American Express Membership Rewards® are the most valuable transferable points in Canada.
You can earn Amex® points with many American Express® cards. Once you’ve earned these valuable points, there are also plenty of ways to redeem them.
You’ll get the best value transferring Membership Rewards® points to travel partners. Often getting 2.2 cents or more.
You can choose when you transfer your points. Plus, transfer bonuses give you extra value.
Whether it’s business class flights to Europe or a family vacation in the Caribbean, points can save you a lot of money on travel.
Here’s everything you need to know about transferring your American Express Membership Rewards® points to airline and hotel partners.
Why Transfer Your Points?
Here’s why transferring your American Express Membership Rewards® points is almost always the best move.
Depending on your American Express® card, you’ll earn between 1x and 5x points per dollar on everyday purchases.
Redeeming Membership Rewards® points for travel through the Amex portal, statement credits, gift cards, or online shopping gives you just 0.5 to 1.4 cents per point.
Transferring your points to Amex airline or hotel partners will often get you 2.2 cents per point or more. Plus, transfer bonuses give you extra value.
Some of the best value comes from premium flights with Aeroplan® or Flying Blue, and high-demand hotel stays with Marriott Bonvoy® and Hilton Honors.
That’s how you save money on expensive cash flights and hotels. Check out the latest credit card transfer bonuses to get more value from your points.
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Fuel your adventures with points
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The AWP Newsletter
Fuel your adventures with points
Sign up to get your free guide. Get our newsletter with credit cards and points tips. See how easy it is to travel for nearly free.
Top American Express® Membership Rewards® Cards
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Welcome Points: 120,000
Welcome Value: $5,100
Annual Fee: $799
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Welcome Points: 15,000
Welcome Value: $590
Annually Fee: $191.88 ($15.99 Monthly)
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You’ll get more value and better benefits when booking directly with airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Amex Membership Rewards® Airline Partners
You’ll get the most value from your American Express Membership Rewards® points when you transfer them to airline partners.
Amex® has six airline partners. You’ll be able to book flights with more than 50 airlines worldwide. That’s more than any other credit card program in Canada.
You can redeem for worldwide flights with these partners at a fraction of the cash price.
My favourite use of Membership Rewards® points is transferring them to airline partners to book business class flights for nearly free.
Amex® Airline Transfer Partners
Transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan®
Air Canada Aeroplan® is by far the best Airline loyalty program in Canada. It has more partners than any other program. You’ll get access to hundreds of flights worldwide.
You’ll get even more benefits, including excellent travel insurance, when you combine your booking with Aeroplan® co-branded credit cards.
You’ll get free checked bags for you and up to eight companions with the TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite and CIBC® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite when flying with Air Canada. Plus, you’ll enjoy priority boarding and lounge access with premium cards like the TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege and American Express® Aeroplan® Reserve.
You’ll get even better value than Air Canada’s dynamic pricing with Star Alliance awards, especially for long flights in premium cabins.
One of my favourite Aeroplan® redemptions is booking business class flights between Canada and Europe on Star Alliance partners for only 70,000 points.
Transfer to Air France-KLM Flying Blue
You’ll find Air France-KLM Flying Blue a great option for flights between Europe, the Middle East and beyond. It has an extensive network, including partners like WestJet and El Al.
You can add a stopover on a one-way award at no extra cost. You’ll also find Monthly Promo Rewards with lower award prices on select routes. Families save more since kids aged 2 to 11 get 25% off award tickets when travelling with an adult.
Our favourite Flying Blue sweet spot is booking one-way business class flights between Toronto and Europe for 60,000 miles at saver pricing.
With the monthly promo, we’ve often redeemed the same ticket for just 45,000 miles, instead of paying about $3,000 in cash.
Amex Membership Rewards® Hotel Partners
You can transfer your American Express Membership Rewards® points in Canada to two hotel programs, Marriott Bonvoy® and Hilton Honors.
You’ll have plenty of options for stays worldwide, from luxury resorts to downtown hotels. Transferring to these programs is an easy way to save money on travel and travel more.
You’ll get even more value with Marriott Bonvoy co-branded cards like the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® and the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®, with elite night credits and an annual free night certificate.
Amex® Hotel Transfer Partners
We often transfer Amex® points to top up our balance and book five-night stays with points, since the fifth night is free with both Marriott Bonvoy® and Hilton Honors .
When to Transfer Amex Membership Rewards®
Most Amex® airline and hotel partners transfer instantly, so your points usually show up in your loyalty account right away. That makes it easy to transfer when you’re ready to book.
It’s best to transfer only after you’ve found the flight or hotel you want.
You’ll want to keep your points in Membership Rewards® until then, since transfers are final.
Amex® regularly offers transfer bonuses with select airline and hotel partners. Check out the latest credit card transfer bonuses. It’s a simple way to get more value when a bonus matches your travel plans.
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Set up your loyalty accounts early and link them to your Membership Rewards® profile as soon as you get your Amex® card.
It’ll make transfers faster and easier when you’re ready to transfer.
To Whom Can You Transfer Amex Membership Rewards®?
You can transfer your Membership Rewards® points to the loyalty accounts of the primary cardholder, or to any authorized user or employee on the account.
Keep in mind that the first and last names have to match on both accounts.
You can’t transfer points directly to another person’s loyalty account, even a spouse’s, unless they’ve been an authorized user on your Amex® card for at least 90 days.
My husband and I both earn American Express Membership Rewards® points, but only one of us needed to book an upcoming trip with Aeroplan®.
I added him as an authorized user on my American Express® Business Platinum Card. After 90 days, I transferred Membership Rewards® points to his Aeroplan® account.
Those extra points were enough to top up his balance so he could book a business class flight from Toronto to Barcelona and start the trip in comfort.
How to Transfer Amex Membership Rewards® to Partners
Transferring your Amex Membership Rewards® points is simple. Once you do it once, it’s easier every time after.
If you run into issues or have any questions, Amex® customer service is excellent. You can call or use the online chat for help.
Bottom Line
Many great cards earn American Express Membership Rewards® points, and you’ll get the best value when you transfer them to airline and hotel partners.
This is the best way to save money on premium flights and hotel stays, and travel more for much less.
By keeping your points in Membership Rewards® until you’re ready to transfer, you get flexibility, higher value, and the chance to take advantage of bonus offers.
Check out our top offers for earning points and miles in November, along with the latest credit card transfer bonuses and points purchase promotions.
