American Express Membership Rewards has a long list of transfer partners. But I don’t rank these based on theory. I rank them based on reality — the programs I’ve actually transferred points to, used successfully, and would use again. Because the only “best” transfer partner is the one that helps you book the trip you’re trying to take.
So here are the Membership Rewards partners in tiers — with the top spots going to the programs that have delivered value for me, not just the ones that look good on a spreadsheet.
If you want to see the full current list straight from Amex, you can check the official Membership Rewards transfer partner page.
What The Tiers Mean (For This Post)
- S-Tier: Partners I’ve used (or would confidently use) and trust to deliver real-world value.
- A-Tier: Strong options, but more situational or less automatic.
- B-Tier: Useful tools — just not where I start.
- C-Tier: Usually not where MR shines, but can make sense for top-offs, bonuses, or specific trips.
- D-Tier: Harder to justify most of the time.
- F-Tier: Technically partners. Practically… no.
S-Tier (Partners I’ve Actually Used And Would Use Again)
Air Canada Aeroplan
This is one of my most-used Membership Rewards partners because it’s consistently practical.
I’ve transferred points to Aeroplan to book:
- Flights in Asia
- United domestic flights
- Trips to Europe on Star Alliance partners
Part of the reason Aeroplan works so well is just how broad the program has become. Between Star Alliance airlines and additional partnerships, it feels like Aeroplan has access to just about everything — which is why I’ve said before that Aeroplan might have one of the most useful partner networks of any airline program.
And it’s not just the website. I’ve even called Aeroplan to book a Singapore Airlines flight that didn’t show online — a reminder that knowledgeable agents still matter for complicated award bookings.
Aeroplan isn’t perfect, but flexibility, partner access, and real-world usability all line up here.
ANA Mileage Club
ANA is one of those programs that can feel a little old-school… right up until you actually use it successfully.
I’ve transferred Membership Rewards to ANA for our own flights — and also to help family travel. One of my favorite award bookings wasn’t even for me — it was building a complex Asia itinerary for my dad using ANA partner awards: The Best Award Flight I Ever Booked Wasn’t Even For Me.
The rules can be stricter than other programs, but when everything lines up, ANA still delivers outstanding value.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (Virgin Points)
Virgin stays in S-tier because it hasn’t just looked good on paper — it’s delivered for us.
We’ve redeemed Virgin Atlantic points multiple times for flights to and from London, both on Virgin Atlantic itself and on Delta. One of my favorite redemptions was booking Premium Economy from London to Orlando — a noticeably better seat at a Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy (LHR–MCO) Review.
Between partner awards and occasional transfer bonuses, this is one of the programs where Membership Rewards points have turned into trips we were already planning.
Air France–KLM Flying Blue
Dynamic pricing isn’t always ideal, but Flying Blue is consistently useful and frequently competitive — one of the easier programs to actually book with.
A-Tier
Delta SkyMiles
Putting Delta here will annoy some people — but this is a Membership Rewards ranking, and Amex and Delta are deeply connected.
- AMEX is essentially the only major transferable currency feeding SkyMiles
- Delta co-brand cardholders get TakeOff 15%, which can materially improve award pricing
Yes, there’s an excise tax offset fee when you transfer. And yes, pricing can be unpredictable. But real-world usefulness matters, and SkyMiles solves actual travel problems more often than people like to admit.
Avianca LifeMiles
Strong Star Alliance pricing and no fuel surcharges — but not S-tier because of functionality. Search quirks and inconsistent support make transfers feel less “safe.”
British Airways Club (Avios)
British Airways shines on short, nonstop flights — especially American and Alaska in the U.S., plus cheap intra-Europe hops. We’ve even booked Austria → London and paid about $1 in fees.
One thing that makes Avios programs more useful than they might look on paper: you can often move Avios between British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways, and Aer Lingus — which means you’re not locked into one program when you transfer.
Iberia Plus (Avios)
One of the better ways to use Avios for transatlantic flights is when off-peak pricing lines up.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club (Avios)
Qatar is one of the most useful Avios programs for longer-haul redemptions (especially premium cabins) and for checking pricing and availability.
It also plays nicely with the rest of the Avios ecosystem, since you can often move Avios between Qatar, British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus, depending on where you want to book.
B-Tier
Singapore KrisFlyer
KrisFlyer is great for what it needs to be: unlocking Singapore Airlines awards on Singapore Airlines metal.
But I’m not transferring here as a general strategy. It’s a targeted tool, not a default partner.
That said, when you need it, you really need it — we used KrisFlyer to book our Singapore Airlines flight to Southeast Asia, which I wrote about here: Singapore Airlines A350-900 Business Class (LAX–SIN).
Aer Lingus AerClub (Avios)
Aer Lingus AerClub is mostly a situational Avios partner for me. It can be worth checking when you’re specifically booking Aer Lingus flights, and the Avios + fees math works out better than booking through another Avios program.
Like the other Avios programs, it can also be useful as part of the “move Avios around” strategy when you’re trying to book in whichever program prices best.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Useful oneworld option, but pricing and rules vary.
Emirates Skywards
Sometimes excellent for specific cabins or transfer bonuses, otherwise situational.
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Huge partner network, often expensive. Worth checking when other programs don’t show space.
Etihad Guest
Niche uses exist, but it’s not a starting point for most MR strategies.
C-Tier
JetBlue TrueBlue
JetBlue isn’t bad — it’s a mostly fixed-value program, and fixed-value programs can be perfectly reasonable.
The issue is opportunity cost. Membership Rewards usually has stronger partners for outsized value, and other banks often offer a better fit for JetBlue transfers.
So I’m not saying “never.” I’m saying use other partners first, unless JetBlue solves a specific problem and you only have Membership Rewards points.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott moves into C-tier because it can actually make sense in the right situation — even if it’s not where I’d normally start with Membership Rewards.
Bonvoy redemptions often land close to ~1 cent per point, which isn’t amazing but isn’t bad either. We’ve personally gotten right around that level when booking a stay in Aruba.
If there’s a transfer bonus, or you just need to top off for a specific award stay, moving Membership Rewards to Marriott can be a practical move — especially since MR doesn’t have many strong hotel partners.
That said, it’s still not as strong or flexible as airline transfers like Delta, Aeroplan, or Virgin.
D-Tier
Hilton Honors
Hilton Honors points are usually worth around 0.5 cents per point, so transferring Membership Rewards to Hilton rarely makes sense.
Choice Privileges
There are sweet spots, but it’s niche enough that Membership Rewards rarely shines there.
F-Tier
El Al Matmid
Too limited for most travelers to justify sending flexible points here.
Aeromexico Club Premier
Hard to justify compared to stronger SkyTeam alternatives.
Final Thought
Membership Rewards doesn’t need dozens of great partners.
It just needs enough good ones that, when award space opens up—or you find a flight you actually need—you can transfer points and book without regret.
For me, that’s why Aeroplan, ANA, and Virgin sit at the top — not because the internet says they should, but because they’ve turned Membership Rewards points into real trips across Asia, around the U.S., and to Europe… including flights for family.
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