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Transfer Partners: Canada & US

Every transfer path for Canadian and US points programs in one place — verified ratios, alliances, transfer times, and strategy. Canadian data sourced from Prince of Travel. US data from the r/CreditCards community table.

🆕 January 3, 2026: American Express Canada upgraded Membership Rewards transfers to Air France/KLM Flying Blue from 1:0.75 → 1:1. This is a major improvement — a transatlantic business class redemption that previously cost 80,000 MR now costs 60,000 MR.

Canadian Transfer Partners

Canada has two true transferable points currencies: Amex Membership Rewards (Canada) and RBC Avion Elite. Together they cover all three airline alliances and the two major hotel programs.

Airline / Hotel Program Alliance 🍁 Amex MR Canada 🍁 RBC Avion Elite
✈️ Airline Partners
Air Canada Aeroplan Star 1:1 ✓
British Airways Avios OW 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓
Air France / KLM Flying Blue Sky 1:1 ✓ NEW Jan 2026
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles OW 1:0.75 1:1 ✓
American Airlines AAdvantage OW 10:7 (0.7)
WestJet Rewards Indep 100:1 WSD ✓
🏨 Hotel Partners
Marriott Bonvoy Hotel 1:1.2 ✓
Hilton Honors Hotel 1:1 ✓

Canadian Cross-Border Tip: Moving Points Between Amex CA and Amex US

If you hold both a Canadian and US Amex card, you can convert points between the two accounts — but only once per 12 months. Converting CA→US uses the prevailing CAD/USD exchange rate (you lose points). Converting US→CA is 1:1. The one good reason to move US points to Canada: Marriott Bonvoy transfers at 1:1.2 from Canadian Amex vs. 1:1 from US Amex — a 20% bonus. Only do this with a specific redemption in mind.

US Transfer Partners

The three major US transferable currencies are Amex MR (US), Capital One Miles, and Chase Ultimate Rewards. Many Canadians near the border or with a US SSN hold at least one of these.

Airline Program Alliance Amex MR (US) Capital One Chase UR Citi TY
⭐ Star Alliance
Air Canada Aeroplan Star 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓
ANA Mileage Club Star 1:1 ✓
Avianca LifeMiles Star 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓
EVA Air Star 2:1.5 1:1 ✓
Singapore KrisFlyer Star 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓
TAP Air Portugal Star 1:1 ✓
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Star 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓
United MileagePlus Star 1:1 ✓
🔴 oneworld Alliance
Aer Lingus OW 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓
Alaska Airlines OW
American Airlines AAdvantage OW 1:1 ✓
British Airways Avios OW 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles OW 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓
Finnair Plus OW 1:1 ✓
Iberia Plus OW 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓
Japan Airlines Mileage Bank OW 2:1.5
Qantas Frequent Flyer OW 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓
Qatar Airways Privilege Club OW 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓
🔵 SkyTeam Alliance
AeroMexico Club Premier Sky 1:1.6 1:1 ✓
Air France / KLM Flying Blue Sky 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓
Delta SkyMiles Sky 1:1 ✓
🌐 Independent Airlines
Emirates Skywards Indep 1000:800 2:1.5 1000:800
Etihad Guest Indep 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓
JetBlue TrueBlue US 1.25:1 2:1.2 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓
Southwest Rapid Rewards US 1:1 ✓
Spirit Free Spirit US
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Star 1:1 ✓
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Indep 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓ 1:1 ✓

Strategy: Which Program to Transfer To When

Having the right points is less important than having them in the right program at the right time. This framework helps you choose.

⚠️ The Golden Rule: Never transfer speculatively. Transfers are one-way and irreversible. Always confirm award availability first, then transfer. Award space can disappear in the hours it takes for some transfers to complete — check transfer times before initiating.

For Star Alliance Flights from Canada (ANA, Singapore, Lufthansa, Air Canada)

For oneworld Flights (Cathay, British Airways, Qatar, Qantas, JAL)

For SkyTeam Flights (Air France, KLM)

For Hotel Nights

Transfer Time Reference

Based on community data points — actual times vary. Always allow extra time before an award expires.

Transfer PathOfficial TimeRealistic Time
Amex MR Canada → AeroplanUp to 3 daysInstant – few hours
Amex MR Canada → Flying BlueUp to 3 daysOften instant
Amex MR Canada → Marriott Bonvoy2 business daysNear-instant
Amex MR Canada → British Airways AviosUp to 3 daysInstant – few hours
RBC Avion → British Airways AviosUp to 4 weeksDays – 1 week
RBC Avion → Asia MilesUp to 4 weeks~1 week
RBC Avion → AAdvantageUp to 4 weeks3–7 days typically
RBC Avion → WestJet RewardsUp to 4 weeksUsually fast

Not sure which program to transfer to?

Every redemption is different. Book a session and get a personalized plan for your specific route, points balance, and travel goals.

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