It’s easy to earn lots of American Express Membership Rewards points, thanks to lucrative welcome bonuses and generous earning rates on many American Express cards. However, earning points is one thing — redeeming those points for maximum value (and comfort) is an entirely different story.
Getting the most value out of Amex Membership Rewards points usually involves transferring them to an airline or hotel partner and then redeeming the points or miles through that program. Here we will look at some of the best business-class products you can book by leveraging these partners.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways’ Qsuite is undoubtedly one of the world’s best business-class products. The award-winning suites are spacious and offer lots of privacy thanks to sliding doors. Plus, if you’re flying with a companion and select the two center seats positioned closest together, you can set up a side-by-side double bed — a rarity in business class.
Related: Qatar Airways Qsuite review: Still setting the standard for business class
Never one to stand still, the airline will introduce caviar (an indulgence usually only found in first class) in business class on select routes and a new and improved Qsuite 2.0 on the upcoming Boeing 777X aircraft.
Qsuite can be found on select Boeing 777-200LRs, Boeing 777-300ERs, Airbus A350-900s and all Airbus A350-1000s. These planes operate flights between the airline’s hub at Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) and U.S. gateways like New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Miami International Airport (MIA), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and others. However, there’s no need to fret if you don’t land yourself a Qsuite-equipped aircraft since you’ll still enjoy top-notch amenities and restaurant-quality food.
How to book
Because Qatar Airways is part of the Oneworld alliance, you can transfer Amex points to either Qatar Airways Privilege Club or British Airways Executive Club at a 1:1 ratio and book Qsuite from the U.S. to Doha for just 70,000 Avios each way, per person — a terrific deal for up to 15 hours in such a comfortable product.
You can book through both of these programs online — though note that adding connecting flights will increase this rate, since both airlines charge on a segment-by-segment basis.
All Nippon Airways
Another top-notch business-class product you could book is ANA’s The Room. The seats offer excellent privacy thanks to closing doors and are incredibly spacious, measuring 38 inches wide. TPG’s Zach Griff went as far as calling it the gold standard for the industry. The only catch is that it’s currently only available on select Boeing 777-300ERs flying from Tokyo to cities like New York and Los Angeles.
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Business-class seats on ANA’s other long-haul aircraft don’t have doors but still offer direct aisle access. You’ll also still enjoy ANA’s impeccable service and amazing cuisine. Besides the usual bedding, which typically consists of a pillow and comforter, business-class passengers flying ANA can also expect a mattress pad and slippers on all long-haul flights.
How to book
ANA’s Mileage Club program is a 1:1 transfer partner of Amex, and you can sometimes find award availability on the carrier’s U.S. routes. The seats are offered to Mileage Club members before partner programs, so booking a full year in advance can be a good idea. Round-trip business-class awards between the U.S. and Japan range between 100,000 and 110,000 miles, depending on the season, plus about $500 in taxes and fees. Unfortunately, you must book round-trip as the program does not offer one-way redemptions.
If you only need a one-way ticket on ANA, you could book with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club from 52,500 miles each way from the West Coast or 60,000 miles from the East Coast, though you must call to confirm these tickets.
Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines only took delivery of its first A350-1000 in December 2023, with another 12 on order. The airline has a growing fleet of A350-900s, which it deploys domestically.
JAL A350-1000 features an all-new business-class seat, easily the best in its fleet and worth going out of your way to try and book with points and miles. Each aircraft has 54 business-class suites in a 1-2-1 configuration, all with direct aisle access and lie-flat seats.
Passengers can also expect world-class service, intricately presented Japanese cuisine and the chance to try some sake on board.
The new product’s perks include 52-inch-tall sliding doors, 24-inch entertainment screens, headphone-less speaker technology in the seats’ headrests and wireless charging pads on side consoles. JAL flies this new product twice daily between JFK and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND), and daily from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to HND. At some point, it’ll also operate to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR), though a date for this has not yet been set.
Related: New first class, business class and the rest: Flying the Japan Airlines A350-1000 in all 4 cabins
How to book
You can book Japan Airlines business class through Amex transfer partner programs like Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and British Airways Executive Club. British Airways is the cheapest option for traveling from the West Coast of the United States to Japan.
You will need just 77,250 Avios each way per person in business class, while Asia Miles requires a higher 89,000 miles. Both programs are similarly priced from the Midwest and East Coast, with Asia Miles charging 93,000 miles and British Airways charging 92,750 Avios.
Singapore Airlines
Flying business class on Singapore Airlines is always a treat, even if you’re not flying on the A380 that features the airline’s latest and greatest seats. Singapore Airlines’ long-haul aircraft feature stylish business-class cabins in a 1-2-1 configuration with fully lie-flat beds.
Business-class passengers can use the famous “Book the Cook” service and preorder scrumptious meals — like the popular seafood thermidor — from extensive menus with over 60 dishes.
And if you’re lucky enough to fly on the A380 with the airline’s latest business-class product, you can enjoy a double bed with your travel companion by selecting two seats in the middle section of the cabin.
Related: Which Singapore Airlines business class is better? A380 vs. A350
How to book
Booking Singapore Airlines business-class award tickets on long-haul routes is challenging since you can only do so through Singapore’s KrisFlyer program. Fortunately, that’s not a problem for holders of cards that earn Amex Membership Rewards points — or cards that earn the other major transferable rewards (Chase Ultimate Rewards points, Citi ThankYou Rewards points and Capital One miles) — since you can transfer points to KrisFlyer at a 1:1 ratio.
If you don’t wish to fly all the way to Asia (or perhaps don’t have enough Amex points), try one of the carrier’s fifth-freedom flights from the U.S. For just 81,000 miles each way in business class, you can fly from JFK to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) or from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Manchester Airport (MAN), where Saver (lowest) availability exists.
However, you may be able to drop this price significantly thanks to the carrier’s regular Spontaneous Escapes promotion — like this flight for just 56,700 miles.
The airline also operates flights from Los Angeles to Narita International Airport (NRT) with Saver rates for 103,500 miles.
Finally, Singapore Airlines operates numerous nonstop flights from United States airports to Singapore. Here are the Saver business-class award rates:
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO): 107,000 miles
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) : 107,000 miles
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): 107,000 miles
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): 111,500 miles
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): 111,500 miles
You can also book the carrier’s Advantage awards on these flights, which have better availability but much higher award rates.
Air France
Air France unveiled its newest business-class product with sliding doors that turn a seat into a suite in May 2022 and began installing them aboard its Boeing 777-300ERs. The airline plans to equip 12 of its 777s and some of its new Airbus A350-900s with them.
If you can snag a bulkhead seat in Row 1 or 9 of the Boeing 777, these special seats have large, open bench-like padded sections rather than small cubbies to place your feet in while in lie-flat mode. This makes them feel even roomier, among the best business-class seats on any airline in terms of personal space.
Related: Private suites and high-tech touches: What it’s like flying Air France’s new business class
France is known for its fine cuisine, and the food on board the country’s flag carrier is no exception. The airline has partnered with chef Dominique Crenn to design business-class meals on flights departing from the United States. Multicourse meals nclude an amuse-bouche, salad, main course, cheese course and dessert, complete with fine wines and Champagnes selected by sommelier Xavier Thuizat.
How to book
Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue program is a 1:1 transfer partner of Amex. Rates are priced dynamically, so they can be expensive on peak dates. On dates with less demand, business-class fares from the United States to Europe start at just 50,000 miles, a terrific deal for such an impressive product.
However, you’ll need to fork over a few hundred dollars in taxes and fees.
You may be able to save some miles by booking through Flying Blue’s Promo Rewards, featuring a rotating set of cities with discounted award rates to Europe. For instance, we recently saw business-class awards to various European destinations for less than 40,000 miles each way.
Earning Amex points
If you want to boost your Membership Rewards balance, the following Amex cards could be useful additions to your wallet. Just remember that Amex has a once-per-lifetime policy for welcome offers.
| Card | Welcome offer | Bonus-category earning rates | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on your new card in your first six months of card membership. | 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel |
$695 (see rates and fees) |
| American Express® Gold Card | 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 in your first six months of card membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first six months of card membership, up to $100 back. | 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point per dollar) and dining at restaurants worldwide (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel |
$325 (see rates and fees) |
| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases with your card within the first three months of card membership. | 5 points per dollar spent on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
1.5 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) |
$695 (see rates and fees) |
| American Express® Business Gold Card | Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership. | 4 points per dollar on the two categories where your business spends the most in each billing cycle (on the first $150,000 in combined categories each calendar year, then 1 points per dollar)
3 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com. |
$375 (see rates and fees) |
You may even be targeted for a higher welcome offer on the Amex Platinum or Amex Gold through the CardMatch tool. Keep in mind that CardMatch offers are subject to change at any time.
Related: How can I get a higher, targeted credit card introductory bonus?
Bottom line
American Express Membership Rewards points offer flexibility and allow you to experience some of the world’s best business-class products for very little out of pocket. The ones covered in this post are just some of our favorites, but plenty more fantastic options will put your points to good use, including on Cathay Pacific and Emirates.
While points transfer at a 1:1 ratio to all of the partners mentioned, that is not the case for all of Amex’s other partners. Additionally, it’s common to see transfer bonuses that give you an additional 30% or sometimes more, so you may get even greater value from your points.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold Card, click here.
