The reason I ask is although we have a few FF accts. We saved Amex pts for years and just went to their regular travel site where you can book most airlines and use points like cash or use points and cash.
Here's the link to the AMEX Membership Rewards pay by points page where you can pay by points or a combination of points and cash. (basically you'll need 100 MR points for every $1) -
https://www134.americanexpress.com/consumertravel/travel.do?page=pwplanding
In another place on the Amex site you can transfer direct to Hawaiian ,Virgin Atlantic and one other that I can't recall.
It's called Flight and Room Finder -
https://www67.americanexpress.com/myca/loyalty/sfrfweb/SearchWidget.do?type=flight
From Flight Finder Room Finder FAQs
Q. What are Flight Finder and Room Finder services?
A. Flight Finder and Room Finder online services are a new innovative way to use Membership Rewards points. This feature allows you to search for reward flights and hotel rooms from select Membership Rewards travel partners, transfer Membership Rewards points to combine with points you have earned with these select travel partners and book entirely through this online service.
Q. Who’s eligible to use Flight Finder and Room Finder?
A. All Cardmembers enrolled in the Membership Rewards program or Membership Rewards First program whose Card accounts are in good standing, are eligible to use Flight Finder and Room Finder.
Q. What frequent flyer and guest programs can I search, transfer, and book with Flight Finder and Room Finder?
A. We are initially offering this feature with a select group of our Membership Rewards travel partners that include AirTran Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Hilton Family of Hotels (Hilton, Conrad, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Scandic, The Waldorf=Astoria Collection) and Priority Club properties (Intercontinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites).
The participating frequent traveler programs are always listed on the Flight Finder and Room Finder Home Page. Keep checking back, as new travel programs may be joining in the future.