Unlocking the world of travel does not have to come with a hefty price tag. With American Express Membership Rewards points, you can transform everyday spending into incredible travel experiences. Whether you are dreaming of a luxurious vacation or a quick getaway, these points offer endless possibilities to make your travel dreams a reality.

From hefty sign-up bonuses to lucrative earning rates and exclusive travel perks, these cards are your passport to a world of possibilities. Discover how these cards can help you travel smarter, enjoy exclusive perks, and make the most out of every dollar spent. Get ready to elevate your travel experience and see the world like never before!

Before You Apply: Know Your Credit Score

If you are new to travel rewards and credit in general, it is a good idea to check your credit score before applying for a credit or charge card. That way, you will be able to apply for travel rewards cards which align with both your credit score and your travel goals.

Credit. Time. Credit Score Chart.

Credit Scores are shown numerically and range from 300 (Poor) to 850 (Excellent / Perfect). While there are a number of credit agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and credit scores (FICO and VantageScore), generally, scores above 750 are considered excellent*. While some agencies charge for a credit report, there are a number of “free” options as well:

• Personal Bank
• Credit Karma
• Annual Credit Report

Related: Credit Scores 101: Everything You Need to Know

The Best Credit Cards For American Express Membership Rewards – Personal

Here is a quick overview of the best personal travel rewards cards earning American Express Membership Rewards points, which includes a summary of card details, reward rates, benefits, and more.

The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the most popular and valuable premium travel rewards cards. Despite the high annual fee of $695, the Platinum Card® from American Express offers incredible overall value through various benefits (i.e. hotel status and lounge access), extensive credits up to $1,500 (i.e. hotel, airline, and others), and a high earning opportunity on flight purchases. In addition, cardholders, can redeem American Express Membership Rewards points through the American Express Travel portal or transfer the points to one of the many American Express transfer partners.

Credit. The Points Guy. The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Card Details

• Intro Offer: 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.
• Annual Fee: $695
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*
• See Rates And Fees

Reward Rates

• 5x on Flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on purchases per calendar year)
• 5x on Prepaid Hotels booked with American Express Travel
• 1x on All Other Purchases

Other Benefits

• Up to $200 Hotel credit (prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel) – requires a minimum two night stay
• Up to $240 Digital Entertainment credit ($20 per month on Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM (ending May 8th, 2024), and The Wall Street Journal)
• Up to $155 Walmart+ credit ($12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership) – Plus up benefits are not eligible
• Up to $200 Airline Fee credit (select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees)
• Up to $200 Uber Cash
  • You must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Platinum Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account. The Amex benefit may only be used in United States.
• Up to $300 Equinox credit (on an Equinox membership or an Equinox club membership)
• Up to $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit
• Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit
• Up to $100 Saks Firth Avenue credit
• Complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott
• Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Airspace lounges, Escape lounges, Plaza Premium lounges and Delta Sky Clubs

American Express® Gold Card

The American Express® Gold Card is one of the most valuable travel rewards cards for beginners. Despite the high annual fee, the American Express® Gold Card offers incredible overall value through high earning opportunities on key categories (dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets) and a host of monthly credits. In addition, cardholders can redeem American Express Membership Rewards points through the American Express Travel portal or transfer the points to one of many American Express transfer partners.

American Express® Gold Card.

Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of card membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
• Annual Fee: $325
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*
• See Rates And Fees

Reward Rates

• 4x at Restaurants (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X)
• 4x at U.S. Supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X)
• 3x on Flights (booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com)
• 2x on prepaid Hotels and Other Eligible Purchases (booked on amextravel.com)
• 1x on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• Up to $120 Uber Cash ($10 per month credit)
  • You must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account. The Amex benefit may only be used in United States.
• Up to $120 Dining Credit ($10 per month credit)
• Up to $100 Resy Credit ($50 semi-annually)
• Up to $84 Dunkin’ Donuts Credit ($7 per month credit)
• Get up to a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel
• Choose the color that suits your style: Gold, Rose Gold, or White Gold (new)

Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express

The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express is a great card for beginner travelers who want to earn valuable travel rewards points, but are not able to justify an annual fee (yet). The card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening (then a variable APR of 18.24% to 29.24%), no annual fee, and the opportunity to earn a 20% point bonus on purchases. In addition, cardholders can redeem American Express Membership Rewards points through the American Express Travel portal or transfer the points to one of the many American Express transfer partners.

Credit. The Points Guy. Amex EveryDay® Credit Card.

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership
• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 18.24% – 29.24% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*
• See Rates And Fees

Reward Rates

• 2x at U.S. Supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)
• 1x on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• Use your Card 20 or more times on purchases in a billing period and get 20% more points on those purchases (less returns and credits)
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR, 18.24% to 29.24%
• No foreign transaction fees
• Membership Rewards® Points are transferable

The Best Credit Cards For American Express Membership Rewards – Business

Here is a quick overview of the best business travel rewards cards earning American Express Membership Rewards points, which includes a summary of card details, reward rates, benefits, and more.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the most popular and valuable business travel rewards cards. Despite the high annual fee of $695, the Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers incredible overall value through various benefits (i.e. hotel status and lounge access), extensive credits up to $1,000 (i.e. hotel, airline, technology, and others), and a high earning opportunity on flight and large purchases. In addition, cardholders, can redeem American Express Membership Rewards points through the American Express Travel portal or transfer the points to one of the many American Express transfer partners.

Credit. The Points Guy. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

Card Details

• Intro 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
• Annual Fee: $695
• APR: 19.49% – 28.49% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*
• See Rates And Fees

Reward Rates

• 5x on Flights booked through American Express Travel
• 5x on Prepaid Hotels booked with American Express Travel
• 1.5x on each eligible purchase at US Construction Material, Hardware Suppliers, Electronic Goods Retailers, Software & Cloud System Providers, and Shipping Providers
• 1.5x on purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year)
• 1x on All Other Purchases

Other Benefits

• Up to $200 Hotel credit (prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel) – requires a minimum two night stay
• Up to $400 Dell credit ($200 semi-annually) – enrollment required
• Up to $360 Indeed credit ($90 per quarter) – enrollment required
• Up To $150 Adobe credit – enrollment required
• Up To $120 Wireless credit ($10 per month) – enrollment required
• Up to $200 Airline Fee credit (select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees)
• Up to $199 CLEAR® Plus credit
• Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit
• Complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott
• Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Airspace lounges, Escape lounges, Plaza Premium lounges and Delta Sky Clubs

American Express® Business Gold Card [Elevated Offer]

The American Express® Business Gold Card is a solid choice for businesses with high spend, but want to maintain flexibility. The card offers a 4x earning in the two highest spend categories each month (up to $150,000 in combined purchases per calendar year) and is ideal for businesses who value simplicity. However, this flexibility comes at the cost of a relatively high annual fee.  In addition, cardholders, can redeem American Express Membership Rewards points through the American Express Travel portal or transfer the points to one of the many American Express transfer partners. 

Credit. The Points Guy. American Express® Business Gold Card.

Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card within the first 3 months of card membership
• Annual Fee: $375
• APR: 19.49% – 28.49% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*
• See Rates And Fees

Reward Rates

• 4x on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories (up to $150,000 in combined purchases per calendar year)
• 3x on Flights and Prepaid Hotels booked with American Express Travel
• 1x on All Other Purchases

Other Benefits

• Up to $240 in statement credits ($20 per month) after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores in the United States
• Up to $155 in statement credits ($12.95 per month) when you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal)
• Choose the color that suits your style: Gold, Rose Gold, or White Gold (new)

With the right credit card in your wallet, earning American Express Membership Rewards points can be a game-changer for your travel plans. From luxurious flights to unforgettable hotel stays, these travel rewards points open doors to experiences that once seemed out of reach. Whether you are a frequent traveler looking for premium perks or someone seeking to turn everyday purchases into future adventures, there is a card that fits your needs. By strategically choosing and using these cards, you can accelerate your path to free or discounted travel.