RedSun

I get quite a bit AmEx MR points that I like to use to redeem AA (American) flight from US (NYC) to China (Shanghai). The Air Canada has very high fuel charge (like $350 or more). Both United and Delta require a lot points. Only AA shows good reward tickets.

What airline should I transfer the MR points to first, then book the AA flights? I can do Etihad and Iberia. Not sure about British Airway or Asia Miles.

Any good pointers will be appreciated.

Mwenenzi

Etihad, Iberia, British Airway & CX Asia Miles are all AA partners.
But the cost (in converted MR points) to redeeem an AA award flight from one of those ffp's will be different. And some, like BA, may have cash co-pay surcharges

Just because AA flys a route does not mean there are partner award flights available
For AA needs to be a "saver award" to use from the partner ffp. AA web site site will also show "any-time" awards which are not available to ffp partners.

These links give a guide of ff miles needed for awards. These may not be up to date or accurate. Check the ffp's rules for awards.
Use at your own risk. (These are not recommendations)

1. AwardAce: Compare Award Redemptions Across Airlines In Seconds --> Awardsace.com Has surcharge indication. May have shutdown (it was/is a good tool)
2. Economical Excursionist's Tools to compare Frequent Flyer Mile Redemptions --> Flyermiler.com
3. AwardHacker: a tool we build to tell you how to travel with the least miles --> Awardhacker.com

Frequent flyer miles/points are not equal to or burn. They are not 1 to 1.

Some ffp’s have awards zones and some work on distance. If a multi segment award check the rules/cost carefully. With some ffp’s it can be 2 or more awards or cost more ff miles/points than a direct flight. If the award is on partner airline it may cost more miles/points than an award on the ffp airline.

With ffp's (saver/off peak) award availability may/may not be the same for all, including ff partners. In practise it does vary. Some airlines release more award space to members of their own FFP, particularly first class. Many airline ffp’s now have “anytime” awards only for members of their own ffp with a ff mile cost a lot more than a saver award. Usually better/easier to get an awards on the airline of the ffp.

Some ffps/airlines/routes can have cash surcharges on an award flight, in addition to real taxes. Some carrier imposed surcharges can trigger additional real taxes when the flight changes from non-revenue to revenue.
Real taxes/regulatory fees are the same for all airlines on the same route/class.