American Express Membership Rewards points are incredibly valuable and can be redeemed for a wide variety of rewards. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore all the different ways to redeem Amex points and get the most value from your hard-earned points.
Redeeming Amex Points for Travel
One of the best ways to maximize the value of Amex points is to redeem them for travel. Here are some of the main travel redemption options:
Directly Through Amex Travel
You can redeem Amex points directly through the Amex Travel portal to book flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, vacation packages, and more. Points are typically worth around 1 cent each when redeemed this way. However, Amex often offers special promotions where your points can be worth up to 2 cents each when booking certain types of travel through Amex Travel.
Transfer to Airline and Hotel Partners
Another top redemption option is to transfer Amex points to any of Amex’s 20+ airline and hotel partners. Some great transfer partners include Delta SkyMiles, British Airways Avios, Air Canada Aeroplan, Hilton Honors, and Marriott Bonvoy. Transferring points allows you to access more premium cabin award flights and top hotel redemptions.
Transfer Partner | Transfer Ratio |
---|---|
Delta SkyMiles | 1:1 |
British Airways Avios | 1:1 |
Air Canada Aeroplan | 1:1 |
Hilton Honors | 1:2 |
Marriott Bonvoy | 1:1 |
International Airline Program
Amex also offers an International Airline Program (IAP) that allows you to redeem points for flights on international carriers that aren’t direct transfer partners, like Lufthansa and Cathay Pacific. Flights typically cost 1 cent per point when redeeming through IAP.
Redeeming for Cash Back
If you don’t want to redeem your Amex points for travel, another option is to cash them out as a statement credit or deposit into a bank account. However, you’ll generally get less value when going this route.
Statement Credits
You can redeem Amex points for statement credits to offset purchases that recently posted to your account at a rate of 0.6 cents per point. While not the best value, statement credits provide flexibility to immediately reduce your balance.
Deposit into Bank Account
Another choice is to cash out points into a bank account. You’ll receive 0.6 to 0.7 cents per point based on your selected redemption method.
AMEX Prepaid Cards
Points can also be redeemed for prepaid American Express cards. The value is approximately 0.7 cents per point when you choose this redemption option.
Shopping Portals and Amazon
Want to shop instead of travel? Amex points can be redeemed through Amex’s online shopping portal at a rate of 0.7 to 0.8 cents each or to purchase items on Amazon at 0.8 cents per point.
Amex Online Shopping Portal
The Amex shopping portal offers gift cards, products, and services from popular brands. You’ll typically get around 0.7 to 0.8 cents per point in value when using points this way.
Amazon
Another shopping option is redeeming points directly through Amazon at 0.8 cents each. You can use points to purchase nearly any item sold on Amazon.
Gift Cards
Although not the most lucrative redemption method, you can redeem Amex points for both physical and digital gift cards to select merchants. Expect a value around 0.5 to 0.7 cents per point when going this route.
Physical Gift Cards
Amex offers physical gift cards that can be mailed to you for retailers like Best Buy, Starbucks, Home Depot, and many more. Most gift cards cost around 1,000 points for a $5 value.
Digital Gift Cards
You can also choose to instantly receive digital gift cards from Amex to places like Grubhub, Adidas, Nike, AMC Theaters, and other brands. Digital gift card redemptions start at just 100 points for a $1 value.
Mortgage and Student Loan Payments
An often overlooked redemption option is using Amex points to pay down a mortgage, student loans, or other eligible loans. You’ll get 0.5 cents per point in value when going this route.
Student Loan Redemptions
Amex allows you to redeem points as a statement credit toward payments on federal and many private student loans.
Mortgage Redemptions
You can also apply statement credits from Amex points toward mortgage payments on eligible loans with lenders like SoFi.
Merchandise and Experiences
For unique redemptions beyond just flights and hotels, Amex points can also be redeemed for merchandise and experiences.
Amex Experiences
Book tickets to exclusive events and unforgettable experiences through the Amex Experiences program. Options range from concert tickets to guided trips.
Merchandise
Additionally, Amex offers merchandise like electronics, home goods, apparel, and more that can be redeemed with points. You’ll generally get around 0.5 to 0.7 cents per point in value.
Travel Transfer Partners
One lesser known redemption option is to transfer Amex points to Amex’s travel transfer partners. This unlocks access to unique accommodations and transport.
Choice Hotels
Transfer to Choice Privileges at a 1:1 ratio to book free nights at brands like Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Clarion, and more.
Cruise Line Partners
You can also transfer points to cruise rewards programs like Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society and Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club.
Eurail
If you’re traveling around Europe by train, transfer points to Eurail to book rail passes and tickets.
Pay with Points for Charges
Selected Amex cards allow you to pay with points for charges on your monthly statement. The value can vary, but often ends up being around 1 cent per point.
How It Works
When your Amex statement generates, you’ll see eligible charges with a Pay with Points option. Simply choose charges to offset with your points.
Eligible Charges
Nearly all purchases should be eligible to pay with points, with the exception of things like cash advances or fees.
Redeeming for Events and Entertainment
Looking for fun ways to use points? You can redeem Amex points for exclusive events, concerts, Broadway shows and more.
Amex Experiences
The Amex Experiences portal offers VIP access to can’t-miss events around sports, music, dining, travel and more. Event prices are set in points instead of cash.
Ticketmaster
Amex also offers point redemptions for Ticketmaster concert and theater tickets through an exclusive partnership.
Donate Points to Charity
If you don’t need your Amex points, consider donating them to charity. Amex partners with organizations where you can donate points to make an impact.
How It Works
Log into your Amex account and navigate to the points donation section. Pick your charity of choice and the number of points to donate.
Partners
Some of the top charities include St. Jude Children’s Hospital, World Wildlife Fund, Stand Up to Cancer and more.
Redeem for Magazines
For magazine lovers, select Amex cards allow you to redeem Membership Rewards points for magazine subscriptions. The redemption value is around 0.5 cents per point.
Print Magazines
Redeem points for print magazine subscriptions from a variety of popular publications delivered to your mailbox.
Digital Magazines
You also have the option to redeem points for digital magazine subscriptions to read on your devices.
Airline Fee Credits
Have an upcoming flight? Redeem Amex points for statement credits to cover airline fees like checked bags, in-flight food and drinks, pet fees, and more.
Eligible Airline Purchases
Nearly any airline fee charges are eligible, including baggage fees, Delta Sky Club access, lounge guest fees, in-flight WiFi, and pet travel fees.
Redemption Value
You’ll typically get around 1 cent per point in value when redeeming for airline fee statement credits.
SPG and Marriott
Since Marriott now owns the Starwood Preferred Guest program, you can transfer Amex points to either Marriott Bonvoy or SPG at a 1:1 ratio. This gives you access to thousands of hotels worldwide.
SPG Transfer Partner
When you transfer Amex points to SPG, you’ll unlock free hotel nights, suite upgrades, and more at SPG properties.
Marriott Bonvoy
Or transfer to Marriott Bonvoy instead to book stays at Marriott, Westin, Sheraton, Courtyard and the chain’s other 6,500+ properties around the globe.
Conclusion
American Express Membership Rewards points offer amazing flexibility and can be redeemed in more ways than most other loyalty currencies. While airline transfers and Amex Travel provide the highest redemptions values, you have numerous options like shopping portals, gift cards, statement credits, merchandise and more to maximize your points.
The key is having a redemption strategy in mind before you earn points so you can maximize their value. But the good news is whether you prefer cash back, travel experiences, retail therapy or donations, there is a redemption solution for your Amex points.
Some of the best options include:
- Transferring points to airline partners for premium cabin award flights
- Using points for stays at high-end hotels through transfers to Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors
- Booking flights, hotels and rental cars through the Amex Travel portal
- Redeeming points for statement credits against travel purchases
- Using points for gift cards to maximize value on everyday spending
- Applying points as statement credits to offset charges
With a little creativity, American Express Membership Rewards points can take you on amazing trips around the world in luxury or save you money on everyday expenses. The options covered here just begin to scratch the surface of the many valuable ways to redeem Amex points.