American Express Membership Rewards® has many Membership Rewards credit cards and several travel partners you can transfer your points to. If you are wanting to find ways to maximize your rewards or if you’re thinking about getting a Membership Rewards card, be sure to keep reading for a complete guide to American Express Membership Rewards.
Check out our list of the best credit card bonuses here.
American Express Membership Rewards Quick Facts
Personal Credit Cards | The Platinum Card® from American Express American Express® Gold Card American Express® Green Card |
Business Credit Cards | The Business Platinum Card® from American Express American Express® Business Gold Card |
Redemption Options | Travel via Amex Travel or Expedia Statement credits Gift cards Merchandise Charitable donations Transfer to travel partners |
Average American Express Membership Rewards Value | $0.005 – $0.01 Up to $0.02 |
Earning Membership Rewards Points
If you are familiar with rewards cards, Membership Rewards is known for having hard-to-earn points. This is mostly because of American Express’ once-in-a-lifetime welcome bonus policy. So, if you ever had a American Express in the past, you will not be able to get the introductory offer if you applied for the same card again.
Despite this policy, you can earn lots of points from many different Membership Rewards cards with bonus categories, in addition to using Amex Offers.
American Express Personal Credit Cards
![]() The American Express® Business Gold Card offers 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.* 0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 18.49% to 27.49% variable APR.* You'll earn more rewards: • 4X Membership Rewards points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.* • 3X Membership Rewards(R) points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.* • Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.* • Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.* This card does carry a $375 annual fee, but no foreign transaction fees. (See Rates & Fees) Terms apply. |
![]() The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card offers 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $8,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply. Offer ends 03/12/2025. Receive a 7% discount on eligible bookings as a benefit of being both a Marriott Bonvoy member & a Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card Member when you book directly with Marriott through an eligible channel for a participating property under the Amex Business Card Rate. You can enjoy a complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card. You'll earn: • 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. • 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. • 2x points on all other eligible purchases. You'll receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. This card does carry a $125 annual fee. (See Rates & Fees) Terms Apply. |
![]() The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has a welcome offer of 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership. You'll earn: • Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases. • Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter. • Enjoy up to $240 back each year (in the form of statement credit) for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton. • Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club program is required. Terms apply. • Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card. With Hilton Honors Gold status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay. In addition, you can enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card. This card has a $195 annual fee. (See Rates & Fees) Terms & Limitations Apply. |
![]() With the American Express Blue Business CashTM Card: Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months. 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% - 25.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99% Plus, earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement. From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power§.Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to American Express and other factors. This card comes with no annual fee (See Rates & Fees). Terms apply. |
![]() With the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership. 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% - 25.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99% Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. You'll earn 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply. You've got the power to spend beyond your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited. There card comes with no annual fee (See Rates & Fees). Terms apply. |
![]() The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has a welcome offer of 150,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. You'll earn: • 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com. • 1.5X points (that's an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus. • 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases • Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card • Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals. • $199 CLEAR Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card. • NEW! Make the Business Platinum Card work even harder for you. Hilton For Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Benefit enrollment required. This card does come with a $695 annual fee. (See Rates & Fees) Terms Apply. |
![]() The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card offers 90,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/2/25. Card Members save 15% when booking Award Travel with miles on Delta flights when using delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. You'll earn: • 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases at U.S. Shipping providers and at U.S. providers for Advertising in select media on up to $50,000 of purchases per category, per year. • 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent at restaurants. • 1 Mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases. Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $150 after using your Delta Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com. Additionally, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel after you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year. This card carries a $150 annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150) (See Rates & Fees). However, there are no foreign transaction fees and you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel after you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year. Terms and limitations apply. |
![]() The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card offers 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $8,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/2/25. Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card Members save 15% when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. You'll earn: • 3X miles At Delta Per every eligible dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta and hotels. • 1.5X miles on eligible transit and U.S. shipping purchases, plus single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more on up to a total of $100,000 purchase categories per calendar year per Card Account. Terms and miles cap apply. *If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply. • 1X mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases. Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enjoy a Companion Certificate each year after renewal of your Delta Platinum Business Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Receive a fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck) by using your Card. If approved for Global Entry, you will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional charge. Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $200 after using your Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com. This card does carry a $350 annual fee. (See Rates & Fees). Terms and limitations apply. |
![]() The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card offers 110,000 Bonus Miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/2/25. Save 15% when booking Award Travel on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. You'll earn: • 3X miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases • 1.5X miles per dollar on eligible transit, U.S. shipping & office supply store purchases • 1.5X miles on all eligible purchases after you spend $150,000 in purchases on your card in a year. • Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. • Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $250 after using your Delta Reserve Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com. As a benefit of Card Membership, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight. When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge or Escape Lounge. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Members receive 15 Visits each Medallion Year to the Delta Sky Club and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner. This card does carry an annual fee of $650 (See Rates & Fees). Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel overseas. Terms and limitations apply. |
Amex Offers
Enroll in Amex Offers to earn extra, limited-time Membership Rewards points at participating retailers. Opt in via your online account or the American Express mobile app.
Redeeming Membership Rewards Points
Similar to other points-based programs, how you use your rewards will determine the value of them. Using Membership Rewards points for a fixed value within the Membership Rewards program will be the easiest way to redeem them, however this won’t give you the best value.
In order to maximize your rewards, you should transfer your points to a partner program.
Use your Membership Rewards points to book travel via the American Express Travel site or on Expedia. In either case, your Membership Rewards points will likely be worth between $0.007 and $0.01 when redeemed for travel, based on information we’ve gathered at the time of publishing.
The best part about American Express Membership Rewards is that it has more transfer partners than any other credit card loyalty program in the United States. Redeem American Express Membership points with the following travel partners.
Airline Partners
- Aer Lingus
- AeroMexico
- Air Canada
- Air France/KLM
- Alitalia
- All Nippon Airways
- Avianca
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Delta Air Lines
- El Al Israel Airlines
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Iberia
- JetBlue Airways
- Qantas
- Singapore Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
Hotel Partners
- Choice Privileges
- Hilton Honors
- Marriott Bonvoy
Using your Membership Rewards earned, you can bid for a seat upgrade on multiple participating airlines. This method can net you almost $0.01 per point. However, if the bidding starts to escalate, you will start to lose value. The participating airlines include:
- Aerolineas Argentinas
- AeroMexico
- Air Canada
- Air China
- Avianca
- Air Mauritius
- Caribbean Airlines
- Ethiopian
- Etihad Airways
- Fiji Airways
- Gulf Air
- Icelandair
- Kenya Airways
- LATAM
- Malaysia Airlines
- Norwegian
- Qantas
- SAS
- Silk Air
- Singapore Airlines
- TAP Portugal
Redemption | Value Per Point |
Gift cards | $0.007 – $0.01 |
Shop with points (Amazon, Walmart, etc.) |
$0.007 |
Charitable donations | $0.007 |
Charitable donations | $0.006 |
Charitable donations | $0.005 |
Membership Rewards Top Travel Partners
Trying to find the best travel partners and deals is a strenuous task, so be sure to take a look at the best Membership Rewards travel partners to transfer to:
TICKET | CLASS | FROM | TO | MILES | AIRLINE |
Roundtrip | Economy | N. America | Japan | 40,000+ | ANA |
Roundtrip | Business | N. America | Japan | 75,000+ | ANA |
TICKET | CLASS | FROM | TO | MILES | AIRLINE |
One-way | Economy | U.S. | U.S. | 7,500+ | American |
One-way | Economy | West Coast | Hawaii | 75,000+ | American |
One-way | Business | Chicago | Dallas | 13,000 | American |
Roundtrip | Economy | Boston | Ireland | 16,500 | Aer Lingus |
Choice Hotels has several properties in typically expensive European cities. These hotels range from 8,000 to 25,000 points, so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find some sweet deals. Additionally, you will be able to use Choice points to book Preferred Hotel properties, which is a group of luxury hotels.
TICKET | CLASS | FROM | TO | MILES | AIRLINE |
One-way | Business | U.S. | U.S. | 25,000 | American |
One-way | Business | New York | Casablanca | 44,000 | Royal Air Maroc |
One-way | Business | U.S. | Europe | 50,000 | American |
One-way | Business | U.S. | Japan | 50,000 | American |
One-way | Business | U.S. | South Korea | 50,000 | American |
Not many other rewards programs transfer to Hilton Honors, so take advantage of the great value you can get by booking award stays at expensive or luxury Hilton properties. If you’re an elite member, you also get one free night when you book four nights using points.
TICKET | CLASS | FROM | TO | MILES | AIRLINE |
Roundtrip | Economy | U.S. | Hawaii | 35,000 | United |
Roundtrip | Business | U.S. | Hawaii | 60,000 | United |
One-way | First | Singapore | Sydney | 80,000 | Singapore |
One-way | First | New York | Frankfurt | 86,000 | Singapore |
One-way | First | Los Angeles | Tokyo | 107,000 | Singapore |
TICKET | CLASS | FROM | TO | MILES | AIRLINE |
One-way | Economy | U.S. | U.S. | 12,500 | Delta |
One-way | Business | U.S. | Europe | 50,000 | Delta |
One-way | Business | Detroit | Tokyo | 60,000 | Delta |
One-way | Business | Auckland | U.S. | 62,500 | Air New Zealand |
Roundtrip | First | U.S. | Tokyo | 110,000+ | ANA |
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Author’s Verdict
Because of its vast number of transfer partners, American Express Membership Rewards is a very flexible points program. However, unlike Chase Ultimate Rewards, it might be harder to earn points unless you have a premium Amex card like the Platinum card. In order to get the best value, you should transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program.
For more credit cards, see our latest list of the best credit card bonuses!
PROMOTIONAL LINK | OFFER | REVIEW |
HSBC Premier Checking & Savings Member FDIC | Up to $3,000 Cash | Review |
Chase Private Client | $3,000 Cash | Review |
U.S. Bank Business Checking | $900 Cash | Review |
Chase Business Complete Checking® | $300 or $500 Cash | Review |
KeyBank Key Smart Checking® | $300 Cash | Review |
Truist One Checking | $400 Cash | Review |
Chase Total Checking® | $300 Cash | Review |
Chase College CheckingSM | $100 Cash | Review |
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing | Up to $700 Cash | Review |
Chase Secure BankingSM | $100 Cash | Review |
SoFi Checking and Savings Account | $325 Cash | Review |
Huntington Bank Unlimited Plus Business Checking | $1,000 Cash | Review |
Huntington Bank Unlimited Business Checking | $400 Cash | Review |
Huntington Bank Business Checking 100 | $100 Cash | Review |
Fifth Third Bank Checking | $400 Cash | Review |
Axos Basic Business Checking | $400 Cash | Review |
Axos Business Interest Checking | $400 Cash | Review |
Axos Bank Business Premium Savings | $375 Cash | Review |
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