Amex transfer partner
How to Transfer Amex Points to Air Canada Aeroplan (2026 Guide)
Aeroplan's distance-based award chart is one of the last of its kind, and pairing it with Amex Membership Rewards gives you instant, penalty-free access to Star Alliance business and first class.
By the Point Finder team · Updated 2026-07-17 · Ratios and transfer times verified against issuer transfer pages
- Ratio
- 1:1
- Transfer speed
- Instant
- Alliance
- Star Alliance
- Type
- Airline
The short version
Amex Membership Rewards points transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan at 1:1, instant. Aeroplan's distance-based chart is a favorite for Star Alliance business and first class.
Why Amex to Aeroplan Is a Strong Transfer
Amex Membership Rewards transfers to Air Canada Aeroplan at 1:1, instantly — no multi-day waiting period. Eligible cards: Platinum, Gold, Business Platinum, and Business Gold.
Aeroplan still prices awards by distance band, making premium-cabin redemptions on Star Alliance partners predictable and, in the right bands, very efficient.
Inside Aeroplan's Distance-Based Award Chart
Aeroplan groups routes into mileage bands — every route in a band costs the same number of points regardless of which Star Alliance carrier operates it.
Air Canada updated the chart as of June 1, 2026, mostly a devaluation: the 4,001-6,000 mile business-class band rose from 70,000 to 75,000 points one-way, and the 7,501-11,000 mile band jumped from 87,500 to 102,500. Short-haul intra-Europe business actually dropped, from 15,000 to 12,500 points.
Air Canada's own metal is increasingly sold under a dynamically priced 'Market' fare alongside fixed-chart 'Fixed' fares — the Fixed fare is almost always the better points value.
Redemption Strategy: Stopovers and No Fuel Surcharges
Aeroplan allows a stopover on one-way award tickets for 5,000 points per passenger, staying up to 45 days.
Aeroplan charges no fuel surcharges on award tickets, including on partner carriers historically known for passing them along. A $39 partner booking fee applies when flying a non-Air Canada carrier.
Quirks to Plan Around
Aircanada.com is generally the most reliable way to see live Star Alliance partner availability in one place.
Transfers are one-directional and instant — confirm award space exists before you move points, since Aeroplan does not send points back to Membership Rewards.
Sweet spots worth booking
| Route | Cabin | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) - Paris (CDG) | Business | ~75,000 points one-wayFalls in the 4,001-6,000 mile transatlantic band. |
| New York (JFK) - Singapore (SIN) | Business | ~102,500 points one-wayUltra-long-haul band; strong value against cash fares often exceeding $8,000. |
| Zurich (ZRH) - Rome (FCO) | Business | ~12,500 points one-wayOne of the few bands that got cheaper in the June 2026 update. |
| Toronto (YYZ) - London (LHR) with a stopover | Economy or Business | Base chart price plus 5,000 pointsAeroplan stopovers cannot be added within Canada or the US (layovers there are capped, roughly 12-24 hours) — stopovers are only permitted at eligible destinations outside Canada and the US, such as a European hub en route. |
How to transfer Amex points to Air Canada Aeroplan
- 1Create a free Aeroplan account at aircanada.com if you don't already have one.
- 2Search Star Alliance award availability on aircanada.com first, since transfers are instant but cannot be reversed.
- 3Log into Amex Membership Rewards and select Aeroplan from the transfer partners list.
- 4Enter the number of points at 1:1 and confirm — points post immediately.
- 5Book the award ticket on aircanada.com, paying the $39 partner fee for non-Air Canada carriers.
- 6Add a stopover during booking for one-way itineraries.
Tips before you transfer
- •Confirm award space before transferring — Aeroplan doesn't send points back to Membership Rewards.
- •Compare the Fixed chart fare against the Market fare on Air Canada's own flights.
- •Use the 5,000-point stopover on one-way tickets to layer a second destination.
- •Pricing is locked in by booking date, not travel date.
- •Aeroplan is often the cheapest way to book partners like Lufthansa in business class since there are no fuel surcharges.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Amex to Aeroplan transfer instant?
Yes, points appear immediately.
What is the transfer ratio from Amex to Aeroplan?
1:1.
Which Amex cards can transfer to Aeroplan?
Platinum, Gold, Business Platinum, and Business Gold.
Can I move Aeroplan points back to Amex?
No — transfers are one-way and cannot be reversed.
Are there fuel surcharges on Aeroplan award tickets?
No — Aeroplan does not add carrier-imposed fuel surcharges on any partner award redemption, a policy that has held since the program's 2020 relaunch.
Related transfer guides
Transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan from another card:
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