Best Airlines to Transfer Amex Points 2026: Ranked by Alliance

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Eighteen airline partners span three major alliances. But here's what most guides won't tell you: you really only need to know 5-6 of them well. The rest are situational players you'll use once or twice a year, if that.

I've tested transfers to all 18 partners over five years. Some became my go-to bookings—ANA for first class to Europe, British Airways for quick domestic hops. Others? I transferred points once, realized the value wasn't there, and never went back.

This guide ranks all 18 partners by alliance, so you can quickly find the best option for your specific route. Star Alliance getting you to Asia? ANA or Singapore. Oneworld to Europe? British Airways or Iberia. SkyTeam to... anywhere, really? Virgin Atlantic for Delta, Flying Blue for everything else.

Quick Answer: ANA Mileage Club (Star Alliance) delivers the best first class value at 55,000 miles to Europe roundtrip. British Airways Executive Club (Oneworld) wins for short-haul at 4,500 miles. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (non-alliance, Delta partner) dominates Delta One at 50,000 miles. All 18 partners transfer at 1:1 ratios with instant transfer speeds.

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All 18 Airline Partners (Organized by Alliance)

Star Alliance (7 airlines)

Oneworld (7 airlines)

SkyTeam (3 airlines)

Non-Alliance (1 airline)

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My Top 5 Ranked by Actual Value

Luxury credit card benefits and perks

1. ANA Mileage Club

Value: 18-27 cents per point

ANA's award chart is the closest thing to a cheat code in the points world. First class to Europe for 55,000 miles roundtrip. That's less than half what most programs charge.

The redemptions that matter:

• First class Europe roundtrip: 55,000 miles (value: $10,000-15,000)
• Business class Europe roundtrip: 88,000 miles (value: $6,000-10,000)
• First class Asia roundtrip: 95,000 miles (value: $15,000-20,000)

Transfer details: 1:1 ratio, instant transfer, 1,000 point minimum

The catches: Roundtrip booking required. Lufthansa first class has fuel surcharges. Award space books up fast — we're talking 355 days out for the best seats.

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2. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Value: 6-10 cents per point

Virgin Atlantic partners with Delta. Their award prices for Delta One are significantly lower than what Delta charges directly.

The sweet spots:

• US to Europe Delta One: 50,000-60,000 miles one-way (value: $3,000-5,000)
• US to Asia Delta One: 70,000-85,000 miles one-way (value: $5,000-8,000)
• Domestic first class: 12,500-25,000 miles (value: $500-800)

Transfer details: 1:1 ratio, instant transfer, 1,000 point minimum

The catch: Delta One award space is limited. You'll need flexibility and patience.

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3. British Airways Executive Club

Value: 2-4 cents per point

British Airways uses distance-based pricing. Short flights cost dramatically fewer miles than long ones.

The sweet spots:

• Flights under 1,151 miles: 4,500 miles economy one-way
• Same distance in business: 9,000 miles one-way
• American Airlines domestic: 4,500-9,000 miles

Transfer details: 1:1 ratio, instant transfer, 1,000 point minimum

The catch: British Airways adds fuel surcharges on their own flights. The play is American Airlines domestic where surcharges don't apply.

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4. Air Canada Aeroplan

Value: 4-8 cents per point

Aeroplan has become the go-to for Star Alliance awards without massive fuel surcharges.

What you get:

• US to Europe business: 60,000-70,000 miles (value: $4,000-6,000)
• US to Asia business: 70,000-80,000 miles (value: $5,000-8,000)
• Stopovers allowed on one-way awards

Transfer details: 1:1 ratio, instant transfer, 1,000 point minimum

The catch: Dynamic pricing on some partners means costs can fluctuate.

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5. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

Value: 5-10 cents per point

Singapore Suites isn't first class. It's something else entirely — private suites with double beds at cruising altitude.

The redemptions:

• Suites to Asia: 86,000 miles one-way (value: $15,000+)
• Business to Asia: 57,000 miles one-way (value: $5,000-8,000)
• First to Europe: 107,000 miles one-way (value: $10,000+)

Transfer details: 1:1 ratio, instant transfer, 1,000 point minimum

The catch: Suites award space is extremely limited. You need to search 355 days out.

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Best Options by Region

Europe Travel

Winner: ANA for pure value. Virgin Atlantic for Delta One specifically.

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Asia Travel

Winner: Singapore for the Suites experience. ANA for overall value.

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Domestic US

Winner: Virgin Atlantic for Delta One. British Airways for short American Airlines hops.

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Transfer Timing and Process

Luxury credit card benefits and perks

Before you move points:

1. Search award space on the partner airline's website
2. Confirm seats are actually bookable
3. Understand the transfer is permanent
4. Check the program's expiration policy

The transfer itself:

1. Log into Amex Membership Rewards
2. Navigate to Transfer Points
3. Select your partner
4. Enter the amount (must be in 1,000 point increments)
5. Confirm — most transfers are instant

Transfer speeds:

• Instant: Most airline partners (Delta, ANA, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, etc.)
• 1-2 days: Some hotel partners like Choice Privileges

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Transfer Bonuses: Worth Waiting For?

Amex runs transfer bonuses throughout the year. They're not predictable, but they happen 2-4 times annually on rotating partners.

Typical bonus structure:

• 25% bonus: 10,000 points → 12,500 miles
• 30% bonus: 10,000 points → 13,000 miles
• 40% bonus: 10,000 points → 14,000 miles

Best bonus targets:

• ANA (already the best value — bonuses make it absurd)
• British Airways (short-haul becomes incredible)
• Virgin Atlantic (Delta One gets even cheaper)

The math: 100,000 points with a 40% bonus = 140,000 miles. That 55,000-mile ANA first class award now costs only 39,286 Amex points.

Should you wait? If your travel is flexible, yes. If you have specific dates and award space is available, probably not. Award space is worth more than a 25% bonus.

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Common Questions

Travel rewards points and miles visualization

"Can I transfer points back from airlines?"

No. Transfers are one-way. Once points leave Amex, they're airline miles permanently.

"Do Amex points expire?"

Not while your account is open and in good standing.

"Can I combine points from multiple Amex cards?"

Yes. All Membership Rewards cards pool into one balance.

"What's the minimum transfer amount?"

Most partners require 1,000 points minimum, in 1,000-point increments.

"What if award space disappears during transfer?"

With instant transfers, this rarely happens. For delayed transfers, have backup options ready.

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The Bottom Line

Eighteen airline partners. Not all of them are worth using.

ANA Mileage Club delivers the best overall value — 55,000 miles for first class to Europe roundtrip is unmatched.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club unlocks Delta One at prices Delta doesn't offer directly.

British Airways Executive Club makes short domestic flights almost trivial at 4,500 miles.

Air Canada Aeroplan gives you Star Alliance flexibility without fuel surcharge headaches.

Singapore KrisFlyer is your path to Suites class — the best first class product flying.

Know what you want to book. Then pick the partner that gets you there.

Final Verdict: ANA Mileage Club delivers the best overall value at 55,000 miles to Europe first class roundtrip. British Airways Executive Club wins for short-haul at 4,500 miles. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club dominates Delta One. Air Canada Aeroplan offers the best Star Alliance flexibility. All 18 partners transfer at 1:1 ratios. Transfer bonuses of 25-40% periodically available.