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What are Amex Membership Rewards Points?

American Express Membership Rewards points are essentially the currency of the American Express rewards program. Think of them like airline miles or hotel points, but with way more flexibility. If you hold an American Express card that earns Membership Rewards, you’ll accumulate points for your everyday spending. Also, some cards offer bonus points in specific spending categories, such as dining or travel, enabling you to increase your earnings significantly.

In my opinion, Amex Membership Rewards points are some of the most valuable and versatile points you can earn in the rewards world. They offer a wide range of redemption options. Since these points are transferable to numerous airline and hotel partners, I believe the value is much higher.

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How to Maximize Earning Amex Membership Rewards Points

The most direct route to racking up a substantial number of Membership Rewards points involves applying for an American Express card that earns them. American Express provides a spectrum of options, ranging from premium cards loaded with perks (and accompanying annual fees) to no-annual-fee cards that reward your routine spending.

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Choosing the Right Card for Your Spending Habits

Let’s take a closer look at some of the best Amex cards for earning Membership Rewards points. I’ll break down their welcome offers, bonus categories, annual fees, and some of their standout perks to help you choose the one that best fits your needs:

* The Platinum Card® from American Express: This card is a powerhouse for travel enthusiasts. The welcome offer can be very generous, sometimes reaching as high as 175,000 points after meeting the spending requirement (though offers vary). I earn 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. The annual fee is $695, but the numerous perks can easily offset this. I love the $200 airline fee credit, the $200 hotel credit, and the $200 in Uber Cash annually. Plus, the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit is a nice bonus. * The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: This card is a favorite among business owners who value travel rewards. You can earn 150,000 points after meeting the spending requirement within the first three months. The earning structure includes 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on Amex Travel, and 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more. The annual fee is $695, but I find the perks worthwhile, especially the Clear Plus credit, the airline fee credit, and the wireless telephone services credit. * American Express® Gold Card: This card is perfect for foodies. The welcome offer can reach up to 100,000 points (offers vary). I earn 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point per dollar). The annual fee is $325, but the $120 Uber Cash credit and the $120 dining credit make it easy to recoup the cost. I use the dining credit every month! * American Express® Business Gold Card: This card offers flexibility for business owners. I like that I earn 4 points per dollar on the top two eligible categories where I spend the most each billing cycle (on up to $150,000 in combined purchases from these two categories each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar). The annual fee is $375, and I take advantage of the statement credits for FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores. Plus, the Walmart+ membership credit is a nice perk. * American Express® Green Card: This card is a good option for those looking for a more affordable travel card. I earn 3 points per dollar on restaurants worldwide, travel, and transit. The annual fee is $150, and the Clear Plus credit is a valuable perk. * The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: This card is a great choice for small business owners who want a no-annual-fee option. I earn 2 points per dollar on everyday purchases (on up to $50,000 each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar). The fact that it has no annual fee makes it a keeper in my wallet.

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Leveraging Other Avenues for Earning Points

After you have an Amex Membership Rewards card, there are more options to increase your point earnings. I regularly use Rakuten, a popular online shopping portal. Through Rakuten, you can choose to earn either cash back or Membership Rewards points. I always choose the points!

Referral bonuses are another easy way to earn points. You’ll get a bonus when someone uses your referral link to apply for a card and gets approved. Just remember that rewards earned through referral bonuses are taxable.

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Mastering the Art of Transferring Points to Partners

One of the most rewarding aspects of the Membership Rewards program is the ability to transfer your points to a network of airline and hotel partners. Currently, Amex partners with 18 airlines and three hotel chains. This capability unlocks a world of award travel possibilities, allowing you to explore destinations around the globe.

I find that earning Membership Rewards points is generally more advantageous than focusing solely on earning points within a single airline or hotel loyalty program. You have the freedom to allocate your points strategically, sending them to different programs based on your travel goals.

Here’s a quick overview of Amex’s transfer partners:

Airlines:

* Aer Lingus AerClub (1:1)

* Aeromexico Rewards (1:1.6)

* Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1)

* Air France-KLM Flying Blue (1:1)

* ANA Mileage Club (1:1)

* Avianca LifeMiles (1:1)

* British Airways Club (1:1)

* Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:1)

* Delta SkyMiles (1:1)

* Emirates Skywards (1:1)

* Etihad Guest (1:1)

* Iberia Club (1:1)

* JetBlue TrueBlue (1.25:1)

* Qantas Frequent Flyer (1:1)

* Qatar Airways Privilege Club (1:1)

* Singapore KrisFlyer (1:1)

* Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1)

Hotels:

* Choice Privileges (1:1)

* Hilton Honors (1:2)

* Marriott Bonvoy (1:1)

Before you start transferring points, I highly recommend linking your transfer partner accounts to your Membership Rewards account. This preemptive step can save you time and potential delays when you’re ready to make a transfer.

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Strategic Redemptions: Unlocking Maximum Value

To truly maximize the value of your Membership Rewards points, transferring them to partners is the way to go. The possibilities are endless.

Here are some of my favorite redemption strategies:

* Flying to Hawaii: I love transferring points to Singapore KrisFlyer, as it only costs 13,500 KrisFlyer miles for a one-way flight from the West Coast to Hawaii on Alaska Airlines. * Upgrading to Business Class: Singapore Airlines operates some of the world’s longest flights. I redeem my points for business class on these routes, which costs 111,500 KrisFlyer miles plus taxes and fees. * Flying to Europe with Iberia Club: This is one of my favorite sweet spots. On off-peak dates, you can fly from the East Coast to Madrid for just 16,000 Avios in economy, 29,500 Avios in premium economy, or 40,500 Avios in business class each way. * Using Flying Blue for European Business Class: I’ve booked business-class flights from North America to Europe with Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue starting from just 60,000 miles each way. * Domestic JetBlue Flights with Etihad Guest: This is a great way to save on short-haul flights. JetBlue flights within North America that are 500 miles or shorter cost just 6,000 Etihad Guest miles.

Important Tip: Transfers are irreversible. So, make sure to confirm award availability before transferring any points!

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Avoiding Common Redemption Pitfalls

While Membership Rewards points offer many valuable redemption options, some choices provide significantly lower value. I typically avoid these options to get the most from my points:

* Using points for charges: This offers a paltry 0.6 cents per point, which is not a good return. * Pay with Points at checkout: Paying for purchases with points at online merchants like Amazon or Best Buy gives you a value of about 0.7 cents per point. It’s better than redeeming for statement credits, but I still avoid it. * Redeeming for taxi rides in New York City: Getting 1 cent per point is underwhelming. * Redeeming for gift cards: These redemptions are worth between 0.5 cents and 1 cent apiece, making them one of the worst ways to use your points.

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Answering Your Burning Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions I get about Amex Membership Rewards points:

* How do I transfer Amex Membership Rewards to airlines? Log in to your Amex account, go to the Rewards section, then the transfer section, and select the partner you want to transfer to. Remember, transfers are final! * How much are Amex Membership Rewards points worth? Based on current valuations, Membership Rewards points are worth around 2 cents each. * Are there fees/taxes when I use Amex Membership Rewards? There’s an excise tax offset fee when transferring to U.S.-based airlines, but it’s minimal. * Can you pool or share Amex points? You can’t transfer points between accounts, even family members. * Which Amex card gives the most Membership Rewards points? It depends on your spending habits. The Amex Gold is best for dining and groceries, while the Amex Platinum is best for airline purchases. * Do Membership Rewards points expire? They don’t expire as long as you keep at least one card open that earns them.

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Final Thoughts

Amex Membership Rewards points are a powerful tool for savvy travelers. They are easy to earn and have multiple redemption partners. Whether you use them for luxurious vacations or for visits with relatives, Membership Rewards points can help you save money and enhance your travel experiences.