It’s no secret that travel enthusiasts and points aficionados highly value American Express Membership Rewards points. The allure lies in their remarkable flexibility, especially when it comes to using American Express Travel Partners. Whether your dream getaway involves a budget-friendly hotel stay or a luxurious first-class flight to a far-off continent, the key is leveraging the extensive network of american express travel partners.
With access to an impressive roster of 18 airline partners and three hotel chains, American Express Membership Rewards opens up a world of travel possibilities. Earning these valuable points is also straightforward, making them a favorite among savvy travelers looking to maximize their rewards.
This guide delves into everything you need to know about american express travel partners, providing insights and redemption strategies to help you make the most of your Amex points for your next adventure.
Earning American Express Membership Rewards Points
To embark on your journey with american express travel partners, the first step is to accumulate Membership Rewards points. This is achieved by using an eligible American Express card for your everyday spending and travel purchases.
Several American Express cards are designed to reward you with Membership Rewards points, and often come with substantial welcome bonuses for new cardmembers. Here are a few popular options:
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium travel card packed with benefits. New cardholders can often earn a significant welcome bonus, such as 80,000 Membership Rewards points after meeting the spending requirement. It’s always worth checking the CardMatch tool for potentially even higher, targeted offers.
Earning Points:
- 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
- 5x points on prepaid hotels booked via Amex Travel
- 1x point on all other eligible purchases
Annual Fee: $695 (see rates and fees)
American Express Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card is a popular choice for foodies and travelers alike. It also frequently offers attractive welcome bonuses, such as 60,000 bonus points for new cardmembers. Again, using the CardMatch tool might reveal even more lucrative targeted offers.
Earning Points:
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
- 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
- 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or via amextravel.com
- 2x points on prepaid hotels and other eligible travel purchases on amextravel.com
- 1x point on all other eligible purchases
Annual Fee: $325 (see rates and fees)
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
For business owners, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express provides significant rewards and benefits. The welcome bonus can be substantial, often reaching 150,000 Membership Rewards points after meeting the initial spending requirement.
Earning Points:
- 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
- 1.5x points in select business categories and on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year, then 1x)
- 1x point on all other eligible purchases
Annual Fee: $695 (see rates and fees)
American Express Business Gold Card
The American Express® Business Gold Card is another excellent option for businesses, offering bonus points in key spending categories. New cardmembers can often earn a generous welcome bonus, such as 100,000 bonus points.
Earning Points:
- 4x points in the top two spending categories for your business each billing cycle (on up to $150,000 combined purchases per calendar year, then 1x)
- 3x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com
- 1x point on all other eligible purchases
Annual Fee: $375 (see rates and fees)
American Express Green Card
The American Express® Green Card is a more accessible option with a lower annual fee, still earning valuable Membership Rewards points. It also offers a welcome bonus, often around 40,000 Membership Rewards points.
Earning Points:
- 3x points on dining at restaurants globally, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 3x points on travel and transit
- 1x point on all other eligible purchases
Annual Fee: $150
Note: Information regarding the American Express Green Card has been independently collected by The Points Guy and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Discovering American Express Travel Partners
The true power of American Express Membership Rewards points unlocks when you utilize american express travel partners. These partners consist of a diverse range of airlines and hotels, giving you unparalleled flexibility in planning your travels.
American Express boasts an impressive network of american express travel partners, including 18 airlines and 3 hotel chains. This selection ensures that you have valuable options within each major airline alliance: SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and Oneworld.
Here’s a list of the airline programs you can transfer your Membership Rewards points to, expanding your reach across the globe with american express travel partners:
Related: Best frequent flyer programs for US travelers
In addition to airlines, american express travel partners also include these renowned hotel programs, perfect for luxurious stays and comfortable accommodations:
Related: Best hotel rewards programs in the world: Which one is right for you?
Transferring Membership Rewards to American Express Travel Partners
Transferring your Membership Rewards points to american express travel partners is a straightforward process. To initiate a transfer, you’ll need an active and valid American Express account. Within your Membership Rewards account, you can link each of your desired american express travel partners loyalty programs.
Points transfers are typically processed in increments of 1,000, with a minimum transfer of 1,000 points. Keep an eye out for transfer bonuses that American Express occasionally offers, which can significantly boost the value of your points when transferring to select american express travel partners.
However, it’s crucial to be aware of a few important considerations before transferring your points to american express travel partners:
- Irreversible Transfers: Once you transfer points to a travel partner, the transaction cannot be reversed. Therefore, ensure you have a definite plan for using the points before proceeding with the transfer.
- Name Matching: The names on your American Express account and your loyalty program accounts must precisely match.
- Authorized Users: You can transfer points to your own loyalty accounts and those of authorized users on your Amex card. However, authorized users must have been on your account for at least 90 days to be eligible for point transfers.
- Excise Tax Offset Fee: Transfers to U.S.-based frequent flyer programs (Delta SkyMiles, HawaiianMiles, and JetBlue TrueBlue) incur a federal excise tax offset fee. This fee is 60 cents (or 120 points) for every 1,000 points transferred, capped at $99 (or 19,800 points).
Related: How to transfer credit card rewards to partner programs
Maximizing Value with American Express Travel Partners
With a wide array of american express travel partners at your disposal, deciding where to transfer your points can feel overwhelming. The beauty of transferable points programs like Membership Rewards is that you can hold onto your points until you identify the perfect redemption opportunity with american express travel partners.
For inspiration, consider these popular and high-value redemption options through american express travel partners:
Related: Best ways to use Amex Membership Rewards points: From business class flights to Europe to Hawaii
The Bottom Line on American Express Travel Partners
American Express Membership Rewards points stand out as some of the most valuable rewards currencies in the travel landscape. This is largely attributed to the extensive and diverse selection of american express travel partners, encompassing both airlines and hotels.
The flexibility to transfer points to american express travel partners at your convenience, combined with the potential for high-value redemptions, makes Membership Rewards a top choice for travelers seeking to maximize their rewards and unlock unforgettable experiences.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold Card, click here.
