3 AMEX Transfer Partners to Consider for Travel Flexibility

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Million Mile Secrets reader, Chris, commented:

I just received the welcome bonus from The Business Platinum® Card from American Express.  I’m afraid AMEX might try to claw my points back.  Which airline transfer partner would you recommend transferring my points to?

As long as you follow the rules for meeting minimum spending requirements, you should NOT worry about losing sign-up bonus points.

And without travel plans, I like the flexibility of keeping points in my AMEX Membership Rewards account.  Because when you’re ready to book a trip, you’ll have the option to choose from multiple transfer partners.

The best partner depends on your travel goals.  Are you traveling within the US or internationally?  And do you want a coach or Business Class seat?

I’ll share a few AMEX airline transfer partners that can get you flexibility for future travel.

Transfer AMEX Membership Rewards Points

Link:   The Ultimate Guide to AMEX Membership Rewards Points 

Link:   Which Miles & Points Should You Collect for Award Flights?

AMEX Membership Rewards has these airline partners.

Before you transfer points to an airline partner, it’s best to have a travel goal in mind.  Because all transfers are final.  And many airline miles expire if you don’t use them.

The best transfer partner for you depends on:

• Open award seats
• Where you want to travel
• Which airlines fly from your home airport
• Your airline & alliance preferences

For ideas, check out my series on the best ways use AMEX Membership Rewards points to fly within the US and to destinations around the world.

Keep in mind you don’t have to transfer all of your points to one airline partner.  You can spread the points across multiple transfer partners.

Here are 3 suggestions that offer flexible redemption options.

1.   Singapore Airlines

Link:   How to Use AMEX Membership Rewards Points for United Airlines Award Tickets 

You can transfer AMEX Membership Rewards points to Singapore Airlines to book award flights on United Airlines.  Because both airlines are part of the Star Alliance.

Here are some examples of how you can use Singapore Airlines miles for award flights on United Airlines:

• 35,000 Singapore Airlines miles for a round-trip coach flight from US to Hawaii
• 40,000 Singapore Airlines miles for a round-trip US Business Class within the continental US
• 55,000 Singapore Airlines miles for a round-trip coach flight from US to Europe
• 60,000 Singapore Airlines miles for a round-trip Business Class from US to Hawaii

Singapore Airlines miles are one of the cheapest ways to use miles to visit Europe.

The airline flies from New York (JFK) to Frankfurt before continuing to Singapore.

For a one-way award flight, you’ll pay:

• 22,500 Singapore Airlines miles in coach
• 65,000 Singapore Airlines miles in Business Class
• 76,000 Singapore Airlines miles in First Class Suites

But it can still be a great deal for folks who want to use their AMEX Membership Rewards points to get to Europe.

2.   Flying Blue

Link:   Flying Blue Promo Awards

Link:   Sweet Spot: Flying Blue Miles to Hawaii

If you’re planning a trip to Europe, you can do well transferring AMEX Membership Rewards points to Flying Blue to book a Flying Blue Promo Award.

Because each month, Air France and KLM discount award tickets on certain routes by 25% to 50%.  And Flying Blue includes Western Russia, Israel, and cities in Northern Africa in the European region.  So you could use your points to travel farther.

You can also use Flying Blue miles to book Delta award flights to Hawaii.

Check the Flying Blue miles calculator tool to see how many miles you’ll need for your award flight to Hawaii.

3.   ANA

Similar to Singapore Airlines, you can transfer AMEX Membership Rewards points to ANA to book United Airlines award flights.

But you’ll have to plan a round-trip award flight.  Because ANA does NOT allow one-way award flights.

The benefit of using ANA miles is you can get 1 free stopover and 2 open-jaws on each round-trip ticket.

Here are some ways you can use ANA miles for round-trip award flights:

• 55,000 ANA miles from US to Southern South America in coach
• 65,000 ANA miles from US to Africa or India in coach
• 88,000 ANA miles from US to Europe in Business Class

Bottom Line

Without travel plans, I prefer to keep points in my AMEX Membership Rewards account.  Because this gives you the most flexibility for booking future airfare.

But if you want to transfer points to an airline partner, think about your travel goals.  Consider where you want to travel and which airlines fly from your home airport.

You can generally find good deals with Singapore Airlines, Flying Blue, and ANA.

Choose carefully when picking a partner because all points transfers are final.

Thanks for the question, Chris!