Complete guide to American Express Membership Rewards partners

It is no marvel why TPG staffers (and our readers) love American Express Membership Rewards factors. You possibly can switch Amex factors to high-value airline packages like Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, ANA Mileage Club, Avianca LifeMiles and British Airways Avios. That manner, you may e book flights on Alaska Airways, American Airways, Delta Air Strains and United Airways — usually at a fraction of the value their very own loyalty packages cost for award tickets.

Along with airways, Amex has three resort packages you may switch factors to: Choice Privileges, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy.

On this information, we’ll dive into these Membership Rewards companions so you may be taught the perfect methods to benefit from your Amex factors to your subsequent journey.

Playing cards you should utilize to earn Amex Membership Rewards

Earlier than we begin, it is important to grasp that you simply want an eligible American Specific card to earn Membership Rewards factors. This contains most Amex-branded playing cards, such because the American Express® Gold Card.

That mentioned, 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 in style Membership Rewards-earning playing cards at present supply 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 (supply 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 together with your new card throughout the first six months of card membership. Nevertheless, some readers have been focused for as much as 75,000 bonus factors utilizing the CardMatch software (supply 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 throughout 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 together 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 finest to your spending habits. We suggest utilizing a mixture of Amex playing cards day by day to earn essentially the most rewards doable. For instance, you should utilize 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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American Specific has 18 airline and three resort switch companions. These companions embody a minimum of one helpful choice in every main alliance: SkyTeam, Star Alliance and Oneworld. Every accomplice has varied use instances; we’ll spotlight a pair for every under.

Be aware that almost all 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 may 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 primarily based 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: On the spot

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 forex is finest 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 hundreds 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 mentioned, we do not suggest transferring your Amex factors to Aeromexico. Award charges typically aren’t aggressive, and around-the-world tickets may 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 some of the precious switch companions for American Specific. The revamped program retained its customary award charts, eradicated gasoline prices and launched generous stopover rules. This implies you may benefit from a stopover and discover two cities on a single journey.

As an illustration, you may 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 may get pleasure from an prolonged stopover in Hong Kong.

Check out the Aeroplan award chart (PDF hyperlink) and see if it is smart to switch Amex factors to Air Canada to your subsequent redemption.

Switch time: On the spot

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 may usually discover business-class flights from the U.S. to Europe from simply 55,000 factors one-way.

Sadly, you may pay reasonable fuel surcharges ($250 to $400) on most worldwide business-class routes. That mentioned, all the time verify Flying Blue to see if it is smart to your subsequent worldwide SkyTeam redemption. It is usually cheaper than reserving comparable awards with Aeromexico Membership Premier or Delta SkyMiles.

Switch time: On the spot

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 Specific switch accomplice, ANA Mileage Membership has gained recognition amongst factors and miles fans. That is primarily because of the alternative to safe glorious award offers with open jaws and stopovers. Nevertheless, it is value noting that the provider solely permits round-trip award bookings.

As an illustration, you may 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 durations. Moreover, you may get pleasure from 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 vital to do not forget that ANA passes on gasoline surcharges to prospects for some airways. This implies you could have to pay over $1,000 for a round-trip business-class ticket to Europe on companions like Swiss and Lufthansa. Nevertheless, sure airways, resembling 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 glorious Star Alliance switch accomplice. Like ANA, the airline has largely saved an ordinary award chart, so there is no 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 facet, you may pay 63,000 LifeMiles every manner for many business-class flights. You possibly can 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 may want. We have discovered the most affordable home awards value simply 6,500 LifeMiles one-way in economic system.

Not like ANA Mileage Membership, Avianca LifeMiles would not go on gasoline surcharges. You will pay the usual taxes and costs plus a nonrefundable reserving charge of $10 to $25. This makes it a wonderful choice for reserving tickets on high-surcharge carriers like Lufthansa.

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Associated: 3 ways Avianca LifeMiles should improve its loyalty program

British Airways Government Membership

British Airways Government Membership is without doubt one of the mostly used Amex switch companions. You need to use its forex — dubbed Avios — to e book flights on all Oneworld carriers. You will need to keep away from utilizing them on British Airways flights as they add substantial gasoline surcharges, however you will get a terrific 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 it is best to attempt to persist with nonstop routings every time doable.

Within the U.S., the most effective 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: On the spot

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Associated: Complete guide to earning British Airways Avios

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles is one other Oneworld switch accomplice that may be helpful for accomplice awards. Your finest guess is utilizing Asia Miles to e book Cathay Pacific flights. You will get a stable redemption worth and entry to Cathay Pacific award house that is not bookable with accomplice miles. The airline has an ordinary award chart for its flights, which you’ll see on the Asia Miles website.

As mentioned, the award chart is cheap for Cathay Pacific flights. You possibly can 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, then again, value 85,000 miles one-way.

Simply notice 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 precious home switch accomplice. Whereas Delta is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, it is often finest to make use of your miles for home flights. Award pricing for worldwide tickets, particularly in enterprise class, may be fairly costly.

Nevertheless, there are nonetheless glorious offers with SkyMiles award tickets. Typically, you may 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 get pleasure from at least 15% off Delta-operated award flights. It is all the time value checking SkyMiles availability when looking for home flights to probably discover a terrific deal.

Delta SkyMiles can be used for inexpensive flights to Canada. Delta operates some flights, whereas others are operated by its accomplice WestJet. Delta awards have dynamic pricing, however WestJet awards persistently value 12,500 SkyMiles for a one-way economic system ticket between the U.S. and Canada when booked a minimum of one month prematurely.

Nevertheless, it is value noting that you could pay a small charge when transferring Amex factors to Delta SkyMiles. This offsets the federal excise tax that Amex pays on these transfers to U.S. airline packages. 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 charge with factors, as you may get simply 0.5 cents in worth.

Switch time: On the spot

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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 may take into account transferring them to Emirates Skywards. Do not forget that flights to Dubai Worldwide Airport (DXB) could have high fuel surcharges. You possibly can typically 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: On the spot

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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 the most effective to one of many worst Amex switch companions when the airline simplified its program earlier this year. It launched a brand new chart with customary pricing for all accomplice airways and barely completely different charges for Etihad’s personal flights.

The most important devaluation comes from accomplice awards. Beforehand enticing choices, resembling 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 purpose to think about transferring Amex factors to Etihad.

Switch time: On the spot

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Associated: Here are 9 of our favorite ways to use Amex Membership Rewards points

Hawaiian Airways HawaiianMiles

HawaiianMiles are most respected 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. As an illustration, a one-way economic system class ticket from Honolulu’s Daniel Okay. Inouye Worldwide Airport (HNL) to LAX prices 20,000 miles. Compared, enterprise class prices 40,000 miles when saver house is obtainable. This can be a first rate choice if you wish to expertise Hawaiian Airways. Nevertheless, you may discover higher offers utilizing Avios for flights on American or Alaska or transferring to Singapore KrisFlyer for United flights.

Like Delta, you may must pay the federal excise tax offset charge of $0.0006 per level when transferring Amex factors to Hawaiian.

Switch time: On the spot

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 an ordinary award chart for all Iberia and accomplice flights, which may be fairly affordable.

Your finest 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 doubtless 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 primarily based on the price of a money flight; the extra a flight prices, the extra factors you may pay to e book it. The TPG staff has discovered that you will get roughly 1.3 cents per level when redeeming factors, however you might get barely roughly relying in your particular flight.

We do not often suggest transferring Amex factors to JetBlue due to the restricted worth you may 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 may additionally lose worth within the switch. Plus, you may be topic to the federal excise tax offset charge for these transactions.

Switch time: On the spot

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 accomplice. 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.

You might need 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 an effective way to e book flights on the Israeli airline. El Al awards booked with Qantas require fewer factors than if you happen to have been to switch Amex factors to El Al prior to now.

Switch time: On the spot

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 possibly can switch Avios freely between British Airways and Qatar Airways, however we suggest comparing British and Qatar Airways award charges earlier than reserving.

Usually, you may need 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: On the spot

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 accomplice. It has two award charts: one for Singapore Airlines awards (PDF hyperlink) and one other for Star Alliance award tickets (PDF hyperlink). You can too use the airline’s miles calculator tool to view what number of miles a Singapore-operated award flight prices. Simply notice that the program was devalued in July 2022, so you may pay greater than in years previous.

On the Singapore facet, you may pay a good quantity of factors for these flights. That mentioned, it is typically the one program you should utilize to e book premium-cabin awards on Singapore Airways flights. This contains first-class Singapore Suites and business class on the world’s longest flight.

Some accomplice tickets are affordable, too. Top-of-the-line 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 accomplice awards. This isn’t the case for flights on United, however it may be pricey 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 need to use Virgin Atlantic Flying Club factors for flights operated by Virgin Atlantic and its companions. We typically suggest 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 utilize 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 can too use Virgin Atlantic factors to attain a terrific 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 superb deal even with the recent devaluation.

Switch time: Roughly 24 hours

Switch ratio: 1:1

Selection Privileges

Selection Privileges is one in every of Amex’s resort switch companions. This system is understood for its budget-friendly lodges worldwide, together with well-known manufacturers like Cambria Inns, 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 typically finest off paying money for many Selection awards as an alternative of transferring Amex factors.

Nevertheless, below some circumstances, it may possibly make sense to switch factors to Selection. For instance, a one-night keep on the Blue Angel Resort NYC, Ascend Resort Assortment prices $538.63 after taxes in September. The identical evening may 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: On the spot

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 might add much more worth. Hilton does worth awards dynamically, however most properties nonetheless have a ceiling on these charges. Consequently, though level charges may be excessive when reserving on peak dates, transferring factors can provide you first rate worth.

For instance, a keep on the DoubleTree by Hilton Resort New York Occasions 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 may be booked for 36,000 Hilton factors (18,000 Amex factors) or $164.31. That is simply 0.9 cents per Amex level, nicely under our valuations.

This reveals how vital it’s to crunch the numbers and see if transferring factors from Amex to Hilton is smart. In lots of instances, you may doubtless get a low redemption worth, so you may need to deal with earning Hilton points outright if you happen to plan to redeem factors for Hilton stays.

Switch time: On the spot.

Switch ratio: 1:2.

Associated: 8 ways to maximize Hilton Honors redemptions

Marriott Bonvoy

Lastly, we now have Marriott Bonvoy.

Just like Selection and Hilton, we not often suggest transferring factors to Marriott. Award nights have comparatively excessive prices in comparison with money charges. It will usually trigger you to get a low cent-per-point worth, even with an occasional switch bonus.

Like Hilton, take into account earning Marriott Bonvoy points elsewhere to gasoline your resort redemptions.

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Associated: 13 ways to redeem the Marriott 50K free night award