What is the Value of American Express Membership Rewards Points?
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Allcards. Commissions do not affect our authors’ or editors’ opinions or evaluations. From our partners: See our advertiser disclosure here.
American Express Membership Rewards points are a versatile and valuable currency for cardholders, offering myriad ways to redeem them for maximum benefit. These points can be accrued through everyday spending, special promotions, and bonus categories, making them an integral part of the American Express experience. Understanding the value of these points in various redemption scenarios can help cardholders make informed decisions and get the most out of their rewards.
When redeeming Membership Rewards points, the value can vary significantly depending on how they are used. Whether you’re looking to cash out, purchase gift cards, book travel, or transfer points to airline and hotel partners, each option comes with its rate of return.
In this article, we will explore the worth of American Express Membership Rewards points across these different redemption methods, providing a comprehensive guide to help you maximize the value of your hard-earned points.
| Membership Point Redemption Method | Estimated Value (per point) |
| Statement Credit | $0.006 |
| Gift Card Redemption | $0.005 – $0.01 |
| Charitable Donation | $0.01 |
| Purchases Online (Amazon, etc.) | $0.005 – $0.007 |
| Booked Travel Through American Express | $0.007 – $0.01 |
| Booked Travel Through Transfer Partners | $0.006 – $0.05 |
Statement Credit, Gift Card, and Online Spending Value
American Express Membership Points can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, online purchases, or even donations to charity. Unfortunately, these options return the lowest value and should be avoided. Instead, you can maximize your points by transferring them to travel partners.
Current reward value (1,000 point redemption) rates for each redemption method are as follows:
- Purchases on Retail sites that accept AMEX Membership Rewards Points – $5.00
- Statement Credit – $6.00
- Purchases on Amazon.com – $7.00
- Donate to Charity – $10.00
- Purchases of Gift Cards through AMEX – $5.00 to $10.00
The highest rate of return when using your Membership Rewards Points for something other than travel redemptions (or transfers) is just one penny per point. Owning an American Express credit card means taking advantage of all the perks, primarily geared toward travel and luxury. Using your points for these low-value options is not ideal.
Travel Rewards Value Through the American Express Portal
When you use your Membership Rewards Points to book travel through AmexTravel.com, each point is typically worth a penny. It’s rare to find a value going above one penny, and once in a while, you will discover certain flights and hotel bookings bring the value below one penny per point. When using the portal, you’ll find the cost of your desired purchase displayed in cash and points (an example from a Delta flight below)
Redeeming points through AmexTravel.com is an OK option, but using the same image above, I’ll show why, with just a little effort, you should always first check whether or not you can transfer your points to a travel partner.
When you transfer your points to Delta SkyMiles (for example), you can do so at a 1:1 rate. Rather than use your points in the AMEX Travel Portal, if you transfer them to Delta, they’re worth a bit more (an average of about 1.25 cents per point). The comparison below shows that a $237 flight would cost you 20,500 Delta SkyMiles. Booking the same flight through the AMEX Travel Portal would cost you 23,700 Membership Rewards Points, so by transferring your points to Delta, you save 3,200 points.
Transfer Your Points to AMEX Partners Value
The highest value for American Express Membership Rewards Points is when transferring them to an AMEX partner. Today, American Express has 21 transfer partners, each noted in the table below.
| Transfer Partner | Transfer Ratio | Timeline | Minimum Transfer (Points) |
| Aer Lingus | 1:1 | 2 Business Days | 1,000 |
| AeroMexico | 1:1.6 | 2 Business Days | 1,000 |
| Aeroplan | 1:1 | 2 Business Days | 1,000 |
| Air France | 1:1 | 2 Business Days | 1,000 |
| ANA Mileage Club | 1:1 | 4 Business Days | 1,000 |
| Avianca LifeMiles | 1:1 | 3 Business Days | 1,000 |
| British Airways | 1:1 | 2 Business Days | 1,000 |
| Cathay Pacific | 1:1 | 2 Business Days | 1,000 |
| Choice Privleges | 1:1 | 2 Business Days | 1,000 |
| Delta SkyMiles | 1:1 | 2 Business Days | 1,000 |
| Emirates | 1:1 | 2 Business Days | 1,000 |
| Etihad | 1:1 | 2 Business Days | 1,000 |
| HawaiianMiles | 1:2 | 2 Business Days | 1,000 |
| Hilton Honors | 1:2 | 1 Business Day | 1,000 |
| Iberia Plus | 1:1 | 2 Business Days | 1,000 |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | 1.25:1 | 2 Business Days | 250 |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 1:1 | 2 Business Days | 1,000 |
| Qantas | 1:1 | 2 Business Days | 500 |
| Qatar Airways | 1:1 | 2 Business Days | 1,000 |
| Singapore Airlines | 1:1 | 2 Business Days | 1,000 |
| Virgin Atlantic | 1:1 | 2 Business Days | 1,000 |
There is no set value for any transfer partner because many variables determine how much value you’re getting for your points. For example, if you book a domestic coach flight and transfer your miles to Delta Airlines, you can expect a straightforward rate of return of about $0.0125 per point, a little above standard. The well-known, domestic names you see on the transfer list have some of the lowest rates of returns.
However, if you decide to book a business class, international flight on ANA (for example), you can expect an average value of your points between $0.02 and $0.05. These flights are much more expensive and require more points. However, the return value is sometimes 3x-5x greater than if you were taking short flights in the cheap seats.
What would have been a total cost of $2,933 turns into just $288.81 + 62,000 ANA Miles (ANA Miles see a 1:1 transfer rate)
Credit Cards That Earn Membership Rewards Points
American Express has an extensive portfolio of credit and charge cards to earn you membership rewards points. Our American Express trifecta includes three credit cards that, when used together, can earn you a near-maximum amount of rewards.
American Express® Gold Card
Our Rating: 4.8
American Express® Gold Card
Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)
60,000 points + earn up to $100 back
Est. Value
Up to $1,300
Annual Fee
$325
APR
See Pay Over Time APR Variable
Credit Req’d
Good, Excellent
Rewards: 4x points at restaurants, 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 spent annually), 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amextravel.com, and 1x points on all other eligible purchases.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Our Rating: 4.6
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)
Earn a $250 statement credit
Est. Value
$250
Annual Fee
No annual fee
APR
17.99% – 25.99% Variable
Credit Req’d
Good, Excellent
Rewards: 2% cash back on all eligible spending for the first $50,000 spent annually, then 1% cash back on all other purchases.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Our Rating: 4.5
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points
Est. Value
Up to $1,600
Annual Fee
$695
APR
See Pay Over Time APR Variable
Credit Req’d
Excellent, Good
Rewards: When booking flights and prepaid hotels with American Express Travel and flights booked directly with airlines, cardholders will earn 5x membership reward points for every dollar spent. 1x points on other purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How can I earn Membership Rewards points?
You can earn Membership Rewards points by using your eligible American Express card for everyday purchases, taking advantage of special offers and promotions, referring friends to American Express, and participating in specific partner programs.
Some American Express cards also offer bonus points for spending in specific categories, such as travel, dining, or groceries.
Do Membership Rewards points expire?
Membership Rewards points do not expire as long as your account remains active and in good standing. This means you can accumulate points over time without the pressure of using them within a specific timeframe. However, you may lose any unredeemed points if your account is closed.
Can I combine Membership Rewards points from multiple American Express accounts?
Generally, you cannot directly combine Membership Rewards points from multiple American Express accounts unless the accounts are linked. However, you can pool points from different cards if they are all part of the same Membership Rewards account.
For example, you can combine the points for redemptions if you have a personal and a business card that earns Membership Rewards points and is linked under the same account. Check with American Express customer service for specific details regarding your account setup.
Are there any fees associated with earning or redeeming Membership Rewards points?
Earning or redeeming Membership Rewards points does not incur direct fees. However, some American Express cards participating in the program may have annual fees. It’s essential to review the terms and conditions of your specific card to understand any associated costs.
When transferring points to airline or hotel programs, there may be a small fee for specific transfers, such as converting points to frequent flyer miles.
Final Thought on the Value of AMEX Membership Rewards Points
American Express Membership Rewards points offer a flexible and valuable way to enhance your spending power and enrich your travel experiences. While the value of points can vary based on the redemption method, understanding these differences is critical to maximizing your rewards.
Redeeming points for cash or gift cards provides convenience and immediate value, but often at a lower rate than travel bookings and partner transfers. For those looking to get the most bang for their buck, using points for flights, hotels, and travel-related expenses, primarily through strategic transfers to airline and hotel partners, can yield significantly higher returns.
Ultimately, the best use of your Membership Rewards points will depend on your personal preferences and financial goals. Whether you prefer the simplicity of cash back, the variety of gift cards, or the potential for high-value travel redemptions, American Express Membership Rewards points offer something for everyone. By staying informed and leveraging the various redemption options available, you can ensure that your points work harder for you, turning everyday purchases into extraordinary rewards.
