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19 Best Ways To Earn Lots of American Express Membership Rewards Points [2024]

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Christine Krzyszton
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Christine Krzyszton

Senior Finance Contributor

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Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, deta...
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When it comes to earning Membership Rewards points, you have lots of Amex credit card options to choose from. American Express offers a wide range of personal and business credit cards with various bonus categories to boost your earnings.

To take advantage of this earning potential, you’ll need to determine which cards are right for you. Then, with a simple strategy, you’ll be on your way to earning some serious points and reaping the rewards.

Before long, you’ll have enough points to book a family vacation or a luxury trip for yourself. Amex points are transferable to nearly 20 airlines and 3 hotel loyalty program partners, which makes booking a trip on points even easier.

In this article, you’ll learn why you’d want to earn Membership Rewards points, which personal and business American Express credit cards earn Membership Rewards points, and all of the other ways you can earn Membership Rewards points.

Now, let’s dive into all the best ways to earn Membership Rewards.

The Value of Membership Rewards Points

Flexibility of Membership Rewards Points

Having flexible redemption options for your Membership Rewards points gives you rewards that you can easily use. Here are some examples of what you can do with your points:

  • Redeem rewards at any time for any amount per transaction
  • Transfer rewards to the loyalty programs of Amex transfer partners
  • Transfer rewards between business and personal Membership Rewards accounts
  • Use a combination of points and cash for travel purchases
  • Have the option to redeem points for cash, gift cards, and more

Ease of Earning Membership Rewards

It’s easy to earn Membership Rewards points on purchases when your mix of spending matches the reward-earning categories on your American Express credit card.

  • Every purchase earns Membership Rewards points
  • Bonus category purchases earn multiple Membership Rewards points per dollar spent
  • Generous welcome offers jumpstart your earnings
  • Earn Membership Rewards points through Amex Offers
Bottom Line:

Membership Rewards points are valuable because of their flexibility at redemption time and the ability to earn points quickly. 

Earn Lots of Membership Rewards With American Express Personal Cards

Personal Cards That Earn Membership Rewards Points

Not all American Express personal cards earn Membership Rewards points, but American Express issues several cards that do.

You can earn valuable transferable Membership Rewards points on any of these recommended personal cards:

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card® from American Express

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points
$1,760
$695
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros

  • The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
  • 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
  • Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
  • TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
  • Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
  • Access to Amex International Airline Program
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

  • $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
  • $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 your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
  • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
  • $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

BEST FOR DINING
American Express® Gold CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express® Gold Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
60,000 points
$1,320
$250
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The American Express® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros

  • 4x points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
  • 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
  • 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
  • Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
  • Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
  • No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
  • Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
  • Access to American Express transfer partners

Cons

  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
  • Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
  • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $250.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Bottom Line:

Whether you need a personal card that earns rewards on everyday purchases or a business card with perks and business bonus earning categories, American Express offers choices with several options that earn Membership Rewards. 

1. Introductory Welcome Offers

The fastest way to earn plenty of Membership Rewards points is to apply for an American Express card that earns Membership Rewards, complete the initial spending requirement, and earn a welcome bonus offer.

All American Express cards that earn Membership Rewards points offer a welcome bonus offer, and some are occasionally quite generous.

Although offers can differ, a welcome bonus offer is generally earned after completing an initial spending level in the first 90 days after you are approved for the card.

Hot Tip:

It’s still possible to find the coveted Amex Platinum card 125,000 or even 150,000-point intro bonus!

2. Flights Booked With Airlines

If you spend a lot on airfare, you’ll earn plenty of Membership Rewards points for booking directly with airlines:

SCROLL FOR MORE
Amex CardRewards for Booking Directly With Airline
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressEarn 5x points for flights booked directly with airlines (up to $500,000 per calendar year).
American Express® Gold CardEarn 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines

3. Earn on Purchases Through AmexTravel.com

Most American Express cards earn multiple points per dollar spent when booking through AmexTravel.com:

SCROLL FOR MORE
Amex CardRewards for Booking Directly With Amex Travel
The Platinum Card® from American Express5x points for flights booked with Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year) and 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
American Express® Gold Card3x points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com

4. Earn Points at Supermarkets

Fruit in a supermarket
Image Credit: gemma via Unsplash

Grocery purchases add up, so it would be a shame to miss out on rewards for those purchases!

Select one of these American Express cards, and you’ll earn big on purchases at U.S. supermarkets.

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Amex CardRewards For Purchases at Supermarkets
American Express® Gold Card4x points, up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year at U.S. supermarkets; after that, earn 1x
The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card3x points, up to $6,000 in purchases per year; after that, earn 1x
The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card2x points, up to $6,000 in purchases per year; after that, earn 1x
Hot Tip:

The “supermarkets” category does not include wholesale clubs such as Costco or Sam’s Club.

5. Earn Points on Dining

You might consider picking up the tab more often if you’re earning lots of Membership Rewards points on your dining purchases.

The Amex Gold card earns 4x points per dollar spent at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.

Also, it’s worth noting that “restaurants” don’t always include eateries inside hotels or resorts, which are sometimes coded as hotel transactions.

6. Earn Points at Gas Stations

You’ll earn 2 Membership Rewards points for every dollar spent at U.S. gas stations with the Amex EveryDay Preferred card.

7. Frequent Transaction Bonuses

American Express wants you to use your card often and offers an incentive for frequent purchases. Keep these cards in your wallet to earn up to 50% more Membership Rewards points each statement period.

SCROLL FOR MORE
Amex CardRewards For Purchases at Restaurants
The Amex EveryDay® Credit CardGet 20% more points for making 20 or more purchases in 1 billing cycle
The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit CardMake 30 or more purchases in 1 billing cycle and receive 50% more points on each of those 30 or more purchases
Bottom Line:

With so many bonus categories, personal American Express cards offer a variety of ways to earn lots of Membership Rewards.

Earn Lots of Membership Rewards With American Express Business Cards

Business Credit Cards That Earn Membership Rewards Points

If you own a business, you’ll want to select a business card that earns the most rewards on your highest expenses. Amex has several options to choose from.

Here are some of our recommended Amex business credit cards that earn Membership Rewards points:

OUR BEST OFFER
The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
120,000 points
$2,640
$695
19.49% - 27.49% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

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 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Pros

  • 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
  • Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
  • Statement credits on select purchases with your card
  • 35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year)
  • Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
  • 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)
  • Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program

Cons

  • High annual fee of $695 (rates and fees)
  • Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
  • Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your 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 annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your 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 your 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.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.49% - 27.49% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

BEST FOR BONUSES
American Express® Business Gold CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express® Business Gold Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

American Express® Business Gold Card

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).
Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership
70,000 points
$1,540
$375
19.49% - 27.49% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The American Express® Business Gold Card is excellent at racking up rewards for your business spend.

The card earns a whopping 4x points per $1 in the 2 categories (from a list of 6) that your business spends the most money on each month. With no need to opt-in or preselect your categories, so you can focus on what matters most — running your business.

Pros

  • 4x points per dollar spent on your 2 highest purchase categories each month up to $150,000 each calendar year in purchases; categories include:
    • NEW! Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
    • NEW! U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
    • NEW! Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
    • U.S. purchases at gas stations
    • U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
    • Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, plus TV and radio)
  • 3x points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card
  • Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
  • Trip delay insurance
  • Car rental insurance
  • Cell phone insurance

Cons

  • $375 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access or elite status
  • Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.
  • Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
  • Get $12.95 back in statement credits each month when you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. $12.95 plus applicable taxes.
  • Your Card – Your Choice. Choose from Gold or Rose Gold.
  • *Terms Apply

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.49% - 27.49% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
15,000 points
$330
No annual fee
18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-840)

As a business owner, getting a credit card that maximizes each dollar you spend does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially when you opt for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees).

The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.

Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.

Pros

  • 2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
  • No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost

Cons

  • No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
  • No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status
  • Charges foreign transaction fees
  • Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
  • You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
  • *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Terms Apply

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

8. Introductory Welcome Offers

American Express business cards offer lucrative introductory bonuses that vary depending on current promotional offers and the specific card you select.

Just choose the card that is right for you based on your spending habits, your tolerance for an annual fee, and whether the card offers benefits you can use.

9. Earn While Commuting or Ridesharing

If transit is your highest expense during your monthly statement period, the Amex Business Gold card will earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on these transit expenses. American Express defines transit as “trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.”

10. Earn on Purchases Through AmexTravel.com

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Amex Business CardRewards for Purchases on Amex Travel
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express5x points per $1 spent on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com.
American Express® Business Gold Card3x points per $1 spent on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express2x points per $1 spent on eligible purchases at AmexTravel.com
Business Green Rewards Card from American Express2x points per $1 spent on eligible purchases at AmexTravel.com

American Express business cards will serve you well if you spend a lot on travel.

Some cards, like the Amex Business Platinum card, also come with premium travel benefits such as lounge access, hotel and rental car elite status, and more.

11. Earn Points With Bonus Spending

Pile of Money
Earn more Membership Rewards Points on the Amex Business Platinum card when you make a large purchase. Image Credit: Rrraum via Shutterstock

The Amex Business Platinum card offers 1.5x for eligible purchases on your card made at U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers, at U.S. electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers, and at U.S. shipping providers as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more everywhere else (up to $2 million in purchases per calendar year).

12. Earn Points on Other Business Expenses

Business bonus categories on the Amex Business Gold card elevate rewards-earning on your highest business expenses each statement period.

The Amex Blue Business Plus card ensures every business expense you make (up to $50,000 per year) earns 2x points.

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Amex Business CardBusiness Spending CategoriesRewards
American Express® Business Gold CardAdvertising, electronic goods & software, telephone services4x points per dollar on the first $150,000 in combined purchases annually; 1x thereafter
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American ExpressEveryday business purchases2x points per dollar on the first $50,000 in purchases per year; 1x thereafter

13. Earn Points on Dining

Those business meetings over dinner or that office lunch you had delivered can all be earning Membership Rewards points. Just be sure to use a card that earns multiple points per dollar spent on dining, like these:

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Amex Business CardRewards for Restaurant Purchases
American Express® Business Gold Card4x points per dollar spent when expenses qualify as 1 of 6 bonus categories
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express2x points on everyday business purchases for the first $50,000 per year. 1x thereafter

14. Earn Points at Gas Stations

Filling up the tank can be rewarding when you’re earning Membership Rewards points with these cards:

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Amex Business CardRewards at U.S. Gas Stations
American Express® Business Gold Card4x points per dollar spent when expenses qualify as 1 of 6 bonus categories
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express2x points on everyday business purchases for the first $50,000 per year. 1x thereafter
Hot Tip:

A major benefit of the Amex Business Gold card is that bonus category earnings are automatic. You don’t have to pre-select your bonus categories. Whichever 2 categories have the most expenses each statement period will earn 4 points per dollar spent (up to $150,000 in combined purchases per calendar year). 

15. Earn Rewards on Every Purchase

Every business American Express card we’re discussing here earns at least 1 Membership Rewards point for every dollar spent on every purchase you make.

More Ways To Earn Membership Rewards Points

16. Add an Authorized User

American Express occasionally targets current cardholders and offers Membership Rewards points for adding authorized users. The offer usually comes in the form of an email.

Be on the lookout for your own personal offer to earn additional Membership Rewards points!

17. Amex Offers

You can earn thousands of extra Membership Rewards points each year with Amex Offers. These offers, which deliver great deals and bonus-earning potential at select merchants, can be accessed at the bottom of your account home screen once you log in.

From there, you can add special offers to your card that will help you earn extra Membership Rewards points.

All cards, even cash-back credit cards, have their own offers — and there are tons of possibilities to use these to build your rewards bank!

18. Earn Big With Refer-a-Friend

Screenshot of an Amex Platinum Refer A Friend offer
Refer friends for American Express cards and earn thousands of Membership Rewards points. Image Credit: American Express

You can also earn bonus points when you refer a friend for an American Express card. If they apply and qualify for the card using the link you’ve sent to them, you will get bonus points credited to your account.

Refer a friend by logging in to your Amex online account to get and send your special referral link.

The points vary depending on the card, but both you and your friend will benefit: a special bonus points offer for you and a welcome offer for them. Take a look at this example of a fantastic Amex Gold card referral bonus offer.

Hot Tip:

You don’t have to have the specific American Express card you are referring to, and you can earn bonus points when referring a friend to most American Express credit cards. 

19. Earn Points Shopping In-Store and Online by Linking to Rakuten

Rakuten is a shopping portal with in-store and online offers for thousands of merchants. While Rakuten and many similar platforms have long offered cash-back awards, Rakuten is the first to partner with a transferable credit card points program.

You can now earn Amex Membership Rewards points at the same rates as cash-back. By our points valuations, you’ll get double the value by choosing to earn Membership Rewards points rather than cash-back.

New users can sign up online, where you’ll be asked to enter your email address and Amex online account credentials. Existing users should go to Account Settings and change their payment method to Switch to Membership Rewards points. You’ll need to enter your Amex online account credentials when prompted.

Hot Tip:

When using Rakuten to shop in-store, you must link your credit card and manually activate in-store offers each time you shop. When shopping online, you don’t need to link your credit card, though you do need to start your shopping at the Rakuten site.

Final Thoughts

Membership Rewards are easy to earn when the card you select matches your spending profile and rewards your largest purchases.

Whether through introductory bonuses, category-focused spending, or spending on everyday purchases, you will be on your way to earning a lot of American Express points.

Earning lots of Membership Rewards points is exciting, but redeeming them is even better. Soon enough, you’ll be redeeming points for some amazing award flights that will take you around the world!

Find out more about the Membership Rewards available on some of the best American Express credit cards in our guide.

The information regarding the The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information for The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Business Green Rewards Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which credit cards earn Membership Rewards points?

There are many different Amex reward program cards out there, and many people use a combination of cards to maximize their points earned. The most popular cards are:

Personal Cards:

Business Cards: 

What are Amex Membership Rewards points worth?

The value of Amex Membership Rewards points depends on where you are redeeming your points. A really poor redemption, such as redeeming points for purchases at Amazon, has a value of about 0.5 cents per point.

Other airline and hotel partners of Amex Membership Rewards return a value up to 10 cents per point!

That’s like getting a $100 ticket for the equivalent of about 1,000 points.

When do Amex Membership Rewards points post in your account?

Membership Rewards points earned will appear as “pending” in your account at the end of a billing cycle (after your statement closes). This means you can sometimes wait months for points to post, whether from purchases or welcome offers.

In their “pending” state, points are eligible to be used if you’re in a hurry to use them. As long as your account is in good standing, call up Amex and the representative will turn pending points into posted points immediately.

This may require speaking to a few different agents or a supervisor to make it happen.

When do Amex Membership Rewards points expire?

Amex Membership Rewards points do not expire. The only way you can lose points is if you close all of your Amex Membership Rewards credit cards.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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