The Amex Membership Rewards program lost two of its most-cited partners in 2026: Cathay Pacific dropped from a 1:1 ratio to 5:4 in March, and Etihad Guest is ending entirely on June 29. If you have an Amex Gold or Platinum and have been putting off deciding where to transfer, here is a current ranked guide to what is worth your points now.
The 2026 Changes You Need to Know
Two specific shifts happened this year that change the calculus for Amex MR transfers:
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, now 5:4 (was 1:1): Effective March 1, 2026, American Express lowered the transfer ratio from the program’s founding 1:1 rate to 5:4. That means 10,000 MR now yields 8,000 Asia Miles instead of 10,000. For premium cabin redemptions on Cathay, this is a 20% effective price increase. Cathay remains a useful partner for specific routes, but it is no longer the premium-cabin value leader it was.
- Etihad Guest ending June 29, 2026: American Express confirmed the partnership ends on that date. After June 29, MR points can no longer transfer to Etihad Guest. If you have been holding MR and want to use Etihad for Middle East routes or Star Alliance awards, the transfer window closes in roughly 10 weeks from the date of this article.
With those two caveats noted, here is where the remaining program stands.
The Best Amex MR Transfer Partners in 2026, Ranked
1. Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1): Best for Business Class Without Fuel Surcharges
Aeroplan remains the most flexible partner in the Amex MR lineup. The transfer ratio stayed at 1:1, and Aeroplan’s award chart is one of the few that lets you book Star Alliance partners (United, Lufthansa, Swiss, ANA, Singapore) without passing through fuel surcharges. A business class seat from the US to Europe on Lufthansa via Aeroplan runs 60,000 points one-way. The same ticket through British Airways Avios would add $500+ in carrier surcharges.
Best uses: United domestic awards at 12,500 points one-way, Lufthansa or Swiss business class to Europe, ANA business class to Japan. Aeroplan also has a co-pay feature that lets you use cash to cover taxes on any booking, which removes the all-points-or-nothing constraint.
2. Air France / KLM Flying Blue (1:1): Best for Europe and Flash Sales
Flying Blue runs monthly promo awards (called Promo Rewards) that discount specific routes by 25–50%. These flash sales make routes to Europe and West Africa periodically available for 20,000–30,000 miles in economy, and business class deals surface regularly. The transfer ratio is 1:1, and Flying Blue partners with SkyTeam airlines including Delta, Korean Air, and China Eastern.
Best uses: Paris, Amsterdam, Lyon flights, African routes via Air France, Delta partner awards when Delta programs run hot.
3. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1): Best for ANA First Class and Delta Awards
Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club punches above its weight because of two specific sweet spots that have no equivalent: ANA first class from the US to Japan (110,000 miles roundtrip in first class on a carrier that sells those seats for $10,000+) and Delta One business class at rates below Delta’s own Skymiles pricing. The 1:1 transfer ratio applies, and there is a Virgin Atlantic co-branded card that earns the currency directly, but MR transfers are the most accessible entry point.
Who this is for: readers planning a premium Japan trip or a transatlantic Delta One flight who can book well in advance.
4. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (1:1): Best for Premium Singapore Cabin Access
The US Amex MR to KrisFlyer transfer remains at 1:1, unaffected by the Amex Singapore devaluation that hit the Singapore-issued cards. Singapore Airlines operates some of the most-awarded premium cabins in the world, including the Singapore Suites product on the A380. KrisFlyer also partners with Star Alliance carriers, so these miles function similarly to Aeroplan for certain routes.
Best uses: Singapore Suites or Business Class on Singapore Airlines metal, Star Alliance awards where Aeroplan and United are sold out. Note that KrisFlyer requires booking through the Singapore Airlines award system, which can have limited online availability for partner awards.
5. British Airways Avios (1:1): Best for Short-Haul and American Airlines Awards
Avios trades well for short-haul routes. British Airways uses a distance-based chart, which means a 1,000-mile domestic flight on American Airlines can cost as few as 7,500 Avios one-way. The caveat with BA is carrier-imposed surcharges on transatlantic British Airways flights, which can add $400+ to a business class ticket. Use Avios for American Airlines domestic awards, Iberia flights in Europe, or Aer Lingus transatlantic where surcharges are lower.
Best uses: American Airlines domestic awards at 7,500–15,000 Avios, Iberia Europe routes, Aer Lingus transatlantic as an alternative to BA metal.
The Partners Worth Skipping
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (5:4): Still usable for Cathay-operated routes, but at 5:4 you get 20% fewer miles. Other partners now offer better value for most travelers.
Hilton Honors (2:1 MR to Hilton): You get 2 Hilton points per 1 MR transferred. Hilton points are worth roughly $0.004–$0.006 each, compared to MR at $0.018–$0.020. The math does not work out in your favor.
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1 MR to Marriott): Even worse ratio than Hilton. Avoid.
Transfer Partner Quick Reference
| Partner | Ratio | Alliance | Best Use | Fuel Surcharges? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1:1 | Star Alliance | Business class Europe/Asia, US domestic | No (partner awards) |
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | 1:1 | SkyTeam | Europe, Promo Awards | Moderate |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 1:1 | Independent | ANA first class, Delta One | No (US partner awards) |
| Singapore KrisFlyer | 1:1 | Star Alliance | Singapore Suites, Star Alliance | Low (Singapore metal) |
| British Airways Avios | 1:1 | Oneworld | AA domestic, short-haul | High (BA transatlantic) |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | 5:4 | Oneworld | Cathay routes only | Low |
| Etihad Guest | 1:1 | Independent | Ends June 29, 2026 | Variable |
Transfer ratios and partner status verified as of April 2026. Confirm current terms before transferring.
Which Cards Earn Amex Membership Rewards
Not all Amex cards earn transferable MR points. The two most accessible personal options:
American Express Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card earns 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. restaurants and 4x at U.S. supermarkets (capped at $25,000/year at supermarkets, then 1x), verified as of 2026-03-22. Annual fee: $325. After the $120 Uber Cash credit and $120 dining credit, the net annual fee drops to around $85 for cardholders who use both credits each month.
The Gold is the lowest-friction entry point to transferable MR points for most people. If you spend heavily on dining and groceries, you can accumulate transfer-worthy balances quickly without booking flights through Amex Travel.
American Express Platinum Card
The American Express Platinum Card earns 5x on flights booked directly with airlines and 5x on hotels booked through Amex Travel, verified as of 2026-04-10. Annual fee: $895. The Platinum accumulates MR faster on flight purchases, making it the better card if you book a lot of business travel. The two cards pair well: use the Gold for dining and groceries, the Platinum for flights.
Note: the Amex Green Card ($150 AF) earns 3x on travel, transit, and dining and is an option for readers who want MR-earning flexibility at a lower fee. Confirm current terms on the Amex website before applying.
The Etihad Window
If you have MR points and Etihad was on your transfer list, June 29, 2026 is the last day to act. Etihad Guest awards can be a route to Star Alliance partner flights at competitive rates, and the guest program’s partner list includes Air France, Jet Blue, and Gulf airline connections not easily reachable through other MR partners. After June 29, those redemptions are no longer accessible via MR.
This is not a reason to transfer speculatively. Transfer only if you have a specific award in mind and seats available. Transferring MR to any program should be a one-way decision made with a booking target already identified, not a hedge.
Bottom Line
The Amex MR program in 2026 is still strong for international travel, but narrower than a year ago. Aeroplan is now the clearest value leader: 1:1 ratio, no fuel surcharges, Star Alliance access, and a transparent award chart. Flying Blue’s promo awards are worth checking before any transfer. Virgin Atlantic earns its place for ANA and Delta-focused travelers who plan ahead.
The Gold Card at $85 net effective fee is the most practical way to accumulate MR for most people. Pair it with the Platinum if you book flights frequently and want 5x on those purchases. Transfer only when you have a confirmed redemption target.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do Amex MR points expire?
A: As long as your Amex card account is open and in good standing, MR points do not expire. They expire if you close your last MR-earning card, so keep at least one active.
Q: What is the Cathay Pacific 5:4 change?
A: Effective March 1, 2026, Amex changed the MR-to-Asia Miles transfer ratio from 1:1 to 5:4. That means 10,000 MR now yields 8,000 Asia Miles. Cathay Pacific is still a partner, but the value dropped by 20%.
Q: Can I still transfer to Etihad Guest before June 29?
A: Yes. Transfers are processed through the Amex website by selecting Etihad Guest as the destination. Make sure you have an active Etihad Guest account. Only transfer if you have a specific award to book.
Q: Is Aeroplan better than Chase Ultimate Rewards for transfers?
A: Both programs transfer to Aeroplan at 1:1. The difference is the other partners: Chase UR includes Hyatt (uniquely valuable for hotel redemptions at 2cpp+), while Amex MR includes Singapore KrisFlyer and Virgin Atlantic at 1:1 (Chase UR does too, but at lower card ecosystem cost). For hotel-heavy travelers, UR’s Hyatt access is a strong differentiator.
Q: Which Amex MR card should I get first?
A: The Gold Card for most people. At a net fee of around $85 after credits, it earns 4x on dining and groceries, and it unlocks full MR transfers to all airline and hotel partners. The Platinum is worth adding if you spend $5,000+ per year directly on airline tickets.