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American Express offers a wide range of rewards earning options, including earning points on purchases made with your card.
You can earn points on everyday purchases, such as groceries, gas, and dining, and even on travel and entertainment expenses.
Some American Express cards also offer bonus points for specific categories, like 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines.
The number of points you earn per dollar spent varies by card, so it's worth checking your card's terms to see how many points you can earn.
American Express offers flexible redemption options, including redeeming points for travel, gift cards, and merchandise.
You can also use points to pay for purchases or cover travel expenses, making it a convenient way to earn rewards.
Redeeming points for travel can be especially useful, as you can book flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements with your points.
By understanding how to earn and redeem points, you can maximize the benefits of your American Express card and make the most of your rewards.
What Are American Express Rewards?
American Express Rewards are a type of rewards program offered by American Express, allowing cardholders to earn rewards in the form of cash back or points.
You can earn Amex Offers, which are shopping, dining, travel, or entertainment promotions tied to a specific card account. These offers often require you to spend a certain amount by a specific date to earn a discount or bonus points.
Almost all American Express cards have access to Amex Offers, but the specific deal may vary from card to card.
You can earn American Express Reward Dollars based on a percentage of your eligible purchases during each billing period. The base cash back earning rate is usually 1%, though you can earn more than that on certain purchases, depending on the card.
American Express Reward Dollars can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, at Amazon.com checkout, and merchandise.
What Are Offers?
Amex Offers are shopping, dining, travel, or entertainment promotions tied to a specific card account, with discounts or bonus points available for spending a certain amount by a specific date.
These offers are accessible to almost all American Express cardholders, although the specific deal may vary from card to card.
To find these offers, you can log into your card account and navigate to the "Amex Offers & Benefits" section on the card page, or access them through the "Offers" tab in the Amex app.
American Express cards have access to Amex Offers, making it easy to discover new deals and take advantage of them.
What Are Reward Dollars?
American Express Reward Dollars are a type of rewards currency that can be earned through eligible purchases on certain American Express cash back credit cards.
These Reward Dollars can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, at Amazon.com checkout, and merchandise, making them a versatile reward option.
The base cash back earning rate for Reward Dollars is usually 1%, although you can earn more than that on certain purchases, depending on the card.
To give you a better idea of which cards earn Reward Dollars, here are a few examples:
- Rates & FeesTerms ApplyNo Annual Fee: Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
- Rates & FeesTerms ApplyBonus Rewards: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
This means that if you have one of these cards, you can earn Reward Dollars on your eligible purchases, which can be redeemed for rewards.
How to Use American Express Rewards
American Express Reward Dollars can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, at Amazon.com checkout, and merchandise. You can earn Reward Dollars based on a percentage of your eligible purchases during each billing period, with a base cash back earning rate of 1%.
There are two American Express cards that earn Reward Dollars: the Blue Cash Everyday Card and the Blue Cash Preferred Card. Both cards offer a cash back earning rate, but the Blue Cash Preferred Card also offers bonus rewards.
To redeem your American Express rewards, log in to your credit card account and go to the Membership Rewards portal. From there, you can find the list of redemption options for your card and determine which ones give the most value for your cash back, points, or miles.
Standard redemption options include statement credits and gift cards, but the availability of other choices depends on which card you have. Make sure to research the different redemption options to maximize the value you get when you redeem your rewards.
Here are some ways to redeem your American Express Reward Dollars:
- Statement credits
- Gift cards
- Amazon.com checkout
- Merchandise
The Blue Cash Everyday Card and the Blue Cash Preferred Card are two cards that earn Reward Dollars, but the Blue Cash Preferred Card also offers bonus rewards.
Credit Cards and Rewards
Credit cards and rewards go hand in hand, and American Express is a leader in the rewards game.
You can earn Membership Rewards points from American Express credit cards, and the welcome offer varies by card. For example, The Platinum Card offers 80,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first six months, while the American Express Business Gold Card offers 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 in the first three months.
The bonus categories for earning points also differ by card. The Platinum Card earns 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, while the American Express Business Gold Card earns 4 points per dollar on two select categories where you spend the most each billing cycle.
Here are some popular American Express credit cards that earn Membership Rewards points:
- The Platinum Card from American Express
- The Business Platinum Card from American Express
- American Express Gold Card
- American Express Business Gold Card
Additionally, you can earn Amex Membership Rewards points by shopping through Rakuten and switching your earning preference to Membership Rewards. This way, you can earn points on regular purchases without much added effort.
Credit Cards
If you're looking for a credit card that offers Membership Rewards points, American Express has several options to choose from. The Platinum Card from American Express offers 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel.
The American Express Gold Card is another great option, earning 4 points per dollar on purchases at restaurants worldwide and 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets. You can also earn 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
If you're a business owner, the Business Platinum Card from American Express is a great choice, offering 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com. The American Express Business Gold Card also offers 4 points per dollar on two select categories where you spend the most each billing cycle.
There are also some more affordable options, like the American Express Green Card, which earns 3 points per dollar on restaurants, travel, and transit. The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express offers 2 points per dollar on everyday business purchases and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
Here's a quick rundown of some popular American Express credit cards:
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
- The Platinum Card from American Express
- American Express Gold Card
- American Express Business Gold Card
It's worth noting that you can also earn Amex Membership Rewards points by shopping through Rakuten and switching your earning preference to Membership Rewards. You can link your Rakuten account to your Membership Rewards account and earn points on your regular purchases.
Choice Privileges
Choice Privileges is a solid rewards program, especially if you're looking for great redemptions. Choice Hotels has a strong international presence, making it a good option for travelers.
One notable aspect is the 1-to-1 transfer ratio with American Express points, which can be a convenient way to earn rewards.
Adding an Authorized User
Adding an authorized user to your credit card can be a great way to earn extra rewards. You can earn bonus points by adding an authorized user to your American Express card.
As mentioned in the article, American Express occasionally offers bonus points for adding an authorized user. This can be a nice perk, but it's not the only way to earn extra points.
By adding an authorized user, you'll earn rewards on their purchases in addition to your own. This can help you double up your point earnings.
Just make sure to choose someone you trust, like a family member or roommate, to add as an authorized user. They'll be able to make charges on the credit card, but you'll be responsible for paying the bill.
Authorized users have no liability when it comes to paying the bill, so choose wisely.
Transfer Partners and Rewards
American Express Membership Rewards transfer partners offer a wide range of options for redeeming your points. You can transfer your points to 18 airline and three hotel transfer partners, covering almost every major route and city.
Instant transfers are always preferred, and Amex does a good job of making that happen. If you haven't done so already, link your transfer partner accounts to your Membership Rewards account to prevent delays in the future.
The transfer partners include Aer Lingus AerClub, Aeromexico Club Premier, Air Canada Aeroplan, and many others. You can find the full list of transfer partners, transfer ratios, and transfer times in the table below.
Here's a list of some of the transfer partners and their transfer ratios:
You can transfer your Amex points to hotel loyalty programs like Choice Privileges and Hilton Honors, or to airline loyalty programs like Delta Air Lines SkyMiles and British Airways Executive Club. The transfer ratios and transfer times vary depending on the program, but instant transfers are always preferred.
Transferring your points to a loyalty program can be a great way to get maximum value for your points, especially when booking flights or hotels. For example, you can transfer your points to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and book a one-way flight from California to Hawaii for just 13,500 KrisFlyer miles.
Other Ways to Earn and Redeem
Earning Amex Membership Rewards points is not limited to just using your credit card. You can also earn points by referring friends to American Express credit cards. For example, if you refer someone and they get approved for an eligible card, you can earn up to 20,000 points per successful approval.
You can use the Amex referral site to find out your card's current referral bonus. Simply enter your friend's name and email address for each card you want to refer, or copy the referral link and share it with them directly.
If you're looking for more ways to redeem your points, consider transferring them to one of Amex's many airline partners. For example, you can transfer your points to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and redeem a one-way flight from California to Hawaii for just 13,500 KrisFlyer miles. Or, you can transfer your points to Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club program and book a round-trip business-class flight to Japan on ANA for just 105,000 Membership Rewards points.
Here are some of the best ways to redeem your points:
- Transfer your points to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer for flights to Hawaii
- Transfer your points to Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club program for flights to Japan
- Transfer your points to Iberia Plus for flights from the East Coast to Europe
- Transfer your points to Air France-KLM's Flying Blue for business-class flights from North America to Europe
- Book domestic American and Alaska award flights with Qatar Airways Avios
Other Ways to
You can earn Membership Rewards points through various channels beyond just using your American Express card. One option is to leverage Rakuten, a popular online shopping portal that offers cash back or Membership Rewards points on purchases. Sign up for a Rakuten account and enjoy a one-time bonus of $30 when you spend at least $30 within 90 days.
Transferring your points to airline loyalty programs is another way to maximize their value. For instance, transferring your points to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer can get you a one-way flight from California, Oregon, or Washington to any of the four Hawaiian islands serviced by Alaska Airlines for just 13,500 KrisFlyer miles.
You can also transfer your points to other airline loyalty programs, such as Iberia Plus, Air France-KLM's Flying Blue, or Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club program. For example, booking business-class flights from North America to Europe starting from just 50,000 miles each way on Air France-KLM's Flying Blue is a great option.
Another way to redeem your points is through the Amex Travel booking platform, where you can book virtually any travel and receive a value of about 1 cent per Amex point. However, this is not the most spectacular way to redeem your points.
Here are some additional options for redeeming your points:
- Fly to Hawaii on points and miles
- Save on business-class award flights
- Book domestic American and Alaska award flights
- Book round-trip business-class flights to Japan on ANA
These options offer great value for your Membership Rewards points, but be sure to confirm award space for the flight or hotel you want before transferring your points.
Via Offers
Via Offers, you can earn Amex points without even thinking about it. Rakuten is a great online shopping portal that offers cash back or Membership Rewards points on purchases.
You can sign up for Rakuten and earn a one-time bonus of $30 when you spend at least $30 within 90 days of becoming a member. This is a no-brainer, as you'll get rewarded for shopping you were already going to do.
Adding existing offers to your card is another way to save money and earn points. You can scroll through your "Amex Offers & Benefits" and add promotions that you might be able to use.
Even if you don't use the offers, you won't be harmed, and they'll simply disappear when they expire. So go ahead and add those offers to your card, even if you're not sure if you'll use them.
Adding offers can also unlock more offers in your account. Amex caps the number of offers at 100 per card, but adding existing ones can make more available. It's like getting a bonus for being proactive.
You can even add all the offers at once by bookmarking a special link. This will make the process go faster and save you time.
By Referring Friends
By referring friends, you can earn up to 20,000 points per successful approval, depending on the card you've got.
You can find out your card's current referral bonus by heading over to the Amex referral site.
Each friend you refer will get an email inviting them to apply for the card, and you can also copy the referral link to share directly with them.
There is a limit to how many friends you can refer in a year, so be sure to keep track of that.
You can earn American Express Membership Rewards points by recommending credit cards to your friends and family.
Managing and Maximizing Rewards
Managing rewards with American Express can be a bit overwhelming, but don't worry, it's easier than you think.
To maximize your rewards, consider what's most important to you and choose a card that prioritizes those benefits. For example, if you value flexibility and point transfers, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card might be the way to go.
The Platinum Card from American Express offers 5X points on certain flights and hotel stays, as well as hundreds of dollars in credit for travel and shopping.
You can earn American Express Reward Dollars on a percentage of your eligible purchases, with a base cash back earning rate of usually 1%. However, you can earn more than that on certain purchases, depending on the card.
Some American Express cards that earn Reward Dollars include the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express and the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express.
How to Maximize
To maximize your rewards, you need to know how to earn them efficiently. You can earn a lot of Membership Rewards points by applying for a Membership Rewards points-earning American Express card.
The Platinum Card from American Express offers 5X points on certain flights and hotel stays, and hundreds of dollars a year in credit for travel and shopping. You can also earn points by using Amex Offers, which can be found by logging in to your account and scrolling to the bottom of the page to the Amex Offers & Benefits section.
To check your rewards balance on the Amex mobile app, click on the Membership tab at the bottom of the app. You'll be presented with your Membership Rewards balance.
Adding an authorized user to your Amex card can help you earn bonus points, as they'll also earn rewards on their purchases. However, be sure to choose carefully who you add to your account, as they'll have no liability when it comes to paying the bill.
American Express Reward Dollars are the rewards "currency" provided by American Express cash back credit cards. You can redeem them for statement credits, gift cards, at Amazon.com checkout, and merchandise.
Here are some ways to earn Amex Reward Dollars:
- No Annual Fee: Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
- Bonus Rewards: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
By adding existing offers to your card, you can unlock even more offers and potentially earn more rewards. Amex caps the number of offers you can see at any given time to 100 offers per card, but adding more offers can make more visible offers available.
Do Expire?
Membership Rewards points do not expire, provided you keep at least one card that earns Membership Rewards points open.
If you cancel all Membership Rewards Amex cards, you must redeem or transfer your points before closing the last card. Otherwise, you will forfeit the points.
The key takeaway is to keep at least one Membership Rewards card open to avoid losing your points.
If you're planning to close your last Membership Rewards card, make sure to redeem or transfer your points first to avoid any potential loss.
Travel Partners and Rewards
Traveling with American Express points is a great way to explore the world, and it's even more rewarding when you transfer your points to one of their many airline and hotel partners. You can transfer your points to 18 airline and three hotel transfer partners, covering almost every major route and city.
By transferring your points, you can search for award travel across the globe, making your points more valuable than if you were to earn them in just one airline or hotel loyalty program. The transfer ratios are usually 1:1, but it's always a good idea to check the specific ratio for each partner.
One of the best things about American Express transfer partners is that you're not locked into one partner - you can send some points to one program and then some to another. This gives you flexibility and options when it comes to redeeming your points.
Here are some of the airline and hotel partners you can transfer your points to:
Some of the airline partners, like Aer Lingus, Air Canada, and British Airways, have a 1:1 transfer ratio, making it easy to redeem your points. Others, like Aeromexico and JetBlue, have slightly different ratios. Be sure to check the specific ratio for each partner before transferring your points.
Transferring your points to these partners can be a great way to get more value out of your American Express points. With over 18 airline and three hotel partners to choose from, you're sure to find a partner that fits your travel plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check the balance on my American Express rewards card?
To check your American Express rewards card balance, visit americanexpress.com/reward or call 1-800-297-7327. You can also track your available balance online or over the phone at any time.
How much are 10,000 Amex points worth in cash?
10,000 Amex points are worth at least $100 in cash, but can be worth up to $400 or more when transferred to airline partners
Sources
- https://thepointsguy.com/loyalty-programs/ultimate-guide-amex-membership-rewards/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/american-express-transfer-partners
- https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/how-to-get-more-amex-offers/
- https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/cnn-underscored/travel/american-express-membership-rewards-guide
- https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/american-express-rewards-redeem-1000354-2140674060/
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