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American Express Membership Rewards Explained: Your Guide to Earning and Using Points

Updated
Brooklyn Sprunger
Nathan Alderman
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation.

Amex Membership Rewards is like the ice cream sundae bar of credit card rewards programs -- you get to build it your way. It's one of the most versatile loyalty programs out there, offering all kinds of ways to earn and redeem points. Whether you're a frequent flyer, a foodie, or someone who just wants to get more from all these purchases you make every day, there's probably an Amex card that can help you rack up rewards.

In this guide, I'll walk you through how Membership Rewards work, how to get the most out of your points, and whether it's time to make the move to an Amex card.

How American Express Membership Rewards work

What are American Express Membership Rewards?

Amex Membership Rewards are the points you earn when you spend with a qualifying American Express card. Think of them like Amex's in-house rewards currency. You can redeem them for everything from flights to gift cards and statement credits.

Cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points

Over a dozen American Express cards earn Membership Rewards. Here are some of the most popular ones:

Amex personal cards

As of Apr. 17, 2025
Image for
Image for
American Express® Gold Card The Platinum Card® from American Express
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4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
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= Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Apply Now for American Express® Gold Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Apply Now for The Platinum Card® from American Express

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Rating Requirement: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Credit Rating Requirement: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. 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.

60,000

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. 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.

80,000

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases), and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

1X-4X Membership Rewards® Points

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. 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. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.

1X-5X Membership Rewards® Points

Intro APR:

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Intro APR:

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

APR:

See Pay Over Time APR

APR:

See Pay Over Time APR

Annual Fee:

$325

Annual Fee:

$695

Highlights:

  • 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.
  • 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 get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made at restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $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 U.S. 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.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • Terms Apply.

Highlights:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • With American Express Global Lounge Collection® you can enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, including The Centurion® Lounge, Unlimited Delta Sky Club® Access when flying an eligible Delta flight, Escape Lounges, Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass™ Select Lounges, & Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges subject to visit limitations. Lounges may have their own rules, like additional access rules and guest fees, and for Priority Pass Select, you need to enroll and there are unlimited airport lounge visits for Card Members. With Delta Sky Club Access, Card Members will receive 10 Visits to the Delta Sky Club to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in a calendar year. To find a lounge, visit the membership section in the American Express® App or visit http://www.americanexpress.com/findalounge#/loungefinder.
  • $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: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
  • $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 $120 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.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply Now for American Express® Gold Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Apply Now for The Platinum Card® from American Express

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

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• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. • Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. • Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. • Trip delay insurance underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
 • Extended warranty, baggage insurance plan, car rental loss & damage insurance, and purchase protection warranty underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip delay and cancellation insurance and cell phone protection underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Extended warranty, purchase protection, car rental insurance, and baggage insurance underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Amex business cards

As of Apr. 17, 2025
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Image for
American Express® Business Gold Card The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor

Credit Rating Requirement: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Credit Rating Requirement: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*

100,000

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. Limited Time Travel Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after you spend $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel with your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. You can earn one or both of these offers. Offer ends 6/30/25.

150,000 Membership Rewards® points

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.* Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*

1X - 4X points

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. Earn 1.5X points on eligible purchases 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 everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.

1X - 5X points

Intro APR:

Purchases: 0% on purchases, 6 months from date of account opening

Balance Transfers: N/A

Intro APR:

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR:

18.49% - 27.49% Variable

Regular APR:

18.49% - 27.49% Variable

Annual Fee:

$375

Annual Fee:

$695

Highlights:

  • Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
  • 0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 18.49% to 27.49% variable APR.*
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.*
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
  • Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.*
  • Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
  • The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and White Gold. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
  • *Terms Apply

Highlights:

  • Limited Time Travel Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after you spend $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel with your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. You can earn one or both of these offers. Offer ends 6/30/25.
  • 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 10/2024.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points for flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals and prepaid flight + hotel packages booked at AmexTravel.com. 1X points on other eligible purchases.
  • Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
  • $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®.
  • $695 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
Show More Arrow graphic to expand and collapse content Show Less Arrow graphic to expand and collapse content

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. • Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. • Trip delay insurance underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. • Extended warranty, purchase protection, baggage insurance, and car rental loss & damage insurance underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. • Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. • Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. • Trip delay insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, cell phone protection, underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. • Extended warranty, baggage insurance, car rental loss and damage, and purchase protection underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. • If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

How much are Amex Membership Rewards points worth?

On average, points are worth:

  • $0.005 to $0.01 per point for statement credits, shopping, or Pay with Points
  • $0.01 to $0.02 per point when transferred to travel partners

If you're aiming to get the most out of your points, look for high-value travel redemptions, like upgrading to business class or booking international hotel stays with transfer partners.

How to earn Amex Membership Rewards points

Everyday spending

The beauty of credit cards is that you can rack up rewards just by spending on things you already buy, and Amex is no different. Whether you're picking up groceries, grabbing lunch, or booking travel, you can earn Amex Membership Rewards on every purchase. Depending on the card you have, you could earn between 1x and 4x points for every dollar spent.

Welcome bonuses

If you qualify for a new Amex card, most come with a good amount of Membership points by hitting a spending threshold within the first few months. These credit card welcome offers are the best way to kick-start your points value.

Let's say you get the Amex Gold Card -- you'll get 60,000 if you spend $6,000 within the first 6 months. Terms apply. That's a huge jump start to your points value.

Amex Offers and promotions

Amex Offers are targeted deals available through your online account or app. They often reward you with bonus points or cash back when you shop at certain stores. For example, as of April 2025, you can get $25 back in a statement credit if you purchase a $99 or more annual subscription to Max (White Lotus binge, anyone?). Terms apply; enrollment required.

Referral bonuses

Got a friend or family member who could benefit from an Amex card? If you refer them and they're approved, you could earn bonus Membership Rewards points (sometimes thousands of points, depending on the promotion). Terms apply.

Adding authorized users

Certain Amex cards let you earn extra points when your authorized users make purchases. (Terms apply.) They can't redeem the points, but their spending helps you rack up points faster. My husband, for instance, is an authorized user on my card. He can't use my points, but his purchases at the bike store and brewery are helping me build up my rewards, so I'm not complaining.

How to redeem Amex Membership Rewards points

Travel (the best value!)

Using your Amex points for travel is by far the best way to redeem your points. It not only has the widest range of options, but it has the best deals. Book flights, hotels, cruises, experiences, and more in Amex Travel and use your points for significant discounts -- or even get some for free.

Where it gets really fun is transferring your Amex Membership Rewards points to Amex's transfer partners, where your points transfer usually offers the highest value. Amex has the highest number of transfer partners of any rewards program out there, and they're mostly premium international airlines and hotel chains, making it great for those looking for first-class seat upgrades or free business class flights.

Statement credits and gift cards

You can also redeem points for statement credits or gift cards. But honestly, this is where things get a little less exciting. While it's convenient, the value here is typically low, usually around $0.006 to $0.01 per point. If you can, steer clear of these options in favor of travel redemptions. Terms apply.

Shopping and Pay with Points

Amex lets you use your points for purchases at retailers like Amazon and PayPal, but again, the value is usually under $0.01 per point. It's a good backup option in a pinch, but I'd save your points for something more worthwhile if possible. Terms apply.

Covering charges or paying bills

You can apply points directly to your Amex bill, but just like shopping, the value is pretty low here too. Think of this as a last resort rather than your go-to redemption.

Tips for maximizing your Membership Rewards

  • Transfer strategically: Transfer your points to airline or hotel partners to get the most value.
  • Stack rewards: Combine Amex Offers with category bonuses. For example, use a streaming service category bonus while taking advantage of a Max subscription deal.
  • Avoid low-value redemptions: Skip using points for shopping or bill payments unless absolutely necessary. You don't want to waste valuable points on lower-value options.
  • Get multiple Amex cards: You can combine American Express Membership Rewards points from multiple cards, as long as they're all tied to the same American Express account. For example, if you have both an Amex Gold Card and an Amex Platinum Card, you can transfer the points you earn from each card into a single Membership Rewards account. This gives you flexibility to accumulate points faster and use them for larger redemptions.

Who should consider an Amex Membership Rewards card?

Here's a quick rundown of some of my favorite Amex rewards cards that earn Membership Rewards points, and who they're great for:

Card Best For Rewards Structure
American Express® Gold Card Foodies and everyday spenders 4X Membership Rewards® Points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year); and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), and 3X on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
The Platinum Card® from American Express Frequent travelers interested in premium perks like airport lounge access 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
American Express® Business Gold Card Small business owners with diverse spending 4X points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories, up to $150,000 per calendar year (1X thereafter)
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express Small business owners who travel frequently and want premium perks 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com
Data source: American Express.

Depending on your spending habits and goals, there are plenty of great Amex cards that can help you get the most out of your spending. For a broader view of your options, take a look at some of our favorite credit cards.

Is an Amex card right for you?

Membership Rewards offer flexibility, great travel value, and plenty of ways to earn points quickly. If you're strategic with how you redeem your points and focus on spending in the right categories, an Amex card can seriously boost your rewards game.

Take a look at your spending habits and travel goals, then compare cards to find the one that best fits your lifestyle. Once you're all set up, you'll see your points pile up in no time.

Ready to start earning? Check out our list of the best American Express cards to find the right one for you.

FAQs

  • You can't combine points from a personal and business Amex card if they're tied to separate accounts. However, if both cards are under the same individual's profile, you can transfer the points into one Membership Rewards account. If the business card is linked to a separate account, the points will remain separate.

  • No, they don't have an expiration date. But if you close your card and don't transfer or use them, you'll lose them.

  • No, only specific Amex cards participate in the Membership Rewards program. There are about a dozen that qualify.