How to Sell Amex Membership Rewards Points: Complete Guide
American Express Membership Rewards points are among the most valuable in Canada. This comprehensive guide shows you how to sell your Amex MR points for cash, current market rates, and whether selling is the right choice for you.
Amex Membership Rewards (MR) points are earned through premium American Express credit cards like the Platinum Card, Gold Rewards Card, and Cobalt Card. These points are highly flexible—you can transfer them to airline partners, redeem for travel, or convert them to cash by selling to a reputable broker.
In 2025, Canadian Amex MR points typically sell for $0.011 to $0.0155 CAD per point, which is slightly higher than Aeroplan points due to their transferability to multiple airline programs. This means 100,000 Amex MR points could be worth between $1,100 and $1,550 in cash.
Quick Answer:
To sell Amex Membership Rewards points in Canada, you transfer your points to a broker's Aeroplan or airline partner account at a pre-agreed rate. The broker pays you via Interac e-Transfer, typically within 24 hours. Minimum: 25,000 points. Rates: $0.011-0.0155 CAD per point.
Why Canadians Sell Their Amex Membership Rewards Points
Despite being one of the most flexible loyalty currencies in Canada, there are several compelling reasons to sell your Amex MR points for cash:
1. Cancelling Your Amex Card
The most common reason. If you're cancelling your Amex Platinum, Gold, or Cobalt card (often due to the high annual fee), you'll lose all your MR points unless you transfer them out first. Many Canadians cancel after the first year to avoid the $499-$699 annual fee and need to extract value from their points quickly.
2. Limited Canadian Transfer Partners
Unlike in the U.S., Canadian Amex MR has fewer airline transfer partners. While you can transfer to Aeroplan, Avios, and Marriott Bonvoy, many popular programs (like Delta SkyMiles or Hilton Honors) aren't available to Canadians. This limits redemption flexibility for some cardholders.
3. Transfer Partner Devaluations
Airline and hotel programs regularly devalue their points. Aeroplan, for example, has moved to dynamic pricing, making some redemptions more expensive. Selling your MR points locks in a guaranteed cash value (1.1-1.55¢ per point) rather than risking future devaluations.
4. Need Cash Instead of Travel
While MR points are valuable for premium cabin flights, sometimes cash is more important—paying down debt, covering unexpected expenses, or simply preferring the flexibility of liquid funds over travel commitments.
5. High Annual Fee Burden
Amex premium cards carry annual fees from $120 (Cobalt) to $699 (Platinum). If the benefits no longer justify the cost, selling accumulated points before cancelling recovers some of your investment.
6. Business Card Complications
Business owners with Amex Business cards may want to convert points to cash for tax planning, to close a business, or to avoid personal use complications with business rewards.
Current Amex MR Points Market Rates (2025)
Amex Membership Rewards points command a slight premium over Aeroplan points in the Canadian cash market due to their flexibility and transferability. Here's what to expect:
Typical Rate Ranges
- 25,000 - 100,000 points: $0.011 - $0.013 CAD per point
- 100,000 - 500,000 points: $0.013 - $0.015 CAD per point
- 500,000+ points: $0.015 - $0.0155 CAD per point
Example calculations:
- • 50,000 Amex MR points = $550 - $650 CAD
- • 100,000 Amex MR points = $1,100 - $1,500 CAD
- • 250,000 Amex MR points = $2,750 - $3,750 CAD
- • 500,000 Amex MR points = $5,500 - $7,750 CAD
Why are MR points worth more than Aeroplan? The slight premium (typically 0.1-0.3¢ more per point) reflects the fact that MR points can be transferred to multiple airline programs, giving brokers more options for resale. This additional flexibility commands higher market rates.
How to Transfer Amex MR Points: The Process
Unlike Aeroplan's Family Sharing, Amex MR points cannot be directly transferred between accounts. Instead, you'll transfer your points to an airline or hotel partner account provided by the broker. Here's how it works:
Get a Quote
Contact a trusted Amex MR points broker (like Mega Miles Broker) and specify how many points you want to sell. You'll receive a quote showing the exact CAD amount you'll receive and the transfer partner you'll need to use (typically Aeroplan or British Airways Avios).
Confirm the Rate and Transfer Partner
Review the offer carefully. The broker will specify which airline/hotel program you'll transfer to (e.g., "Transfer your MR points to Aeroplan account #123456789"). Make sure you're comfortable with the rate and understand the transfer requirements before proceeding.
Transfer Your MR Points
Log into your Amex account and navigate to the Membership Rewards section. Select "Transfer to Partners" and choose the specified program (e.g., Aeroplan). Enter the account details provided by the broker and confirm the transfer amount.
Important: Most Amex MR to airline transfers are instant, but some partners may take 24-48 hours. Confirm the expected timeline with your broker. Transfers are generally irreversible, so double-check all details before confirming.
Receive Your Payment
Once the broker confirms receipt of the transferred points (usually within minutes to 48 hours), they'll send your payment via Interac e-Transfer. Most brokers pay within 24 hours of confirming the points arrived.
Timeline: From quote to cash in your account: typically 1-3 days, depending on the transfer partner processing time.
Amex MR Transfer Partners Used by Brokers
Canadian Amex MR cardholders can transfer points to several partners. Brokers typically request transfers to one of these programs:
Aeroplan (Most Common)
Transfer ratio: 1:1 (1 MR point = 1 Aeroplan point)
Transfer time: Instant
Why brokers use it: Instant transfers, high liquidity, easy to resell
This is the most popular option for Canadian brokers because transfers are instantaneous and Aeroplan points have a robust secondary market.
British Airways Executive Club (Avios)
Transfer ratio: 1:0.75 (1 MR point = 0.75 Avios)
Transfer time: Instant
Why brokers use it: Alternative market, instant transfers
Some brokers may request Avios transfers. Note the 1:0.75 ratio—your rate per MR point will be adjusted to account for this conversion.
Marriott Bonvoy
Transfer ratio: 1:1.2 (1 MR point = 1.2 Marriott points)
Transfer time: 24-48 hours
Why brokers use it: Occasional demand, bonus conversion
Less commonly used due to slower transfer times, but the 1:1.2 bonus can be attractive. Your broker's rate will account for the conversion ratio.
Pro Tip:
The broker will specify which partner to use. Don't transfer to a different program than requested—this can complicate or cancel the transaction. Always confirm the exact account number and program before initiating the transfer.
Tax Implications of Selling Amex MR Points in Canada
The tax treatment of selling Amex Membership Rewards points depends on whether you earned them through personal or business spending:
Personal Credit Cards
For personal Amex cards (Platinum, Gold, Cobalt), points earned on personal spending are generally treated as rebates or discounts by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This means:
- • Points are not considered taxable income when earned
- • Selling points for cash likely falls into a tax grey area
- • Small transactions (under $10,000) are rarely reported or questioned
- • The CRA hasn't issued specific guidance on selling loyalty points
Business Credit Cards
If you earned MR points from an Amex Business card and claimed the expenses as business deductions, selling those points could be considered taxable income. Here's why:
- • Business expenses were deducted from your taxable income
- • The points represent a rebate/recovery of those deducted expenses
- • Converting points to cash may trigger income reporting requirements
- • Large amounts ($10,000+) may attract CRA attention
For Business Cardholders:
If you're selling a significant amount of Amex MR points earned through business spending, consult with a Canadian accountant or tax professional. They can advise whether you should report the sale as business income and how to handle it correctly.
Disclaimer:
This is general information only and not tax advice. Tax situations vary significantly based on individual circumstances, card type, and transaction amounts. For specific tax guidance, especially for business cards or large transactions, consult a qualified Canadian tax professional.
Should You Sell Your Amex MR Points or Transfer Them?
Amex MR points are valuable for transferring to airline partners, but selling for cash makes sense in specific situations. Here's when each option is best:
When Selling Makes Sense:
You're cancelling your Amex card and need to extract value before losing access to MR (points are forfeited when you cancel unless transferred first)
You need cash immediately for emergency expenses, debt payment, or other financial priorities
You don't have specific travel plans within the next 12 months and want guaranteed value now
You're concerned about devaluations in airline partner programs (locking in 1.1-1.55¢ per point now vs. uncertain future value)
You're closing your business and want to liquidate business card points
When Transferring to Airlines is Better:
You have specific premium cabin travel planned within the next 6-12 months (can deliver 2-4¢ per point value)
You're still actively earning MR points and keeping your Amex card long-term
You can maximize transfer bonuses (Amex occasionally offers 10-25% bonus when transferring to specific partners)
You travel regularly in premium cabins and can consistently get 2.5¢+ per point value from redemptions
The honest assessment: If you're a frequent premium cabin traveler with concrete plans, transferring to Aeroplan or other partners for 2-4¢ per point value is mathematically superior. But if you're cancelling your card, need cash, or don't have specific high-value redemptions planned, selling for 1.1-1.55¢ per point is a practical and smart financial decision.
Red Flags When Selling Amex MR Points
The Amex MR points market has some dishonest operators. Watch for these warning signs:
They ask for your Amex login credentials
NEVER share your American Express username and password. The transfer process only requires you to log in yourself and initiate the transfer to the broker's airline partner account.
Rates seem too good to be true
If someone offers 2.5-3¢ per MR point, they're likely a scam. Market rates are 1.1-1.55¢ per point. Anything significantly higher is suspicious.
They ask for upfront payment
Legitimate brokers pay YOU, not the other way around. Never send money to someone claiming they need a "processing fee" or "transfer fee" to buy your points.
No verifiable Canadian presence
Work with established Canadian brokers who have business registration, physical addresses, and transparent communication. Avoid offshore or anonymous operators.
Pressure to transfer immediately
Legitimate brokers give you time to review the offer and ask questions. High-pressure tactics ("transfer in the next hour or the rate expires!") are red flags.
Safe practice: Use Canadian brokers with several years of operating history, transparent processes, Interac e-Transfer payment methods, and clear communication about transfer partners and timelines.
Ready to Sell Your Amex Membership Rewards Points?
Selling Amex MR points for cash is a straightforward process when working with a reputable Canadian broker:
- • Get a free, no-obligation quote in 24 hours
- • Transfer points to designated airline partner (typically Aeroplan)
- • Receive payment via Interac e-Transfer within 24 hours
- • Current rates: $0.011 - $0.0155 CAD per point
- • Minimum: 25,000 points ($275-$390 cash)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are Amex Membership Rewards points worth when sold?
In 2025, Canadian Amex MR points typically sell for $0.011 to $0.0155 CAD per point, depending on the quantity. This means 100,000 points are worth approximately $1,100-$1,550 in cash. Larger quantities (500,000+) command higher per-point rates.
Can I sell Amex points from a cancelled credit card?
No, you must transfer your MR points BEFORE cancelling your Amex card. Once you cancel, your MR points are forfeited immediately. If you're planning to cancel, contact a broker first, complete the sale/transfer, and only cancel your card after the points have been successfully transferred out.
How long does it take to sell Amex MR points?
The entire process typically takes 1-3 days: 24 hours to receive a quote, instant to 48 hours for the transfer to process (depending on the partner program), and 24 hours to receive payment after the broker confirms receipt. Most Aeroplan transfers are instant, making the total timeline closer to 1-2 days.
What's the minimum number of Amex MR points I can sell?
Most Canadian brokers require a minimum of 25,000 Amex MR points, which would be worth approximately $275-$390 CAD. Smaller amounts aren't economically viable due to processing and coordination costs.
Is selling Amex MR points safe?
When working with a legitimate Canadian broker, the process is safe. You initiate the transfer yourself (never share login credentials), the transfer is to a legitimate airline partner account, and payment is via secure Interac e-Transfer. Choose established brokers with transparent processes and verified Canadian business presence.
Will American Express close my account if I sell points?
Technically, Amex's terms prohibit selling points. However, when you transfer points to an airline partner (like Aeroplan), this is a legitimate use of the MR program. Amex cannot see what happens to the points after they leave your account. Account closures specifically for selling points are rare, but there is always some theoretical risk when violating terms of service.