Dream Weekend Trip: Skiing in Park City With Amex Membership Rewards Points

We hate to have to say this, but winter is, indeed, coming. However, with the arrival of colder temperatures, shorter days, and snow, it also means it’s almost time once again to break out the skis for the season.

That also means it’s time to plan ski trips, which is precisely where we come in. Everyone knows skiing in the U.S. is expensive. From lift tickets to flights and accommodations, even just a weekend of skiing can cost thousands of dollars.

However, the cost becomes much more palatable when you can leverage points and miles. Today, we’ll look at how you can use American Express Membership Rewards points to plan not just any old ski trip, but one that incorporates a healthy dose of luxury in one of the country’s premier winter sports destinations: Park City, Utah.

Earning Amex Membership Rewards Points

Before you can redeem American Express Membership Rewards for a trip, you need a plan to earn enough to do so.

The simplest way to earn a lot of Amex points quickly is to open a new card that earns Membership Rewards points. By doing so, you’ll be able to earn a welcome bonus after meeting the required spending threshold, giving you expedited access to a large sum of Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed for travel.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express and the American Express^® Gold Card are 2 of our favorite Amex cards. Recently, American Express has rolled out variable welcome bonus offers for both cards, so you can earn as high as 175,000 bonus points with the Amex Platinum card and as high as 100,000 bonus points with the Amex Gold card:

• Amex Platinum card: Apply and find out if you're eligible for as high as 175,000 points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

NEW OFFER

Terms 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 ins and outs 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.

Apply Now(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.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

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

Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons

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 (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• 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 through American Express Travel using 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.
• Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club^® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
• A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
• $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^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card^®.
• Receive either a $120 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.
• Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

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

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

• Amex Gold card: Apply and find out if you're eligible for as high as 100,000 points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

NEW OFFER

Terms 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 ins and outs 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!

Apply Now(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!

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 100,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $2,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

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

Why We Like This Card

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

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, 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 & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. 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, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

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

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Once you complete the application, you’ll be able to preview your personalized welcome offer, if approved. Applying for the cards now won’t automatically impact your credit score, and you can exit the process if you don’t want to move forward with accepting your welcome offer. A hard credit inquiry may only occur if you choose to accept the new card and open the account.

Excellent Earning Rates

Even after you’ve received a welcome bonus, you can continue to earn points on select everyday and travel purchases with Amex cards. Here’s a quick look at the earning structure of each card:

Amex Platinum Card

• Earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per calendar year, 1x thereafter).
• Earn 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Amex Gold Card

• Earn 4 points per dollar spent on restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year, 1x thereafter).
• Earn 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, 1x thereafter).
• Earn 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked through AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

The Amex Gold card offers an advantage for earning on daily purchases. Still, if you’re a very frequent flyer, you might find that the 5x flight category on the Amex Platinum card is more suited to your lifestyle.

Redeeming Membership Rewards Points for a Trip to Park City

Once you have a healthy stash of Membership Rewards points, you’ll be able to redeem them in a variety of ways. The best way to do so, however, is by transferring them to any one of Amex’s numerous airline and hotel partners. This method almost guarantees you’ll get a better value than you would if you redeemed points through AmexTravel.com, which yields a flat-rate value of 1 cent per point in the majority of cases.

Use Amex Points for a Flight to Salt Lake City

The American Express Membership Rewards program has a lengthy list of airline transfer partners, which allow you to unlock incredible value in exchange for your points. Some of my favorite options include Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

However, for domestic flights, I prefer to use the Delta SkyMiles program, as it’s easier to search for flights within the U.S., and I appreciate the ability to take advantage of the 15% award discount provided for Delta co-branded cardholders.

For dates in early January, I was able to find a round-trip flight from my home in Chicago (ORD) to Salt Lake City (SLC) for 34,600 SkyMiles round-trip, plus taxes and fees of just $12.

Amex Membership Rewards points transfer to Delta almost instantly at a 1:1 ratio, though you have to transfer points in increments of 1,000. I already had about 19,000 Delta SkyMiles in my account, so I only needed to transfer 16,000 points from my Amex account.

We don’t usually recommend using the SkyMiles program to book international flights because of sky-high award rates, but domestic trips are a bit of a different story, especially if you have an existing balance of SkyMiles earned by flying Delta flights, spending on its co-branded credit cards, or a number of other activities.

Amex Points for a Hotel in Salt Lake City

While Amex has a very long list of airline transfer partners, the hotel transfer partner list is comparatively limited, with just 3 available:

• Choice Privileges
• Hilton Honors
• Marriott Bonvoy

Membership Rewards transfer to Choice and Marriott at a 1:1 ratio, but they transfer at a 1:2 ratio to Hilton Honors, meaning for every 1,000 Amex points transferred, I’d receive 2,000 Hilton Honors points.

Hilton Honors has high redemption rates, and I rarely transfer points to a hotel program other than World of Hyatt. Thinking about this in the context of Amex transfer partners, Hilton isn’t actually a bad bet, considering the more favorable transfer ratio.

Since I wanted to skew luxurious for this trip, I knew I’d want to book the Waldorf Astoria Park City, a luxury property in the heart of it all. Rates were steep, as expected, for my January dates, but because of the 1:2 transfer ratio from Amex to Hilton, it means I only need to transfer 1 night’s worth of points to get 2, which feels like a win.

This particular Waldorf Astoria charges 110,000 points for a standard award night, meaning I’d need a total of 220,000 for my 2-night stay. But, again, thanks to the transfer ratio, this means I only had to transfer a total of 110,000 points to yield the 220,000 required to book the entire stay.

And since I’m traveling in ski season, rooms were very expensive in cash — the Waldorf was going for about $1,300 per night. Based on our valuations, 110,000 Hilton Honors points are worth about $550, which means I came out way ahead by using points for this stay.

Final Thoughts

Having a healthy stash of American Express Membership Rewards points can open up incredible travel opportunities.

If I had planned and booked this trip entirely in cash, I’d be out thousands just getting myself there and staying overnight, never mind the cost of lift tickets, food, transportation, and more. However, by using points, I’m able to keep thousands in my pocket and treat myself to a luxurious getaway in one of the world’s premier ski destinations.