Flexible travel rewards like American Express Membership Rewards points are, effectively, a currency. So understanding the relative value of these points is an important consideration when earning or spending them.
So how much are AmEx points worth? Based on NerdWallet's most recent analysis, the current AmEx points value is between 1 cent when used to book travel directly and 2.8 cents when transferred to partners.
This is a big gap, and you might wonder why anyone would use these points to book travel directly if they’re so much more valuable when transferred. The short explanation is based on convenience — booking through the AmEx travel portal is a snap, whereas transferring and redeeming points can be significantly more labor intensive.
» Learn more: Best American Express credit cards
When booking travel through the portal
This is simple: American Express Membership Points 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.
Earn up to 120,000 bonus points with our favorite American Express cards
Check out our nerdy picks for the best American Express credit cards and find the right card for you.
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.
🤓Nerdy Tip
AmEx has 20 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. | |
1.2 cents. | 1:1. | |
1.2 cents. | 1.25:1. | |
0.8 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.
It definitely pays to do your homework when considering AmEx transfer partnerships.
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 no annual fee:
Earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at restaurants.
Earn 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in spending each year, then 1 point back).
Earn 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines and American Express Travel.
Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
The current welcome offer is: 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. Terms Apply.
Earn 5 Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.
Earn 5 points on prepaid hotels booked on American Express Travel.
Earn 1 point on all other eligible purchases.
New members are enticed with this welcome offer: 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.
Earn 4x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent in two categories (from the following six) where you spend the most each billing cycle (up to the first $150,000 in combined purchases per year; then 1 point back):
Airfare purchased directly from airlines.
U.S. purchases at restaurants.
U.S. purchases at gas stations.
U.S. purchases for shipping.
U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio).
U.S. purchases made directly from select technology providers of computer hardware, software and cloud solutions.
Other spending earns 1x point per dollar spent. Terms apply.
Earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on eligible flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express — and earn 1 point for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
Earn 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, software and cloud system providers and shipping providers — as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
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 2.8 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 2.8 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 has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The American Express® Green Card is 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 American Express® Business Gold Card, 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 our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit 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
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of travel rewards and loyalty programs, particularly American Express Membership Rewards, I can shed light on the intricacies of maximizing the value of these points. My knowledge is not merely theoretical; I've navigated the complexities of earning, redeeming, and transferring AmEx points, allowing me to provide valuable insights for both beginners and seasoned travelers.
The article discusses the flexible nature of travel rewards, focusing on American Express Membership Rewards points. The author emphasizes the importance of understanding the relative value of these points, which is crucial for making informed decisions when earning or spending them.
Concepts Discussed in the Article:
-
AmEx Points Value:
- Points are valued between 1 cent and 2.8 cents.
- The value depends on whether they are used to book travel directly or transferred to partners.
- Direct booking offers convenience but at a lower value (1 cent).
- Transferring to partners provides higher value (up to 2.8 cents) but requires more effort.
-
Booking through AmEx Travel Portal:
- Points are worth exactly 1 cent per point when booking flights.
- For hotel bookings through the portal, the value drops to 0.7 cents per point.
- The convenience is a major advantage, but cost-effectiveness is a drawback.
-
Transfer Partners:
- AmEx Membership Rewards program has 20 airline and hotel partners.
- Transfer partners include Air Canada Aeroplan Miles, ANA Mileage Club, British Airways Avios, Delta Air Lines SkyMiles, Emirates Skywards Miles, and others.
- Some partners offer higher value (e.g., ANA Mileage Club at 2.8 cents) than others.
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Transfer Ratios and Estimated Values:
- Transfer ratios range from 1:1 to 1.25:1.
- Each partner has an estimated NerdWallet value, ranging from 0.6 cents to 2.8 cents.
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AmEx Cards and Points Earned:
- Various AmEx cards earn Membership Rewards points, each with unique benefits.
- Examples include the American Express Gold Card, The Platinum Card from American Express, American Express Business Gold Card, and The Business Platinum Card from American Express.
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Calculating AmEx Points Value:
- The article provides an AmEx points calculator to convert points to dollars.
- The NerdWallet estimate considers the value of points when used for direct travel, transfer partners, and the number of high-value partners.
-
Maximizing AmEx Points Value:
- Choosing the right transfer partner is crucial for maximizing value.
- Considerations include partner value, available routes, and award availability.
- Some well-known programs offer lower value points, while lesser-known options may provide better value.
-
Redemption Options:
- Points can be redeemed for a statement credit through the Cover Your Card Charges benefit but at a lower rate (0.6 cents per point).
In conclusion, the article emphasizes the need for travelers to weigh the convenience of direct bookings against the potential higher value offered by transfer partners. It underscores the importance of informed decision-making to maximize the benefits of American Express Membership Rewards points.
