American Express Membership Rewards Program: Benefits and How to Maximize Points

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The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: American Express® Green Card, Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card, Chase Freedom Flex®. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

Overview of American Express Membership Rewards

Amex Membership Rewards points are some of the most valuable credit card rewards you can earn because they're flexible — you can redeem them for a wide variety of rewards, including travel, or cash them in for other redemptions like gift cards or statement credits.

Many of the best cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express earn Membership Rewards (MR) points, and each has different bonus categories and benefits to suit your spending and travel habits.

Introduction to the program

Whether you're just getting started with American Express cards or are looking for new ways to use rewards, here's everything you need to know about earning and redeeming Amex points.

Business Insider pegs Amex points value at 1.8 cents each, on average, based on our latest points and miles valuations. That being said, the exact value you'll get depends on how you redeem your rewards.

Earning Membership Rewards points

Amex Membership Rewards points are some of the most highly valued credit card rewards. They are extremely flexible and can be redeemed for high travel value, as cash back, or used toward gift cards or statement credits.

You earn Membership Rewards points through Amex credit cards, many of which come with lucrative travel and shopping benefits that can make paying their annual fees more than worthwhile.

For example, the Amex Platinum charges an annual fee of $695, but you get a slew of valuable benefits in return. Other Amex cards without such a high annual fee don't come with as many benefits, but still offer perks like secondary rental car insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, and more.

Eligible American Express cards

Amex issues a number of business and personal credit cards, many of which earn Membership Rewards points. For more information, read our supplemental posts comparing American Express Membership Rewards cards and our Membership Rewards transfer partners guide.

Personal credit cards

Any of the Amex personal cards that earn Membership Rewards allow you to transfer points to airline and hotel partners. Our favorites are listed below:

Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.

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Perks Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Points on other purchases.

80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership

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If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you get a long list of benefits such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, complimentary hotel elite status, and more.

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.¤
• Terms Apply.

Business Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.

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Perks Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 on purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership plus 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first six months of card membership, up to $100 back (Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24)

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points plus 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide, up to $100 back (Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24)

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Foodies and travelers alike will appreciate the American Express Gold's generous welcome bonus and Membership Rewards points earning. Its Uber Cash credits are useful for rides and Uber Eats, and monthly dining credits with participating merchants like GrubHub and Seamless are easy to use.

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
• Get the American Express® Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Dunkin' locations.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Terms Apply.

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Earn 3x Membership Rewards® Points at restaurants including takeout and delivery in the US. Earn 3x Membership Rewards® Points on transit including trains, buses, ferries, subway, and more. Earn 3x Membership Rewards® Points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, and more. Earn 1x Membership Rewards® Points on all other purchases

60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership and earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases, up to a total of $200 back, made during your first six months of card membership

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The American Express® Green Card might not be as flashy as other premium American Express cards, but it's an affordable starting point for folks who want to start earning credit card rewards for free travel.

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Earn 2x Membership Rewards® Points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on all other purchases.

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The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card is American Express's entry-level card for earning valuable Membership Rewards points. Beyond the ability to earn Amex points without paying an annual fee, the Amex Everyday card's standout feature is a 20% points bonus when you make at least 20 transactions in a billing cycle.

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Earn 3x Membership Rewards® Points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 2x Membership Rewards® Points at U.S. gas stations. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on all other purchases.

Earn 1-3 points per dollar on purchases, plus a 50% bonus for making at least 30 transactions in a billing cycle

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers (made in the first 60 days) for 12 months from the date of account opening

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The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card is worth considering if you want to earn valuable Amex Membership Rewards points — especially if you spend a lot on groceries, gas, or travel — without incurring a high annual fee. But you'll need to use the card at least 30 times a month to make it worthwhile.

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The Platinum Card® from American Express

American Express® Gold Card

American Express® Green Card

Amex EveryDay® Credit Card

Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card

15,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of account opening

Business credit cards

Amex issues some of the best small business cards on the market. The American Express business cards below earn Membership Rewards points:

Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.

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Perks Earn 2x Membership Rewards® Points on everyday eligible business purchases (on up to $50,000 per year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 1x Membership Rewards® Points on all other purchases.

15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the card within your first three months of card membership

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If you're a small-business owner looking for a credit card that offers flexible rewards points without paying an annual fee, The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is an excellent option. You don't need to own a full-time business to be eligible to apply, either — even freelancers and those with side gigs can qualify for a small-business card.

• Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
• You've got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
• *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
• No Annual Fee
• Terms Apply

Business Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.

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Perks Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1.5X points on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Earn 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.

150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the card within the first three months of card membership

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The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best small-business cards with an elevated bonus and top-notch benefits (and a premium annual fee to match). It's an excellent offer if you like earning Membership Rewards points and you can maximize the bonus spending categories and perks — but be sure to assess whether the annual fee is worth it for you before you commit.

• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card®, here.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
• $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card®.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Business Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.

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Perks Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories (on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year, then 1X thereafter). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card. Earn 1x Membership Rewards® Points on all other purchases. Terms Apply.

100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is a good choice if your business spends a lot in certain categories and you want to earn Membership Rewards points for travel or other redemptions. It's got a high annual fee, but if you can use the card's benefits to your advantage, it can be well worth it.

• Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
• 0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 19.49% to 28.49% variable APR.*
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.*
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
• Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
• Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
• The Business Gold Card now comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and Limited Edition White Gold. White Gold design is only available while supplies last. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
• *Terms Apply

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The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

American Express® Business Gold Card

Spending categories and bonuses

Many Amex credit cards earn bonus points on specific categories of spend. The American Express® Gold Card, for example, earns 4x points on the first $50,000 you spend each year on restaurants worldwide, then 1x. This multiplier adds up quickly if you frequently dine out.

Our guides to the best American Express credit cards and the best American Express business credit cards break down each card's benefits and earning rates so you can easily compare which one is best for you.

Redeeming Membership Rewards points

When you open an American Express card, you can often earn a large welcome bonus offer, in addition to being able to rack up points quickly through your normal, everyday spending. This initial boost, often called a sign-up bonus, can jumpstart your way toward building a stash of Amex points for exciting redemptions we'll outline below.

Some of the options below offer the potential for fantastic value, but most non-travel choices aren't the best ways to redeem Amex Membership Rewards. We'll tell you why in each section below.

Travel options through Amex Travel

Amex Travel is essentially a travel-booking website operated by American Express. It works similarly to travel booking sites like Expedia or Orbitz. The American Express Travel portal allows you to book flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more with your Membership Rewards points.

Airfare is the best option when you're paying with points. When you book a flight through Amex Travel, you'll get a value of 1 cent per point. You may also find "Insider Fares," which generally offer a slightly better value — a lot of these fares are on Delta.

Unfortunately, if you want to book anything else through the Amex Travel portal — like hotels, cruises, rental cars, or vacation packages — you'll only get 0.7 cents per point. The exception is Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts, which gets you 1 cent per point.

This is in contrast to Chase, which offers the same price for anything through its Chase Travel℠ Portal — 1 cent per point if you have a basic card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Chase Freedom Flex®

, 1.25 cents per point if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, or 1.5 cents per point if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

Bid for upgrades on your next flight

American Express lets you use points to bid for discounted upgrades to first class, business class, and premium economy on participating airlines.

A number of airlines offer an option to place cash bids on upgrades before your flight — if there are available seats in premium cabins, you can snag them at a potentially steep discount. Most airlines that offer this manage it through a third-party service called Plusgrade.

Under the Amex partnership with Plusgrade, you can use Membership Rewards points to place bids on over 20 airlines, including Aeromexico, Air Canada, Etihad, Qantas, Ethiopian Airlines, and TAP Portugal.

Each Membership Rewards point is worth $0.01 toward a bid. So 10,000 points are worth $100 — a solid valuation. The best value from points, however, can be had by transferring them to one of Amex's airline or hotel partners, and booking flights or hotel stays that way.

To bid for an upgrade using your Membership Rewards points, visit americanexpress.com/upgrade and enter your reservation details. If your bid is accepted, you'll receive an email.

Shopping with points at partner retailers including Amazon and Best Buy

When you check out online at a growing list of major retailers and enter your American Express card number, you can opt to pay in part or in full with points.

Merchants that currently let you pay with Amex points at checkout include:

• Amazon
• Best Buy
• Dell.com
• Newegg
• PayPal
• RiteAid
• Saks Fifth Avenue
• Staples

Gift cards and statement credits

You can exchange Membership Rewards points for cash or gift cards, but keep in mind that this is usually a pretty terrible value compared to other redemption options.

Different merchant gift cards have different prices and values for your points. Some offer a not-horrible 1 cent per point — meaning a $25 gift card costs 2,500 points — but the others are as low as 0.5 cents per point — so that $25 gift card would cost 5,000 points.

You can also redeem points as statement credits against specific charges — essentially, cash back used to pay your card. However, this is a similarly poor value, only offering 0.6 cents per point.

Buy merchandise through Amex or tickets through Ticketmaster

Amex offers a shopping portal that has a wide range of different products, all of which can be purchased with Membership Rewards points. However, you'll only get 0.5 cents per point (unless there's a promotional offer), so if you were set on using points for merchandise, you'd be better off going through a shopping partner like Amazon, or possibly buying a gift card.

To redeem points at Ticketmaster, you'll need to call Amex after using your card to pay for your Ticketmaster purchase, then use points at a rate of 0.5 cents each to cover the charge.

Other ways to use American Express points

There are a few other, little-known options for redeeming your American Express rewards, including:

• Donating points to charity through JustGiving (0.7 cents per point)
• Redeeming points for food delivery through GrubHub or Seamless (0.7 cents per point)
• Paying for NYC Taxi fare with points (1 cent per point)
• Using points to offset the excise tax for transferring points to a U.S. airline (0.5 cents per point)

Maximizing Membership Rewards points

Maximizing value with American Express Membership Rewards can be extremely easy. These are some of our favorite ways to stretch your points.

Transfer to airline and hotel partners

As with any transferable points program, the best potential value you can get is from transferring your Amex points to a partner program. You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to 17 airline and three hotel loyalty program partners, mostly at a 1:1 ratio. Amex occasionally runs transfer bonuses that let you get even more value for your points when you move them to certain partners.

This is particularly valuable for flying, as opposed to hotel stays. In many cases, the cash price and the miles price of a ticket aren't linked, so it's possible to get exponentially increased value from your points by transferring them and booking an award ticket instead. That means potentially being able to fly long-haul in first or business class with points, among other things.

Ultimately, remember to compare pricing between the Amex Travel Portal and how many points you would need to transfer to a frequent flyer program for an award flight. Because award tickets sometimes have cash taxes and fees — occasionally rising into the hundreds of dollars — it's good to compare.

Amex Transfer Partners

• Aer Lingus: 1,000 points = 1,000 miles
• Aeromexico: 1,000 points = 1,600 miles
• Air Canada Aeroplan: 1,000 points = 1,000 miles
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue: 1,000 points = 1,000 miles
• ANA Mileage Club: 1,000 points = 1,000 miles
• Asia Miles: 1,000 points = 1,000 miles
• Avianca: 1,000 points = 1,000 miles
• British Airways: 1,000 points = 1,000 miles
• Delta SkyMiles: 1,000 points = 1,000 miles
• Emirates Skywards: 1,000 points = 1,000 miles
• Etihad Airways: 1,000 points = 1,000 miles
• Hawaiian Airlines: 1,000 points = 1,000 miles
• Iberia: 1,000 points = 1,000 miles
• JetBlue: 250 points = 200 miles
• Qantas: 500 points = 500 miles
• Singapore Airlines: 1,000 points = 1,000 miles
• Virgin Atlantic: 1,000 points = 1,000 miles
• Choice Privileges: 1,000 points = 1,000 hotel points
• Hilton Honors: 1,000 points = 2,000 hotel points
• Marriott Bonvoy: 1,000 points = 1,000 hotel points

Special promotions and offers

From time to time, Amex offers some limited-time promotions that can help you get even more value out of your points. Sometimes you can save up to $80 at Amazon by using a single Membership Rewards point at checkout, or Amex offers transfer bonuses where you can send points to airline or hotel partners at an elevated rate of 20% to 30% more value.

How Much are Amex Points Worth?

Amex Membership Rewards are among the most valuable travel rewards you can earn. These points offer a high upside thanks to Amex's lucrative roster of 17 airline and three hotel transfer partners, as well as a respectable value floor for eligible cardholders who book travel directly through Amex.

These features give Membership Rewards points an average redemption value of 1.8 cents per point in Business Insider's most recent valuations. Read on to learn which redemption options you should target and avoid in order to maximize your return.

Comparison with other rewards programs

Amex Membership Rewards are extremely popular, but they aren't the only good loyalty program "currency." Here are some other major players you should know about, as well as what makes them stand out.

Membership Rewards vs. other credit card points programs

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Amex is most frequently compared to Chase, which operates the popular Chase Ultimate Rewards loyalty program.

Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards are extremely similar in scope and flexibility, and share the same average and high point values by our calculations. Both rewards programs share many of the same hotel and airline partners including Air Canada, Air France/KLM, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines as well as Marriott.

Business Insider estimates that Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards are both worth 1.8 cents apiece, on average, or 2.2 cents apiece for a high-value redemption.

Points cannot be used interchangeably between the two programs, since Amex and Chase are competitors and do not share currencies.

That being said, cardholders who earn rewards under both programs can leverage them together very efficiently in many cases. For example, both airlines partner with Air Canada as a points transfer partner. If you need a certain number of miles for an award ticket but don't have enough in one account, you can top up your Air Canada mileage account using points from the other credit card program.

Chase Ultimate Rewards can also be redeemed many other ways, just like Amex points.

Citi ThankYou Points

Citi is the third member of the original trifecta of credit card loyalty programs, before Capital One, Bilt Rewards, and Wells Fargo joined the scene. Citi-branded credit cards earn Citi ThankYou points worth 1.6 cents apiece according to Business Insider valuations. Citi points can be transferred to 19 different airlines and hotel partners or used for many of the same alternative redemptions as the programs mentioned above.

Citi ThankYou Rewards are worth 1.6 cents apiece on average, according to our valuations.

Capital One

Capital One was one of the newer credit card issuers to enter the transferrable rewards currency game after the three major players began decades ago. Capital One-branded consumer and business credit cards earn Capital One Miles, which can be transferred to more than a dozen airlines and hotel chains. Once again, Capital One Miles can also be redeemed in many other ways including for gift cards, statement credits, and more.

Capital One Miles are unique because they also can be used to "erase" travel-related purchases on Miles-earning credit cards. Just pay for a flight, hotel, or similar eligible expense using the rewards card, then choose the "pay with Miles" option when you go to pay your credit card outstanding balance. You'll see the points as a credit on your statement, effectively negating your out-of-pocket cash flow.

Capital One Miles are worth 1.7 cents apiece on average, according to our valuations.

Bilt

Bilt is a newcomer on the credit card rewards currency scene, but the Bilt Rewards program is already a robust competitor to the ones listed above. Bilt boasts well over a dozen airline and hotel transfer partners as well, and offers loyalty program members many fun ways to earn Bilt Points including free trivia contests and rotating promotions on Bilt Rent Day, which falls on the first of each month.

Bilt offers a few unique opportunities that competitors do not. Bilt members don't have to be Bilt cardholders to earn points, and Bilt Points can be used to pay rent on a Bilt Mastercard® or saved toward a down payment on a home through select mortgage lenders.

Bilt Points are worth 1.65 cents apiece on average, according to our valuations.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo is the newest issuer to join the ranks of flexible credit card reward currencies. The Wells Fargo Rewards program is brand-new as of April 2024, so little information is known yet beyond the five airline and one hotel partner transfer opportunities. Cardholders who earn Wells Fargo Rewards points can redeem them through new transfer partners, pool their points between friends and family, or continue to use them as cash back.

Wells Fargo points are worth 1.3 cents apiece on average, according to our valuations.

Unique benefits of Membership Rewards

Amex Membership Rewards hold their own against these competing rewards because Amex has a reputation for luxury in the travel space. Amex cardholders can use their points to offset cash purchases through American Express Travel, and some popular Amex credit cards come with generous travel benefits such as complimentary access to the famous Amex Centurion Lounges.

Travelers who value luxe, exclusive experiences while on the go tend to gravitate toward American Express cards and Membership Rewards.

Tips for Membership Rewards members

Amex Membership Rewards points are relatively forgiving, but there are some basic rules you should know. Here's how to earn more Membership Rewards points and protect the ones you earn.

Keeping points from expiring

Amex points do not expire as long as you remain an Amex credit cardholder. But if you close an Amex credit card that earns Membership Rewards, make sure you use or transfer out your points before you terminate your account because you will lose any points when the account closes.

Best practices for points accumulation

The best ways to quickly earn Amex Membership Rewards is by signing up for new credit cards, earning the welcome bonuses on each card, and strategically spending on whichever card offers the best bonus category for the purchase you're about to make.

You can also double-dip on rewards by using a shopping portal when making purchases online.

American Express Membership Rewards frequently asked questions

How do I earn Membership Rewards points? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

You can earn Membership Rewards points with certain American Express credit cards. The rate at which you earn points varies based on the card and category of spend such as dining, travel, or groceries.

Can Membership Rewards points be transferred to airlines or hotels? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

Yes, one of the most valuable ways to use Membership Rewards points is by transferring them to Amex's large network of airline and hotel partners. You'll often get the best redemption rates by using your points for business- and first-class international flights.

Are there any fees associated with transferring points? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

American Express sometimes charges a nominal fee for transferring points to U.S. airlines. The dollar amount will always be disclosed during the transfer process, when you need to agree to the fee and hit "confirm" in order to complete the transaction.

David is a Senior Transportation Reporter for Business Insider. He primarily covers airlines and air travel. A native New Yorker and avid photographer, David previously covered travel, credit-card rewards, and frequent-flyer programs. Before joining Business Insider, David was a freelance writer and editor — before that, he worked in public affairs. He earned his bachelor's degree from Muhlenberg College and his master's from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, UK. You can follow him on Twitter or Instagram, or send him an e-mail at dslotnick@businessinsider.com.

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5.31% annual percentage yield (APY) is accurate as of 7/11/2024 and subject to change at the Bank’s discretion. Minimum deposit required to open an account is $500 and a minimum balance of $0.01 is required to earn the advertised APY. Accurate as of the time of publication. The national average rate referenced is from the FDIC’s published National Rates and Rate Caps for Savings deposit products, accurate as of 8/19/2024. See the FDIC website for more information. https://www.fdic.gov/resources/bankers/national-rates/index.html

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