Overview — Best Value
American Express (Amex) is one of the main two programs points enthusiasts collect along with Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Amex offers generally more complicated products (both for bonus earning categories and redemptions) but when done right can be one of the most lucrative credit card programs. We recommend opening your first points credit card with a simpler program.
Transfer partners
Amex has a very strong set of transfer partners though many are more complicated to work with. Causal points users can easily get a lot of value from Air Canada, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines. More advanced points users will appreciate programs like Avianca, ANA, and Etihad.
Airlines
Airlines (updated 28/11)
Aer Lingus
Ireland
No Alliance
AeroMexico
Mexico
SkyTeam
Air Canada
Canada
Star Alliance
Air France / KLM
France / Netherlands
SkyTeam
ANA
Japan
Star Alliance
Avianca
Colombia
Star Alliance
British Airways
UK
OneWorld
Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong
OneWorld
Delta
USA
SkyTeam
Emirates
United Arab Emirates
No Alliance
Etihad
United Arab Emirates
No Alliance
Fiji Airways
Fiji
OneWorld
Hawaiian
USA
No Alliance
Iberia
Spain
OneWorld
JetBlue
USA
No Alliance
Qantas
Australia
OneWorld
Singapore Airlines
Singapore
Star Alliance
Swiss
Switzerland
Star Alliance
Virgin Atlantic
UK
SkyTeam
Hotels
It’s generally very poor value to transfer to these partners.
Choice Hotels
Cards
My referral code might get you a better offer than what’s publicly available:
Business Platinum
Business Gold
Blue Business Plus
Marriott Bonvoy Business