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How I Earned Nearly 1 Million Amex Membership Rewards Points in a Year

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Ehsan Haque
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Ehsan Haque

Content Contributor

122 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 100U.S. States Visited: 24

Ehsan is an avid traveler who has traveled to 100 countries, diligently using points and miles to fund his journeys. Currently, he holds 32 active credit cards and earns over a million points and mile...
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Michael Y. Park

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31 Published Articles 609 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 60+U.S. States Visited: 50

Michael Y. Park is a journalist living in New York City. He’s traveled through Afghanistan disguised as a Hazara Shi’ite, slept with polar bears on the Canadian tundra, picnicked with the king and que...
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Jestan Mendame

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Since 2016, he has embraced the life of a digital nomad, making the world his office. He has built a career in social media marketing and blogging for various travel brands, which is also his bread an...
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Points and miles have completely changed how I travel over the past decade. Although I have redeemed millions of miles over the years, I continue to earn them relatively rapidly.

With strategically timed applications, targeted elevated welcome bonus offers, maximized business and personal spending, and card referrals, I nearly earned an astounding 1 million Amex Membership Rewards points in 2024.

With these points, I have been able to take aspirational trips to some of the best destinations in the world, including Japan, Australia, Spain, and Switzerland. Best of all, nearly all my points redemptions were for long-haul international business class flights.

Here’s a look at how I accumulated nearly 1 million Amex Membership Rewards points in 2024.

My Secrets To Earning Nearly 1 Million Amex Points

Generally speaking, the best way to earn lots of Amex Membership Rewards points quickly is by earning welcome offers on American Express cards. However, other ways exist, including maximizing your rewards-earning potential by using the right cards and leveraging card referrals.

Amex Business Platinum card targeted offer
Targeted welcome offers are an excellent way to earn even more points and miles. Image Credit: Ehsan Haque

New American Express Cards

I earned most of my Amex Membership Rewards points by applying for new cards and meeting the spending requirements. Here are the 4 Amex cards I applied for that earned me nearly 700,000 Amex Membership Rewards points.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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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 Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Apply With Confidence and, if approved, find out your welcome offer before deciding to accept the Card. You may not be eligible for the maximum welcome offer amount.
As High As 175,000 Points (Find out your offer)
Up to $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
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)
Card Highlights
  • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Apply With Confidence and, if approved, find out your welcome offer before deciding to accept the Card. You may not be eligible for the maximum welcome offer amount.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
  • $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: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
  • 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.
  • 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
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex Platinum card is arguably the most ultra-premium card, with all the bells and whistles. It routinely ranks near or at the top of our list of best travel cards and for many is the premium travel card.

The Amex Platinum card earns 5x American Express Membership Rewards points for flights booked directly with airlines or with AmexTravel.com — up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year (then 1x). It also earns 5x Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com.

It also comes with a laundry list of benefits and perks that no other card offers, which help offset its $695 annual fee (rates & fees). This includes the most comprehensive airport lounge access of any travel card and hotel and rental car elite status (upon enrollment) with various travel providers.

It also provides Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors (upon enrollment), among the biggest hotel loyalty programs on the planet.

The current public offer for the Amex Platinum card is:

  • Earn as high as 175,000 points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases in your first 6 months.

That’s already a sizeable offer, but I was able to find a higher welcome bonus offer of 175,000 points. That is more than double the public offer just by taking the time to find a better offer

Hot Tip:

Card welcome offers are always changing. Check out our guide on how to earn a higher welcome bonus offer on the Amex Platinum card.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

ELEVATED OFFER
The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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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 card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)
This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
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.
150,000 points
Up to $3,300
$695
18.49% - 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
Why We Like This Card

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.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 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 (on up to $2 million per calendar year)
Cons
  • High annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
  • Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
Card Highlights
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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®.
  • Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
  • NEW! Make the Business Platinum Card® work even harder for you. Hilton For Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Benefit enrollment required.
  • 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, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card®.
  • $695 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 18.49% - 27.49% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex Business Platinum card is fantastic for business owners on the go, thanks to its incredible perks and benefits. These include travel benefits (some requiring enrollment) such as airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges worldwidehotel elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, rental car elite status with several agencies, and numerous purchase and travel insurances and protections. Which is important, because it too has a $695 annual fee (rates & fees).

The Amex Business Platinum card also has some elevated earnings in popular categories. It earns 5x Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com.

The current public offer for the Amex Business Platinum card is:

  • ELEVATED OFFER: Earn 150,000 points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months.

While it’s already a fantastic offer, I earned an even better one. I took advantage of a targeted welcome offer of 200,000 Membership Rewards points.

American Express® Gold Card

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

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!
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Apply With Confidence and, if approved, find out your welcome offer before deciding to accept the Card. You may not be eligible for the maximum welcome offer amount.
As High As 100,000 Points (Find out your offer)
$1,200
$325
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)
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
Card Highlights
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Apply With Confidence and, if approved, find out your welcome offer before deciding to accept the Card. You may not be eligible for the maximum welcome offer amount.
  • 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 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. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
  • $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.
  • $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

The Amex Gold card is one of the most popular travel rewards cards available on the market. It is also among the best everyday spending cards thanks to its incredible earning potential.

With the Amex Gold card, you can earn 4x points at restaurants on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases (then 1x) and 4x points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases (then 1x). The Amex Gold card also earns 3x points on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com.

However, as much of a workhorse the Amex Gold card is, it also comes with a substantial $325 annual fee (rates & fees). To help offset the annual fee, the Amex Gold card comes with perks (enrollment required), including up to $120 in annual dining credits and up to $120 in annual Uber Cash for U.S. Uber Eats orders or Uber rides, which is distributed in up to $10 monthly credits.

I took advantage of a targeted welcome offer of 100,000 Membership Rewards points. However, with its earning potential, I earned much more with the Amex Gold card throughout the year. More on that below.

American Express® Business Gold Card

ELEVATED OFFER
American Express® Business Gold CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
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.

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

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)
Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
100,000 points
$2,200
$375
18.49% - 27.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 6 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 (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons
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:
    • Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
    • U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
    • 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
Cons
  • $375 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access or elite status
Card Highlights
  • Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
  • 0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 18.49% to 27.49% variable APR.*
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month 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 up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
  • The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and White Gold. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
  • *Terms Apply
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 18.49% - 27.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 6 months from date of account opening
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex Business Gold card is excellent for elevated earnings in common business spending categories.

With the Amex Business Gold card, you will earn 4x points on a combined $150,000 on the top 2 categories your business spends the most on each month (from a list of 6 options). These categories include:

  • U.S. purchases at gas stations
  • U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
  • U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers
  • Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, ride-sharing services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
  • Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
  • Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (TV, radio, and online such as Google Ads and Facebook)

Additionally, you will earn 3x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com when using the Amex Business Gold card.

It has a $375 annual fee (rates & fees).

The current public welcome offer for the Amex Business Gold card is:

  • ELEVATED OFFER: Earn 100,000 points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months.

It’s a very solid offer, but I took advantage of another targeted welcome offer worth 200,000 Membership Rewards points, which was double the public offer!

Bottom Line:

By finding and applying for targeted welcome offers, I earned more than 700,000 Amex Membership Rewards points.

Maximizing Card Spending

In addition to the numerous new Amex cards I obtained this year, I also maximized the rewards earned by using specific cards for purchases. Although this takes time to master, it is incredibly important, as you want to get the most rewards possible.

For example, my biggest expenses are groceries and eating out at restaurants — I typically spend over $2,000 monthly on these categories. While that is a lot, it helps me earn rewards quickly. For these categories, I use the Amex Gold card to earn 4x points, earning me over 100,000 Amex Membership Rewards points per year.

Amex Gold Upgraded Points LLC 14 Large
The Amex Gold card is my go-to at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide. Image Credit: Upgraded Points

I also spend about $1,000 per month on airfare directly with airlines. For nearly all of my airfare purchases, I use the Amex Platinum card, as it earns 5x points. This nets me about 60,000 points per year.

Card Referrals

Most card issuers offer referral programs where you can earn points or miles for each person you refer who is approved for the card. In my experience, card referrals are an excellent way to earn extra rewards by recommending specific cards to friends or family.

Here at Upgraded Points, we know the true value of points and miles. As mentioned above, points and miles have completely changed the game for me. Since they worked for me, they can work for those around me, as well. Many of my closest friends and family members come to me when it’s time to open a new card. Fortunately for me, this happens several times per month.

Lately, I have been getting a lot of Amex referrals, which has me at the referral cap, as most programs limit the total number of referrals or points you can earn per year.

How Much are Amex Membership Rewards Points Worth?

We value American Express Membership Rewards points at 2.2 cents apiece, the highest of any transferable points currency.

However, the points can be worth much more (or less) depending on how you redeem them. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to redeem Amex Membership Rewards points, including using them for gift cards or statement credits, shopping with points, and booking travel through AmexTravel.com.

However, the best way to redeem Amex Membership Rewards points is by transferring them to transfer partners. Fortunately, Amex has a long list of hotel and airline travel partners.

Final Thoughts

2024 was a great year. Although I traveled less this year than I normally do, I earned more points and miles to make up for it. I was able to accumulate nearly 1 million miles, which more than covered many of my long-haul business class flights and some luxury hotels along the way.

Although there are numerous ways to earn Amex Membership Rewards points, it is important to maximize your potential by applying for higher-than-normal welcome bonus offers and spending on the appropriate cards.

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

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About Ehsan Haque

Ehsan is an avid traveler who has traveled to 100 countries, diligently using points and miles to fund his journeys. Currently, he holds 32 active credit cards and earns over a million points and miles annually, primarily using them for luxury hotels and long-haul premium cabins.

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