How much your American Express Membership points are worth will ultimately depend on how you use them. You can get anywhere from 0.5 cent per point to — according to The Points Guy calculations — 2 cents per point in rewards value, and potentially more. The most lucrative ways to redeem your points are for airfare and point transfers.

Whether you have one Amex credit card or several, you’ll need to know how redemptions work and how much value you’ll get in return for spending.

Read more: Best Credit Cards for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry



CNET’S PICK


The Platinum Card® from American Express

8/10
CNET Rating



CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards


Apply Now

On American Express’s secure website

Intro Offer

Earn 80,000 points



Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Annual fee
$695

APR
See Pay Over Time APR

Rewards rate

5x
– 5x



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.; Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

5x

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.

5x

Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more

The Platinum Card from American Express point values

Redemption Method Value
Statement credit 1 point = 0.6 cent
Amazon (pay with points at checkout) 1 point = 0.7 cent
Flights (booked through American Express Travel) 1 point = 1 cent
Prepaid rental cars (booked through American Express Travel) 1 point = 0.7 cent
Prepaid hotels (booked through American Express Travel) 1 point = 0.7 cent
Gift cards 1 point = up to 1 cent

For more information, check out our full review of The Platinum Card® from American Express.



CNET’S PICK


American Express® Gold Card

7.5/10
CNET Rating



CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards


Apply Now

On American Express’s secure website

Intro Offer

60,000 Membership Rewards® Points



Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Annual fee
$250

APR
See Pay Over Time APR

Rewards rate

3x
– 4x



Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.; 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.

4x

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.

4x

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).

3x

Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more

American Express Gold Card points value

Redemption Method Value
Statement credit 1 point = 0.6 cent
Amazon (pay with points at checkout) 1 point = 0.7 cent
Flights (booked through American Express Travel) 1 point = 1 cent
Prepaid rental cars (booked through American Express Travel) 1 point = 0.7 cent
Prepaid hotels (booked through American Express Travel) 1 point = 0.7 cent
Gift cards 1 point = up to 1 cent

See our full review of the American Express Gold Card for more details.



CNET’S PICK


American Express® Green Card

5.75/10
CNET Rating



CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards

Intro Offer

Earn 40,000 points



Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express® Green Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Annual fee
$150

APR
See Pay Over Time APR

Rewards rate

3x
– 3x



Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals.; Earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.; Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US.

3x

Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals.

3x

Earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.

3x

Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more

All information about the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

American Express® Green Card point values

Redemption method Value
Statement credit 1 point = 0.6 cent
Amazon (pay with points at checkout) 1 point = 0.7 cent
Flights (booked through American Express Travel) 1 point = 1 cent
Prepaid rental cars (booked through American Express Travel) 1 point = 0.7 cent
Prepaid hotels (booked through American Express Travel) 1 point = 0.7 cent
Gift cards 1 point = up to 1 cent



CNET’S PICK


The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card

5.5/10
CNET Rating



CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards

Intro Offer

15,000 Points



Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $2,000 in qualifying purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership

Annual fee
$95

APR
18.24% – 28.24% Variable

Rewards rate

1x
– 3x



3x points at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1x); 2x points at U.S. gas stations; 1x points on other purchases

3x

3x points at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1x)

2x

2x points at U.S. gas stations

1x

1x points on other purchases

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more

Amex Everyday® Preferred Credit Card* point values

Redemption method Value
Statement credit 1 point = 0.6 cent
Amazon (pay with points at checkout) 1 point = 0.7 cent
Prepaid flights (booked through American Express Travel) 1 point = 1 cent
Prepaid rental cars (booked through American Express Travel) 1 point = 0.7 cent
Prepaid hotels (booked through American Express Travel) 1 point = 0.7 cent
Gift cards 1 point = up to 1 cent



CNET’S PICK


Amex EveryDay® Credit Card

4.5/10
CNET Rating



CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards

Intro Offer

10,000 Points



Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you use your new Card to make $2,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Annual fee
$0

APR
18.24% – 28.24% Variable

Rewards rate

1x
– 2x



2x points at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1x); 1x points on other purchases

2x

2x points at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1x)

1x

1x points on other purchases

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more

Amex Everyday® Credit Card* point values

Redemption method Value
Statement credit 1 point = 0.6 cent
Amazon (pay with points at checkout) 1 point = 0.7 cent
Flights (booked through American Express Travel) 1 point = 1 cent
Prepaid rental cars (booked through American Express Travel) 1 point = 0.7 cent
Prepaid hotels (booked through American Express Travel) 1 point = 0.7 cent
Gift cards 1 point = up to 1 cent

How to get more from your Membership Rewards Points

Redeeming Amex Membership Rewards points for airfare through Amex’s travel portal will net you a per-point value of 1 cent. However, using points to book prepaid hotels, cruises and prepaid car rentals through American Express will only net you 0.7 cent per point. 

Other nontravel options offer even lower point values, so your best bet is redeeming Amex points for airfare through Amex Travel or transferring points to partners for potentially even greater value.

Point transfers allow you to transfer your Membership Rewards Points to one of American Express’s 21 airline and hotel partners, typically at a 1:1 ratio. Then, you can use your transferred points to book flights or hotel stays directly through the airline or hotel’s own loyalty program. 

By transferring your points to a partner, with the right deal you could increase how much they’re worth. In some instances, you may even get a per-point value of 2 cents or more. To figure out how much your points are worth in a given redemption, divide the dollar cost of the booking by the point cost. To maximize your value when booking award travel, try booking well in advance to access the best availability. It also helps being flexible about your desired dates and itinerary to take advantage of deals.

Amex airline transfer partners

While you can transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to three hotel loyalty programs — Choice Privileges, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy — Amex airline transfer partners offer the most potential value when it comes to maximizing rewards. 

In fact, you can frequently get 2 cents per point or better when you transfer points to airlines and redeem miles for a premium flight redemption like an international business class fare.

Amex lists the following airline partners and transfer ratios, but keep in mind that airline transfer bonuses are offered from time to time. Also, the ratios below represent the base transfer rate, but you’ll often get an even better per-point value depending on the transfer deal.

Amex airline partners Transfer ratio (Amex points to transfer partner points/miles)
Aer Lingus AerClub 1,000 : 1,000
Aeromexico Rewards 1,000 : 1,600
Air Canada Aeroplan 1,000 : 1,000
Air France (Flying Blue) 1,000 : 1,000
ANA Mileage Club 1,000 : 1,000
Avianca LifeMiles 1,000 : 1,000
British Airways 1,000 : 1,000
Cathay Pacific 1,000 : 1,000
Delta SkyMiles 1,000 : 1,000
Emirates 1,000 : 1,000
Etihad Airways 1,000 : 1,000
Hawaiian Airlines 1,000 : 1,000
Iberia Plus 1,000 : 1,000
JetBlue TrueBlue  250 : 200
Qantas Frequent Flyer 500 : 500
Qatar Airways Privilege Club 1,000 : 1,000
Singapore Airlines 1,000 : 1,000
Virgin Atlantic 1,000 : 1,000

The bottom line

How you choose to redeem your Membership Rewards points will impact the overall value you get in return. For travel cards, the most lucrative way to use your points is by transferring your points to one of Amex’s travel partners. Otherwise, redeeming for travel through Amex’s own travel portal for airfare will let you secure a rewards value of 1 cent per point.

 

Unfortunately, you’ll only get 0.7 cent per point in value for prepaid hotels, prepaid car rentals and cruises booked directly through Amex. Redeeming for statement credits or using your points with select merchants won’t provide a good value in comparison, either.

 

If you’re not interested in redeeming your credit card rewards for travel, consider getting a cash-back card that offers better value when redeeming for direct cash back or a statement credit.

*All information about the Amex Everyday Preferred Credit Card and Amex Everyday Credit Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of the American Express Green Card, click here.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card from American Express, click here.

For rates and fees of the American Express Gold Card, click here.

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

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