It is no marvel why TPG staffers (and our readers) love American Express Membership Rewards factors. You’ll be able to switch Amex factors to high-value airline applications like Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, ANA Mileage Club, Avianca LifeMiles and British Airways Avios. That means, you possibly can e book flights on Alaska Airways, American Airways, Delta Air Traces and United Airways — typically at a fraction of the value their very own loyalty applications cost for award tickets.
Along with airways, Amex has three resort applications you possibly can switch factors to: Choice Privileges, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy.
On this information, we’ll dive into these Membership Rewards companions so you possibly can be taught the perfect methods to profit from your Amex factors in your subsequent journey.
Playing cards you should use to earn Amex Membership Rewards
Earlier than we begin, it is important to know that you simply want an eligible American Categorical card to earn Membership Rewards factors. This consists of most Amex-branded playing cards, such because the American Express® Gold Card.
That stated, you will not discover bank cards just like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card or the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card on this record, as these playing cards earn factors and miles of their respective currencies. Money-back playing cards just like the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express don’t earn Membership Rewards factors both.
A number of common Membership Rewards-earning playing cards at the moment provide beneficiant welcome bonuses:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Factors after spending $8,000 on purchases in your first six months of card membership. Nevertheless, some readers have been focused for as much as a 125,000-point bonus utilizing the CardMatch tool (provide topic to alter at any time). Phrases apply.
- American Express Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards factors after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases along with your new card inside the first six months of card membership. Nevertheless, some readers have been focused for as much as 75,000 bonus factors utilizing the CardMatch device (provide topic to alter at any time). Phrases apply.
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards factors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Enterprise Platinum Card inside the first three months of card membership. Phrases apply.
- American Express® Business Gold Card: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards factors after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases along with your card within the first three months of card membership. Phrases apply.
Look by our record of the best Amex cards and discover one (or extra) that works greatest in your spending habits. We advocate utilizing a mix of Amex playing cards each day to earn essentially the most rewards potential. For instance, you should use the Amex Platinum to earn 5 factors per greenback spent on flights (on as much as $500,000 in purchases every calendar 12 months) and the Amex Gold to earn 4 factors per greenback spent on dining at worldwide eating places and groceries at U.S. supermarkets (on as much as $25,000 in purchases every calendar 12 months, then 1 level per greenback).
Associated: How to redeem American Express Membership Rewards for maximum value
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Amex Membership Rewards switch companions
Now, let’s get to the enjoyable half: switch companions.
American Categorical has 18 airline and three resort switch companions. These companions embody not less than one helpful choice in every main alliance: SkyTeam, Star Alliance and Oneworld. Every companion has numerous use instances; we’ll spotlight a pair for every beneath.
Word that the majority transfers occur at a 1:1 ratio, although there are exceptions. It is also value checking for a transfer bonus in your on-line account. Getting an additional 30% in rewards might simply flip a mediocre switch choice right into a potent one.
Associated: How long do American Express Membership Rewards take to transfer?
Aer Lingus AerClub
AerClub is the loyalty program of Aer Lingus, an Irish airline based mostly in Dublin.
Sadly, there are not any nice makes use of for these factors. You will get a greater deal on Aer Lingus flights when you transfer Amex points to British Airways.
Switch time: Instantaneous
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: Which airlines can I book with Avios?
Aeromexico Membership Premier
Aeromexico Club Premier is the loyalty program of Mexico Metropolis-based Aeromexico. This foreign money is greatest used on around-the-world itineraries that allow you to make a number of stops as you journey the world. When booked in enterprise class, these tickets can simply be value tens of 1000’s of {dollars}.
Aeromexico costs award tickets barely in another way than different airways, utilizing kilometers as an alternative of miles. Round-the-world tickets value 224,000 kilometers in economic system and 352,000 kilometers in enterprise class. Since factors switch from Amex to Aeromexico at a 1:1.6 ratio, you’d want simply 140,000 or 220,000 Amex factors for economic system or enterprise class, respectively.
That stated, we do not advocate transferring your Amex factors to Aeromexico. Award charges usually aren’t aggressive, and around-the-world tickets will be difficult to e book.
Switch time: 24 hours
Switch ratio: 1:1.6
Associated: What you need to know about Aeromexico’s dynamic award pricing
Air Canada Aeroplan
Air Canada Aeroplan underwent a significant overhaul in 2020, making it one of the beneficial switch companions for American Categorical. The revamped program retained its normal award charts, eradicated gasoline expenses and launched generous stopover rules. This implies you possibly can profit from a stopover and discover two cities on a single journey.
For example, you possibly can e book a business-class flight from Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX) to Hong Kong Worldwide Airport (HKG) to Mumbai, India’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Worldwide Airport (BOM) for simply 105,000 factors when there’s saver award house. Moreover, you possibly can take pleasure in an prolonged stopover in Hong Kong.
Check out the Aeroplan award chart (PDF hyperlink) and see if it is sensible to switch Amex factors to Air Canada in your subsequent redemption.
Switch time: Instantaneous
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: The 26 best credit cards for earning Aeroplan points
Air France-KLM Flying Blue
Air France and KLM share a joint loyalty program known as Flying Blue. This SkyTeam loyalty program dynamically costs all awards however continuously affords nice offers on worldwide award tickets. For instance, you possibly can typically discover business-class flights from the U.S. to Europe from simply 55,000 factors one-way.
Sadly, you will pay average fuel surcharges ($250 to $400) on most worldwide business-class routes. That stated, all the time test Flying Blue to see if it is sensible in your subsequent worldwide SkyTeam redemption. It is typically cheaper than reserving comparable awards with Aeromexico Membership Premier or Delta SkyMiles.
Switch time: Instantaneous
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: Europe awards starting at 11,250 miles: This month’s Flying Blue Promo Rewards
All Nippon Airways Mileage Membership
As an American Categorical switch companion, ANA Mileage Membership has gained recognition amongst factors and miles fans. That is primarily as a result of alternative to safe wonderful award offers with open jaws and stopovers. Nevertheless, it is value noting that the service solely permits round-trip award bookings.
For example, you possibly can e book a round-trip business-class flight from the U.S. to Europe for simply 88,000 miles on Star Alliance companions. ANA Mileage Membership additionally affords nice worth for off-peak ANA flights, with round-trip tickets from the U.S. to Asia beginning at 75,000 miles throughout off-peak intervals. Moreover, you possibly can take pleasure in a stopover in your journey, permitting you to discover two cities for the value of 1.
One other implausible choice is utilizing ANA Mileage Membership miles for around-the-world tickets with affordable pricing and simple routing guidelines.
It is essential to do not forget that ANA passes on gasoline surcharges to clients for some airways. This implies you’ll have to pay over $1,000 for a round-trip business-class ticket to Europe on companions like Swiss and Lufthansa. Nevertheless, sure airways, reminiscent of ANA, United (on Europe routes) and LOT Polish Airways, have low or no surcharges.
Switch time: 48 hours
Switch ratio: 1:1
Avianca LifeMiles
Avianca LifeMiles is one other wonderful Star Alliance switch companion. Like ANA, the airline has principally stored a normal award chart, so there is not any dynamic pricing to fret about. You will discover the perfect offers on one-way business- and first-class flights to Europe and home flights on United, however there are different good redemptions.
On the U.S.-to-Europe aspect, you will pay 63,000 LifeMiles every means for many business-class flights. You’ll be able to decrease this worth by selecting to fly in economic system on the brief leg of a multistop ticket. Suppose I e book a Lufthansa flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) to Prague Airport (PRG) by way of Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in enterprise class however choose economic system class on the Frankfurt to Prague section. In that case, the flight drops to 62,000 LifeMiles one-way.
Once more, domestic United flights are another excellent deal. The LifeMiles award chart is break up into three areas that roughly correspond to the East Coast, the Midwest and the West Coast. The extra areas you fly, the extra miles you will want. We have discovered the most cost effective home awards value simply 6,500 LifeMiles one-way in economic system.
Not like ANA Mileage Membership, Avianca LifeMiles does not move on gasoline surcharges. You will pay the usual taxes and costs plus a nonrefundable reserving payment of $10 to $25. This makes it a wonderful choice for reserving tickets on high-surcharge carriers like Lufthansa.
Switch time: Instantaneous
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: 3 ways Avianca LifeMiles should improve its loyalty program
British Airways Govt Membership
British Airways Govt Membership is without doubt one of the mostly used Amex switch companions. You should utilize its foreign money — dubbed Avios — to e book flights on all Oneworld carriers. You will wish to keep away from utilizing them on British Airways flights as they add substantial gasoline surcharges, however you will get an awesome deal when booking partner flights.
The British Airways award chart is distance-based, so longer flights will value extra factors. It additionally costs awards by section, so you need to attempt to persist with nonstop routings each time potential.
Within the U.S., top-of-the-line methods to redeem British Airways Avios is on home short-haul American Airways and Alaska Airways flights. You will pay simply 7,500 Avios for flights as much as 600 miles and 9,000 Avios for a one-way flight as much as 1,151 miles with minimal taxes and costs. Or, think about using simply 26,000 Avios to e book round-trip economic system tickets from the West Coast to Hawaii on both American or Alaska.
Switch time: Instantaneous
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: Complete guide to earning British Airways Avios
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles is one other Oneworld switch companion that may be helpful for companion awards. Your greatest guess is utilizing Asia Miles to e book Cathay Pacific flights. You will get a strong redemption worth and entry to Cathay Pacific award house that is not bookable with companion miles. The airline has a normal award chart for its flights, which you’ll be able to see on the Asia Miles website.
As mentioned, the award chart is cheap for Cathay Pacific flights. You’ll be able to e book nonstop flights from HKG to LAX for 70,000 miles when there’s award house. Longer flights from Chicago’s O’Hare Worldwide Airport (ORD) and JFK, however, value 85,000 miles one-way.
Simply word that this system will implement some significant changes to its award chart as of Oct. 1, 2023, so attempt to lock in any awards previous to that date.
Switch time: 48 hours
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: The best websites for searching Oneworld award availability
Delta SkyMiles
Delta SkyMiles is a beneficial home switch companion. Whereas Delta is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, it is often greatest to make use of your miles for home flights. Award pricing for worldwide tickets, particularly in enterprise class, will be fairly costly.
Nevertheless, there are nonetheless wonderful offers with SkyMiles award tickets. Typically, you possibly can snag one-way primary economic system tickets for as little as 4,500 SkyMiles, relying on the money worth of the flight. Moreover, holders of cobranded Delta bank cards take pleasure in at least 15% off Delta-operated award flights. It is all the time value checking SkyMiles availability when trying to find home flights to doubtlessly discover an awesome deal.
Delta SkyMiles may also be used for reasonably priced flights to Canada. Delta operates some flights, whereas others are operated by its companion WestJet. Delta awards have dynamic pricing, however WestJet awards constantly value 12,500 SkyMiles for a one-way economic system ticket between the U.S. and Canada when booked not less than one month prematurely.
Nevertheless, it is value noting that you will need to pay a small payment when transferring Amex factors to Delta SkyMiles. This offsets the federal excise tax that Amex pays on these transfers to U.S. airline applications. It is $0.0006 per level (with a most of $99), so transferring 50,000 factors would incur $30 in charges. Simply do not pay for that payment with factors, as you will get simply 0.5 cents in worth.
Switch time: Instantaneous
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: Quick Points: How to avoid excise tax offset fees on point transfers from American Express
Emirates Skywards
If you wish to use your Amex factors to e book flights on Emirates, you would possibly contemplate transferring them to Emirates Skywards. Keep in mind that flights to Dubai Worldwide Airport (DXB) might have high fuel surcharges. You’ll be able to usually keep away from them when flying Emirates’ fifth freedom flights from the U.S. to Europe.
Emirates Skywards follows a distance-based award chart for all tickets. Air Canada Aeroplan additionally affords Emirates award flights, so it is value evaluating their charges.
Switch time: Instantaneous
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: Fancy a drink at the bar? A review of Emirates business class on the A380 from Dubai to New York
Etihad Visitor
Etihad Guest went from top-of-the-line to one of many worst Amex switch companions when the airline simplified its program earlier this year. It launched a brand new chart with normal pricing for all companion airways and barely totally different charges for Etihad’s personal flights.
The most important devaluation comes from companion awards. Beforehand engaging choices, reminiscent of flying American Airways Flagship First or Brussels Airways enterprise class, have seen important will increase in redemption charges. For instance, a flight from LAX to Sydney Airport (SYD) that used to value 62,500 miles now requires 200,000 miles. Consequently, there’s little or no cause to contemplate transferring Amex factors to Etihad.
Switch time: Instantaneous
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: Here are 9 of our favorite ways to use Amex Membership Rewards points
Hawaiian Airways HawaiianMiles
HawaiianMiles are Most worthy when used for economy-class flights to Hawaii. Award charges differ relying on availability. Saver award house affords the bottom costs, whereas higher-demand flights require extra factors.
The pricing for HawaiianMiles awards is cheap. For example, a one-way economic system class ticket from Honolulu’s Daniel Okay. Inouye Worldwide Airport (HNL) to LAX prices 20,000 miles. As compared, enterprise class prices 40,000 miles when saver house is offered. It is a respectable choice if you wish to expertise Hawaiian Airways. Nevertheless, you would possibly discover higher offers utilizing Avios for flights on American or Alaska or transferring to Singapore KrisFlyer for United flights.
Like Delta, you will must pay the federal excise tax offset payment of $0.0006 per level when transferring Amex factors to Hawaiian.
Switch time: Instantaneous
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: Best ways to redeem points and miles on Hawaiian Airlines
Iberia Plus
Like British Airways, Iberia Plus uses Avios as its loyalty currency. The airline has a normal award chart for all Iberia and companion flights, which will be fairly affordable.
Your greatest guess for utilizing Iberia Plus Avios is redeeming for off-peak awards on Iberia flights from Boston Logan Worldwide Airport (BOS), ORD or JFK to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD). These flights value simply 17,000 Avios in economic system, 25,500 in premium economic system and 34,000 in enterprise class one-way.
Nevertheless, it is value noting that British Airways now uses identical pricing (together with taxes and costs) on these Iberia-operated awards. And since transfers to British Airways are prompt whereas transfers to Iberia take as much as 48 hours, you are seemingly higher off transferring your Amex factors to British Airways.
Switch time: 48 hours
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: 4 versions of Avios: When to use Aer Lingus, Qatar Airways, Iberia and British Airways
JetBlue TrueBlue
JetBlue’s TrueBlue loyalty program costs award flights based mostly on the price of a money flight; the extra a flight prices, the extra factors you will pay to e book it. The TPG staff has discovered that you’re going to get roughly 1.3 cents per level when redeeming factors, however you might get barely kind of relying in your particular flight.
We do not often advocate transferring Amex factors to JetBlue due to the restricted worth you will get out of your factors. Moreover, factors switch at a weak 250:200 switch ratio. This implies 10,000 Amex factors switch to eight,000 JetBlue factors, so you will additionally lose worth within the switch. Plus, you will be topic to the federal excise tax offset payment for these transactions.
Switch time: Instantaneous
Switch ratio: 250:200
Associated: How to earn points in the JetBlue TrueBlue program
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Qantas Frequent Flyer is one other Amex switch companion. Qantas is a Oneworld member with non-alliance partnerships with a handful of airways worldwide. Like many worldwide airways on this record, Qantas has a classic flights award chart.
It’s possible you’ll wish to switch Amex factors to Qantas to e book El Al award tickets. Amex lost El Al as a transfer partner in 2020, however Qantas is a good way to e book flights on the Israeli airline. El Al awards booked with Qantas require fewer factors than in case you have been to switch Amex factors to El Al up to now.
Switch time: Instantaneous
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: A perfect hop across the Pacific: Qantas 787 business class
Qatar Airways Privilege Membership
Qatar Airways Privilege Club is without doubt one of the latest Amex switch companions since Qatar switched to Avios currency last year. You’ll be able to switch Avios freely between British Airways and Qatar Airways, however we advocate comparing British and Qatar Airways award charges earlier than reserving.
Usually, you will wish to use British Airways to e book partner-operated flights, however sometimes, Qatar Airways Avios can save on taxes and costs on Qatar-operated flights.
Switch time: Instantaneous
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: Close to perfect: Qatar Qsuite on a 777-300ER from Doha to New York JFK
Singapore KrisFlyer
Singapore KrisFlyer is one other Star Alliance switch companion. It has two award charts: one for Singapore Airlines awards (PDF hyperlink) and one other for Star Alliance award tickets (PDF hyperlink). You may also use the airline’s miles calculator tool to view what number of miles a Singapore-operated award flight prices. Simply word that the program was devalued in July 2022, so you will pay greater than in years previous.
On the Singapore aspect, you will pay a good quantity of factors for these flights. That stated, it is usually the one program you should use to e book premium-cabin awards on Singapore Airways flights. This consists of first-class Singapore Suites and business class on the world’s longest flight.
Some companion tickets are affordable, too. The most effective makes use of is spending 19,500 factors for a one-way ticket from the mainland U.S. to Hawaii on United Airways.
This system does tack on gasoline surcharges for companion awards. This isn’t the case for flights on United, however it may be expensive on flights operated by Brussels Airways, Lufthansa and different airways that add gasoline surcharges.
Switch time: As much as 24 hours
Switch ratio: 1:1
Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership
You should utilize Virgin Atlantic Flying Club factors for flights operated by Virgin Atlantic and its companions. We usually advocate staying away from reserving Virgin Atlantic flights with factors, as you are topic to excessive gasoline surcharges.
For instance, when there’s award house, you should use 50,000 factors to e book a one-way flight from the U.S. to Europe in Delta One enterprise class with minimal taxes and costs. Sadly, Virgin Atlantic devalued other Delta awards in early 2021, however the Europe candy spot has remained.
You may also use Virgin Atlantic factors to attain an awesome deal on ANA first and enterprise class. First-class awards begin at simply 145,000 factors spherical journey from the U.S. to Tokyo, which is a wonderful deal even with the recent devaluation.
Switch time: Roughly 24 hours
Switch ratio: 1:1
Selection Privileges
Selection Privileges is one among Amex’s resort switch companions. This system is understood for its budget-friendly lodges worldwide, together with well-known manufacturers like Cambria Lodges, Consolation Inn and Sleep Inn. It additionally recently integrated Radisson Rewards Americas, giving members extra choices for incomes (and redeeming) factors.
Award costs differ by property and date. You are usually greatest off paying money for many Selection awards as an alternative of transferring Amex factors.
Nevertheless, below some circumstances, it could make sense to switch factors to Selection. For instance, a one-night keep on the Blue Angel Lodge NYC, Ascend Lodge Assortment prices $538.63 after taxes in September. The identical evening will be booked for 30,000 factors, supplying you with a price of 1.8 cents per level. Though that does not fairly contact our 2-cent valuation of Amex factors, Selection could also be value contemplating in choose circumstances.
Switch time: Instantaneous
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: 6 ways Choice Privileges should improve its loyalty program
Hilton Honors
Amex Membership Rewards factors switch to Hilton Honors at a good 1:2 switch ratio, so 10,000 Amex factors equals 20,000 Hilton Honors factors. We additionally see switch bonuses frequently, which may add much more worth. Hilton does worth awards dynamically, however most properties nonetheless have a ceiling on these charges. Consequently, regardless that level charges will be excessive when reserving on peak dates, transferring factors can provide you respectable worth.
For instance, a keep on the DoubleTree by Hilton Lodge New York Instances Sq. West this New Yr’s Eve prices 80,000 Hilton factors, which might be simply 40,000 Amex factors. Nevertheless, that very same room would set you again $1,014.47. For this redemption, you are getting a price of two.5 cents per Amex level.
Nevertheless, lower than two weeks later (for the evening of Jan. 9, 2024), that very same room will be booked for 36,000 Hilton factors (18,000 Amex factors) or $164.31. That is simply 0.9 cents per Amex level, nicely beneath our valuations.
This exhibits how essential it’s to crunch the numbers and see if transferring factors from Amex to Hilton is sensible. In lots of instances, you will seemingly get a low redemption worth, so you will wish to deal with earning Hilton points outright in case you plan to redeem factors for Hilton stays.
Switch time: Instantaneous.
Switch ratio: 1:2.
Associated: 8 ways to maximize Hilton Honors redemptions
Marriott Bonvoy
Lastly, we’ve got Marriott Bonvoy.
Much like Selection and Hilton, we not often advocate transferring factors to Marriott. Award nights have comparatively excessive prices in comparison with money charges. This can typically trigger you to get a low cent-per-point worth, even with an occasional switch bonus.
Like Hilton, contemplate earning Marriott Bonvoy points elsewhere to gasoline your resort redemptions.
Switch time: Instantaneous
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: 13 ways to redeem the Marriott 50K free night award
Backside line
American Categorical Membership Rewards factors are a few of the Most worthy factors in the marketplace. That is largely attributable to Amex’s intensive airline and resort switch companions record.
Right here, we have given you a fast take a look at every companion — seek advice from this record as you determine greatest redeem your factors.
Extra reporting by Juan Ruiz and Kyle Olsen.
