What’s the Value of AmEx Membership Rewards Points?
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American Express Membership Rewards points are generally worth 1 cent apiece, including when redeemed to book travel directly through AmEx. You can often squeeze more value out of them, however, by transferring them to partners.
Based on NerdWallet's most recent analysis, points are worth an average of 1.2 cents when transferred, and even higher values are possible if you're strategic about redemption. Avoid redeeming points for a statement credit, if you can; this gives you a paltry rate of just 0.6 cent per point.
» Learn more: Best American Express credit cards
When booking travel through the portal
This is simple: You earn American Express Membership Points by using certain credit cards. When those points are redeemed for through Amex Travel, they are worth exactly 1 cent apiece when booking flights or 0.7 cent if booking hotels through the issuer's portal. This math is made explicit when booking a flight or hotel while logged in.
For example, a $210 flight will cost 21,000 points. There’s no way to “maximize” AmEx points when used in this way. You’re effectively using the points as pennies, and can book any airline or hotel room available with cash.
» Learn more: Comparing AmEx points vs. Chase Ultimate Rewards®
The big benefit here is convenience and simplicity. You don’t have to spend hours researching how to use your points or find the right transfer partner, or search for scarce award availability. You just search and book.
The big drawback is cost-effectiveness. You’re accepting a lowball value for your points as a trade-off for this convenience.
When transferring to partners
Here’s where things get more interesting — and complicated. The AmEx Membership Rewards program has some excellent transfer partners, meaning you can transfer your points to a partner and then book travel there.
AmEx has 21 airline and hotel partners, compared to Chase's 14 transfer partners. That means more access to airline sweet spots for AmEx points collectors.
With great maximization potential comes great responsibility. Understanding which AmEx transfer partners offer the best value, and which even offer flights or hotels that match your travel plans, is a major undertaking.
Here are some key programs to highlight, along with their estimated NerdWallet value.
Transfer partners | Estimated value | Transfer ratio |
|---|---|---|
1.4 cents. | 1:1. | |
2.8 cents. | 1:1. | |
1 cent. | 1:1. | |
1.2 cents. | 1:1. | |
0.6 cent. | 1:1. | |
1.2 cents. | 1:1. | |
1 cent. | 1:1. | |
1 cent. | 2.5:2. | |
0.9 cent. | 1:1 | |
1.8 cents. | 1:1. |
Notice that some of the better-known programs, such as Marriott and British Airways, offer some of the lowest-value points and miles, while lesser-known programs, like Air Canada and ANA, offer some of the best.
Remember to factor your travel plans into consideration, and not just transfer your points to the program with the highest-value miles. Some programs offer excellent value but limited routes and award availability.
Always search for availability on your preferred travel dates and destinations before transferring points.
» Learn more: The best first class award flights you can actually book
AmEx points calculator: Convert points to dollars
Use our AmEx points calculator below to convert AmEx points to dollars and determine the value of your stash of points, based on both the baseline and NerdWallet estimated values.
Another resource to help you get the best value for AmEx points is our Airline Point Transfers and Partner Award Bookings tool.
» Learn more: The best online travel booking portal might surprise you
Cards that earn AmEx points
More than a dozen American Express cards earn Membership Rewards; here are some of the most popular, including some with a $0 annual fee.
$695.
$325.
$695.
$0.
• 5 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 spent per year.
• 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
• 4 points per $1 at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per year).
• 4 points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year).
• 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.
• 2 points per $1 on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases made through American Express Travel.
• 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
• 5 points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels booked American Express Travel.
• 1.5 points per $1 in key business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2,000,000 in purchases per year).
• 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
• 2 points per $1 on the first $50,000 in purchases each calendar year.
• 1 point per $1 on purchases above $50,000 in a calendar year.
Terms apply.
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. Terms Apply.
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. Terms Apply.
Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
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. Terms Apply.
Other AmEx cards that earn Membership Rewards points include:
Terms apply.
» Learn more: The best travel credit cards
How did we determine our AmEx points value?
For our NerdWallet estimate of 1.2 cents per Membership Rewards point, we factored in several variables:
The value of these points when used to book travel directly with the credit card’s travel portal.
The value of the airline and hotel points to which these points can be transferred, when applicable (based on the separate analyses above).
The number of top-tier travel transfer partners, as determined by our expert panel.
The overall value is determined as: A weighted average between (1) and (2), with the weight determined by (3). The program with the largest number of high-value partners receives a 100% weight on (2), and a program with zero high-value partners receives a 50% weight on (2).
AmEx had the highest number of top-tier transfer partners, so it received a 100% weight on its most valuable transfer partner (ANA).
AmEx points value recapped
The current AmEx points value is between 1 cent when used to book travel directly and 1.2 cents when transferred to partners.
But not all transfer partners are created equal. Popular programs like Marriott Bonvoy will net you less value than lesser-known options, such as ANA.
If maximizing AmEx points' value sounds too complicated, you can always redeem them for a statement credit through the issuer's Cover Your Card Charges benefit. This will get you a paltry rate of just 0.6 cent per point.
All information about the American Express® Green Card, the Business Green Rewards Card from American Express and the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. American Express® Green Card, Business Green Rewards Card from American Express and the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card are no longer available through NerdWallet.
To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
To view rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
