Amex transfer partner
How to Transfer Amex Points to Qantas Frequent Flyer (2026 Guide)
Qantas Frequent Flyer is one of the more overlooked transfer partners in the Amex Membership Rewards program, and one of the more useful — a 1:1 instant transfer opens up Oneworld's best route to Australia.
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
- Oneworld
- Type
- Airline
The short version
Amex Membership Rewards points transfer to Qantas Frequent Flyer at 1:1, instant. One of the more accessible ways to reach Australia and the South Pacific in business class.
Why Qantas Is Worth a Look
Amex transfers to Qantas at 1:1, with a 500-point minimum, instantly. Qantas belongs to Oneworld, putting American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and more within reach using the same balance.
Any Membership Rewards-earning American Express card can transfer to Qantas, not just Platinum, Gold, Business Platinum, and Business Gold.
How the Distance-Based Award Chart Works
As of today, only Qantas, American Airlines, and Fiji Airways share the same distance-based "Qantas chart." Jetstar has always priced on its own separate Jetstar Classic Flight Reward chart, and Emirates was moved to its own separate, higher-priced Classic Reward table effective March 31, 2026.
One-way Classic Rewards allow a single free stopover of more than 24 hours anywhere on the routing.
Using Qantas Points on American Airlines
Because American Airlines sits on the same award chart, Qantas points work as a genuine alternative currency for booking AA flights, including US domestic routes.
The Surcharge Quirk: Qantas Metal vs. American Airlines Metal
American Airlines is one of the few Qantas partners with only standard fees, no fuel surcharge. Qantas-operated long-haul flights between Australia and North America can add well over $1,000 to a round-trip business class award.
Sweet spots worth booking
| Route | Cabin | Points |
|---|---|---|
| US West Coast (LAX/SFO) to Sydney/Melbourne | Business | roughly 100,000-140,000 points one-wayQantas A380 or 787 metal; add a free stopover in Fiji. |
| US East Coast/Midwest (JFK/DFW/ORD) to Sydney | Business | priced at a higher distance band than West Coast departuresCheck both Qantas and AA-operated segments for lower fees. |
| Short-haul domestic American Airlines routes | Economy | well under 20,000 points round-trip on many pairsUseful even without an Australia trip planned. |
| US transcontinental on American Airlines | Business | moderate points versus international bandsLow carrier charges since it's AA-operated. |
How to transfer Amex points to Qantas Frequent Flyer
- 1Confirm you hold an eligible card — any Membership Rewards-earning card qualifies, not just Platinum, Gold, Business Platinum, or Business Gold.
- 2Search Qantas.com for Classic Reward availability before transferring.
- 3Link your Membership Rewards account to your Qantas account.
- 4Transfer points at 1:1 (500-point minimum) once you've confirmed the seat exists.
- 5Book directly on Qantas.com, adding a free stopover if the itinerary is one-way.
- 6Review carrier-imposed surcharges at checkout before confirming payment.
Tips before you transfer
- •Search award space before transferring since the transfer is instant.
- •Compare surcharges, not just points, when a route is available on both Qantas and AA metal.
- •Use the free one-way stopover to layer a South Pacific stop at no extra points cost.
- •Don't overlook short-haul domestic American Airlines awards.
- •Points from multiple eligible cards can be pooled before transferring.
Frequently asked questions
Which Amex cards can transfer points to Qantas?
Any American Express card that earns Membership Rewards points can transfer to Qantas — this includes Platinum, Gold, Green, Business Platinum, Business Gold, and other Membership Rewards-earning cards, not only the four listed.
How long does an Amex-to-Qantas transfer take?
Instant.
Is there a minimum transfer amount?
500 Membership Rewards points, at 1:1.
Can Qantas points book flights on airlines other than Qantas?
Yes. American Airlines and Fiji Airways share the same distance-based "Qantas chart" as Qantas metal. Qantas points can also book British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and other Oneworld partners, priced on a separate partner-award chart rather than the shared distance-based one. Jetstar uses its own separate chart, and Emirates was moved to its own separate, higher-priced chart as of March 31, 2026.
Why do two awards on the same route sometimes have very different fees?
Carrier-imposed surcharges depend on the operating airline — AA-operated awards carry minimal fees, Qantas-operated long-haul flights can carry substantial surcharges.
Related transfer guides
Transfer to Qantas Frequent Flyer from another card:
Want deals that already use these transfer partners?
Point Finder tracks premium award space and tells you exactly which points to transfer, and how, to book it.
Get flying