American Express Membership Rewards points offer a flexible way to redeem value, and understanding their worth is key to maximizing your benefits. Primarily, you can use these points for booking flights, either through Amex’s travel partners or directly through their portal.
The most potentially lucrative approach is to transfer your points to one of Amex’s partner airlines or hotels. Once transferred, you’ll book your flight through that partner’s system. Each partner has different procedures, so familiarize yourself with the programs you intend to use regularly. This method often yields a higher value per point compared to booking directly through American Express Travel.
Alt: Close-up of an American Express Membership Rewards card, highlighting the rewards program.
Important Note: Be absolutely sure of your travel plans before transferring Membership Rewards points. Once they are transferred to a partner program, they cannot be moved back to your Amex account.
Alternatively, you can redeem Amex points directly through the American Express Travel portal. Here, you can book flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and packages. While this method may be more convenient, the value you receive per Amex point is generally lower than transferring to partners.
Alt: Screenshot of the American Express Travel portal showcasing flight booking options.
To use your points this way, log into your American Express Travel account and select the travel option you desire. During checkout, select “Use all or some Membership Rewards points,” specify the number of points you want to apply, and click “Apply.” The full amount will be initially charged to your Amex card, and a credit for the redeemed points will be applied to your account, typically within 48 hours.
