What can I use my Amex points for?

Using points: Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for things like:
  • Travel.
  • Point transfers to partners, including airlines and hotels.
  • Gift cards.
  • Statement credits.
  • Shopping.
  • Donations to charity.




American Express Membership Rewards points are highly versatile, offering numerous ways to extract value. The most lucrative method is usually transferring points to travel partners, such as Delta, British Airways, or Hilton, which can often yield a value well above 1 cent per point for premium cabin flights. Alternatively, you can use "Pay with Points" to book flights, hotels, or car rentals directly through Amex Travel. For non-travelers, points can be redeemed for retail gift cards at major brands or used as a statement credit to cover specific charges on your bill. You can even "Shop with Points" at checkout on platforms like Amazon or PayPal, though the conversion rate is typically lower than travel redemptions. In 2026, many premium cardholders also use points for exclusive experiences, such as high-end dining reservations through Resy or tickets to curated sporting and entertainment events.

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You'll typically yield more value by transferring your points to airline partners and booking flights, but using points for hotel stays can be smart too. You'll do well when redeeming points for luxury hotels or when demand for hotels is high which translates into high cash prices.

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While 200K Amex points will typically only give you about $2,000 in value when you shop for flights in the Amex travel portal, you can sometimes find Business or First Class flights — that can normally cost over $10,000 — for only 200K points, when transferred to a frequent flyer program.

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You can use Membership Rewards® points for statement credits toward eligible charges that appear in your 'Recent Activity' or 'Current Statement'.

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As a general guide, the point value can range from 0.5 cents per point to more than 2 cents per point, depending on how you redeem them. Therefore, 1 million AMEX points could be worth anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on the redemption method.

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You made a late payment If you don't pay at least the minimum amount due on your credit card statement, you will lose all of the Amex points you earned with that Amex card during that billing period. However, it is possible to retrieve points you lose this way.

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If you need to cancel your reservation, you'll receive a statement credit on your card for the cash equivalent. Members who would rather have the unused Membership Rewards points returned to their accounts must contact American Express customer service at 800-297-3276.

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Consider transferring them to one of Amex's three hotel partners ? Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio, Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio, or Choice Privileges (Choice Hotels) at a 1:1 ratio, though there's a special promotion now through October 31, 2021, that bumps up Hilton and Marriott transfers by 30 percent.

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When it comes to air miles, a balance of 300,000 points opens up a world of destinations, from the beaches of the Seychelles to the buzz of San Francisco. Transfer your points to Avios to enjoy two return business class flights to some of British Airways most coveted US destinations.

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