AMEX Membership Rewards: Transfering is the best strategy!
The best way to use your AMEX Membership Rewards (MR) points is almost always by transferring them to airline or hotel partners. (And if you’re looking to build up a healthy balance of MR points, remember the AMEX Gold Card is my top recommendation for most people – you can find details and my referral link in the American Express Gold Card section.)
Check the American Express page for a list of current transfer partners and ratios.
My 3-Step Transfer Strategy
Identify Travel Goal
Identify your travel goal first.
Find Best Partner Redemption
See which partner program offers the best redemption for that route/hotel.
Transfer Points for Specific Booking
Transfer points only when you have a specific booking in mind, as transfers are irreversible.
Example: Business Class to Asia with Asia Miles
A great option for flights to Asia.
| Class | Route Example (FRA-HKG) | Asia Miles | MR Points (5:4) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Frankfurt to Hong Kong (5,001-7,500 miles) | ~35,000 | 44,000 | + taxes (see low tax airports here) |
| Business Class | Frankfurt to Hong Kong | ~70,000 | 88,000 | + taxes (see low tax airports here) |
Always check the latest Asia Miles award chart and partner award rules (e.g., for Oneworld partner flights).
Don’t forget to look out for occasional transfer bonuses from Amex to hotel partners like Marriott Bonvoy (e.g., a 30% bonus was seen until June 30, 2025, making 3 MR points = 2.6 Bonvoy points).