Massive News for Canadians: AMEX Membership Rewards Now Transfer 1:1 to Flying Blue!

If you collect American Express Membership Rewards points in Canada, this is huge news and easily one of the most exciting loyalty updates we’ve seen in a long time.

As of January 3rd, 2026, AMEX Membership Rewards points can be transferred to Air France–KLM Flying Blue at a full 1:1 rate.

This is exciting, headline-worthy news for Canadian travellers, and below I’ll break down exactly why it matters and how you can take advantage of it.

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Why This Is a Big Deal

Until now, Canadian AMEX cardholders were at a slight disadvantage when transferring points to Flying Blue.

Previously: 1,000 AMEX points → 750 Flying Blue miles

Now: 1,000 AMEX points → 1,000 Flying Blue miles 🎉

That’s effectively a 25% boost overnight, putting Flying Blue transfers on equal footing with programs like Aeroplan and British Airways Avios.

For Canadians who love premium cabin redemptions and long-haul value, this is a game changer.

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Incredible Business Class Sweet Spots

Flying Blue has always had excellent sweet spots, but many Canadians overlooked the program because of the weaker transfer rate. That excuse is officially gone.

Below are a couple examples of the available redemptions with the program:

🇨🇦 Vancouver → Taipei (Business Class on China Airlines)

• ~61,000 Flying Blue miles
• ~13 hours of flying
• Lie-flat seat, premium dining, and lounge access

That is an exceptional redemption for such a long route and rivals (or beats) what many other programs charge.

🇫🇷🇳🇱 Direct Flights to Europe (On Air France or KLM)

Flying Blue also shines on routes from Canadian cities with nonstop flights to Paris or Amsterdam, including:

• Toronto
• Montreal
• Ottawa
• Vancouver
• Calgary
• Edmonton

Business class awards on Air France or KLM often price around 60,000 miles one-way, which is extremely competitive for transatlantic travel.

Add in frequent Promo Rewards and excellent availability, and Flying Blue becomes one of the most practical programs Canadians can use.

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The Best AMEX Cards to Earn These Points

To take advantage of this new 1:1 transfer, you’ll want to be earning AMEX Membership Rewards points efficiently. These are the three standout options for Canadians:

💳 American Express Platinum Card

Best for:

• Frequent flyers
• High spenders
• Airport lounge lovers

If you fly often and value premium travel perks, elite-style benefits, and flexible points, this is the top-tier option.

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💳 American Express Cobalt Card

Best for:

• Dining
• Groceries
• Food delivery

This is one of the strongest everyday earners in Canada. If a large portion of your spending is food-related, the Cobalt is hard to beat for building points quickly.

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💳 American Express Gold Card

Best for:

• Balanced spending
• Flexible lifestyle earners

If neither the Platinum nor the Cobalt perfectly fits your habits, the Gold is a great middle ground with solid earning and flexibility.

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Why I Love Flying Blue (And Why You Shouldn’t Ignore It)

Flying Blue is one of the most underrated and under-utilized loyalty programs among Canadians.

Even though I don’t fly SkyTeam airlines that often, I’ve still managed to earn Flying Blue Silver Elite status, which says a lot about how accessible the program can be.

This program has:

• Strong award pricing
• Frequent promo deals
• Easy elite qualification
• Now a full 1:1 AMEX transfer

Flying Blue deserves a serious look if you’re planning international travel in the next few years.

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Conclusion

This update makes Flying Blue one of the most exciting programs Canadians can access right now!

With a full 1:1 AMEX transfer, strong award pricing, and excellent redemption opportunities, it’s a program worth exploring for anyone looking to maximize their points and travel in comfort.