra spending.
- 3
Execute the transfer from American Express
American Express
Official transfer pageLog in to your American Express account → navigate to Membership Rewards → select "Transfer to travel partners" → choose the airline or hotel program → enter your loyalty membership number and the number of points to transfer → confirm. Keep your loyalty account number ready before you start.
- 4
Book the award immediately
As soon as miles post to your loyalty account, book the award. Partner award availability can vanish within hours. Have your passport details and co-pay card ready before starting the booking.
How much are Membership Rewards worth?
Point value varies dramatically by redemption type. Transferring to the right partner at the right time can yield 3–8× more per point than redeeming for cash back or statement credits.
Worked example
88,000 Membership Rewards transferred to ANA Mileage Club can book a round-trip business class flight from the US West Coast to Japan - a seat priced at $5,000–$7,000 in cash - yielding over 6¢ per point.
TPG valuation: 2.0¢ per point (April 2026). Actual value varies by route, date, and availability.
American Express vs other programs
Amex Membership Rewards competes with Chase Ultimate Rewards for the title of best US transferable points program. Here's how they compare on the factors that matter most.
Bottom line
Amex wins on breadth and exclusivity - Delta, ANA, and JAL aren't available anywhere else. The Blue Business Plus (2× with no annual fee) is also unmatched. Chase wins on transfer speed (all instant vs. some instant for Amex) and Hyatt access. The practical answer: hold both. Use Amex for Delta, Asia routes, and category bonuses; use Chase for Hyatt hotel stays and instant same-day transfers.
American Express Membership Rewards - program details
| Points currency | Membership Rewards |
| Transfer ratio | 1:1 most partners (JetBlue 1:0.8) |
| Transfer fees (US) | $0.0006 per point, max $99 |
| Transfer speed | Instant (most partners) |
| Minimum transfer | 1,000 points |
| Points expiry | Never expire while account open |
| Airline partners | 21 |
| Hotel partners | 3 (Hilton 1:2, Marriott 1:1, Choice 1:1) |
| Exclusive partners | Delta, ANA, JAL (not at any other US bank) |
| Transfer bonuses | Frequent - often 20–40% on select partners |
| TPG valuation | 2.0¢ per point |