Deep Dive into American Express Canada’s Transfer Partners
In this episode of Miles Ahead Deep Dives, Danny, Josh, and Jeff from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss everything there is to know about American Express Canada’s Transfer Partners.
They discuss what transfer partners are and highlight the most valuable frequent flyer and hotel loyalty program transfer partners for Canadians, such as Air Canada Aeroplan and British Airways Avios. The episode delves into American Express Membership Rewards transfer ratios and how to maximize value from transfer bonuses and high-value redemptions.
(00:53) The Basics of American Express Canada Transfer Partners
There are several cards that earn Membership Rewards points in Canada, and the biggest value that Membership Rewards offer is that they can be transferred to partner frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs.
- Read More: Ultimate Guide to American Express Canada Transfer Partners
- Loyalty Program Guide: American Express Membership Rewards
- Cards that earn Membership Rewards: Amex Platinum card, Amex Gold Rewards card, Amex Cobalt card, Amex Green card, Amex Business Platinum card, and Amex Business Gold Rewards card
(01:53) Key Transfer Partners: Air Canada Aeroplan & British Airways Avios
The two best frequent flyer transfer partners for Membership Rewards points are Air Canada Aeroplan and British Airways Avios. Both of these programs allow transfers at a rate of 1:1, and between these two programs, you gain access to all of the airlines in the Star Alliance and Oneworld networks.
- Loyalty Program Guides: Air Canada Aeroplan & British Airways Avios
(02:37) Exploring Other Transfer Partners
Four other frequent flyer transfer partners offer slightly less value, as they transfer at a rate of 1:0.75, and they include Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Etihad Guest Miles, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, and Delta SkyMiles.
- Frequent Flyer Loyalty Program Guides: Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Delta SkyMiles, & Air France/KLM Flying Blue
American Express Canada also has two hotel loyalty program transfer partners: Marriott Bonvoy (which transfers at a rate of 1:1.2) and Hilton Honors (which transfers at a rate of 1:1).
- Hotel Loyalty Program Guides: Marriott Bonvoy & Hilton Honors
(05:21) Is Transferring Membership Rewards Points Always The Best Deal?
Transferable points present more opportunities, but that doesn’t mean that transferring points is always the best deal. Jeff covers how he determines if it is worth booking a cash fare or if he is better off redeeming points.
(06:58) Maximizing Value from Transfer Bonuses
American Express Canada offers transfer bonuses for certain partners throughout the year, where members who transfer Membership Rewards into these select programs will receive bonus miles.
(09:26) Transfer Partner High-Value Redemptions
The team shares their thoughts on high-value redemptions with the available frequent flyer and hotel loyalty program transfer partners.
- British Airways Avios: Qatar Airways Qsuites & Japan Airlines business class
- Read More: How to Transfer Avios Between Partner Loyalty Programs
- Listen to Miles Ahead: Episode 4 – All About Avios
- Air Canada Aeroplan:Lufthansa first class & many more options to Europe
- Read More: Aeroplan New Card Bonus Rules Explained
- Listen to Miles Ahead: Episode 5 – All About Air Canada Aeroplan
- Air France/KLM Flying Blue: Air France business class
- Read More: Flying Blue Promo Rewards
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: Cathay Pacific first class
- Delta SkyMiles: WestJet redemptions
- Etihad Guest: Don’t transfer as cancellation policies are abhorrent
- Marriott Bonvoy: High-value aspiration redemptions
- Hilton Honors: It never makes sense to transfer to Hilton
(23:20) Most Available Redemptions for Each Transfer Partner
If you are interested in making a redemption that doesn’t involve the hassle of finding an award seat and are ok with flying economy class, many of these frequent flyer programs have readily available award seats on several carriers and routes.
(32:07) Conclusion
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Join us for the next episode, where the Frugal Flyer team will open their wallets to share the cards they use daily and the ones they keep year-over-year for the benefits they offer.
Hi Reed, I cant remember what episode it was where one of you mentions that supplementary cards for the Scotia Passport card also get 6 annual lounge passes. Can you confirm this and also does it cost anything for the supplementary cards?
Hi Mike – it was most likely the episode on airport lounges. But yes, to my knowledge this still works. It is $0 for the first supplementary card and $50 per year for each additional card.