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Loyalty programs can be complex, and it can be difficult to uncover the best ways to maximize your credit card rewards.
The American Express Membership Rewards program offers numerous redemption options through Amex's transfer partners, which can be the best way to use them.
We'll explore the strategies you should consider to maximize your hard-earned Amex Membership Rewards points.
The Platinum Card® from American Express — Find out your offer: You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
How can I redeem American Express Membership Rewards points?
If you want to maximize your Amex points, transferring them to partner hotel or airline loyalty programs will sometimes yield the highest value.
TPG values Membership Rewards points at 2.0 cents each in our September 2025 valuations, so try to get at least that value from each Amex point you redeem.
When you transfer Amex points to a hotel or airline program, you can redeem them for hotel nights (some hotels have resort fees) and award flights that might otherwise cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Moreover, you may be able to stretch the value of your points even further by taking advantage of periodic transfer bonuses.
However, since transfers are irreversible, always compare the cash fare versus the award price. If you're struggling to calculate whether these redemptions are a good value, try using TPG's award calculator.
What are the most valuable ways to redeem American Express Membership Rewards points?
Though award prices can vary, here are some of our favorite high-value transfer partner redemptions.
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Fly within North America for as few as 3,500 Amex points
JetBlue's TrueBlue loyalty program recently introduced basic economy award redemptions. While this might not initially sound like the most comfortable way to travel, the prices are persuasive.
For example, at the time of publication, flights from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) are available on select days for just 2,800 TrueBlue points. Many other routes are available for similar prices.
As Membership Rewards points transfer to TrueBlue at a rate of 250:200, you would only need 3,500 Membership Rewards points to book this three-hour flight.
This is an excellent way to redeem your points, plus the cost of a cup of coffee in fees and taxes.
Book a round-trip flight to Spain with Iberia Club
One of the best ways to redeem American Express Membership Rewards points is by booking Iberia business class on off-peak dates through Iberia Club to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD). The program offers low point prices, a 1:1 transfer rate with Amex points and minimal fuel surcharges.
With round-trip cash fares costing several thousand dollars, this is a great way to get at least 2 cents in value from each Membership Rewards point.
You'll find the cheapest flights from cities on the East Coast starting at just 40,500 Iberia Club Avios in business class on off-peak dates, but other cities and classes have attractive pricing, too. Here's a look at Iberia's award chart:
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Related: A review of Iberia's new business-class suite on the A350-900 from Madrid to Mexico City
Fly the world's longest flights in comfort
Singapore Airlines operates two of the world's longest flights: from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and JFK to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).
You can redeem your Membership Rewards points by transferring them at a 1:1 ratio to Singapore Airlines' KrisFlyer program to fly the airline's highly regarded business class on these ultra-long flights, which last almost 19 hours.
A saver award fare on this route will cost you 111,500 Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles plus taxes and fees one-way — a smart investment in comfort on such a long flight. Book by Oct. 31, before prices rise slightly.
Transfer points to Flying Blue to book flights to Europe
Flying Blue is Air France and KLM's joint loyalty program. The program prices award tickets dynamically and often offers good deals on flights from North America to Europe. Economy saver flights start at 25,000 Flying Blue miles one-way, premium economy flights at 40,000 miles one-way and business-class flights at 60,000 miles one-way.
Remember that fuel surcharges on these awards can be a little hard to handle — close to $400 per person if you book round-trip business-class flights. Still, you should be able to save thousands on business-class cash fares by transferring your Amex Membership Rewards points to Flying Blue at a 1:1 ratio and obtaining at least 2 cents value from each Amex point.
If you can find saver rates, this is one of the cheapest business-class options in Europe, and both airlines have robust route networks. There are also occasional bonuses for transferring points from American Express to Flying Blue, so pricing on some routes becomes even more attractive.
Flying Blue's monthly Promo Rewards are worth checking out. They can offer up to 25% discounts on the prices above.
Fly Qatar Airways' award-winning business class
Qatar Airways is well known for its innovative Qsuite business-class product, which allows groups of up to four passengers to turn their center seats into a private "quad" space.
Qatar Airways' Privilege Club loyalty program is a 1:1 transfer partner of the American Express Membership Rewards program, and even better, booking business class with points is a great value.
If you find saver-level business-class seats, you can fly from anywhere in North America to the airline's hub at Doha's Hamad International Airport (DOH) for only 70,000 Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios.
This includes ultra-long-haul flights from LAX and SFO, which can be 15 hours long. There is plenty of time to enjoy this luxurious product and celebrate the excellent value you've obtained from your Membership Rewards points.
You can even connect on Qatar Airways to other destinations in the Middle East and Southern Asia (like India) for no extra Avios.
TPG tip: We recommend using a tool like Seats.aero to search for award Qsuite availability.
35% Pay with Points bonus for Business Platinum cardholders
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has another potentially valuable benefit: You can receive a 35% points bonus on flights booked through Amex Travel (up to 1 million points back per calendar year) for the airline that you select for your airline fee credit (enrollment is required; terms apply), regardless of fare class.
Qualifying airlines include:
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Southwest Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- United Airlines
Best cards to earn American Express Membership Rewards points
Earning Membership Rewards points is easy, thanks to the wide range of American Express cards available. These four popular options stand out among the various American Express cards offering generous welcome bonuses:
- The Platinum Card from American Express: Find out your offer: You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- American Express® Gold Card: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- The Business Platinum Card from American Express: Earn 200,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.
- American Express® Business Gold Card: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
Bottom line
Like other transferable points programs, the American Express Membership Rewards program offers great sweet spots to those who redeem their points through transfer partners. To help in your award availability search, we recommend using a platform like Seats.aero or other travel redemption apps.
With strong welcome bonuses, American Express cards can help you book a dream-worthy vacation using Membership Rewards points.
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