How to transfer Amex points to Aeroplan in Canada

The transfer ratio between Membership Rewards and Aeroplan is not 1:1, and that gap changes the math on every redemption you are planning. American Express Canada allows cardholders to convert Membership Rewards points into Aeroplan points at a fixed ratio, making it one of the most direct bridges between a bank rewards program and a major airline loyalty program in the country. Before you initiate a transfer, though, there are a few mechanics worth understanding, because once the points move, they do not come back. This guide covers the conversion ratio, the step-by-step process, timing expectations, and the scenarios where the transfer genuinely pays off versus when it does not. For a broader look at how much credit card points are worth and how different programs stack up, that context will sharpen your decision before you commit.

Which Amex cards in Canada can transfer points to Aeroplan

• American Express Cobalt Card: earns Membership Rewards points and supports transfers to Aeroplan
• American Express Gold Rewards Card: a travel-focused card with full Membership Rewards transfer eligibility
• American Express Platinum Card: the premium tier, with Membership Rewards points fully transferable to Aeroplan
• American Express Business Gold Rewards Card: business cardholders can also transfer to Aeroplan under the same program rules
• American Express Business Platinum Card: high-earning business card with access to the full Membership Rewards transfer partner list including Aeroplan
• American Express Green Card: entry-level Membership Rewards card that still supports Aeroplan transfers

The Amex to Aeroplan transfer ratio explained

The standard conversion rate for transferring Amex Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan in Canada is 1:1, meaning 1,000 Membership Rewards points become 1,000 Aeroplan points. This is a strong ratio by any measure. Many bank-to-airline transfer partnerships apply a penalty, converting at 2:1 or worse. The 1:1 rate here means you are not losing value simply by moving the points, which is the baseline requirement for a transfer to make sense at all.

Where the real value question sits is on the Aeroplan redemption side. A transfer only improves your position if the Aeroplan redemption you are targeting delivers more value per point than you would get from a Membership Rewards redemption directly. Say you have 50,000 Membership Rewards points. Redeeming them through the Amex Fixed Points Travel program might get you a flight worth a certain dollar amount. Transferring those same 50,000 to Aeroplan and booking a partner airline business class seat could return significantly more value per point. The transfer ratio is just the starting point. The redemption strategy is where the gap opens up. To understand what your Aeroplan points could be worth after the transfer, the How much are Aeroplan points worth in Canada (2026)? breakdown gives a realistic per-point range across redemption types.

How to transfer Amex points to Aeroplan: step by step

The process is straightforward but requires your Aeroplan number on hand before you start. Log in to your American Express Canada online account or the Amex Canada mobile app. Navigate to the Membership Rewards section, then select the option to transfer or convert points. Choose Aeroplan from the list of transfer partners. Enter your Aeroplan membership number exactly as it appears on your Aeroplan account, a mismatch will cause the transfer to fail or delay. Specify the number of Membership Rewards points you want to convert, keeping in mind that transfers are typically processed in increments of 1,000 points. Review the confirmation screen, which will show you exactly how many Aeroplan points you will receive before you finalize. Submit the transfer request. You will receive a confirmation from Amex, and separately, Aeroplan will update your balance once the transfer processes.

Timing matters if you are booking a specific award seat. Aeroplan award availability can shift quickly, and popular routes or partner airline business class seats get claimed fast. Do not initiate the transfer until you have confirmed that the award seat you want is actually available and holdable. Some cardholders make the mistake of transferring first and searching second, only to find the seat is gone by the time the points land. Transfer the points only when you have a confirmed redemption target in sight. The process from submission to Aeroplan balance update is generally fast, but build in a buffer if your travel date is close.

When transferring Amex points to Aeroplan is worth it

The transfer makes the most sense in three scenarios. First, when you are booking a long-haul international flight in business or first class on a Star Alliance partner carrier. Aeroplan’s distance-based and zone-based pricing on partner airlines can deliver outsized value on premium cabin bookings that would cost far more in cash. Second, when you need to top up an existing Aeroplan balance to reach a specific award threshold and do not want to wait for more organic earning. Third, when Amex runs a transfer bonus promotion, which periodically offers a percentage bonus on points transferred to select partners including Aeroplan. During a bonus period, the math shifts further in favour of transferring. Outside of these scenarios, keeping points in Membership Rewards preserves optionality across other transfer partners and redemption methods.

When the transfer is not worth it

How Aeroplan compares to other loyalty programs for Amex transfers

Common mistakes to avoid when converting Amex points to Aeroplan

The most common mistake is treating the transfer as reversible. Once Membership Rewards points are converted to Aeroplan, the transaction is permanent. There is no mechanism to transfer them back. If you later decide a different Membership Rewards partner or a direct redemption would have served you better, that option is gone. A second frequent error is transferring without a specific redemption in mind. Aeroplan points are valuable, but Membership Rewards points are arguably more flexible because they connect to multiple airline and hotel partners. Locking into Aeroplan prematurely narrows your options. A third mistake is ignoring the Aeroplan account status of the person you are booking for. If you are transferring points to book a flight for a family member, confirm that the Aeroplan account receiving the booking is set up correctly and that the points will apply to the right traveller profile. For a broader comparison of how Aeroplan vs Scene+ vs PC Optimum stack up as everyday earning programs, that framing helps clarify where Aeroplan fits relative to alternatives before you commit your Membership Rewards balance.