amex for travel points

I spend $1,300 a year on credit-card fees to get big travel perks. Here are ones I swear by and which I won't pay for again.

• I'm a frequent traveler spending $1,300 a year on credit card fees to get great perks. 
• The Platinum Card® from American Express  saves me money with its complimentary Priority Pass membership.
• My United℠ Explorer Card card has gotten me priority boarding but I'm not sure I want to keep it.

I used to think that paying an annual fee for a credit card was a terrible idea and a waste of money. 

For years, I prided myself on using no-fee credit cards that offered a small amount of cash back on purchases. But I changed my mind once I started traveling more and learning about the perks some credit cards offered.

I dove in head first. This year I've spent about $1,300 on annual fees. Most of the fees are worth every penny and have easily paid for themselves, though there are some I'm not sure about. 

Here are my favorite travel card perks , plus a few I've enjoyed but would be OK losing.  

I love having airport-lounge access and travel upgrades

My American Express Business Platinum comes with a hard-to-swallow $695 annual fee, but the perks have more than outweighed the cost. For context, I'm a freelance writer and use this card for expenses associated with my business, but American Express offers a personal version that's very similar.

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I've used this card's benefits to get CLEAR and Global Entry , both of which have helped me speed through security lines at airports. It got me an automatic upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold elite status, which has scored me free breakfast and room upgrades throughout my travels. 

However, my favorite perk of this card is my free Priority Pass  membership. With it, I've gained access to several airport lounges for myself and up to two travel companions, usually my children.

This benefit alone has saved me hundreds of dollars since I no longer have to buy pricey food at the airport — most lounges offer plenty of it for free. Plus, lounge access has made long travel days and layovers so much easier. I wish I had gotten this card sooner. 

Being able to avoid foreign transaction fees has saved me a lot of money

The first credit card I applied for with an annual fee is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , which has a $95 annual fee. Many of my cards charge up to 3% for every transaction made in a currency other than US dollars, but this one doesn't. 

Foreign transaction fees can add up quickly, even on a short trip. Because I take a couple of international trips a year, the $95 annual fee more than pays for itself. 

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also has other money-saving perks for travelers I like, including competitive travel insurance and car-rental insurance for trips charged to the card. 

Although my Amex Business Platinum also provides fee-free foreign transactions and travel insurance, American Express isn't as widely accepted internationally. I've had Chase credit cards accepted almost everywhere I've traveled so I will keep this one in my wallet. 

I paid several hundred dollars to get an Amex Gold, but I got points galore 

I applied for an American Express® Business Gold Card card when the company ran one of its rare promotions offering 150,000 points as a sign-up bonus. The card's $375 annual fee is high, but the generous sign-up bonus more than made up for it for me.

I have several international trips planned this year, and I expect that the 150,000 points I plan to redeem for airline tickets will easily save me at least triple the annual fee. For example, a ticket on a flight I'm eyeing to New Delhi from Washington, DC, costs $1,488 and is 148,000 points.

With this card, I also receive monthly statement credits — up to $20 a month — offsetting more than half of the annual fee I paid. However, it's a pain to keep track of earning the monthly credit, and the card's other benefits aren't that valuable to me.

I probably won't keep this card for a second year since American Express offers a personal version of it with similar perks and a lower annual fee.

Priority boarding has been nice, but not quite worth the price

I'm a frequent flyer on United but have never accrued enough points to gain status with the airline. To get more perks on United, I applied for a United℠ Explorer Card card, which doesn't charge an annual fee for the first year ($0 intro for the first year, then $95 annually in subsequent years). 

My favorite perk of this card is priority boarding. Combined with other perks like single-entry passes to United Club lounges and free checked bags, I thought this card was a good value. 

However, I now get lounge access and credit for checked bags with my Amex Business Platinum , and I don't think priority boarding is valuable enough to make up for the annual fee. 

I would also rather earn points that can be transferred to several airlines and hotels rather than being locked into United. I plan on canceling this card when the next annual fee comes due, but I might reapply if I find that I miss priority boarding a lot. 

For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, please click here.

Watch: Marketing leaders have to help their companies keep pace with the rapidly changing worlds of their customers, says Elizabeth Rutledge, CMO of American Express

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7 of the Best Ways to Redeem Amex Membership Rewards Points

Here are some of the best ways to use Amex points on flights, hotels, and more.

Courtesy of American Express

Every traveler who can get a credit card should get a credit card. Why? Points! For every dollar you spend, you'll receive at least one point that can go toward free travel, which is an incredible perk so long as you pay off your credit card bill each month.

While American Express has dozens of cards with card-specific perks, from airport lounge entry to travel credits to cash back, they all have one thing in common: American Express Membership Rewards. This rewards program allows Amex card members to earn points that can be used for travel, shopping, or even paying off their credit card bills. Depending on how you redeem those points, they can be worth anywhere from 0.5 to two cents per point.

If you're new to the American Express Membership Rewards program, here are the best ways to use your Amex points.

1. Transfer points to airline partners.

This is hands down the best way to maximize your Amex points because it gives you the biggest return — points can be worth up to 2 cents apiece when transferring to airline partners. How does this work? Amex has partnered with 18 airlines around the world, allowing you to transfer your Amex points into the airlines' frequent flyer programs as miles, typically at a 1:1 rate. Then you can use your new airline miles to book award flights. The key here is to transfer your Amex points only when you find a good award deal on an airline so your points aren't sitting in limbo. For example, if you find round-trip business-class flights between the U.S. and Europe for 110,000 Air France–KLM Flying Blue points (a solid redemption!), transfer your Amex points to Flying Blue and immediately book those flights.

2. Transfer points to hotel partners.

onurdongel/GettyImages

You can also transfer your Amex points to three hotel loyalty programs: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and Choice Hotels Choice Privileges. The transfer operates in the same way it does for airlines — your Amex points become hotel points, typically at a 1:1 rate, and you can use those points to book hotel rooms. (Keep an eye out for transfer bonuses, though, which can net you more points for free!)  Most people who transfer go for splurges at luxury resorts — say the St. Regis Bora Bora, where you can find deals as low as 70,000 points per night. Both Marriott (of which the St. Regis is a part) and Hilton also offer a fifth night free if you book with points. Redemption values vary based on the deals you find, but they're typically not as lucrative as airline award bookings.

3. Bid on upgrades.

owngarden/Getty Images

Amex has partnered with 23 airlines to allow you to use Membership Rewards points to bid on upgrades. All you have to do is head to the Upgrade with Points site , select your airline from the list, and enter your reservation number. If your reservation is eligible, you can place a bid for an upgrade — Amex will notify you if your bid has been accepted by the airline, typically within five days of your flight. The redemption value depends on the number of points you bid and the cash value of the upgrade for your specific flight.

4. Book travel directly via American Express.

American Express has its own travel portal that lets you book flights, hotels, and packaged deals. If you can't find a good award deal that's worth a points transfer, this is a decent second option, as you'll still be getting "free" travel. But Amex caps the value of points at one cent per point, so it's not necessarily the best value redemption. Still, free travel is free travel!

5. Pay off your credit card bill.

If you're worried about paying off your credit card bill, you can use points to get a statement credit to lessen that final sum. No, it's not a travel hack, but it's important to keep yourself out of debt, too. Generally speaking, your points will be worth about 0.6 cents per point if you choose this redemption option.

6. Go shopping.

Amex offers several shopping options for points redemption. First, there's the company's own shopping portal, which has hundreds of retailers on the platform. Second, Amex allows you to pay with points when shopping on certain retail partners' websites, including Amazon, Best Buy, and Grub Hub — you'll have to add your Amex card to the site to select points when you check out. And third, you can also redeem Amex points for gift cards. These aren't bad ways to use your points if you need to stock up on travel supplies or clothes for your upcoming trip, though they are typically lower-value redemptions as compared to travel partner transfers.

7. Donate them to charity.

You might not get monetary value out of this redemption, but you can get emotional value! You can donate to charities with points through the website JustGiving at a redemption value around 0.7 cents per point.

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Insights > How to Use Amex Points to Book Flights and Travel

How to Use Amex Points to Book Flights and Travel

With 21 transfer partners — including 18 airlines and 3 hotels — American Express has one of the most useful points currencies with its Membership Rewards program. And while it’s easy to use the Amex Travel portal, those transfer partners are where you’ll get the most value for your points, from phenomenal business-class and first-class flights to five-star hotels and more. 

Here’s everything you need to know about using Amex points to book flights and travel.

Table of contents

Using Amex Membership Rewards points to book travel with transfer partners 

American Express has nearly two dozen hotel and airline transfer partners.

Airline programs

• Aer Lingus AerClub
• AeroMexico Rewards
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue
• ANA Mileage Club
• Avianca LifeMiles
• British Airways Executive Club
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
• Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
• Emirates Skywards
• HawaiianMiles
• Iberia Plus
• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Hotel programs

• Marriott Bonvoy
• Hilton Honors
• Choice Privileges

When you have Amex points, whether it’s from spending on an American Express credit card or earning a welcome bonus, you can transfer your points to any of these programs. However, there are some ways to use Amex points for travel that are better than others; we’ll discuss those in detail in a minute.

Paying for travel with Amex points via transfer partners 

Each airline and hotel partner has a specific transfer ratio — the number of partner points you’ll receive for each Amex point you transfer.

Some Amex points transfer to partners at a 1:1 ratio, meaning you’ll get one partner point per dollar amount for each Amex point. Others might have different ratios (e.g., 1:2 or 3:2), meaning you’ll get two or three partner points for every Amex point. Check the Amex Membership Rewards website or your account for the current transfer ratios.

Amex also runs frequent transfer bonuses, which earn you additional points or miles when you transfer your Amex points to a partner program. Some programs, like Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy , and British Airways Executive Club, offer transfer bonuses more frequently. These bonuses can significantly increase the value of your Amex points and boost your Membership Rewards balance, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for them.

Transfer-bonus offers usually occur at the beginning of the month after months of card membership and typically last about a month. However, while transfer bonuses can be extended, you’ll want to transfer points to your preferred program ASAP.

Booking flights with the Amex Travel booking portal

A traditional booking platform, AmexTravel.com lets you use Amex points to book flights and travel directly. You’ll enter your departure and arrival airports (if booking flights), departure dates, and cabin class, and the next page will display your results.

The important section here is the number of points required to book your flight, which you’ll see on the right side of the screen.

After you’ve selected your flight, you have the option of using some or all of your points to cover your booking.

Check out as you would normally, and that’s it!

Booking domestic flights with Amex points

Some of the best ways to book domestic flights with Amex points are by transferring points to British Airways Avios, Delta SkyMiles, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

British Airways Avios

Booking domestic flights with British Airways is the best way to get maximum value from your Membership Rewards points. That’s because British Airways uses a distance-based award chart — not only for its own flights but also its partners, including American Airlines.

Unfortunately, British Airways does not publicly post its award chart, but the breakdown below is generally understood to be British Airways pricing for partner awards per calendar year.

This award chart is handy when booking short-haul flights, particularly on the U.S. East and West Coasts. Note that Zone 1 flights to, from, or within North America will cost at least 7,500 Avios.

Let’s take a look at a sample itinerary from New York to Boston. You can use a tool like Great Circle Mapper to calculate the distance between two airports — in this case, 190 miles.

Next, navigate to BA.com and select “Book flights with Avios.” You can then input your departure and arrival airports and dates and select a one-way or round-trip option.

Your results will be on the next page. On this route, for our specific dates, one-way award flights start at 8,250 Avios. 

If you have enough Avios, you can book your flight. If not, you can transfer them from a transfer partner, like Amex.

Delta SkyMiles

Unlike British Airways, Delta does not use an award chart. Instead, its loyalty program, Delta SkyMiles, uses dynamic pricing. That means the cost of a reward flight can be higher or lower depending on factors such as seasonality, demand, and more.

While Delta SkyMiles aren’t typically highly valued as a points-and-miles currency, they can be incredibly valuable for booking short-haul domestic flights. For instance, flights between the airline’s Atlanta hub and Washington, D.C., start at just 8,500 SkyMiles each way — an excellent deal for such a popular route.

Another way to use SkyMiles for domestic flights is to book travel to U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. SkyMiles awards on these flights are usually extremely affordable, such as the fare we found from New York to San Juan for just 9,500 one-way.

Booking international flights with Amex points

Booking international flights with Amex points is similar to booking domestic flights, although there is a bit more planning involved.

Once you’ve chosen a transfer partner, search for award availability on their website or through partner airlines in their alliance . (Not sure which transfer partner to seach with for your route? point.me can help. We search hundreds of airlines and dozens of loyalty programs to show you the best points fare, then tell you exactly how to transfer points and book them.) 

If you transfer points to a membership with a SkyTeam member , like Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, you can book flights on partner airlines, like Delta, as long as you have enough miles in your membership rewards account. This expands your options and can help you find more convenient routes or better redemption rates.

As you’ll see in the example below, a Delta flight from Atlanta to Rio can cost just 44,000 Flying Club points — and while Virgin doesn’t fly on this route, you can still book partner flights through its Flying Club program.

Tips for booking flights with Amex points

Sometimes award availability on your preferred airline or program will be limited. In those cases, consider using the Membership Rewards travel portal to get a points rebate or book flights directly. While this option may offer less value than transferring points to airlines, it can still be convenient, especially for last-minute bookings or when flexibility is limited.

Speaking of flexibility: Keeping your travel dates and destinations open can significantly increase your chances of finding available award seats , especially during peak travel seasons.

When redeeming points for international flights, be aware of additional taxes, fees, and surcharges that may apply. Some programs have lower fees than others, so compare the total cost — including points and fees — across different redemption options to ensure you’re getting the best value.

One last piece of advice: Award availability tends to be more limited for international flights, especially in premium cabins. Try to book as early as possible — ideally nine to 12 months in advance — to secure the best redemption options and maximize your chances of finding award seats.

Using airline alliances to maximize your Amex points

To make the most of your Membership Rewards points, take a look at the Amex Travel transfer partners that have points and miles you can use on other airlines . For instance, you can book American Airlines flights with British Airways Avios, while Aeroplan points can be used for United Airlines and Etihad Airways.

Travel purchases you can pay for with Amex points

You can redeem points to pay for various travel purchases, such as flights, prepaid hotels, prepaid car rentals, vacation packages, and cruises. 

The best ways to redeem your Amex points 

The best way to redeem your American Express points is by booking flights and hotels, especially on airlines like Emirates, Etihad, Singapore, or British Airways. These airlines offer some of the best ways to fly in business and first class — think: Emirates First Class (which offers an onboard shower!) or Etihad’s Apartment. 

Even if you don’t manage to score one of those highly coveted seats, not to worry. Amex has more than a dozen transfer partners, including many of the world’s largest airlines, so you’re bound to find a fare that fits the bill.

The worst ways to redeem your Amex points

The worst way to redeem your American Express points is on non-travel purchases. Generally, you’ll want to avoid using points to cover charges on your American Express card, whether it’s for cash back or a statement credit, to pay for items at merchants like Amazon, and on gift cards or other eligible purchases.

Frequently asked questions about using Amex points to book a flight

Can i use amex points for flights.

Yes, you can use Membership Rewards points for flights either by redeeming points on the Amex Travel portal or by transferring Amex points to partner airlines. 

How many points do I need for a free flight?

For a free flight , the required Membership Rewards points per dollar depend on the airline. Some airlines, such as JetBlue, offer flights for as low as 500 points each way, usually on domestic short-haul flights.

Should I book my trip via Amex Travel or through the airline directly? 

It’s fine to book your trip via the American Express travel portal or directly through your preferred airline. Each has its benefits and drawbacks, so it really comes down to personal preference. Amex Travel can be beneficial if you want to earn or redeem Membership Rewards points, enjoy travel benefits, and prefer to manage your trip on a single platform. 

However, booking directly through the airline can, in some instances, offer lower prices, access to customer support, and more flexibility for changes or cancellations. It’s important to compare the prices and benefits of both options before making a decision. Ultimately, if you value loyalty program perks and direct airline support, booking with the airline might be the better choice, while Amex Travel can be ideal for leveraging cardholder benefits.

Will I earn points if I book my travel directly?

Yes, you’ll earn Membership Rewards points or miles when you use your Amex points to book directly with an airline or hotel; generally, you do not earn points on flights or hotels that you paid for with points.

Can I cancel a trip booked with Amex rewards points?

Yes, you can cancel a trip booked with Amex rewards points, provided you booked a refundable ticket. However, cancellations are subject to the airline’s fare rules agreed to at the time of booking. You’ll want to ensure that you booked a refundable ticket just in case you need to cancel.

Can I transfer my Amex points to an airline or hotel loyalty program?

Yes, you can transfer your Amex points to an airline or hotel loyalty program. The Amex travel portal has more than a dozen airline and hotel transfer partners.

How long does it take to transfer my Amex points to a travel partner? 

Most programs transfer instantly, although some, such as Aeromexico, can take up to five days.

Will I earn miles or points on bookings made with Amex reward points? 

You won’t be eligible to earn miles or points on bookings made with Amex reward points; however, you will earn Amex points on taxes and fees if you book with an Amex card.

Which Amex credit cards can I use to pay with points? 

You can use any American Express credit card that participates in the Membership Rewards program to pay with points. 

Better flights, fewer points.  point.me users get 6-12x the value of their points.  Join now

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8 best ways to use Amex points

Ashley Barnett

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Robin Saks Frankel

Updated 12:34 p.m. UTC April 30, 2024

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American Express Membership Rewards® points, aka Amex points, are earned from numerous Amex credit cards and have multiple uses. You can redeem these points for everything from cash back to Amazon purchases and from travel purchases in the Amex Travel portal to paying yourself back for purchases you’ve already made.

But if we’re looking at the best way to use Membership Rewards points , nothing compares to the potential value of transferring your Amex points to one of the many airline or hotel partners Amex offers. Obtaining value here requires an understanding of how to use these partners, how to find the hotel nights or flights you want to book with your points and what represents good value on these redemptions. 

How to redeem Amex points comes down to one of two situations: Either you have almost all the points you need for an award stay and just need to transfer a small amount from Amex, or you’ve found an opportunity where the cash price of the hotel is inflated while the points cost has remained at a standard amount. Notably, the latter is the only time it’s the best way to use Amex points for hotels.

Otherwise, using your Amex points for flights tends to provide the best value. Here are some of the best ways to use Amex points.

We currently value American Express Membership Rewards points at 1.275 cents per point, and as we discuss the best and worst ways to use Amex points, you’ll see that all of the uses come in below this number but one.

If all of those numbers are below our valuation of Amex points (1.275 cents per point), that might not seem to make sense. It’s the remaining option (which actually provides many options) that holds the potential for massive value: transferring Amex points to hotel and airline partners. 

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• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Terms Apply.

Book domestic flights on United Airlines using Avianca LifeMiles

It can be cheaper to book domestic United flights through a partner, rather than directly with United. And that’s advantageous for those with Amex points, because Amex points don’t transfer to United Airlines.

This generally applies to flights of 500 miles or less, so you won’t be going very far, but the more flying you do, the more you could save in the long run.

Consider a flight from John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California (SNA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). United charges a minimum of 8,700 miles for this flight.

However, you can book the exact same flight by transferring Amex points to Avianca LifeMiles and paying just 6,500 miles instead.

You’ll need to find what’s called “saver” award space to book at the cheapest rates with partners, and luckily United makes it very obvious. You’ll see that the image above says Saver Award clearly, and those flights are available through United partners at their optimal rates.

Take short American Airlines flights in North America using British Airways Avios

Just as you can book United flights cheaper with a partner, the same applies to short American Airlines flights booked through British Airways. This is especially true on flights with inflated costs, such as near holidays or those with little competition from other airlines.

Consider this American Airlines flight from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Oklahoma City (OKC). American Airlines is charging 9,500 miles for this flight.

However, British Airways, thanks to its distance-based pricing and the short distance of this flight, charges just 7,500 Avios.

A few items are worth noting. First, because British Airways uses a distance-based chart, you’ll pay more the farther you fly. That’s why short flights represent the best value. Additionally, British Airways charges by the distance of each segment, so prices can really inflate if you go out of your way for a connecting flight (such as flying from Kansas City to Cincinnati by way of Philadelphia). 

Book Star Alliance around-the-world tickets in business class using All Nippon Airways (ANA) from Japan

Booking a trip around the world is a bucket list item for many, and you can save a ton of points and miles by booking your flights as part of an around-the-world ticket, rather than booking each piece separately. If you’re going to do this, ANA offers some of the best pricing.

There are a few rules to note, however. First, you must keep flying in the same direction; you cannot backtrack, flying east from New York to Paris, then west to Madrid before continuing east to Istanbul. You also must cross both the Atlantic and Pacific with these bookings and can have a maximum of eight stopovers (where you spend more than 24 hours at a stopping point), with a maximum of three stopovers in Europe and a maximum of four stopovers in Japan. The full rules are available here .

Pricing is based on the total distance of your flights, and you’ll pay based on the highest fare of any flight. Thus, if you take a single flight in first class, you’ll pay for first class on the whole itinerary.

Imagine flying from New York to London for a few days before continuing to Rome. Your next stop is Istanbul before spending time in Dubai, then a vacation to New Delhi and Bangkok. Your last country involves a stop in Sydney before flying through Los Angeles to get home to New York. This excellent holiday has a total flying distance of 24,903 miles. You’ll pay 100,000 miles to fly this route in economy, 145,000 per person in business class, or 220,000 miles each in first class. Do note that several of these routes don’t have an available airline flying first class.

Fly round-trip to Europe by booking with ANA

ANA also offers excellent rates on round-trip flights between the U.S./Canada on one side and Europe on the other. For this pricing, ANA treats the whole continental U.S. and Canada as the same zone, meaning this pricing applies broadly.

The airline you fly can change the taxes and fees added onto your redemption, so you might have a few hundred dollars to pay when flying with Lufthansa or less than $100 if you fly with United. Take this into consideration when booking.

However, the pricing can’t be beat. Paying 88,000 miles per person for round-trip tickets to Europe in business class is truly one of the best ways to use Amex points.

Book Iberia flights to/from Europe during off-peak dates

One of the craziest deals for using frequent flyer miles is flying from the U.S. to Spain with Iberia on off-peak dates. Iberia has lower prices during these dates, so if you can avoid Christmas and Spring Break, you might snag a round-trip ticket for what other airlines charge on a one-way trip.

Consider this business-class flight between Madrid and New York City for 34,000 Avios + $149.40 in taxes and fees. Paying 68,000 Avios for round-trip business class from the U.S. to Europe is incomparable. 

Prices will climb if you fly further or fly on peak dates. Flights to Chicago, for example, would cost 42,500 Avios per person, while flights to the West Coast would cost as much as 51,000 Avios per person — all during off-peak (cheaper) pricing. You can view the current peak and off-peak calendar here .

Fly to Hawaii from the West Coast using Air Canada Aeroplan points

For those on the West Coast who can access nonstop United Airlines flights to Hawaii, using your Amex points with Aeroplan offers a great deal. You’ll pay just 12,500 Aeroplan points per person, plus roughly $45 in taxes and fees.

Prices jump to 22,500 points per person if you’re making a connection from the East Coast, so the best value is for those who can catch a nonstop flight to Hawaii. We consider taking a family of four to Hawaii and back for 100,000 points among the best ways to use Amex points.

Use monthly Air France–KLM Flying Blue Promo Rewards for discounted deals on flights to/from Europe

Air France and KLM share a rewards program called Flying Blue. Each month, the program offers Promo Rewards, which can offer up to 50% discounts on award tickets — though a 25% discount is more standard. These represent incredible value if you are headed to one of the eligible destinations.

The discounts apply to a set list of flights and eligible dates, typically published for the next three months. And the discounts only apply to flights operated by Air France and KLM, meaning you’ll be flying to or through these airlines’ hubs in Paris and Amsterdam. 

The list of eligible destinations changes monthly, but examples from current and previous deals highlight just how much value can be found. Flying from Houston to Paris for just 16,875 miles per person is a fantastic price.

You can view the current list of routes and dates here .

Pay for flights with points using the 35% points rebate

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply) provides a unique benefit in which cardholders get 35% of their redeemed points back (up to 1 million points back per calendar year) when paying with points for a flight via Amex Travel. 

All information about The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint.

However, not all flights are eligible. This applies to first-class and business-class flights on any airline, as well as flights in any cabin on a preferred airline you choose in advance. This can make your points worth up to 1.54 cents each, and it presents a great opportunity to buy a flight with points when you’ve found a great deal.

When should you use this benefit? It’s most advantageous if the number of points you’d use to pay via Amex Travel is less than what you’d need to transfer to a rewards program and book the ticket as a redemption flight. 

However, it’s worth pointing out that you must have the full number of points required (before the discount), because the discount is applied as a points rebate after the fact.

This business-class ticket from Madrid to San Francisco costs $1,108 or 110,750 points. You also could transfer points to Aeroplan and book a similar route for 90,000 points + $123 in taxes and fees.

But those with The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. would pay just 71,988 points in the end, thanks to the 35% points rebate. And that’s with everything included, no extra fees like you’ll pay when booking through partner airlines.

This benefit won’t always present cost savings, so it’s important to comparison shop. How many points would you pay if you transferred your Amex points to a partner airline for a redemption booking? Compare that to the points you’d pay (after the discount) by booking with Amex Travel. Choose whichever option costs less, which will vary. 

This is a nice option for increasing your booking options. And when you can’t find award availability, this benefit is always available, so long as there’s a seat for sale.

Other ways to use Amex points

Transferring using your points for hotels and flights is the best way to use Amex points, but it’s not the only way.

The simplest way to use Amex points is redeeming them for cash, which you can do as a statement credit to offset your recent purchases. Points are worth only 0.6 cents apiece here — one of the lowest-value options available.

Other poor-value options for using Amex points include shopping with points at merchants like Amazon, where you can get 0.7 cents per point, or paying with points in Amex’s shopping portal, fetching the lowest value possible: half a cent per point. Amex also allows you to buy gift cards with your points, and the values here vary. You can use points between 0.5 cents and 1 cent apiece.

It’s also possible to use your points to pay for travel at Amex Travel, which offers flights, hotels, cruises and vacation packages. The value you’ll get from your points varies. They’re worth 1 cent each toward flights and hotel bookings with the Fine Hotels + Resorts® program. Points are worth just 0.7 cents each toward rental cars, cruises, hotels and vacation packages, however.

What are Amex Membership Rewards?

American Express Membership Rewards are the rewards currency earned with several Amex cards. Not all Amex credit cards earn these points, to be clear. Amex points have multiple uses, which is why they’re often called flexible points, and the best way to use them often involves flight redemptions with partner reward programs.

If you have multiple cards that earn Amex Membership Rewards points, the good news is that you can combine all of your cards into a single log-in on Amex’s website, thus putting all of your points together in one place. That makes it easy when it’s time to redeem them.

What Amex credit cards earn rewards points?

American Express issues numerous credit cards , but not all of them earn Membership Rewards points. Obvious examples include those with “cash” in the name of the card, and co-branded cards earning Delta SkyMiles, Marriott Bonvoy points, or Hilton Honors points also don’t earn Amex points.

You can earn Amex points with the following personal (consumer) cards (terms apply):

• American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Platinum Card® from American Express for Charles Schwab * The information for the The Platinum Card® from American Express for Charles Schwab has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley * The information for the The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• American Express® Gold Card  
• American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card * The information for the Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.  
• Amex EveryDay® Credit Card * The information for the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• Blue from American Express® (no longer available to new applicants)

All information about American Express Centurion Black Card, The Platinum Card® from American Express for Charles Schwab, The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley, American Express® Green Card, Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card and Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

And the following small-business cards earn Membership Rewards points (terms apply):

• The Business Centurion® Card from American Express * The information for the The Business Centurion® Card from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• American Express® Business Gold Card * The information for the American Express® Business Gold Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• Business Green Rewards Card from American Express * The information for the Business Green Rewards Card from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express * The information for the The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.  

All information about The Business Centurion® Card from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, American Express® Business Gold Card, Business Green Rewards Card from American Express and The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint.

How to earn Amex Rewards points

You can earn Membership Rewards in a few ways:

• Welcome offers. Like all issuers, Amex makes welcome offers to entice you to open one of its cards. The welcome offer typically looks like this: “Earn x points if you spend this amount of money in this amount of time, starting from the date your account is opened.” This can be the most straightforward way to earn a significant sum of Amex points quickly.
• Spending. You can also earn Amex points from spending on its credit cards . Each card has different features and different earning rates, with some cards having high-value bonus categories where you earn extra points. A good example is the American Express® Gold Card , which earns 4 Membership Rewards points per $1 at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per $1, 4 points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point per $1), 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel and 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases (terms apply, rates & fees ). In contrast, the Amex Platinum Card earns only minimal rewards at U.S. restaurants.
• Referral bonuses. It’s also possible to earn Amex Rewards points by referring a friend (or another small business owner for business cards) to apply for a credit card. If your friend uses your referral link and then is approved for the card, you could earn a bonus. Bonus amounts vary and are targeted to individuals, but you may be able to earn $100 cash or as much as 20,000 bonus points from each referral.
• Amex Offers. Cardholders also can earn bonus points through targeted spending offers via Amex Offers . These offers, which you must add to your card before using them, can provide cash back or bonus points when making purchases at the merchant highlighted in the offer. These offers could be related to your local supermarket, a cruise line, or online streaming services. 

You also may receive other offers of bonus points, such as Amex offering a retention bonus of points to convince you not to close your account (if you’re in the process of doing so) or offering a bonus to entice you to upgrade your card to a more premium version. Again, these offers are targeted to the individual, so what you see may vary from offers others receive.

Holding a combination of Amex cards can also accelerate your earnings. The so-called Amex Trifecta provides a solid example, using three cards with complimentary bonus categories that can help you earn extra rewards on every purchase you make.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The value of the points depends on how you use them. If you shop through Amex’s website and purchase goods with your points, they’re worth half a cent each — making 50,000 points worth $250. However, it’s also possible to redeem those 50,000 points for expensive flights, using Amex’s transfer partners, fetching thousands of dollars in value.

You can redeem points in many ways, with the worst option (shopping for gifts with Amex) providing just 0.5 cents in value per point — making 100,000 points worth $500. Conversely, 100,000 points is more than enough for a round-trip ticket from the U.S. to Europe in business class if you use the available airline transfer partners. That could make your 100,000 points worth $6,000 or more.

Points earned from an Amex Platinum card are the same Membership Rewards points that you’ll earn on other Amex cards. The best value redemptions for Membership Rewards points is typically booking airfare.

Points do not expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. However, if you close your account or Amex closes it due to a violation of program terms, failure to pay your bill or other negative reasons, you could forfeit your points. As long as you pay your credit card bill and follow the rules, points don’t expire.

American Express calls its annual fee a “membership fee” and it also issues several no-annual-fee credit cards.

For rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card please visit this page .

*The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card, American Express® Business Gold Card, American Express® Green Card, Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card, Business Green Rewards Card from American Express, The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, The Business Centurion® Card from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley and The Platinum Card® from American Express for Charles Schwab has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Ryan grew up in Ohio but has lived in half a dozen states and multiple continents before recently returning to the U.S. and settling in southern California. After someone at his hostel in China said, “I flew here for free using points,” Ryan was hooked. In December of 2023, he completed his goal of visiting every country in the world. Ryan has been around points and miles for several years and has published content at Miles to Memories, AwardWallet, The Points Guy and Forbes Advisor. He also holds Brazilian citizenship and speaks fluent Portuguese. His wife joins him on many of his trips, and they enjoy snowboarding, scuba diving, seeing animals in the wild and hunting for vegan tiramisu. When not traveling, Ryan is probably answering questions from his family about how he travels so much and whether this points and miles stuff is illegal.

Ashley Barnett has been writing and editing personal finance articles for the internet since 2008. Before editing for USA TODAY Blueprint, she was the Content Director for an international media company leading the content on their suite of personal finance sites. She lives in Phoenix, AZ where you can find her rereading Harry Potter for the 100th time.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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Amex Membership Rewards vs. Chase Ultimate Rewards: Which is the best?

Editor's Note

American Express Membership Rewards points and Chase Ultimate Rewards points are two of the most highly sought-after transferable currencies among travel enthusiasts. These points can unlock incredible redemptions in aspirational locations like the Maldives and Bora Bora. Both programs offer a range of travel rewards credit cards and redemption options, including transferring points to airline and hotel partners or booking travel through the respective bank's portal.

However, it's important to note that not all points hold the same value. While both Amex Membership Rewards points and Chase Ultimate Rewards points are valued at approximately 2 cents per point, according to TPG , the best choice depends on your spending habits and travel objectives. Now, let's delve into a comparison between these two programs to see how they measure up.

Transfer partners with Amex Membership Rewards vs. Chase Ultimate Rewards

American Express Membership Rewards

Amex partners with 18 different airline programs and three hotel chains . Here's the current list of Amex airline partners:

• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Aeromexico Club Premier
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue
• All Nippon Airways Mileage Club
• Avianca LifeMiles
• British Airways Executive Club
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
• Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
• Emirates Skywards
• Etihad Airways Guest
• Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
• Iberia Plus
• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

And these are the Amex hotel transfer partners:

• Choice Privileges
• Hilton Honors
• Marriott Bonvoy

You can book flights or hotels through Amex Travel , but transferring points to a partner and then redeeming them (more on that a little later) typically results in the best redemption value.

Related: How to redeem American Express Membership Rewards for maximum value

Chase Ultimate Rewards

With Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can transfer points to 11 airline programs:

• Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
• United Airlines MileagePlus

Chase also partners with three hotel programs:

• IHG One Rewards
• World of Hyatt

All transfer ratios are 1:1, and you must transfer in 1,000-point increments.

To decide which program is better for you, you'll want to consider the transfer partners you'll use most for your travel goals.

Remember that it's possible to use one airline's miles to book award flights on another if they're partners or part of the same alliance. For example, even though United Airlines isn't an Amex Membership Rewards transfer partner, you can book United award flights by transferring Amex points to Air Canada or Singapore Airlines (as they are Star Alliance partners).

Related: How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value

Earning points with Amex Membership Rewards vs. Chase Ultimate Rewards

Earning Amex points has become more accessible thanks to revamped card options such as the American Express® Business Gold Card and American Express® Gold Card , both offering generous welcome offers. Despite a once-per-lifetime policy for welcome offers , the wide range of cards that earn Membership Rewards points makes it relatively easy to accumulate a substantial points balance.

Here are some of the cards that earn Amex Membership Rewards points:

• American Express® Green Card
• American Express® Gold Card
• American Express® Business Gold Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The information for the Amex Green has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Some of these cards come with great welcome offers. For example, The Platinum Card from American Express offers 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. According to TPG's monthly valuations , Amex Membership Rewards points are worth 2 cents each, making this 80,000-point bonus worth $1,600. That is more than double the card's $695 annual fee (see rates and fees ).

Related: Which is the best American Express credit card for you?

Another way to earn Amex points is through targeted Amex Offers . You'll see all the Amex Offers you have available on a given card if you scroll down on your online account page or by tapping the "Offers" tab in the Amex app.

These offers come from various merchants, including travel providers, restaurants, clothing and jewelry stores, and more. Generally speaking, Amex Offers come in one of three forms:

• Spend $X, get Y number of bonus points
• Spend $X, get $Y back
• Get additional points per dollar spent at select merchants

While some offers will give you cash back for meeting a specific spending requirement, many offer points.

If you hold multiple Amex cards, it's important to check all of them to ensure you're maximizing the available offers. Additionally, reviewing the terms of each Amex Offer you add to your cards is crucial, as some may exclude gift card purchases.

Amex Offers can be combined with online shopping portals and bonus categories. Consider using a shopping portal aggregator to determine which portal offers the highest return for a specific purchase. This way, you can make the most of your purchase.

Related: How to earn bonus cash back or Amex points on your online shopping purchases with Rakuten

Chase offers three cards that earn transferable Ultimate Rewards points, all of which have substantial welcome bonuses:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
• Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

There are also four cards offered by Chase that, on their own, don't allow you to transfer points to travel partners. However, if you have one of the cards mentioned above, you can transfer points to that account and then move them to airline and hotel partners.

• Chase Freedom (no longer open to new applicants)
• Chase Freedom Unlimited ®
• Ink Business Cash Credit Card
• Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card

The information for the Chase Freedom has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Remember that the Chase 5/24 rule may limit your ability to get approved for these cards. If you're new to points and miles , your best bet is to apply for the Chase cards you want first.

Bonus points categories with Amex Membership Rewards vs. Chase Ultimate Rewards

We recommend maximizing everyday spending on several Amex cards by taking advantage of bonus categories. For example, the Amex Gold earns 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (on the first $50,000 spent per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar). In comparison, the Amex Platinum earns 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or via Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) and 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel.

Related: Best credit cards

Chase offers a range of cards that provide ample opportunities to earn points through bonus categories. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per dollar on dining and select streaming services, 3 points per dollar on online grocery purchases (excluding Target and Walmart), 2 points per dollar on other travel, and 1 point per dollar on all other expenses.

The Ink Business Preferred extends the bonus categories with 3 points per dollar on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services and advertising purchases made with social media and search engines (on up to $150,000 in combined purchases per account anniversary year, then 1 point per dollar), and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve , you'll earn 3 points per dollar on all travel (excluding the $300 travel credit) and dining worldwide, and 1 point per dollar on other expenses. This includes bonus categories like ride-hailing services and food delivery. Moreover, Sapphire Reserve cardholders will automatically earn 10 total points per dollar on Lyft rides when using their card, valid until March 2025.

Remember to assess your spending habits to determine which program suits you best. The Chase Sapphire Reserve or Preferred might be more suitable if you spend significantly on general travel. On the other hand, if you frequently spend on airfare or dining, it's hard to beat the Amex Platinum's 5 points per dollar or the Gold card's 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants.

Related: 6 little-known Chase Sapphire Reserve perks

Redemption options with Amex Membership Rewards vs. Chase Ultimate rewards

As easy as it is to earn transferable points, you don't want to keep them just sitting in your account — you want to burn them. Just like the ways to earn points, all redemption options aren't created equal.

With Amex, you have many ways to score your dream redemption. Some of these are more valuable than others.

For instance, you could use Virgin Atlantic's award chart for All Nippon Airways to fly ANA's The Room business class for 145,000 points round-trip from the West Coast (or 170,000 from the East Coast).

You can also use Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points to fly Hawaiian Airlines between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii. Business-class awards cost 40,000 points one-way between Hawaii and the West Coast or 65,000 points between Hawaii and the East Coast .

You can also use the Amex Travel portal to find a preferred room and then pay with points — valued at 0.7 cents each — or cash. You can book various hotels, including those in Amex's Fine Hotels + Resorts program . You won't usually earn hotel points or elite credits for third-party bookings.

Related: Here are 9 of our favorite ways to use Amex Membership Rewards points

With Chase, you can book travel through the Chase Travel℠ and redeem points to pay for your plane tickets, hotel stays, rental cars or experiences. If you're a holder of the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Ink Business Preferred , each point is worth 1.25 cents. If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve , your points are worth 1.5 cents apiece toward redemptions through the portal.

While you can use your Chase points through Chase Travel, you'll usually get better value by transferring to a travel partner. One of our favorite ways to redeem Chase points is to transfer them to World of Hyatt and redeem them at low-category or high-end properties.

As with Amex, some transfer partners are more valuable than others. For example, we don't usually recommend transferring Chase points to hotels (except Hyatt), as you'll typically get more value moving your points to airline partners. And you'll usually get more bang for your points when you redeem them for high-value first- and business-class international award flights.

Related: Sweet spots: The best ways to use Chase Ultimate Rewards points

Bottom line

Choosing between these two programs depends on your preferences, but there's no reason why you can't collect both types of points.

With a valuation of around 2 cents each for both Chase and Amex points, you can't go wrong with either transferable currency. Chase Ultimate Rewards is a great choice if you're aiming for remarkable redemptions like Hyatt stays in the Maldives or Star Alliance business-class tickets to Europe or Asia. Additionally, the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card's 120,000-point sign-up bonus after spending $8,000 in the first three months from account opening makes it easy to accumulate a substantial amount of points quickly.

Amex Membership Rewards is a solid option for affordable award redemptions using Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. While Virgin Atlantic is a transfer partner of Chase, Amex often offers targeted transfer bonuses that can help you secure discounted premium-cabin awards to Japan.

Maintaining flexible and diverse points and miles balances will give you the most options when redeeming your rewards regardless of your preferred currency.

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Amex Membership Rewards Transfer Partners & How To Use Them [2024]

Jarrod West

Senior Content Contributor

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Keri Stooksbury

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Table of Contents

Airline transfer partners, hotel transfer partners, how to transfer membership rewards, transfer bonuses, earning amex membership rewards, booking travel with the amextravel.com portal, other ways to use your points, combining membership rewards from different accounts, redeeming membership rewards, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Key Takeaways

• American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to numerous airline and hotel partners, typically at a 1:1 ratio, providing flexibility in redeeming points for travel.
• Popular airline partners include British Airways Executive Club, Delta SkyMiles, and Emirates Skywards.
• Hotel partners like Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy allow points transfers for booking stays.

If you’re looking for a way to earn lots of points to redeem for some amazing travel, you can’t go wrong with American Express Membership Rewards credit cards. Amex provides a number of ways to earn Membership Rewards points and plenty of fun ways to redeem them for some great flights.

In this post, we’ll show you all of the American Express transfer partners, how to transfer Membership Rewards to these partners, and much more. With this guide in hand, you’ll be ready to book some amazing vacations!

The American Express Membership Rewards program has a ton of airline transfer partners.

Make sure you check the transfer rate (see below) since not all transfers are done at a 1:1 ratio.

Membership Rewards can also be transferred to 3 hotel rewards programs.

Like American Express airline partners, transfer ratios vary (see below), so make sure you check them before transferring.

Hot Tip: Use our transfer partner tool to see how many points you’ll get when you transfer your Amex Membership Rewards to their partner airlines and hotels!

With some Membership Rewards points in your account , it’s time to decide where you want to transfer your points so you can start traveling. Here are the simple steps to make the transfer process easy.

Step 1:  Select Earn and Redeem  from the menu.

Step 2: Select Transfer Points under Redeem .

Step 3: Choose your desired airline or hotel transfer partner and select Transfer Points . If you haven’t already, you will need to link your frequent flyer account to your Membership Rewards account. In the example below, we chose Delta Air Lines.

Step 4:  Once you have linked your airline or hotel account to your Membership Rewards account, choose how many points you would like to transfer. Transfers must be made in increments of 1,000.

Step 5: Confirm the number of points you are transferring and complete the transfer.

Step 6:  Head over to the appropriate airline or hotel program to book your award flight or award stay.

Bottom Line: Transferring Amex points to partners is easy. Just have your loyalty program numbers handy and your Amex card details, and you’ll be good to go!

Transferring your points when there is a bonus is an ideal situation. Getting the most value out of every point you have is the key to getting those high-level redemptions!

Amex has previously offered both public and targeted transfer bonus offers of 15% to 40%. For example, if you were to transfer 10,000 points when a particular partner is offering a 40% bonus offer, your points would be worth 14,000 points after transfer.

However, you shouldn’t transfer points JUST because there is a bonus. It’s best to keep your points in a transferable account (like Amex, Capital One, Chase, Citi, or Marriott Bonvoy) until you have a specific redemption in mind.

American Express provides tons of opportunities to earn Membership Rewards points . Pick the card or combination of cards that will help you earn the most points and get the benefits that matter to you.

Recommended American Express Cards (Personal)

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with  no credit score impact.

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• 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.
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  None

American Express Membership Rewards

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

The American Express ® Gold Card  is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com
• $325 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• No lounge access
• 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.

If you’re a business owner, see our list of the best Amex business credit cards .

A fun and easy way to boost your earning potential is to maximize Amex Offers , which grant additional Membership Rewards for your purchases at select merchants.

If you’re booking economy flights or hotels, don’t forget to check out AmexTravel.com , where you can book cash flights with points. Points are generally worth 1 cent each.

With The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express , each point is worth about 1.54 cents when booking on your preselected airline.

The boost is applied in the form of a 35% rebate , so you’ll still need the total points in your account at the time of booking. You can get up to 1 million points rebated per calendar year.

Let’s check out an example (below). If you have the Amex Business Platinum card and Delta Air Lines is your selected airline, this booking will cost 22,516 Membership Rewards points initially.

Once the rebate is applied, American Express will return 7,880 Membership Rewards to your account, which means this booking would actually cost you 14,636 points.

You might have noticed in the example above that the booking is a Membership Rewards Insider Fare .

This can make your bookings through AmexTravel.com even more valuable since American Express sometimes discounts flights if you pay entirely with points .

Should You Transfer or Book Through Amex?

Consider the flights we discussed above. Booking this itinerary through AmexTravel.com costs 14,636 Membership Rewards points, and the booking still earns Delta SkyMiles as a paid fare rather than an award ticket.

If you were to transfer Membership Rewards to Delta and book this same itinerary as an award ticket, you would have to transfer 25,000 points to your SkyMiles account to book it. In this case, booking through the portal would be a much better deal.

This is clearly a time to book through AmexTravel.com rather than transferring points. To ensure you get the most out of your points every time, it’s important to check both the portal and transfer options when booking economy class.

AmexTravel.com also allows you to book hotels at up to 1 cent per point in value through Fine Hotels & Resorts .

You can also redeem your points for gift cards to merchants like Nike, Saks Fifth Avenue , Walmart, or Amazon , or use your points to shop for items from the Membership Rewards site.

Unfortunately, these are generally terrible uses of your hard-earned Membership Rewards points. To get the most value out of them, stick with travel redemptions!

If you have multiple cards that earn Membership Rewards, they can each be linked to the same account so your points will automatically collect in one place.

Generally, when you apply for a new card that earns Membership Rewards points, it will automatically be linked to your account.

One downside is that points cannot be transferred to your spouse or significant other’s Membership Rewards account.

However, you can transfer points to a frequent flyer program owned by any authorized users on your account, as long as they have been an authorized user for at least 90 days .

While this isn’t a perfect solution, it still allows you to help friends and family book award flights.

Using your Membership Rewards points for travel is clearly the best way to use your points.

With so many airline transfer partners and tons of ways to redeem your points, it’s almost overwhelming!

To make the process a bit easier, we’ve compiled a list of the best ways to redeem your Membership Rewards for some amazing travel experiences.

American Express Membership Rewards points are tremendously useful if you want to travel. With so many ways to earn and redeem points, you can book award flights to just about anywhere in the world!

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Gold Card, click  here . For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation  calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

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Table of Contents

Who can use the American Express Travel portal?

Benefits of booking travel on amex travel, how to book travel in the portal, is travel insurance included when booking through amex travel, downsides of booking via amex travel, final thoughts on the amex travel portal.

The American Express Travel portal is similar to many other online booking sites in that it allows you to purchase flights, hotels and other travel reservations. The main difference is that only those who hold an American Express card can use it.

Certain cards come with additional perks for booking in the portal. For instance, some AmEx cards allow travelers to earn extra points for bookings, receive a 35% points rebate, pay for a portion of the reservation with points, get room upgrades and more. Terms apply.

Here's a look at what the AmEx Travel portal offers and how to use it to maximize your benefits.

American Express Travel flights, hotels and other reservations are available for American Express cardholders. Depending on which American Express card you have, you may earn additional points on your reservation or unlock additional features. Terms apply.

For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express cardholders earn 5x points on flights booked directly with an airline or through AmEx Travel and 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through AmEx Travel. They also have access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts collection through the travel portal. Additionally, American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express cardholders can book room reservations with The Hotel Collection . Terms apply.

Here are eight reasons why booking with AmEx travel could be a good idea.

1. Earn up to 5x points

When you book flight through the AmEx Travel portal, your credit card may earn additional points for the purchase. In addition, prepaid hotel reservations through the AmEx travel portal also earn extra points. These are a few of the cards that offer a bonus when making reservations through AmEx travel:

on American Express' website

• 5 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 spent per year.

• 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

• 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.

Terms apply.

• 4 points per $1 at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per year).

• 4 points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year).

• 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.

• 2 points per $1 on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases made through American Express Travel.

• 3 points per $1 on eligible travel purchases.

• 3 points per $1 on restaurants worldwide.

• 1 point per $1 on other purchases.

• 2 points per $1 on the first $50,000 in purchases each calendar year.

• 1 point per $1 on purchases above $50,000 in a calendar year.

» Learn more: AmEx Membership Rewards: How to earn and use them

2. Pay for reservations using Pay with Points

With American Express Travel, flights, hotels and more can be paid for with points instead of cash. Members can even choose to pay a portion of the trip with points and the rest with cash. Once your reservations have been booked, the full amount of your trip will be charged to your American Express credit card, and then a credit will be posted for the points redeemed within 48 hours.

You must redeem at least 5,000 points in order to use Pay with Points. Points are redeemed at a value of 1 cent per point when booking flights or making Fine Hotels & Resorts reservations. Other eligible travel receives only 0.7 cents per point. NerdWallet values Membership Rewards points at 2.8 cents per point if you take advantage of transferring to and booking through travel partners, so the redemption rates in the travel portal are significantly below our ideal value.

If you need to cancel your reservation, you'll receive a statement credit on your card for the cash equivalent. Members who would rather have the unused Membership Rewards points returned to their accounts must contact American Express customer service at 800-297-3276. Terms apply.

3. Upgrade flights with points

Eligible flights booked with cash can be upgraded using your American Express Membership Rewards points. You'll receive 1 cent per point credit towards the cost when upgrading a flight with points (which is again below our AmEx point valuation ).

To upgrade your flight with points, select your airline and provide your reservation details in the AmEx travel portal. You will be notified if your flight is eligible or not. If your flight is eligible, you can submit an offer to the airline for the upgrade. The airline will accept or reject your bid between one and five days of your flight's departure and you'll receive a decision via email.

If your upgrade offer is accepted, the points will be deducted from your account. Your statement will show a charge and a credit for the corresponding points.

» Learn more: You can now use AmEx points to bid on flight upgrades

4. Discounted international flights through AmEx IAP

Platinum cardholders have access to discounted flights through International Airline Program (IAP) , which allows members to book first, business and premium economy at a discount on select airlines and routes. Plus, you'll receive 5x Membership Rewards points on the booking when using your The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express to pay for the flight. Terms apply.

There are 25 airlines that participate in this program. You can book refundable and nonrefundable tickets for up to eight passengers through the IAP. Tickets can be paid with your card, points or a combination of the two. You will have to pay a $39 nonrefundable ticketing fee, however the discount received on these tickets should outweigh the fee.

5. Cancel For Any Reason insurance

CFAR is shorthand for an insurance policy that allows you to cancel your trip for any reason whatsoever and receive a refund. In May 2022, AmEx launched its own version of CFAR coverage for airfare booked through the travel portal using an AmEx card.

This feature, called Trip Cancel Guard, will get you up to a 75% reimbursement on nonrefundable airfare costs, provided you cancel at least two calendar days out from your departure. You'll need to purchase Trip Cancel Guard coverage at the point of booking and if you cancel, whether through the airline directly or through AmEx Travel, you can request reimbursement online or over the phone.

» Learn more: The guide to Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance

6. 35% points rebate with The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

When The Business Platinum Card® from American Express cardholder book flights using points through the AmEx travel portal, they can receive up to 35% of their points back . The benefit is available on first or business class flights on any airline and all economy flights with their chosen airline. This benefit provides up to 500,000 points back per calendar year.

However, as with all AmEx credits , it's not as straightforward as you may hope. You will have to designate the airline for the 35% rebate and the airline must be the same as the one chosen for the $200 airline incidental credit .

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

7. Fine Hotels & Resorts

The Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. (Photo by Sally French)

Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) is a collection of resorts and benefits available only to Platinum Card members. There are over 2,000 properties worldwide that participate in this program. When making reservations with Fine Hotels & Resorts for one night or more, you'll receive the following benefits:

$200 statement credit provided once per year.

Noon check-in (when available).

Room upgrade upon arrival (when available).

Daily breakfast for two.

Guaranteed 4 pm late checkout.

Complimentary in-room WiFi.

Unique property benefit valued at least $100.

These benefits rival those that many travelers receive when booking directly with hotels to obtain elite status perks. Some locations also offer a last-night free benefit, depending upon when you make your reservation. And some of the best hotels to book using FHR credits offer especially-unique amenities.

For example, many theme park fans consider Loews Portofino Bay Hotel as the best FHR hotel in Orlando . That's because — on top of all the above benefits — guests receive complimentary Universal Express Unlimited ride access, which allows you to skip the lines inside the Universal theme parks .

8. The Hotel Collection

The Loews Sapphire Falls at Universal Orlando falls under The Hotel Collection. (Photo by Sally French)

AmEx Gold and Platinum cardholders receive elite status-level perks at more than 600 hotels worldwide. When you stay for two nights or more, you'll receive a $100 resort credit and an upgrade upon arrival (when available). In addition, you can use your AmEx Membership Rewards credit card to book and pay for your reservation entirely or partially with your points.

While you can book travel over the phone with an agent, it is often quicker and more convenient to make your reservations through the AmEx Travel portal.

Here's how to book travel in the American Express travel portal:

Go to americanexpress.com/en-us/travel/ .

Log in with your username and password.

Select flights, hotels, flight + hotel, cars, or cruises.

Enter your travel dates, cities and other relevant information.

Choose options based on your trip.

Pay with your American Express credit card, points, or a combination.

Since you need an American Express card to make reservations through AmEx travel, you may already hold a card that offers complimentary travel insurance . If you don’t get travel insurance perks through your AmEx card, you can purchase Trip Cancel Guard through when making your booking.

Trip Cancel Guard works similarly to CFAR in that it allows you to cancel your trip for any reason whatsoever and get up to a 75% reimbursement of your travel costs as long as the cancellation is made two full days before your trip.

What is the AmEx Travel cancellation policy?

When you book travel through the American Express travel portal, you may be eligible to cancel your reservation within 24 hours and get a full refund. However, the cancellation policy is determined by the airline.

As such, AmEx instructs travelers to refer to the cancellation policy on the itinerary or reach out to customer service with any questions. Terms apply.

There are many appealing reasons why travelers want to book reservations with the AmEx travel portal. However, there are some downsides as well. These are some of the most common reasons why you shouldn't:

Low value for your points. Redeeming points through the AmEx travel portal yields a value of 1 cent per point or less. That's at least a 50% reduction compared to our value of Membership Rewards points.

Complicated customer service. Resolving flight or hotel reservation issues becomes more complicated when you book through a third party such as AmEx travel. The airline or hotel blames the booking agency and may not immediately resolve the problem in some instances. However, providers have no scapegoat when you book direct.

No hotel elite status benefits or loyalty credits. Most hotels require you to book directly to receive elite status benefits, stay credits or earn points. For travelers looking to take advantage of their elite status or earn status for the next year, booking AmEx travel hotel reservations is not a good idea.

Despite the above policy, hotels booked through Fine Hotels & Resorts allow you to earn elite night credit and earn loyalty perks associated with your elite status level on any hotel reservations — regardless if you book in the portal or not.

The AmEx travel portal offers numerous benefits for all American Express cardholders. If you have a Membership Rewards credit card, you can pay for all or part of eligible travel reservations using your points.

And any portion that you pay with your Membership Rewards card can earn up to 5x points. AmEx Travel also offers two hotel collections that provide additional perks similar to elite status benefits.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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Travel with Points and soak up the rewards

Take the guesswork out of your travel plans with fixed points amounts for eligible flights.

The Fixed Points Travel Program

Perfect for booking a last-minute getaway or relaxing retreat. Book with confidence with return airfares from 15,000 points 1 .

Simply choose a flight category – such as Canada/U.S., Europe or Worldwide – to see the corresponding fixed number of points you will need, which covers up to a maximum base ticket 1 .

Make it easy to book last minute

Choose between Economy and Business below to see where the Fixed Points Travel Program will take you.

Eligible Routes*

15,000 Points** Popular routes: Canada/U.S. (Short Haul) Calgary – Vancouver

Montreal – New York

Toronto – Montreal

Toronto – New York

Toronto – Ottawa

Maximum base ticket price $300

20,000 Points**

Explore closer to home

Canada/U.S. (Short Haul)

Within or from a Canadian Province/Territory to an adjacent Canadian Province/Territory/U.S. State (except Alaska)***

40,000 Points** Discover North America  Canada/U.S. (Long Haul)

From a Canadian Province/Territory to a non-adjacent Canadian Province/Territory/ U.S. State (except Hawaii and Alaska)***

Maximum base ticket price $700

50,000 Points** Pick your vacation spot Canada to Alaska, Bermuda, Caribbean, Central America, Hawaii or Mexico

Maximum base ticket price $800

60,000 Points** Discover Europe Canada to destinations in Europe

Maximum base ticket price $900

100,000 Points** Worldwide Canada to destinations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Middle East, New Zealand, South America or South Pacific

Maximum base ticket price $1,700

50,000 Points** Explore closer to home

100,000 Points** Discover North America

Canada/U.S. (Long Haul)

Maximum base ticket price $1,800

120,000 Points** Pick your vacation spot Canada to Alaska, Bermuda, Caribbean, Central America, Hawaii or Mexico

Maximum base ticket price $2,100

140,000 Points** Discover Europe Canada to destinations in Europe

Maximum base ticket price $2,500

250,000 Points** Worldwide Canada to destinations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Middle East, New Zealand, South America or South Pacific

Maximum base ticket price $4,500

* Return airfares only

** Based on the highest class of service within the itinerary. Itineraries that contain flights with Premium Economy and/or First Class cabin fares are not eligible for the Fixed Points Travel Program.

*** Adjacent is defined as a geographical jurisdiction (Province/Territory/State within Canada and Continental U.S.) that has a land border with another geographical jurisdiction. The following are exceptions to the definition and are considered to be short haul flights: (i) travel between any of the four provinces in Atlantic Canada; (ii) travel originating in Ontario and going to either New York or Michigan. Determination of geographical jurisdictions is based on the IATA code.

Eligible Membership Rewards Enrolled Card Products:  American Express ®  Card, American Express ®  Gold Rewards Card, The Platinum Card ® , Centurion ®  Card from American Express, American Express Cobalt™ Card, Choice Card from American Express™, American Express ®  Corporate Card for Small Business, American Express ® Business Gold Rewards Card, American Express Business Edge™ Card, The Business Platinum Card ®  from American Express, American Express ® Corporate Green Card, American Express ® Corporate Gold Card, and The Corporate Platinum Card ®  from American Express. 

Redeeming your points is easy:

LOG IN TO YOUR ACCOUNT 

Redeem your points for an eligible return flight to a popular destination. 

SEARCH FOR THE FLIGHT AND DATES OF YOUR CHOICE

The Fixed Points Travel Program  will only be available if you have enough Membership Rewards points to  cover all travellers at the fixed points amount. 1

REDEEM YOUR POINTS

Redeem the fixed points amount towards the base ticket price, which is the cost of the flight excluding taxes, fees, and carrier surcharges. 

You can also use your Membership Rewards ® points to pay for taxes, fees and other surcharges! 2

Don’t have enough points to redeem for the Fixed Points Travel Program?

Try the Flexible Points Travel Program to use your points to pay for some (or all!) of your travel purchases including 

taxes, fees, and surcharges 3  charged to your card through American Express Travel Services or

at   www.americanexpress.ca/travel

Click  here  to learn more about the Flexible Points Travel Program.

1,000 Membership Rewards points = $10 Travel Credit

The hardest part is choosing where to fly

Book your next flight with the Fixed Points Travel Program and get the most out of your points.

Terms and Conditions

1. The Fixed Points Travel Program applies to return airfares offered through American Express Travel Services Canada or  americanexpress.ca/travel . Card account must be in good standing. To be eligible and be presented with this redemption option, you must have sufficient Membership Rewards Points (“points”) at the time of booking. When booking for multiple travellers on the same itinerary, you must have enough points to cover all travellers.

Under the Fixed Points Travel Program, a fixed number of points covers the base ticket price of eligible flights up to the applicable maximum base ticket price. The flight grid includes the fixed number of points with the corresponding applicable maximum base ticket price required per category.

The base ticket price (often referred to by airlines as the base fare) excludes taxes, fees and carrier surcharges. You will be charged for these additional costs and any dollar amount that exceeds the applicable maximum base ticket price. If the base ticket price for an eligible flight is below the applicable maximum base ticket price, the difference: 

(i) cannot be used to cover taxes, fees or carrier surcharges;

(ii) will not be credited to your Card account; and 

(iii) will not be applied to cover additional costs associated with changes or cancellations.

The full cost of the flight, including taxes, fees and carrier surcharges will be charged to your Card upon booking. Within 5-10 business days from the date of booking, you will receive a statement credit for the base ticket price up to the applicable maximum base ticket price.

Example 1: A select route requires a redemption of 20,000 points and the maximum base ticket price is $300. If an eligible flight for this route has a base ticket price of $250 plus $100 in taxes, fees and carrier surcharges (total cost of flight amounts to $350), then you will be required to redeem 20,000 points and will be charged $350; you will then receive a statement credit for $250 (the base ticket price).

If you decide to change this booking reservation for a new eligible flight with a higher base ticket price (such as $275), then in addition to all other applicable charges, you will also be required to pay an additional $25 (the difference between $250 and $275) even though the new base ticket price is below the $300 maximum base ticket price.

Example 2: 

A select route requires a redemption of 20,000 points and the maximum base ticket price is $300. If an eligible flight for this route has a base ticket price of $350 plus $100 in taxes, fees and carrier surcharges (total cost of flight amounts to $450), then you will be required to redeem 20,000 points and will be charged $450; you will then receive a statement credit for $300 (the maximum base ticket price).

You are responsible for any additional charges as a result of any changes or cancellations to your booking. Subject to an airline’s policy, a change or cancellation may result in a credit to your Card account and/or a credit with the respective airline. In neither case will the points you redeemed for this flight be returned to you. Flight availability and prices of flights are subject to availability and set by the airlines. Eligible routes are based on the International Air Transport Association airport code classification.

If the American Express Installment Program applies to you and you also redeem points for one or more transactions, the Installment Program will take precedence and the credit will apply to your account in the regular course. This could result in you having a credit balance on your account. If you want to reduce the credit balance, you can cancel any active installment plans you may have. See the Installment Program terms and conditions in your Cardmember Agreement for details, if applicable.

American Express can suspend or terminate the Fixed Points Travel Program at any time it deems necessary, and reserves the right to change these Terms and Conditions, including but not limited to the flight grid above, at any time.

The Terms and Conditions of the American Express Membership Rewards Program will continue to apply. Visit  membershiprewards.ca  to view the full Membership Rewards Program Terms and Conditions. In the event of a conflict, these Terms and Conditions prevail for the Fixed Points Travel Program.

2. You can redeem Membership Rewards points for a statement credit towards an Eligible Purchase charged to an Eligible Card. You must redeem a minimum of 1,000 points per redemption. Redemption rates may vary by Eligible Card. Statement credits on your Card Account should not exceed the aggregate amount of the Eligible Purchase(s) on your Eligible Card. You can register for online services to view your Eligible Purchases and to redeem online. Only Eligible Purchases posted to your Card Account during the last 3 months, up to 150 most recent Eligible Purchases will be displayed for redemption. If you wish to redeem points towards an Eligible Purchase within the last 12 months that is not displayed online, please contact us at the number listed on the back of your Card.

3. At the time of booking, you can redeem your Points for the full or partial travel purchase, including taxes, fees and carrier surcharges at a rate of 1,000 Points for $10 statement credit. The full cost of the flight, including taxes, fees and carrier surcharges will be charged to your Card upon booking. Within 5-10 business days from the date of booking, you will receive a statement credit for the Points you have redeemed against the travel purchase.

For full Membership Rewards Program Terms & Conditions, visit  membershiprewards.ca  or call 1-800-668-AMEX (2639). Small Business Cardmembers, please call 1-888-721-1046.

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