Chase vs. Amex: Which Points Are Better for Booking International Flights?
When it comes to booking international award flights with points and miles, two of the biggest names in the game are Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards. But which one offers better value? The answer depends on your travel goals, airline preferences, and how flexible you’re willing to be.
In this post, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each program, compare transfer partners, and share real-world examples to help you decide which is best for your next international trip.
Why This Comparison Matters
Both Chase and Amex offer flexible rewards that can be transferred to airline and hotel partners. These points can unlock incredible value—think business class flights to Europe or Asia for a fraction of the cash price.
But not all points are created equal. Some programs have better partners, faster transfer times, or lower fees. Let’s take a closer look.
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Chase Ultimate Rewards: Strengths and Weaknesses
Pros:
Easy-to-use travel portal: Book flights, hotels, and more directly through the Chase portal—points are worth 1.25–1.5 cents each depending on your card.
Top airline partners: Includes United, Air Canada Aeroplan, and Virgin Atlantic.
Fast transfers: Many transfers are instant or near-instant.
Cons:
Fewer airline partners: 11 travel partners (compared to Amex’s 17).
Limited premium transfer bonuses: Less offers for transfer bonuses to airlines.
Amex Membership Rewards: Strengths and Weaknesses
Pros:
More airline partners: 17 partners, including ANA, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and Delta.
Frequent transfer bonuses: 10%–40% bonuses to programs like Avios and Flying Blue.
Excellent premium cabin redemptions: Especially strong for business and first class redemptions via ANA or Aeroplan.
Cons:
Complex award programs: Some partners have tricky award charts or fuel surcharges.
Longer transfer times: Some transfers take 1–3 days to post.
Excise tax fees: A small fee (~$0.0006/point) applies to U.S.-based airline transfers.
Transfer Partners Comparison
| Airline Program | Chase Partner | Amex Partner | Notes & Sweet Spots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus AerClub | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Avios sweet spots to Ireland & intra-Europe |
| AeroMexico Club Premier | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | SkyTeam partner; good for U.S.–Mexico business class |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Excellent Star Alliance redemptions |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Promo Rewards and flexible routing options |
| All Nippon Airways (ANA) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Top value for premium cabins & intra-Japan flights |
| Avianca LifeMiles | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Low-cost Star Alliance redemptions and stopovers |
| British Airways Executive Club | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Avios for short-haul and Oneworld access |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Great Asia-based premium redemptions |
| Delta SkyMiles | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Flash sales and strong U.S. domestic availability |
| Emirates Skywards | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Premium redemptions to the Middle East & beyond |
| Etihad Airways Guest | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Unique partner sweet spots (e.g. Royal Air Maroc) |
| Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Domestic and inter-island Hawaii flights |
| Iberia Plus | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Cheap business class to Spain with Avios |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Fixed-value pricing; easy to redeem |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Great access to Australian award space |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Best availability for Singapore Suites & long-haul business class |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Ideal for flexible, changeable domestic flights |
| United MileagePlus | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Easy domestic awards and Star Alliance availability |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Sweet spots on ANA, Delta (limited), and more |
Real-World Example
Let’s say you want to fly round-trip business class from New York to Paris and found Saver availability on United Airlines from EWR to CDG.
Using Chase Ultimate Rewards: Transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan and book United business class for ~80,000 points one-way.
Using Amex Membership Rewards: Transfer to ANA and book United Business class for 55,000 points one-way.
Winner: Amex, in this case, thanks to ANA’s lower partner award pricing.
So, Which Is Better?
Your ideal choice depends on your travel goals and priorities. Here’s a quick comparison to help guide your decision:
If you value ease and speed of use:
Chase Ultimate Rewards offers a straightforward user experience with well-integrated transfer partners and a user-friendly booking interface.If you’re aiming to maximize value for premium cabin redemptions:
Amex Membership Rewards provides greater flexibility and access to high-value international partners, particularly for business and first-class travel.If you plan to book with unique international partners like ANA, Avianca, or Etihad:
You’ll need Amex Membership Rewards, as these programs are not available through Chase.If you prefer domestic carriers like United and want fewer transfer restrictions:
Chase Ultimate Rewards is likely the better fit, offering seamless transfers to United and Southwest.
When it comes strictly to booking award flights, American Express Membership Rewards holds a clear edge—especially for travelers who are strategic with international airline programs.
That said, Chase Ultimate Rewards offers a compelling advantage with its partnership with World of Hyatt, allowing travelers to unlock exceptional value when redeeming points for hotel stays. This makes Chase a strong contender for those who want both travel flexibility and high-value hotel redemptions.
Final Thoughts
Both Chase and Amex have excellent programs, and the best option often comes down to your travel goals. If you’re serious about making the most of your points, I can help you find the best redemptions for your trip.
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