Getting the Best Value: My Favorite American Express Transfer Partners
Hey friends — Phillip here from Points with Phillip! If you’ve followed me on YouTube, you know I’m a big believer that American Express Membership Rewards points are only as good as how you use them. One of the most powerful ways to unlock real value? Transfer partners.
Now, Amex has a lot of airline and hotel partners — but I want to focus on the ones I’ve personally gotten the most from, along with a few worth keeping an eye on. Let’s dive in!
✈️ Aer Lingus – The Hidden “Throne” Seat
Aer Lingus may not always be the flashiest option, but their business class throne seat is a gem. Picture having the width of two seats all to yourself — pure luxury. Routes like JFK to Dublin are especially solid redemptions. Plus, Aer Lingus links up with Avios (think British Airways and Finnair), giving you flexibility if a transfer bonus comes around.
🇲🇽 Aeromexico – A Better Deal with Amex
Amex offers one of the best transfer ratios here: 1:1.6 to Aeromexico, which can stretch your points further than most U.S. programs. While not everyone books Aeromexico often, if you do, this transfer ratio can be a sweet spot.
🍁 Air Canada Aeroplan – Flexible & Full of Sweet Spots
Aeroplan has undergone some changes recently, but it remains one of my go-to partners. A few highlights:
Business class to London Heathrow for far fewer fees than British Airways.
Great option for domestic United flights, starting at just 15,000 points one-way — a lifesaver if you don’t have United miles or Chase points.
The only catch: sometimes you’ll need to connect through Canada to reach international destinations. Still, the value is strong.
🇫🇷 Air France/KLM Flying Blue – My Personal Favorite
This is where Amex points really shine. A few reasons I love Flying Blue:
Book Delta flights domestically (often cheaper than Delta itself, even with cardholder discounts).
No excise tax fee when transferring to Air France (unlike Delta direct).
Solid business class availability between Paris (CDG) and U.S. East Coast cities, often around 60,000 points with reasonable fees.
And here’s the kicker: book Virgin Atlantic Upper Class via Flying Blue to avoid $700–$800 fees. Instead, you’ll pay around 66k–70k points + ~$250. Huge savings if you’re traveling with multiple passengers.
This flexibility is why I don’t see a huge difference between Amex and Capital One miles — both transfer 1:1 to Air France, and that’s a powerhouse.
🛫 Cathay Pacific Asia Miles – First Class on British Airways (Without the Fees)
British Airways is notorious for sky-high fees on award flights. But if you transfer to Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles, you can unlock BA first class for just 90,000 points + ~$250 in fees (versus $700+ booking direct). The catch? You’ll need to plan about a year in advance to snag availability. But for first class across the Atlantic at that rate, it’s more than worth it.
🔴 Delta SkyMiles – Yes, There Are Still Sweet Spots
I know, I know — Delta gets a lot of hate for dynamic pricing. But hear me out:
I booked round-trip first class Orlando–Atlanta for two people at 60,000 points. The cash price? $2,000. That’s a redemption value of ~3 cents per point.
Delta may not always have obvious “charts,” but if you’re flexible and smart, the deals are still there.
So don’t sleep on SkyMiles entirely — just be strategic.
🏨 Hilton Honors – The Better Hotel Option
Hilton transfers from Amex at a 1:2 ratio, making it easier to snag high-value hotel stays. For example: instead of dropping 80–90k Amex points on Marriott for a free night, you can transfer just 40–45k to Hilton for a similar property. Think Waldorf Astoria New York or Conrad Orlando for under 1 cent per point — not bad for hotel stays.
✈️ Virgin Atlantic Flying Club – Premium Economy Sweet Spot
Last but definitely not least: Virgin Atlantic. This is one of my favorite partners, especially for premium economy across the Atlantic:
Orlando to London Heathrow direct, starting at just 15,000 points + ~$200–300 in fees.
My wife and I booked Atlanta–Heathrow for 24,000 points total (plus ~$500 in fees) and saved nearly $2,000 in cash fares.
Business class redemptions can dip as low as 35k–45k points from the UK to the U.S. if you snag saver fares.
The product is solid, especially their newer Upper Class cabins, and the value is insane compared to Delta or BA redemptions.
✍️ Final Thoughts
Amex has dozens of transfer partners, but these are the ones where I’ve personally found the best bang for my buck. The key takeaway? Don’t just blindly transfer points — know the sweet spots, hunt for saver fares, and always compare fees.
With the right strategy, your Amex points can unlock luxury seats, international adventures, and hotel stays that would otherwise cost thousands of dollars.
Until next time,
Phillip