Maximizing Your American Express Membership Rewards: A Comprehensive Earning Guide
American Express, Member FDIC, is renowned for its credit card rewards programs, which are among the most recognized in the industry. This reputation is built on the company’s history of financial innovations and milestones.
To determine if their rewards program is highly lucrative, it’s essential to understand how their point system works, how to redeem points for maximum value, and the importance of paying off your balance each month on cards that allow you to carry a balance. If you carry a balance, the APRs, which range from 18.24% to 29.99%, can quickly erode the value of your rewards due to finance charges.
However, if you use your points wisely, you can save money on travel, gift cards, merchandise, or even get cash back or a statement credit.
This article will cover:
– The value of American Express® Membership Rewards points
– How to use your reward points
– Which American Express cards offer reward points
– Introductory offers and bonus rewards
– How to get an American Express card
– How to earn American Express Rewards points
– Keeping track of your points
– Other American Express benefits
– How to choose the best American Express Rewards Card
**American Express Membership Rewards Program**
The American Express Membership Rewards program lets cardholders earn points on everyday purchases. These points can be redeemed for gift cards, travel rewards, or to cover recent card charges. Points do not expire and there is no limit on how many you can earn, making them easy to accumulate and flexible to use. You can check your points balance online or through the American Express app.
**Credit Cards That Offer American Express Membership Points**
American Express offers a variety of credit cards with different annual fees, benefits, and rewards. They also have business cards with rewards tailored for business owners. Additionally, American Express partners with top travel brands like Hilton, Marriott Bonvoy, and Delta, allowing cardmembers to earn extra rewards and perks when using these services.
Here are some of the consumer American Express cards that offer Membership Rewards points (excluding co-branded rewards cards):
– **American Express Green Card**: Earn 40,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months. Earn 3X points at U.S. restaurants, on transit, and travel. Annual fee: $150. APR: 21.24%-29.24%.
– **American Express® Gold Card**: Earn 90,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months. Earn 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year) and U.S. restaurants. Annual fee: $250. APR: 21.24%-29.24%.
– **The Platinum Card® from American Express**: Earn 150,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months. Earn 5X points on airline and hotel bookings (up to $500,000 per year). Annual fee: $695. APR: 21.24%-29.24%.
– **American Express EveryDay Credit Card**: Earn 10,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months. Earn 2X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year). No annual fee. Intro APR: 0% for 15 months, then 18.24%-29.24%.
– **American Express EveryDay Preferred Credit Card**: Earn 15,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months. Earn 3X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year) and 2X points at U.S. gas stations. Annual fee: $95. Intro APR: 0% for 12 months, then 19.24%-29.99%.
American Express also offers the Blue Cash Everyday card, which provides straightforward cash back instead of Membership Rewards points.
For business owners, the American Express cards that offer Membership Rewards points include:
– **Business Gold Card**
– **Business Platinum Card**
– **Blue Business Plus Credit Card**
– **Business Green Rewards Card**
American Express also partners with Amazon, Delta, Hilton, Marriott Bonvoy, and Lowe’s, offering special benefits and perks with co-branded cards.
**How To Earn American Express Rewards Points**
You can earn American Express® Membership Rewards points by using your American Express card for purchases. Different categories of purchases earn different numbers of points, so it’s beneficial to know which purchases offer the highest points and use your card accordingly.