Amex Transfer Partners Canada 2026: Complete Guide
A comprehensive reference for every airline and hotel partner available to Canadian Amex Membership Rewards cardholders. Transfer ratios, processing times, best uses, and an honest comparison of transferring vs. selling for cash.
Quick Reference: All Canadian Amex Transfer Partners
| Partner | Type | Ratio | Speed | MR Select? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aeroplan | Airline | 1:1 | Instant | Yes |
| British Airways Avios | Airline | 1:0.75 | Instant | No |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | Airline | 1:0.75 | Instant | No |
| Emirates Skywards | Airline | 1:0.75 | Instant | No |
| Etihad Guest | Airline | 1:0.75 | Instant | No |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | Airline | 1:0.75 | Instant | No |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Hotel | 1:1.2 | 24-48 hrs | Yes |
Key Takeaway:
Aeroplan is the standout partner for Canadians—1:1 ratio, instant transfers, and the most useful network for domestic and Star Alliance travel. Marriott Bonvoy offers a 1:1.2 bonus but takes longer. All other partners transfer at 1:0.75, losing 25% of your points.
Airline Partners: Detailed Analysis
Aeroplan (Air Canada)
Best for CanadiansTransfer Ratio
1:1
Transfer Time
Instant
Alliance
Star Alliance
Best uses: Air Canada domestic flights, United international, Lufthansa First Class, Singapore Airlines, EVA Air premium cabins, ANA awards.
Why it's #1: Only partner with 1:1 ratio, instant transfers, and direct Air Canada access. Aeroplan's dynamic pricing has increased some costs, but the flexibility and network make it essential for Canadian travelers. Also the easiest partner for selling points.
British Airways Avios
Transfer Ratio
1:0.75
Transfer Time
Instant
Alliance
Oneworld
Best uses: Short-haul flights (distance-based pricing rewards short routes), American Airlines domestic, Iberia Europe flights, Qatar Airways Qsuites.
Consideration: The 1:0.75 ratio means you lose 25% of your points on transfer. Only worthwhile if you can get exceptional value on short-haul flights or partner airlines not in Star Alliance.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Transfer Ratio
1:0.75
Transfer Time
Instant
Alliance
Oneworld
Best uses: Cathay Pacific Business/First Class to Asia, Japan Airlines flights, Alaska Airlines awards.
Consideration: Same 25% loss as Avios, but useful for Asia travel. Asia Miles has good partner availability for premium cabins on Cathay Pacific flights to Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Singapore.
Emirates Skywards
Transfer Ratio
1:0.75
Transfer Time
Instant
Alliance
Independent
Best uses: Emirates First Class A380 experience, flights to Dubai and beyond to Africa/Asia/Middle East.
Consideration: Emirates First Class is a bucket-list experience, but the 1:0.75 ratio and high award costs make it expensive in points. Only transfer if you have a specific high-value Emirates redemption planned.
Etihad Guest
Ratio: 1:0.75 | Speed: Instant
Best for Etihad's "Apartments" First Class to Abu Dhabi. Limited use otherwise for Canadians.
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Ratio: 1:0.75 | Speed: Instant
Best for Australia/New Zealand travel. Qantas First Class is excellent but expensive in miles.
Hotel Partners
Marriott Bonvoy
Bonus Transfer RatioTransfer Ratio
1:1.2
Transfer Time
24-48 hours
MR Select
Yes
Best uses: Off-peak category 5-6 hotels, all-inclusive resorts, points+cash bookings, transferring to airline partners at 3:1 (60,000 Marriott → 25,000 airline miles with 5,000 bonus).
The math: 100,000 Amex MR → 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. This is the only partner where you gain points on transfer (20% bonus). However, Marriott points are worth less individually (~0.7¢ each), so the net value is roughly equivalent to selling for cash.
Note on Hilton:
Unlike US Amex cardholders, Canadian MR cannot transfer to Hilton Honors. This is a significant limitation for Canadians who prefer Hilton properties. Marriott Bonvoy is your only hotel option.
Transfer to Partners vs. Sell for Cash: The Math
When does transferring to partners beat selling? Here's an honest analysis:
Baseline: Cash Value When Selling
100,000 Amex MR points sold = $1,100 - $1,550 CAD
This is your guaranteed floor value. Any transfer should beat this.
Transfer wins: Premium cabin sweet spots
Business class to Europe on partner airlines can deliver 2-4¢ per point. A 70,000-point business class ticket worth $4,000+ easily beats $770-1,085 in cash value.
Selling wins: Economy flights, no concrete plans
If you'd book economy anyway (where cash prices are competitive), selling gives better value. Also wins if you don't have specific travel plans—cash is guaranteed, redemptions are speculative.
Selling wins: Time pressure
Cancelling your card? Need cash now? Points expiring? Selling locks in value immediately. Waiting for the "perfect" redemption while your card expires means losing everything.
Decision Framework
- Transfer if: You have specific premium cabin travel planned in the next 6-12 months AND can get 2+ cents per point value
- Sell if: No concrete plans, cancelling your card, prefer cash flexibility, or points would sit idle for 12+ months
- Hybrid: Transfer enough for a specific trip, sell the rest for cash
2026 Outlook: What to Expect
Aeroplan Dynamic Pricing Continues
Expect continued variability in Aeroplan award costs. Peak dates and popular routes will cost more. This makes selling more attractive if you can't commit to specific dates.
Transfer Bonuses
Amex periodically offers 10-30% bonus when transferring to partners. Watch for these promotions if you have flexibility. They can significantly increase transfer value.
Partner Changes Possible
Transfer partner lineups change over time. A partner could be added or removed with little notice. If you're holding points for a specific partner, don't wait too long.
Cash Values Stable
The secondary market for Amex MR points has been stable. Cash rates of $0.011-0.0155 per point have held for several years and are expected to continue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Amex transfer partner offers the best value for Canadians?
For most Canadians, Aeroplan offers the best value due to its 1:1 transfer ratio, instant transfers, extensive Star Alliance network, and ability to book Air Canada flights. However, best value depends on your specific travel goals—Avios is better for short-haul, Marriott for hotel stays.
Can I transfer Amex Cobalt points to all these partners?
No. Cobalt earns MR Select points, which can only transfer to Aeroplan (1:1) and Marriott Bonvoy (1:1.2). If you have Platinum or Gold, you get access to all partners. Cobalt's limited options are why many Cobalt users sell via Aeroplan.
How long do Amex point transfers take?
Most transfers are instant: Aeroplan, British Airways Avios, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles. Marriott Bonvoy transfers can take 24-48 hours. Delta SkyMiles transfers are not available to Canadian cardholders.
Should I transfer to partners or sell my Amex points for cash?
Transfer if you have specific premium cabin travel planned and can get 2+ cents per point in value. Sell if you don't have concrete travel plans, need cash, are cancelling your card, or want guaranteed value rather than speculative redemptions.
Do Amex transfer partners ever offer bonuses?
Yes, occasionally. Amex runs promotions offering 10-30% bonus when transferring to specific partners. These are announced via email and are time-limited. If you're not in a hurry, waiting for a bonus can increase value—but don't wait if your card is expiring.
Can I transfer Amex points to someone else's partner account?
Generally no—Amex requires transfer to accounts in your own name or authorized user names. This is why selling through a broker works: you transfer to Aeroplan (in your name), then use Aeroplan's Family Sharing to move points (which does allow transfers to others).