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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.
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.
Over a dozen American Express cards earn Membership Rewards. Here are some of the most popular ones:
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American Express® Gold Card | The Platinum Card® from American Express |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
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.
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
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.
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
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.
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
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.
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Apply Now for The Platinum Card® from American Express
On American Express' Secure Website. Terms apply |
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Credit Rating Requirement:
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:
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: 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: 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: 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: 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:
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Highlights:
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Apply Now for The Platinum Card® from American Express
On American Express' Secure Website. Terms apply |
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Show More
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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.
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American Express® Business Gold Card | The Business Platinum Card® from American Express |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
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.
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
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.
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
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.
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
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.
|
Apply Now for American Express® Business Gold Card
On American Express's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
On American Express's Secure Website. |
Credit Rating Requirement:
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:
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: 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: 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: 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: 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:
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Highlights:
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Apply Now for American Express® Business Gold Card
On American Express's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
On American Express's Secure Website. |
Show More
|
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.
On average, points are worth:
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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For rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card, click here
For rates and fees for the The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here
The Motley Fool recommends Amex.