Amex rewards: How to get the most value from your points

The American Express Membership Rewards® program is great for frequent flyers.

American Express is well known for its benefits and perks, like the world-class Centurion airport lounges. But it also offers powerful rewards that can be transferred to airlines and hotels all over the world.

Here’s what you need to know.

How to earn Amex rewards points

The best way to earn American Express Membership Rewards® Points is with — you guessed it — a credit card.

In addition to capitalizing on the different bonus categories, you could turbo charge your Membership Rewards balance with multiple welcome bonuses.

The choice is yours. Just pick the cards that make the most sense for your budget and spending habits.

How to redeem Amex rewards points

Amex rewards: Top transfer partners

But it all depends on how you redeem your points. Because American Express offers a flexible rewards program, you can usually get the best value when you transfer points to a handful of airline and hotel partners.

Here are some of the best ways we’ve found to use American Express Membership Rewards.

1. Take a trip around the world

You could book a round-the-world ticket by transferring your points to ANA Mileage Club or AeroMexico Club Premier.

With a round-the-world ticket, you can check off the top places on your bucket list as you fly around the globe.

But there are specific rules — depending on the airline — about how many stops you can make and which direction you can travel. So before you transfer your points, make sure you understand what you’re getting into.

2. Turn your Membership Rewards into Delta SkyMiles®

If you’re looking for a simpler redemption option, Delta SkyMiles® are a great choice for traveling overseas, with miles that are worth 1.18 cents each, based on Credit Karma’s point valuations.

You might get the best value by booking an international flight, and because Delta flies all over the world, you’ll have plenty of destinations to choose from.

3. Turn your Amex rewards into Air Canada Aeroplan points

If you’re interested in visiting our neighbors to the north, Air Canada might be your best bet.

Air Canada Aeroplan points are worth 1.18 cents each, based on Credit Karma’s point valuations. The airline flies out of 50 cities in the United States with Canadian hubs in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

4. Turn your Amex rewards into JetBlue TrueBlue points

JetBlue is a decent choice for domestic flights.

JetBlue TrueBlue points are worth 1.36 cents each, based on Credit Karma’s point valuations. While JetBlue doesn’t fly to as many destinations as some of the other airlines on this list, you should be able to get around the U.S.

Less-valuable options for redeeming Amex rewards points

Amex rewards: Less-valuable redemption options

The American Express Membership Rewards program offers some great redemption options. But as with any rewards program, there are also some options that don’t provide such great value.

Here are some redemption options to watch out for.

• Flights — While your points are worth 1 cent each when you book a flight through the American Express travel portal, you could get a much better value by transferring your points and booking directly through an airline like Delta.
• Hotels — If you book a hotel through the American Express travel portal, your points are only worth 0.7 cents. You could transfer your points to Marriott Bonvoy, IHG or Hilton Honors, but these partners’ points are also worth less than 1 cent each, based on Credit Karma’s point valuations.
• Cash back — If you use points to cover your card charges, your points will be worth only 0.6 cents each.
• Pay with points — You can “pay with points” at retailers like Amazon and Walmart, but your points will be worth only 0.7 cents each.
• Go shopping — If you choose to shop with points, your points will only be worth half a cent.