Key Takeaways
- The value of American Express Membership Rewards points fluctuates depending on what card you have and what redemption options you choose.
- Redemptions like statement credits, gift cards, shop with points or travel booked through American Express typically give you a flat value — often 1 cent/point or less — for your points.
- Transferring your points to Amex’s airline and hotel partners will usually give you the best value. Redeeming your points this way can give you up to two cents/point in value on average, according to The Point Guy’s calculations.
American Express Membership Rewards points are one of the most popular rewards currencies for a reason. This Membership Rewards program offers a variety of redemption options as well as point transfers to 21 airline and hotel travel partners.
But its flexibility is a double-edged sword; with so many ways to redeem points and different redemption values for each option, it’s hard to calculate the concrete value of your Membership Rewards points. Additionally, some redemptions are better than others, with a significant gap between the best and worst options.
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
How much are American Express Membership Rewards Points worth?
How much your American Express Membership points are worth depends on which card you have and how you redeem your points, but Amex points are generally worth 1 to 2 cents each on average, according to The Points Guy calculations.
However, some redemption options can give you higher value than that. The most lucrative ways to redeem your points are for airfare and point transfers.
CNET’S PICK
Intro Offer
Earn 80,000 points
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.
Rating Breakdown
3.3
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- See Pay Over Time APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
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
Rating Breakdown
3.3
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- See Pay Over Time APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
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
Intro Offer
60,000 points + earn up to $100 back
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. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
Rating Breakdown
3.9
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- See Pay Over Time APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
4x
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4x
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3x
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2x
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1x
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible 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
Rating Breakdown
3.9
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- See Pay Over Time APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
4x
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4x
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3x
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2x
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1x
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible 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
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
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.
Rating Breakdown
2.2
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- See Pay Over Time APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
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
Rating Breakdown
2.2
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- See Pay Over Time APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
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
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
Rating Breakdown
2.8
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months.
- Regular APR
- 18.24% – 28.24% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
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
Rating Breakdown
2.8
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months.
- Regular APR
- 18.24% – 28.24% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
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
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.
Rating Breakdown
2.6
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% on purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 18.24% – 28.24% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
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
Rating Breakdown
2.6
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% on purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 18.24% – 28.24% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
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.