American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to airline and hotel loyalty programmes — typically at a 1:1 ratio. This is where MR points deliver their highest value: a point worth 0.67¢ as a statement credit becomes worth 2–5¢ when transferred and used for premium award flights.
All Amex MR Transfer Partners (Canada)
| Partner | Transfer Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1:1 | Best Canadian use; Star Alliance |
| British Airways Executive Club (Avios) | 1:1 | Short-haul; Qsuites; Iberia/Vueling |
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | 1:1 | Monthly promo awards; SkyTeam |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 1:1 | Business/first on Cathay Pacific |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1:1 | Singapore Suites; Star Alliance |
| Delta SkyMiles | 1:1 | Generally poor value; avoid |
| Etihad Guest | 1:1 | Etihad business class; partner airlines |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1:1.2 | 60,000 MR → 72,000 Bonvoy + 5,000 bonus |
| Hilton Honors | 1:1 | Low value; use only for top-ups |
Transfer partners and ratios current as of June 2026. Verify at americanexpress.com/ca before transferring.
Best Transfer Strategy for Canadians
1. Transfer to Aeroplan (recommended for most)
1:1 transfer. Aeroplan points book Star Alliance partner awards at fixed rates — including Air Canada business class, United, Lufthansa, Swiss, TAP Air Portugal, and others. Best sweet spots:
- Canada–Europe business: 55,000–75,000 points one-way (worth $3,000–$5,000 in cash)
- Canada–Asia business: 85,000 points one-way
80,000 Cobalt points (about 8 months of $1,000/month restaurant + grocery spend) → transfer to Aeroplan → round-trip business class to Europe.
2. Transfer to British Airways Avios
1:1 transfer. Avios are distance-based: short flights cost very few Avios.
- YYZ to PHL (Philadelphia) on American: ~9,000 Avios round-trip vs. $500 cash
- Qatar Qsuites (business) via Avios: ~70,000 Avios one-way for some routes
3. Transfer to Flying Blue (Air France/KLM)
1:1 transfer. Air France runs Monthly Promo Awards with 25%–50% discounted award prices — check monthly at flyingblue.com before transferring.
Minimum Transfer Amounts
Most Amex MR transfers have a minimum of 500 or 1,000 points per transfer request. Transfers are processed immediately or within 1–5 business days depending on the partner.
Points Cannot Be Transferred Back
Once transferred to an airline programme, MR points cannot be returned to your Amex account. Transfer only when you have a specific redemption in mind.
Related Articles
- American Express Membership Rewards Guide
- Best Amex Credit Cards in Canada
- Aeroplan Programme Guide
- Amex Cobalt vs Scotiabank Gold Amex
- Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada
Transfer partners, ratios, and redemption values subject to change without notice. Verify current details at americanexpress.com/ca. See our Advertiser Disclosure.