Amex Membership Rewards vs Avios — compared in 2026
Collect Amex points or go straight to Avios? Compare transfer partners, ratios, bonus promos and when selling makes sense.
| Feature | Membership Rewards | Executive Club (Avios) |
|---|---|---|
| Official transfer | ja | ja |
| Family pooling | nein | ja |
| Gift points | ja | ja |
| Award for others | ja | ja |
| Processing time | Partner transfers are usually instant, occasionally up to 48 hours. | Instant to 72 hours depending on program and account status. |
| Transfer fees | Transfers to airline/hotel partners are typically fee-free (check current program terms). | Some programs charge a per-transaction fee for transferring points between members. Check the official terms. |
| Minimum transfer | 1,000 points (typical) | 1,000 miles (typical) |
| Expiry rules | Points generally do not expire while the underlying card account is open and in good standing. | Miles typically expire after 18–24 months of account inactivity unless status is held. |
| Currency | Points | Avios |
| Region | Global | Europe |
Our verdict
Membership Rewards stay flexible because they transfer to many partners — but transfers are one-way. Avios are instantly redeemable and hold their value more steadily.