It is no marvel why TPG staffers (and our readers) love American Categorical 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 Membership, Avianca LifeMiles and British Airways Avios. That approach, you possibly can e book flights on Alaska Airways, American Airways, Delta Air Strains and United Airways — usually at a fraction of the worth their very own loyalty applications cost for award tickets.
Along with airways, Amex has three resort applications you possibly can switch factors to: Selection Privileges, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy.
On this information, we’ll dive into these Membership Rewards companions so you possibly can be taught one of the best methods to profit from your Amex factors to your subsequent journey.
Playing cards you need to use to earn Amex Membership Rewards
Earlier than we begin, it is important to grasp that you simply want an eligible American Categorical card to earn Membership Rewards factors. This contains most Amex-branded playing cards, such because the American Categorical® Gold Card.
That mentioned, you will not discover bank cards just like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Categorical Card or the Hilton Honors American Categorical Surpass® Card on this checklist, as these playing cards earn factors and miles of their respective currencies. Money-back playing cards just like the Blue Money On a regular basis® Card from American Categorical don’t earn Membership Rewards factors both.
A number of in style Membership Rewards-earning playing cards at the moment supply beneficiant welcome bonuses:
- The Platinum Card® from American Categorical: 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 software (supply topic to alter at any time). Phrases apply.
- American Categorical 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 software (supply topic to alter at any time). Phrases apply.
- The Enterprise Platinum Card® from American Categorical: 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 Categorical® Enterprise 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 way of our checklist of one of the best Amex playing cards and discover one (or extra) that works finest to your spending habits. We suggest utilizing a mixture of Amex playing cards every day to earn essentially the most rewards doable. For instance, you need to use the Amex Platinum to earn 5 factors per greenback spent on flights (on as much as $500,000 in purchases every calendar yr) and the Amex Gold to earn 4 factors per greenback spent on eating at worldwide eating places and groceries at U.S. supermarkets (on as much as $25,000 in purchases every calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback).
Associated: Learn how to redeem American Categorical Membership Rewards for optimum worth
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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 embrace at the very least one helpful choice in every main alliance: SkyTeam, Star Alliance and Oneworld. Every associate has varied use instances; we’ll spotlight a pair for every under.
Notice that almost all transfers occur at a 1:1 ratio, although there are exceptions. It is also value checking for a switch 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 lengthy do American Categorical Membership Rewards take to switch?
Aer Lingus AerClub
AerClub is the loyalty program of Aer Lingus, an Irish airline based mostly in Dublin.
Sadly, there are no nice makes use of for these factors. You may get a greater deal on Aer Lingus flights whenever you switch Amex factors to British Airways.
Switch time: Prompt
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: Which airways can I e book with Avios?
Aeromexico Membership Premier
Aeromexico Membership 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 1000’s of {dollars}.
Aeromexico costs award tickets barely in a different way than different airways, utilizing kilometers as an alternative of miles. Round-the-world tickets price 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 usually 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 it is advisable learn about Aeromexico’s dynamic award pricing
Air Canada Aeroplan
Air Canada Aeroplan underwent a major overhaul in 2020, making it one of the crucial precious switch companions for American Categorical. The revamped program retained its normal award charts, eradicated gas fees and launched beneficiant stopover guidelines. 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 to your subsequent redemption.
Switch time: Prompt
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: The 26 finest bank cards for incomes Aeroplan factors
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 steadily presents nice offers on worldwide award tickets. For instance, you possibly can usually discover business-class flights from the U.S. to Europe from simply 55,000 factors one-way.
Sadly, you will pay reasonable gas surcharges ($250 to $400) on most worldwide business-class routes. That mentioned, all the time examine Flying Blue to see if it is sensible to your subsequent worldwide SkyTeam redemption. It is usually cheaper than reserving comparable awards with Aeromexico Membership Premier or Delta SkyMiles.
Switch time: Prompt
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: Europe awards beginning at 11,250 miles: This month’s Flying Blue Promo Rewards
All Nippon Airways Mileage Membership
As an American Categorical switch associate, ANA Mileage Membership has gained recognition amongst factors and miles lovers. That is primarily as a result of 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.
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 presents 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 possibly can take pleasure in a stopover in your journey, permitting you to discover two cities for the worth of 1.
One other incredible choice is utilizing ANA Mileage Membership miles for around-the-world tickets with cheap pricing and easy routing guidelines.
It is vital to keep in mind that ANA passes on gas 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 associate. Like ANA, the airline has principally stored a normal award chart, so there is not any dynamic pricing to fret about. You will discover one of the best 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 will pay 63,000 LifeMiles every approach for many business-class flights. You’ll be able to decrease this worth by selecting to fly in economic system on the quick 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) through Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in enterprise class however choose economic system class on the Frankfurt to Prague phase. In that case, the flight drops to 62,000 LifeMiles one-way.
Once more, home United flights are one other glorious 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 affordable home awards price simply 6,500 LifeMiles one-way in economic system.
In contrast to ANA Mileage Membership, Avianca LifeMiles does not cross on gas 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.
Switch time: Prompt
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: 3 methods Avianca LifeMiles ought to enhance its loyalty program
British Airways Govt Membership
British Airways Govt Membership is without doubt one of the mostly used Amex switch companions. You should 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 gas surcharges, however you will get a terrific deal when reserving associate flights.
The British Airways award chart is distance-based, so longer flights will price extra factors. It additionally costs awards by phase, so you need to attempt to persist with nonstop routings every time doable.
Within the U.S., among the best 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: Prompt
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: Full information to incomes British Airways Avios
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles is one other Oneworld switch associate that may be helpful for associate awards. Your finest 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 associate miles. The airline has a normal award chart for its flights, which you’ll see on the Asia Miles web site.
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, then again, price 85,000 miles one-way.
Simply be aware that this system will implement some vital adjustments 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 perfect web sites for looking Oneworld award availability
Delta SkyMiles
Delta SkyMiles is a precious home switch associate. Whereas Delta is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, it is normally 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. Generally, 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 the very least 15% off Delta-operated award flights. It is all the time value checking SkyMiles availability when trying to find home flights to probably discover a terrific deal.
Delta SkyMiles will also be used for reasonably priced flights to Canada. Delta operates some flights, whereas others are operated by its associate WestJet. Delta awards have dynamic pricing, however WestJet awards constantly price 12,500 SkyMiles for a one-way economic system ticket between the U.S. and Canada when booked at the very least one month upfront.
Nevertheless, it is value noting that you need to 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 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 charge with factors, as you will get simply 0.5 cents in worth.
Switch time: Prompt
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: Fast Factors: Learn how to keep away from excise tax offset charges on level transfers from American Categorical
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 excessive gas 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 presents Emirates award flights, so it is value evaluating their charges.
Switch time: Prompt
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: Fancy a drink on the bar? A evaluation of Emirates enterprise class on the A380 from Dubai to New York
Etihad Visitor
Etihad Visitor went from among the best to one of many worst Amex switch companions when the airline simplified its program earlier this yr. It launched a brand new chart with normal pricing for all associate airways and barely completely different charges for Etihad’s personal flights.
The most important devaluation comes from associate awards. Beforehand enticing choices, resembling flying American Airways Flagship First or Brussels Airways enterprise class, have seen vital will increase in redemption charges. For instance, a flight from LAX to Sydney Airport (SYD) that used to price 62,500 miles now requires 200,000 miles. Consequently, there’s little or no motive to contemplate transferring Amex factors to Etihad.
Switch time: Prompt
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: Listed here are 9 of our favourite methods to make use of Amex Membership Rewards factors
Hawaiian Airways HawaiianMiles
HawaiianMiles are most useful when used for economy-class flights to Hawaii. Award charges range relying on availability. Saver award house presents 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. Compared, enterprise class prices 40,000 miles when saver house is obtainable. This can be a respectable 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 will have to pay the federal excise tax offset charge of $0.0006 per level when transferring Amex factors to Hawaiian.
Switch time: Prompt
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: Finest methods to redeem factors and miles on Hawaiian Airways
Iberia Plus
Like British Airways, Iberia Plus makes use of Avios as its loyalty forex. The airline has a normal award chart for all Iberia and associate flights, which may be fairly cheap.
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 price 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 makes use of similar pricing (together with taxes and costs) on these Iberia-operated awards. And since transfers to British Airways are on the spot 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 variations of Avios: When to make use of 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 group has discovered that you will 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 normally suggest 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 charge for these transactions.
Switch time: Prompt
Switch ratio: 250:200
Associated: Learn how to earn factors within the JetBlue TrueBlue program
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Qantas Frequent Flyer is one other Amex switch associate. Qantas is a Oneworld member with non-alliance partnerships with a handful of airways worldwide. Like many worldwide airways on this checklist, Qantas has a basic flights award chart.
It’s possible you’ll need to switch Amex factors to Qantas to e book El Al award tickets. Amex misplaced El Al as a switch associate 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 the event you have been to switch Amex factors to El Al previously.
Switch time: Prompt
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: An ideal hop throughout the Pacific: Qantas 787 enterprise class
Qatar Airways Privilege Membership
Qatar Airways Privilege Membership is without doubt one of the latest Amex switch companions since Qatar switched to Avios forex final yr. You’ll be able to switch Avios freely between British Airways and Qatar Airways, however we suggest evaluating British and Qatar Airways award charges earlier than reserving.
Typically, you will 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: Prompt
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: Near good: Qatar Qsuite on a 777-300ER from Doha to New York JFK
Singapore KrisFlyer
Singapore KrisFlyer is one other Star Alliance switch associate. It has two award charts: one for Singapore Airways awards (PDF hyperlink) and one other for Star Alliance award tickets (PDF hyperlink). You too can use the airline’s miles calculator software to view what number of miles a Singapore-operated award flight prices. Simply be aware that this system was devalued in July 2022, so you will pay greater than in years previous.
On the Singapore facet, you will pay a good quantity of factors for these flights. That mentioned, it is usually the one program you need to use to e book premium-cabin awards on Singapore Airways flights. This contains first-class Singapore Suites and enterprise class on the world’s longest flight.
Some associate tickets are cheap, 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 gas surcharges for associate 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 gas surcharges.
Switch time: As much as 24 hours
Switch ratio: 1:1
Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership
You should use Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership factors for flights operated by Virgin Atlantic and its companions. We usually suggest staying away from reserving Virgin Atlantic flights with factors, as you are topic to excessive gas surcharges.
For instance, when there’s award house, you need to 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 different Delta awards in early 2021, however the Europe candy spot has remained.
You too can 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 wonderful deal even with the latest 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 thought for its budget-friendly resorts worldwide, together with well-known manufacturers like Cambria Accommodations, Consolation Inn and Sleep Inn. It additionally just lately built-in Radisson Rewards Americas, giving members extra choices for incomes (and redeeming) factors.
Award costs range by property and date. You are usually 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 night time may be booked for 30,000 factors, providing you with a worth 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: Prompt
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: 6 methods Selection Privileges ought to enhance its loyalty program
Hilton Honors
Amex Membership Rewards factors switch to Hilton Honors at a positive 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, although level charges may be excessive when reserving on peak dates, transferring factors may give you respectable 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 worth of two.5 cents per Amex level.
Nevertheless, lower than two weeks later (for the night time 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, effectively under our valuations.
This reveals how vital 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 need to concentrate on incomes Hilton factors outright in the event you plan to redeem factors for Hilton stays.
Switch time: Prompt.
Switch ratio: 1:2.
Associated: 8 methods to maximise Hilton Honors redemptions
Marriott Bonvoy
Lastly, we have now 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. This may usually trigger you to get a low cent-per-point worth, even with an occasional switch bonus.
Like Hilton, take into account incomes Marriott Bonvoy factors elsewhere to gas your resort redemptions.
Switch time: Prompt
Switch ratio: 1:1
Associated: 13 methods to redeem the Marriott 50K free night time award
Backside line
American Categorical Membership Rewards factors are a number of the most useful factors available on the market. That is largely as a consequence of Amex’s in depth airline and resort switch companions checklist.
Right here, we have given you a fast take a look at every associate — discuss with this checklist as you determine finest redeem your factors.
Extra reporting by Juan Ruiz and Kyle Olsen.
