You can only transfer Amex points to two U.S.-based airline programs: Delta SkyMiles and JetBlue TrueBlue. However, by taking advantage of airline partnerships, you can use Amex points to book award flights with other major carriers, including United Airlines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines.

As of 2026, American Express Membership Rewards does not have a direct 1:1 transfer partnership with American Airlines AAdvantage. You cannot simply log into your Amex account and send points directly to your AA account, as is possible with Delta or British Airways. However, you can still book American Airlines flights using Amex points through indirect methods. Because American Airlines is a member of the oneview alliance, you can transfer Amex points to partner airlines like British Airways (Avios), Iberia, or Cathay Pacific (Asia Miles) and then use those miles to book "award seats" on American Airlines flights. This strategy is often very effective for short-haul domestic flights. Another option is to use the Amex Travel Portal to book an AA flight directly; in this case, your points are used as "cash" (typically at a rate of 1 cent per point). For those who fly AA exclusively, the best strategy remains using a co-branded Citi or Barclays AAdvantage card, but for Amex cardholders, the "British Airways workaround" is the standard way to leverage points for AA travel.