"What is the Amex MR to Aeroplan transfer ratio?"

"Amex Membership Rewards points transfer to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio. One MR point equals one Aeroplan point. There is no conversion penalty or exchange fee. The minimum transfer is typically 1,000 MR points."

"How long does an Amex MR to Aeroplan transfer take?"

"Amex MR to Aeroplan transfers typically process within a few minutes to a few hours. In some cases, transfers may take up to 2–3 business days. Always initiate the transfer after confirming award space, since Aeroplan seats can change rapidly."

"Should I transfer all my Amex MR points to Aeroplan at once?"

"No. Only transfer the points you need for a specific redemption after confirming award space is available. Aeroplan points and MR points both have no-expiry-while-card-active policies, so there is no urgency to transfer. Keeping points in MR preserves your flexibility to transfer to other partners (Avios, Flying Blue) if a better opportunity arises."

"Can I transfer Amex MR points to someone else's Aeroplan account?"

"Typically, transfers must go to your own Aeroplan account — the one linked to your Amex profile. Transferring to another person's Aeroplan account is generally not permitted. Verify with Amex Canada if you have a specific situation."

How to Transfer Amex MR Points to Aeroplan Canada 2026

Transferring Amex Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan is the most-used travel rewards strategy in Canada. The 1:1 transfer ratio, combined with the Amex Cobalt’s 5x earn on dining and groceries, effectively gives Canadians a 5x Aeroplan earn rate in those categories — far exceeding what any Aeroplan co-branded credit card can offer.

This guide covers the transfer process, best uses, and critical rules to know before sending points.

The Core Strategy: Why MR → Aeroplan

Card	Category	Effective Aeroplan Earn Rate
Amex Cobalt (5x MR → Aeroplan 1:1)	Dining & grocery	5 Aeroplan/dollar
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite	Grocery	Up to 3 Aeroplan/dollar
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite	Grocery	Up to 3 Aeroplan/dollar
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite	Air Canada	2 Aeroplan/dollar

No Aeroplan co-branded credit card earns 5x Aeroplan in any category. The only way to earn 5 Aeroplan points per dollar on groceries is to earn 5x MR on the Cobalt and transfer to Aeroplan.

Transfer Ratio and Terms

Detail	Value
Transfer ratio	1 MR → 1 Aeroplan point
Minimum transfer	1,000 MR points
Increments	1,000 points (or as specified)
Transfer direction	One-way only; cannot be reversed
Transfer fee	None
Processing time	Minutes to 2–3 business days

Step-by-Step: How to Transfer Amex MR to Aeroplan

Log in to your Amex Canada online account at americanexpress.com/ca
Navigate to Membership Rewards in your account dashboard
Select “Transfer Points” or “Redeem Points” → “Transfer to a Travel Partner”
Choose Aeroplan from the list of transfer partners
Enter your Aeroplan number (your Air Canada / Aeroplan account number)
Enter the number of MR points to transfer (minimum 1,000; in 1,000-point increments)
Review and confirm the transfer — note that it is non-reversible
Wait for processing — typically minutes; sometimes up to 2–3 business days
Check your Aeroplan account to confirm points have arrived before making your booking

Before You Transfer: Critical Rules

1. Confirm Award Space First

Always search for and confirm award availability on aeroplan.com before transferring. Aeroplan seats — especially business class — can disappear between the time you search and the time your transfer completes.

Workflow:

Find the award seat on aeroplan.com and note the exact flight, date, and cabin
Initiate the MR transfer
As soon as points arrive (check your Aeroplan balance), book the award immediately

2. Transfers Are Non-Reversible

Once MR points are transferred to Aeroplan, they cannot be transferred back or redirected to another partner. If you later want Avios instead of Aeroplan, you cannot reclaim those MR points.

3. Transfer Only What You Need

Aeroplan has no expiry while your account is active. MR has no expiry while your Amex card is active. Both programmes are safe to accumulate over time. There is no benefit to pre-transferring large balances — transfer only when booking.

Best Uses of Aeroplan Points (After MR Transfer)

Redemption	Approx. Aeroplan Points	Cash Value
Toronto → Frankfurt business class (Lufthansa)	~55,000 one-way	$4,000–$6,000
Toronto → Tokyo business class (ANA)	~75,000 one-way	$7,000–$12,000
Vancouver → Tokyo business class (ANA)	~60,000 one-way	$6,000–$10,000
Canada → Singapore business class	~75,000 one-way	$8,000–$14,000
Toronto → London economy (Air Canada or partner)	~30,000 one-way	$800–$1,500

Award rates are approximate and subject to change. Verify at aeroplan.com before transferring.

For a complete breakdown of Aeroplan award pricing and strategy: Best Aeroplan Redemptions Canada.

MR to Aeroplan: Annual Accumulation Example

Household profile: $1,500/month grocery + $600 dining/delivery on Amex Cobalt

Monthly MR earn: (1,500 + 600) × 5 = 10,500 MR
Annual MR earn: ~126,000 MR
Transferred to Aeroplan: 126,000 Aeroplan points

What 126,000 Aeroplan points books:

One-way business class to Europe on Lufthansa or SWISS (55,000) + one-way business to Japan on ANA (60,000) — with 11,000 left for other redemptions
Or two round-trip economy flights to Europe (~60,000 each)
Or a variety of redemptions across Air Canada and Star Alliance partners

Transfer ratios and programme terms are subject to change. Verify with Amex Canada and Aeroplan before initiating transfers. See our Advertiser Disclosure.