american express travel pay with points

Card Accounts

Business Accounts

Other Accounts and Payments

Tools and Support

Personal Cards

Business Credit Cards

Corporate Programs

Prepaid Cards

Personal Savings

Personal Checking and Loans

Business Banking

Book And Manage Travel

Travel Inspiration

Business Travel

Services and Support

Benefits and Offers

Manage Membership

Business Services

Checking & Payment Products

Funding Products

Merchant Services

eTicket Flight Credit(s) Available

You have eTicket Flight Credit(s) available that can be applied to your booking with applicable airlines. Please see below for redemption options.

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

Now You Can Pay with AmEx Points at Expedia

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

American Express is giving cardholders a new way to redeem Membership Rewards points.

On Tuesday, AmEx announced a new feature with the travel booking site Expedia to allow cardholders to apply Membership Rewards points directly toward certain Expedia purchases. That means you can use your AmEx points to book travel on Expedia without having to transfer them first.

Here’s how it works:

Link your account. If you have an American Express card that earns Membership Rewards points, you can link it to your Expedia account via this page . If you don’t have an Expedia account, you can create one for free.

Book your trip. Select a flight or prepaid hotel on Expedia and you will be asked at checkout whether you’d like to apply your American Express Membership points to your total. Points are worth about 0.7 cents apiece when redeemed this way.

Look for your savings. If you pay with points on Expedia, the American Express card linked to your account will be charged the full amount of the purchase. American Express will then apply your redeemed points as a credit on your account in two to four business days. For example, if you used 2,000 points toward your Expedia purchase, you'd get roughly $14 back as a statement credit.

This new feature comes with some caveats:

The redemption value could be higher. Getting 0.7 cent per point is OK, but you can get more value out of your rewards by using American Express’s other redemption options, some of which offer 1 cent per point.

Rewards can't be combined. You can’t combine Membership Rewards points from different AmEx cards. Also, you also can’t combine your Expedia points with your Membership Rewards points.

You can't apply Membership Rewards points to all Expedia purchases. You can use Membership Rewards points only for flights and prepaid hotels — not other purchases, such as travel packages, cruises or car rentals.

In addition to the new integration with Expedia, American Express also has been sprucing up its point-transfer options.

Last month, it added British Airways and Spain's Iberia Airlines as 1:1 transfer partners. (Previously, cardholders could make transfers to these loyalty programs only at a 5:4 ratio.) Through Sept. 17, 2017, cardholders can get 40% more points on top of that 1:1 transfer when they transfer rewards to these programs. The catch is cardholders will still have to pay a fee to make such transfers.

When you transfer AmEx points to a frequent flyer program, the company charges an excise tax offset fee of 0.06 cents per point, with a maximum fee of $99.

On a similar note...

Find the right credit card for you.

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

• Credit Cards ›
• Amex Business Platinum

How & When To Use the Amex Business Platinum Card 35% “Pay With Points” Rebate

Carissa Rawson

Senior Content Contributor

263 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 51 U.S. States Visited: 36

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

35 Published Articles 3194 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 47 U.S. States Visited: 28

Director of Operations & Compliance

1 Published Article 1178 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 10 U.S. States Visited: 20

Table of Contents

What is pay with points, which cards offer pay with points, which airlines qualify for the pay with points rebate, how do you use pay with points, when should you use pay with points, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

If you’re interested in award travel — or points and miles in general — you’ve likely heard of American Express Membership Rewards . These points, earned by using your Amex card for qualifying purchases, can be used for a variety of purposes — from business-class travel to gift cards.

One unique feature Amex offers is the ability to use Pay With Points on certain flights and receive a rebate of up to 50% on your redeemed points. This option is available to those who hold either The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express or the Business Centurion ® Card from American Express .

While, generally speaking, reward points are most valuable when transferred to a travel partner , there are certain circumstances when taking advantage of the Pay With Points rebate makes sense . In this guide, we’re going to break down the Pay With Points feature, when you should use it, and how to do so.

First things first: what is Pay With Points? Although plenty of credit cards offer some variation of this feature — such as redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards via the Chase travel portal — Amex’s travel program is the most generous .

It is more restrictive than others but can allow you to redeem your Membership Rewards at a value of up to 2 cents per point. More commonly, you’ll likely be r edeeming your Membership Rewards for a value of 1.54 cents per point , which still outstrips the 1.5 cents available to those with the  Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  and the 1 cent per point offered via the Citi Premier ® Card and the Citi Prestige ® Card .

In order to take advantage of this program, you’ll need to book your flight on AmexTravel.com . When booking, you can choose to redeem points to pay for all or some of your flight . Although you can use points to pay for any flight, the Pay With Points rebate only applies to flights that meet certain criteria:

• Any Flight Booked With Your Chosen Airline — Certain Amex cardholders have the ability to select a preferred airline each year. These match the airline you select for your airline fee credit . Any class of service booked on your chosen airline will qualify for the rebate. This includes economy, premium economy, business, first, and even basic economy.
• A Business or First Class Flight on Any Airline — Regardless of which airline you have selected for your airline fee credit, you can Pay With Points and receive a rebate if you’re flying business or first class.

Once booked, Amex will then refund up to 50% of your points to your account, depending on which card you hold. It’s important to remember that this is a rebate — not a discount — so you’ll first need to have enough points in your account for the amount you’d like to redeem. Then, your rebated points will post back to your account within 6 to 10 weeks .

Bottom Line: Pay With Points is an American Express program that allows you to redeem your Amex points for increased value on flights booked with AmexTravel.com.

Two of the American Express business cards offer a Pay With Points rebate:

Amex Business Platinum Card  — One of Amex’s most popular cards, the Amex Business Platinum card offers a 35% rebate .

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges , along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 150,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
• High annual fee of $695 ( rates & fees )
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards ® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card ® . Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card ® , here.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR ® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card ® .
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection ® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.
• APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 150,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Business Centurion ® Card from American Express — An invitation-only card, the Amex Business Centurion card offers a 50% rebate on redeemed points. Unlike other cards, this rebate can be used on any flight, regardless of chosen airline or fare class.

All information about the Business Centurion ® Card from American Express has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Each card also has a maximum amount of points you receive as a rebate each year. Here’s a look at each card and its differences when redeeming rewards via Pay With Points:

Bottom Line: There are 2 American Express cards that will give you a rebate, but the most commonly used one is the Amex Business Platinum card . 

Since you’ll need to book your flight with AmexTravel.com, it’s possible that you won’t be able to see all flights to a given destination. Of the ones you can see, only certain flights and airlines qualify for the rebate.

If you’re booking an economy flight, your rebate is limited by the airline you’ve chosen for your airline fee credit . Here are the airlines American Express will allow you to choose:

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Frontier Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Spirit Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines

Keep note that you’re able to change this selection once per year, in January — otherwise, you’ll be stuck with your previous year’s airline. If you’ve never chosen an airline you can select one at any time. Also, anecdotally, some cardholders have had success changing their airline beyond January if they haven’t used any of their credit yet and call in to ask.

You can use your Amex Business Platinum card to fly business or first class on any airline and receive the Pay With Points rebate. 

Bottom Line: There are 9 domestic airlines that can qualify for a Pay With Points rebate in economy class. Business and first class flights are eligible for the rebate regardless of airline. 

Using the Pay With Points feature is fairly easy. If you’ve ever booked travel via the American Express website, this will be familiar to you.

First, you’ll need to log in to your American Express account. Then, you’ll navigate to the top left and click on the Menu button.

From here you’ll highlight Travel , and then select either Book a trip or Book International Airline Program . Both will allow you to navigate to a page where you can search for flights.

Once you’ve input your information, Amex will display your results.

Be aware that American Express automatically sorts its results by Recommended Flights , which is not necessarily the lowest cost flight . Once you’ve decided which flight you want, Amex will take you through a booking process, asking for information such as your name and seat preference.

Hot Tip: Amex sometimes offers lower prices on first, business, and premium economy class tickets as part of its International Airline Program , which means you’ll end up using fewer points to pay. 

When it comes time to check out, you’ll be prompted to use cash, points, or a combination of the 2 :

Even if you only choose to pay for part of your flight with points, you’ll still receive the rebate on the points you’ve redeemed as long as the flight is eligible.

That’s it! In this example, you’d redeem 9,400 points upfront (or some combination thereof) and receive anywhere from 35% to 50% back in 6 to 10 weeks.

Bottom Line: Using Pay With Points is a simple process, but you need to have all the required points upfront.

There are a lot of arguments people can make about why or why not you should use the Pay With Points program, and they’re pretty much all correct.

In a lot of cases, transferring your points to one of Amex’s airline partners can cost you less than booking a flight via the AmexTravel.com site. This is especially true when you’re using points for a business class flight .

For example, if you’re looking to fly to Europe in business class , you can choose to transfer 88,000 Amex points to ANA and fly roundtrip on its Star Alliance partners.

In contrast, cash prices for business class flights to Europe regularly run upwards of $3,000 roundtrip. If you were to book that directly via Amex’s website, it would cost you 300,000 points upfront. If you’re using the Amex Business Platinum card , then once your 35% rebate posted, you’d still be out 195,000 points. That’s more than double what you’d spend if you had transferred your points instead!

This sounds like a compelling argument to  never  use the Pay With Points rebate, but there are absolutely situations where it still makes sense.

When To Use Pay With Points: Cheap Cash Flights

There are many Amex airline partners to which you can transfer your Membership Rewards. Each of the 3 major airline alliances, Skyteam , Star Alliance , and Oneworld , are all well-represented here. Most of these will transfer at a 1:1 ratio , meaning 1 Amex point will become 1 airline mile.

Each airline then has its own program for redeeming miles; some will use distance-based award charts, some will have off-peak and peak pricing depending on demand, and some will fluctuate wildly according to the cash price of the ticket. Here are the Amex airline transfer partners:

• Air France/KLM
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• Singapore Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic

Let’s take a look at Avianca, whose Lifemiles program  offers some excellent redemptions on its Star Alliance partners. Your Amex points will transfer to this airline at a 1:1 ratio , and transfers are instant.

Avianca usually uses a standardized award chart based on region , though its prices for travel within the U.S. tends to vary. Notably, it generally charges fewer miles for domestic United flights than United’s own MileagePlus program.

Here’s a flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Maui (OGG) via Lifemiles. Even in economy and one-way, 15,000 miles  doesn’t seem like it’s too costly:

That same flight, however, can be found for only 9,400 points on the American Express website:

If you have an Amex Business Platinum card and United is your selected airline, you can redeem 9,400 Amex points and receive a rebate of 3,290 points , making your total out of pocket cost just 6,110 points instead of 15,000 points. It’s the same flight with the same seats but less than half the cost .

Even if you’re not going to use the 35% rebate, you can still see that the 9,400 points are less than 15,000, so it’s always worth checking out the price for transfer partners versus the actual Amex website before you book.

Don’t forget that you can use your Amex Business Platinum card for business or first class flights booked via the AmexTravel.com website and still qualify for the rebate, no matter which airline you fly with.

This especially helpful when booking tickets on an airline that Amex doesn’t allow you to select for the airline fee credit.

Hot Tip: The only airlines that qualify for the Amex airline fee credit are domestic. By booking a business class ticket instead of economy with a foreign carrier, you’ll still be able to receive the Pay With Points rebate.

Let’s take a look at how this would work on a business class flight. Delta is a transfer partner of American Express at a 1:1 ratio and transfers are typically instant.

For a one-way trip from New York (JFK) to London (LHR), Delta will charge you 290,000 miles to fly in its premium Delta One cabin :

Of course, Delta is known for its exorbitant award rate costs, but if you’re intent on flying Delta and using points, you can instead opt to use the AmexTravel.com portal, where the same flight will cost you 302,420 Amex points upfront.

However, once you’ve received a 35% rebate, you’ll be out of pocket just 196,573 points , saving you nearly 100,000 miles on this booking .

Is this a great use of your Amex points? Not necessarily, but there are situations where paying that much for your ticket can make sense, especially if you’re looking to fly with a specific airline.

Bottom Line: If the ticket is cheap or award prices are high, it can cost less to use Pay With Points than to transfer your points and book an award ticket. 

When To Use Pay With Points: Earning Elite Status

There are 2 types of flyers: those who care about elite status , and those who don’t.

Generally speaking, people looking to achieve elite status tend to fly a single airline for work rather than fun, while those who fly less often — and usually for pleasure — will seek better prices rather than specific airlines. However, there is no doubt that airline elite status comes with some serious perks. From international business class upgrades to free checked bags, there is a strong case to be made for pursuing elite status with an airline.

But if you’re still pretty price-sensitive, it can make sense to use your Amex points to book your flight because it allows you to redeem points while still earning elite status. Why? Because booking a flight via AmexTravel.com counts as a paid ticket rather than an award ticket, even when you use Pay With Points. So while you’re still spending your Amex points, you’re also accruing elite-qualifying miles in addition to any award miles you earn.

It’s easy enough to book a business class flight and add your frequent flyer number in order to get credit for your flight. As an added bonus, business and first class flights often have class-of-service bonuses that allow you to rack up miles more quickly. But you can also take this 1 step further.

Let’s consider United Airlines, whose MileagePlus loyalty program changed drastically in 2019 in order to focus on cash spent with the airline rather than miles flown. If you book a ticket directly with United, you’ll only earn elite-qualifying points based on the fare of your ticket , rather than the actual distance you flew. This is true of all 3 big U.S. airlines: United, American Airlines, and Delta.

However, when you book a ticket with and fly on a partner airline, but still credit it to your United, Delta, or American Airlines account, the amount you’ll earn is usually calculated according to the distance you flew divided by a set amount, rather than the price you paid.

Each airline has a separate earning chart for each partner, but let’s look at United’s Air Canada chart *:

Air Canada is a preferred partner of United, which means that in order to calculate how many Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) you’ll get, you’ll divide the number of award miles you earn by 5 (non-preferred partners are divided by 6).

So you can book an Air Canada flight on AmexTravel.com using Amex points and credit it to your United account. If you’re flying business class, you’ll be given 200% of the miles you flew in the form of award miles. You’ll then divide those miles by 5 to see how many elite-qualifying miles you get.

Let’s look at a sample flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Cairo (CAI) in December 2021:

This flight will cost you 219,320 Amex points after a 35% rebate . The same flight is also available via United on AmexTravel.com and will cost you the same amount, but by leveraging the Air Canada partnership to earn elite status with United instead of booking directly with United, you’ll come out far ahead.

How far ahead?

If you book with Air Canada and credit to United, you’ll earn 31,778 MileagePlus miles redeemable for flights and 6,355 PQPs.

You only need 10,000 PQPs to hit Gold elite status, the second of United’s 5 tiers. This single flight will put you over half of the way there.

Bookings on United only give you earnings based on the price of your ticket and don’t include taxes and fees. In this case, the base fare for the flight is $1,900.  So if you booked this flight directly with United, you’d only earn 1,900 PQPs and 9,500 award miles (if you have no elite status; the amount of award miles you earn changes based on your status).

Bottom Line: All business and first class flights booked via AmexTravel.com will earn you elite-qualifying points and a rebate when using Pay With Points, but if you’re looking to earn elite status quickly, it’s a good idea to know which airline partnerships will maximize your earnings. 

When To Use Pay With Points: When You Can’t Find Award Availability

One limitation of award flights is that most airlines only release seats sparingly , if at all. This is especially true for highly coveted business and first class seats. And if you’re traveling with a partner or family, finding enough seats for everyone can be a nightmarish experience.

Because tickets booked with AmexTravel.com are considered paid tickets, they don’t face the same limitations that award flights do. If the flight has availability and Amex has it on its website, you can use your Pay With Points to book it. It’s as easy as that.

Bottom Line: Booking with AmexTravel.com and using Pay With Points allows you to bypass award availability restrictions, which can get you and your family on a flight sooner. 

When To Use Pay With Points: When You Don’t Want To Bother With Transfer Partners

Similar to the above point, using Pay With Points can be a smart option for those who simply don’t want to fuss with transferring points to airlines. Most of us know at least 1 — and probably half a dozen — family members who’ve dipped their toes into the water of award travel but don’t have the patience to research award charts, transfer partners, award availability , transfer times, points ratios, and the dozen other must-know pieces of information it takes to successfully transfer and book award flights.

So rather than allowing them to use those hard-earned Amex points on, say, magazine subscriptions, point them to the AmexTravel.com portal and allow them to book their flights with no fuss, using Pay With Points to redeem Amex points for up to 2 cents of value .

Bottom Line: Most people don’t have enough time or the know-how to deal with the intricacies of airline travel partners. Pay With Points still allows you to redeem your points for a decent value without wasting any time.

Most card issuers have some form of a travel portal that allows you to redeem your points towards flights. Amex’s program, while more restrictive than others, offers the best value for these redemptions. It doesn’t always make sense to use the Pay With Points program and its rebates, but there are plenty of situations in which it can be the better choice. Best of all, it’s simple and easy to use.

The information regarding the Business Centurion ® Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Citi Premier ® Card has expired and the card is no longer open to applicants. The information for the Citi Prestige ® Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to use amex business platinum card points.

This depends on how you spend your time, but usually the best way to spend your Amex points is by transferring them to one of Amex’s many hotel and airline partners.

How long does the Amex Business Platinum card 35% rebate take to post?

It’s important to remember that the rebate takes time to post, so you’ll need to have all the points for your redemption in your account upfront. The usual timeframe for them to be returned to you is somewhere between 6 to 10 weeks.

How do you get the 35% rebate with Amex Business Platinum card flights?

If you have the Amex Business Platinum card, you can book flights via AmexTravel.com to receive the rebate. Economy flights qualify for the rebate if they’re on your chosen airline. Business and first class flights qualify regardless of airline.

Does the Amex Business Platinum card 35% rebate work for hotels?

Unfortunately, no. While Amex does have 3 hotel transfer partners, the Amex Business Platinum card Pay With Points rebate only works on flights booked via AmexTravel.com.

Was this page helpful?

About Carissa Rawson

Carissa served in the U.S. Air Force where she developed her love for travel and new cultures. She started her own blog and eventually joined The Points Guy. Since then, she’s contributed to Business Insider, Forbes, and more.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE ™

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

I swear by my AmEx card with a hefty annual fee. I get tons of travel perks and over $1,000 in credits for Uber, hotels, stores, and more.

• As someone who travels for work, I'm always looking for ways to make travel more cost-efficient.
• Although my  Platinum Card® from American Express charges a $695 annual fee, I find it saves me money.
• In addition to the travel perks, my card gets me over $1,000 in credits for Uber, hotels, and more.

As a full-time, on-the-go content creator, I practically live at airports and am always looking for ways to make my travel experience easier.

From trying out the latest packing cubes to looking for flight deals, I'm all about efficiency and saving money.

That's why it may be surprising to learn that one of my biggest travel game-changers involves spending money with a travel credit card. Like the 41% of Americans with a travel card , I use mine to save money on hotels, flights, and more.

Although the $695 annual fee for my American Express Platinum Card seems steep at first glance, it's actually saved me money in the long run. And, more importantly, it's made my travels much smoother.

Here are just some of The Platinum Card® from American Express benefits I use most often.

My American Express Platinum Card gives me access to the Centurion Lounge

Because I travel frequently, lounge access is important to me. Call me bougie, but I love having a quieter space to sit down and enjoy a meal and a drink before my flight.

As a Platinum cardholder, I can access Centurion and Priority Pass lounges worldwide. Of course, this benefit is only worthwhile if you, like me, enjoy eating and drinking at airports and your home airport has a Centurion Lounge.

With airport restaurants and bars charging sky-high prices for basic food and drink, enjoying complimentary gourmet food in the Centurion Lounge is a treat.

I also get a $200 airline-fee credit

As a Platinum cardholder, I can choose a qualifying airline and enroll to receive up to $200 of statement credit for incidental airline fees each year.

This includes checked bag fees , in-flight purchases, seat assignments, and airport-lounge day passes when I pay for them using my American Express Platinum Card. While these fees might seem small, they add up quickly when traveling frequently.

The $240 digital entertainment credit can be used on things like streaming services and news sites

As a frequent traveler, I rely on digital entertainment, and luckily, my card provides $20 in statement credits each month for some of the most popular digital entertainment services after enrollment.

Peacock, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal are all services that can be reimbursed if I pay for them using my Platinum card.

I always take advantage of the $200 annual hotel credit

With my American Express Platinum Card, I get a one-time $200 statement credit on a pre-paid booking with Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) or The Hotel Collection (THC) through American Express Travel.

I also get perks like a complimentary daily breakfast for two, room upgrades (when available), and a $100 property credit on top of the statement credit. This can generally be used at hotel restaurants or even spas, but can vary based on each property.

I use the FHR benefit each year on a special stay — this year, I stayed at the historic Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki . I received a $200 credit after paying for my room, early check-in and late checkout, free breakfasts, a room upgrade, and a property credit that I used for a nice dinner and drinks at the pool.

With my card, I can get reimbursed for Clear Plus, TSA Precheck, and/or Global Entry

In my opinion, the worst part of the airport experience is going through security. That's why I take every step possible to make things easier for myself.

With my card, I can enroll to get reimbursed for the $100 Global Entry fee, which expedites customs screenings for international arrivals in the U.S. Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck , which makes the domestic airport-security process quicker.

I also get a $189 statement credit for CLEAR Plus, a paid membership program that uses facial recognition or fingerprints for identity verification at some airports, after enrollment.

I even get credit for Uber Eats and Saks purchases

Another perk of my credit card I can enroll in is a monthly Uber Cash benefit. Each month, $15 is deposited into my Uber account to use on rides — or my favorite, Uber Eats. I also get an extra $20 credit in December.

When I'm traveling and want to stay in, or return from a trip and don't want to hit the grocery store, I'll use the Uber benefit to get delivery using Uber Eats. Just be sure to use the benefit each month, as it doesn't roll over.

I also receive $50 in statement credit from Saks Fifth Avenue every six months after enrollment. I use this for buying gifts or small items, offsetting the cost of a larger purchase, or getting something special for an upcoming trip.

My card covers insurance for rental cars and trip delays

When I use my Platinum card, I don't spend extra money on insurance for rental cars or trip delays.

If I rent a car using my card and enroll in the program, I get secondary rental-car insurance that can cover some damages beyond what my primary insurance would.

I also have peace of mind when it comes to travel delays or interruptions.

If I book a trip with my card and the flight is delayed for more than six hours for a qualifying reason, I can get reimbursed for purchases that resulted from the delay — up to $500 per trip. This could include meals, lodging, and personal items. I hope I'll never need to use it, but it feels good to know I have it.

I find the card pays for itself in benefits

Overall, the benefits I gain from being an American Express Platinum cardholder are worth the $695 annual fee.

Because I travel so often for work, it's nice to know I have access to conveniences like lounges and expedited security programs.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.

Watch: While Delta's business is 'extremely robust,' the airline's marketing chief stays focused on the data

• Main content

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Card Accounts

Business Owners

Other Accounts

Help & Support

Personal Cards

Popular Personal Cards

Business Cards

Corporate Cards

Online Travel

Travel Resources

Business Travel

Travel Money

All Insurance Services

Travel Insurance

Benefits and Offers

Manage Membership

Corporations

It appears that JavaScript is either disabled or not supported by your web browser. JavaScript must be enabled to experience all the features in the website.

How to Pay with Points for Travel

At American Express Travel Online, you can earn and use your Membership Rewards ® Points to pay or part pay for your next trip. Points can be redeemed on eligible flights, pre-paid hotels or car rentals.

Just follow these easy steps to Pay with Points

Step 1: Log in

Log in to your American Express Account. If you have an eligible Card you will see the points balance in the top right corner of the page.

Step 2: Search

Begin your travel search through the American Express Travel Online site.

Your available payment options will be displayed in the results.

Step 3: Apply Points

At checkout, use the slider to choose how many points you would like to apply to your booking and then fill in your Traveller Information.

Step 4: Book Trip

The full transaction amount will be charged to your eligible Card. Following the transaction, you will receive a credit on your statement within 3 business days for the value of any points used.​

See where points can take you

More about american express membership rewards points.

​When you use Pay with Points, the points will be deducted from the Membership Rewards balance.​

Your travel payment will be charged in full to your eligible American Express Card. Following the transaction, you will receive a credit on your statement within 3 business days for the value of any points used.​

To use Pay with Points for an online travel booking, you must use a Card that is eligible and enrolled in a Membership Rewards Program for payment and redeem at least 1,000 points per transaction.​​

Membership Rewards points can be used on flights (including the International Airline Program), pre-paid hotels and car rentals. 

How to earn Points

When you use your eligible American Express Card to make purchases, you'll earn Membership Rewards Points for every dollar you spend on qualifying purchases.

Rediscover Local Escapes

Pay later with Plan It TM

• Frequently Asked Questions

I don’t have enough points for my trip, what can I do?

Don’t worry, you can pay using a combination of Membership Rewards points and payment on your American Express Card. A minimum of 1,000 Membership Rewards Points is required, per transaction, when paying for an online travel booking using Membership Rewards points.

Is there an additional fee or charge for using my Membership Rewards points to book travel?

No, there is no additional fee to redeem points for travel.

When using Membership Rewards points for travel, do I have to accompany the person I have booked travel for?

No, you do not have to travel with them.

Are Membership Rewards points refundable?

Once Membership Rewards points are redeemed for travel, they may not be converted back to Membership Rewards points and the booking is non-transferable and non-refundable.

How do I start earning Membership Rewards points?

If you hold an American Express Card where enrolment into the Membership Rewards program is optional, enrolling is easy. Simply call the Membership Rewards team to enrol by phone on 1300 363 276.   

Can I pay airline surcharges and taxes with Membership Rewards points?

Yes, you can choose to use points to pay for both your travel costs and the additional charges such as airline surcharges and taxes.

Can I use my Membership Rewards to purchase travel for my family and friends?

Yes, you can as long as the tickets are not for resale, promotional or commercial use. You can read the complete Terms and Conditions of your benefits at  here . 

How close to the date of travel can I book tickets using Membership Rewards points?

Generally you will be able to book a flight up to three business days before the date of travel, however for the best availability, please book as early as possible.

Can I use my Membership Rewards on Fine Hotels + Resorts and/or The Hotel Collection bookings?

You may be able to use Membership Rewards points as payment towards Fine Hotels + Resorts and/or The Hotel Collection, if the selected hotel and room type provides you the option to prepay in advance.

When will the earned Membership Rewards points be added to my Account?

Points will normally be added to your Account within five working days of a transaction, but it can take up to 10 weeks.

Why was my American Express Card charged for my booking when I selected Pay with Points option?

When you choose to use your Membership Rewards points at checkout, the full transaction amount will still be charged to your Card Account. Following the transaction, you will receive a credit to your Card Account within 3 business days, equivalent to the value of the Membership Rewards points used. Depending on when your next Card statement is due, the credit may not appear until your next statement period. You are still responsible for payment of the amount due on your Card Account by the due date.​ To find out more visit FAQs here​

Membership Rewards Terms & Conditions

To earn or redeem Membership Rewards points, Cards must be enrolled to the American Express Membership Rewards program, and your Card Account must be in good standing.

To redeem Membership Rewards Points with American Express Travel Online, you need to have available limit on your Card for the full transaction amount of the booking. You will then receive a statement credit within 3 business days for your points redemption. If the credit isn’t on the same statement as the transaction, it should appear on your next statement. Please pay all amounts due each month. You will earn Membership Rewards points on the full dollar amount charged to your Card. ​​

All bookings are subject to the terms and conditions of our Membership Rewards Program. For full Terms and Conditions, please visit the Membership Rewards website .

• American Express Travel Checklist
• Get Travel Insurance

Travel Payment Options

• Membership Rewards Points
• Annual Travel Credit
• Plan It TM  Instalments

Travel Support

• Manage My Booking

Featuring reviews from

Travel services provided by American Express International, Inc. ABN 15 000 618 208. Incorporated with limited liability in Delaware, USA.

Why the Amex Green is great for points and miles beginners

Editor's Note

The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

We've been recommending the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card for a while now to anyone who wants to dive into travel rewards cards. The card makes it easy to earn and redeem points with one of the most valuable rewards programs out there. However, the American Express® Green Card can be another great option for points and miles beginners.

The Amex Green Card comes with generous bonus categories and travel benefits. You'll earn 3 Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar on eligible travel (including transit) and at restaurants worldwide. The card also has two annual travel credits: up to a $189 statement credit toward a Clear Plus membership and up to a $100 statement credit for LoungeBuddy purchases .

New cardholders can now get a welcome bonus of 40,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new card in the first six months of card membership.

Here's what makes this card particularly great for points and miles beginners .

High-value bonus categories

The bonus categories of the Amex Green Card are common expenses for almost anyone, not just frequent flyers. The Amex Green Card defines the travel bonus category broadly to include transit, home rental sites like Airbnb, campsites, taxis, ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft, and more. This allows beginners to earn rewards on more than just airfare and hotels, the two travel expenses other Amex cards typically focus on.

The card also provides bonuses for dining out worldwide — including food delivery services.

The Amex Green Card's bonus categories are comparable to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , a premium credit card that also earns 3 points per dollar on travel and dining. However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with a $550 annual fee, while the Amex Green Card only charges a $150 annual fee (see rates and fees ).

It's more than the mid-tier Chase Sapphire Preferred charges ($95), but the Sapphire Preferred only earns 2 points per dollar on travel. If you spend enough on travel, you can easily earn enough to offset the annual fee of the Amex Green Card.

Perks built for beginner travelers

The benefits offered by the Amex Green still don't compare to The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve , but that's to be expected from a mid-tier card. The two annual travel credits you'll get with the Amex Green aren't meant to compete against premium cards that target luxury travelers and frequent flyers. These are benefits that are built for beginners.

LoungeBuddy is an airport lounge booking and reviews platform that was acquired by Amex in 2019. The $100 credit will most likely get you two passes per year into choice lounges (although you could stretch it out to three or four passes if you only book budget lounges).

This isn't as valuable as a Priority Pass Select membership or the Amex Platinum's unmatched lounge access, but many beginners don't travel enough yet to need more comprehensive access. Two passes a year are a great bonus for less-frequent flyers.

The Clear Plus statement credit is something all travelers can appreciate. A Clear Plus membership helps expedite the ID authentication process at participating airports plus select live event venues, and it can be a great companion benefit to TSA PreCheck .

There are plenty of cards out there that will cover your TSA PreCheck application fee , but it's rarer to find a card that covers your Clear Plus membership fee. Even if you don't have TSA PreCheck, a Clear Plus membership can still help you shave time off of your wait at airport security.

Membership Rewards is a great program to get started with

At TPG, we are constantly advising readers to keep a diversified portfolio of points, and you have to start somewhere. Amex Membership Rewards is one of the top rewards programs available, offering flexible redemption options, valuable transfer partners and plenty of opportunities to maximize earnings with Amex Offers .

TPG values each point at 2 cents, which is only matched by one other major card issuer — Chase.

While this is a great program for beginners, Amex Membership Rewards will become even more valuable as you travel more and maximize transfer partners and bonuses . There are also multiple cards in Amex's lineup geared to travelers, so you can sign up for complementary cards that also earn Membership Rewards.

Bottom line

The Amex Green Card can be a compelling choice for your first foray into the world of credit card points and miles. With 3 points per dollar on assorted travel purchases and at restaurants worldwide — as well as great travel credits and a welcome offer — the Amex Green Card may be a great addition to your wallet.

For more information, read our full review of the Amex Green Card .

For rates and fees of the Amex Green card, click here .