Best Cards for Earning American Express Membership Rewards Points

American Express Membership Rewards points open the door to some of the best travel opportunities in the game, from booking flights and hotels to transferring to 20+ airline and hotel partners. Amex cards let you earn points quickly and redeem them for top-tier award bookings. Check out our top picks for earning Amex Membership Rewards below, and start maximizing spending for your travels.

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🏆 Best for restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

American Express® Gold Card

American Express® Gold Card

🏆 Best for restaurants

Annual Fee: $325

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
20% back at restaurants + 60,000
Bonus Points
ELEVATED 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. Offer ends 11/6/24.
20% back at restaurants + 60,000
Bonus Points
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. Offer ends 11/6/24.
The American Express Gold Card is a premium card that offers lucrative rewards for dining at U.S. restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, along with valuable travel benefits, making it an excellent choice for foodies and frequent travelers. While it does come with an annual fee, the card's combination of rewards and perks can provide substantial value to those who frequently dine out and travel.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
🚀 Learn How to Apply
👀 Read Our Take

🏆 Best for luxury benefits

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express

🏆 Best for luxury benefits

Annual Fee: $695

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
80,000
Bonus Points
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 within the first six months.
80,000
Bonus Points
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 within the first six months.
The Amex Platinum is a premium card offering a range of exclusive travel and lifestyle benefits, including access to luxury airport lounges, annual travel credits, and Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed for travel or other rewards. With a high annual fee, this card is designed for individuals who value premium perks and are frequent travelers looking to enjoy a heightened level of luxury and convenience.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
🚀 Learn How to Apply
👀 Read Our Take
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Annual Fee: $0

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
15,000
Bonus Points
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
Bonus Points
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.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is a business credit card designed for those who want a straightforward way to earn rewards on their business expenses. It offers Membership Rewards points on all eligible purchases, making it a versatile and rewarding choice for business owners.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
🚀 Learn How to Apply
👀 Read Our Take

🏆 Best for flexible bonus earning

American Express® Business Gold Card

American Express® Business Gold Card

American Express® Business Gold Card

🏆 Best for flexible bonus earning

Annual Fee: $375

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
100,000
Bonus Points
ELEVATED OFFER
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
100,000
Bonus Points
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
The Amex Business Gold Card is a flexible business credit card that lets you choose two categories in which to earn extra rewards, such as travel, advertising, or technology, making it a versatile choice for businesses with varying spending needs. With valuable benefits like purchase protection and access to the American Express business ecosystem, this card is designed to help businesses maximize their rewards and efficiently manage their expenses.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
🚀 Learn How to Apply
👀 Read Our Take

🏆 Best Luxury Business Card

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

🏆 Best Luxury Business Card

Annual Fee: $695

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
150,000
Bonus Points
ELEVATED OFFER
Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first 3 months.
150,000
Bonus Points
Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first 3 months.
The Business Platinum card is a premium business credit card offering a range of exclusive travel and business benefits, including airport lounge access, annual airline fee credits, and 5X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel. With a higher annual fee, this card is designed for businesses looking to elevate their travel experience and enjoy a suite of luxury perks.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
🚀 Learn How to Apply
👀 Read Our Take
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Annual Fee: $0

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
$200
Cash Back
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
$200
Cash Back
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is a popular cash-back credit card that provides valuable rewards for everyday spending (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout). It also offers new card members a welcome bonus and has no annual fee, making it a practical choice for those looking to maximize their cash-back rewards without additional costs.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
🚀 Learn How to Apply
👀 Read Our Take
American Express® Green Card

American Express® Green Card

American Express® Green Card

Annual Fee: $150

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
40,000
Bonus Points
Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of card membership.
40,000
Bonus Points
Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of card membership.
If you're on the fence about joining the Amex family, getting the Amex Green card is a solid place to start. It offers a competitive earning rate of 3x points on spending categories that include travel, restaurants, and transit. So if you aren't a full-time or regular traveler who would benefit from the luxury perks of its bigger brother, The Platinum Card® from American Express, and a majority of your spending falls into those categories, this could be a great option.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
🚀 Learn How to Apply
👀 Read Our Take

Best Cards for Earning American Express Membership Rewards Points

American Express Membership Rewards points open the door to some of the best travel opportunities in the game, from booking flights and hotels to transferring to 20+ airline and hotel partners. Amex cards let you earn points quickly and redeem them for top-tier award bookings. Check out our top picks for earning Amex Membership Rewards below, and start maximizing spending for your travels.

‍

Read our ultimate guide to
American Express Membership Rewards
here
Read the guide
Find current Transfer Partners for
American Express Membership Rewards
here
Find transfer partners
What's on this page
Best Cards for Earning American Express Membership Rewards Points
Best credit cards for business
Best credit cards for personal
Cards That Transfer to
American Express Membership Rewards
Which Card is Right For You?
Other Ways to Earn
Pros & Cons
Related Videos
Browse Other Categories of Cards
FAQs

🏆 Best for restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

American Express® Gold Card

American Express® Gold Card

🏆 Best for restaurants

Annual Fee: $325

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
20% back at restaurants + 60,000
Bonus Points
ELEVATED 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. Offer ends 11/6/24.
20% back at restaurants + 60,000
Bonus Points
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. Offer ends 11/6/24.
The American Express Gold Card is a premium card that offers lucrative rewards for dining at U.S. restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, along with valuable travel benefits, making it an excellent choice for foodies and frequent travelers. While it does come with an annual fee, the card's combination of rewards and perks can provide substantial value to those who frequently dine out and travel.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
🚀 Learn How to Apply
👀 Read Our Take

🏆 Best for luxury benefits

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express

🏆 Best for luxury benefits

Annual Fee: $695

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
80,000
Bonus Points
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 within the first six months.
80,000
Bonus Points
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 within the first six months.
The Amex Platinum is a premium card offering a range of exclusive travel and lifestyle benefits, including access to luxury airport lounges, annual travel credits, and Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed for travel or other rewards. With a high annual fee, this card is designed for individuals who value premium perks and are frequent travelers looking to enjoy a heightened level of luxury and convenience.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
🚀 Learn How to Apply
👀 Read Our Take
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Annual Fee: $0

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
15,000
Bonus Points
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
Bonus Points
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.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is a business credit card designed for those who want a straightforward way to earn rewards on their business expenses. It offers Membership Rewards points on all eligible purchases, making it a versatile and rewarding choice for business owners.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
🚀 Learn How to Apply
👀 Read Our Take

🏆 Best for flexible bonus earning

American Express® Business Gold Card

American Express® Business Gold Card

American Express® Business Gold Card

🏆 Best for flexible bonus earning

Annual Fee: $375

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
100,000
Bonus Points
ELEVATED OFFER
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
100,000
Bonus Points
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
The Amex Business Gold Card is a flexible business credit card that lets you choose two categories in which to earn extra rewards, such as travel, advertising, or technology, making it a versatile choice for businesses with varying spending needs. With valuable benefits like purchase protection and access to the American Express business ecosystem, this card is designed to help businesses maximize their rewards and efficiently manage their expenses.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
🚀 Learn How to Apply
👀 Read Our Take

🏆 Best Luxury Business Card

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

🏆 Best Luxury Business Card

Annual Fee: $695

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
150,000
Bonus Points
ELEVATED OFFER
Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first 3 months.
150,000
Bonus Points
Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first 3 months.
The Business Platinum card is a premium business credit card offering a range of exclusive travel and business benefits, including airport lounge access, annual airline fee credits, and 5X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel. With a higher annual fee, this card is designed for businesses looking to elevate their travel experience and enjoy a suite of luxury perks.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
🚀 Learn How to Apply
👀 Read Our Take
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Annual Fee: $0

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
$200
Cash Back
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
$200
Cash Back
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is a popular cash-back credit card that provides valuable rewards for everyday spending (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout). It also offers new card members a welcome bonus and has no annual fee, making it a practical choice for those looking to maximize their cash-back rewards without additional costs.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
🚀 Learn How to Apply
👀 Read Our Take
American Express® Green Card

American Express® Green Card

American Express® Green Card

Annual Fee: $150

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
40,000
Bonus Points
Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of card membership.
40,000
Bonus Points
Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of card membership.
If you're on the fence about joining the Amex family, getting the Amex Green card is a solid place to start. It offers a competitive earning rate of 3x points on spending categories that include travel, restaurants, and transit. So if you aren't a full-time or regular traveler who would benefit from the luxury perks of its bigger brother, The Platinum Card® from American Express, and a majority of your spending falls into those categories, this could be a great option.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
🚀 Learn How to Apply
👀 Read Our Take

Personal Cards

No items found.

Business Cards

No items found.

Transfer to Membership Rewards

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

$0 intro annual fee the first year, then $95

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
$250
Cash Back
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$250
Cash Back
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is a premium cash-back credit card, offering exceptional rewards for everyday spending (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout). Although it has an annual fee (after a $0 annual fee the first year), the generous rewards and welcome bonus make it an attractive choice for individuals and families looking to maximize their cash-back earnings.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
🚀 Learn How to Apply
👀 Read Our Take
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Annual Fee: $0

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
$200
Cash Back
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
$200
Cash Back
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is a popular cash-back credit card that provides valuable rewards for everyday spending (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout). It also offers new card members a welcome bonus and has no annual fee, making it a practical choice for those looking to maximize their cash-back rewards without additional costs.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
🚀 Learn How to Apply
👀 Read Our Take
American Express Cash Magnet® Card

American Express Cash Magnet® Card

American Express Cash Magnet® Card

Annual Fee: $0

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
Cash Back
No welcome offer available.
Cash Back
No welcome offer available.
The information for this card has expired, and the card is no longer open to new applicants. All information about the American Express Cash Magnet Card has been collected independently by Daily Drop.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
🚀 Learn How to Apply
👀 Read Our Take

Which Card is Right for You?

American Express Membership Rewards credit cards are built for those who love high-end perks and flexible rewards. Frequent travelers might gravitate towards the Amex Platinum, with its luxury travel benefits like lounge access and hotel credits. If you prefer rewards on everyday spending, the Amex Gold (great for foodies) or the no-annual-fee Amex Everyday card could be your go-to. Business owners can rack up some serious points with the Amex Business Platinum or Business Gold, designed to reward frequent purchases in business-related categories. With multiple options, there’s an Amex Membership Rewards that'll fit beautifully into your wallet.

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Other Ways to Earn

Amex Membership Rewards cards let you earn points across a wide range of spending categories, like dining, groceries, and travel. You can earn even more points by shopping through the Amex Offers portal, which regularly features deals and discounts at popular stores and services. Some cards even offer bonus points when you book flights or hotels directly with Amex Travel. Don’t forget, the more cards you hold within the Membership Rewards family, the faster your points can add up!

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Pros and Cons

Pros

[.pro] Points can be transferred to over 20 airline and hotel partners, including Delta, British Airways, and Marriott [.pro]

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[.pro] You can earn pretty sweet rewards on travel, dining, and grocery purchases [.pro]
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[.pro] Amex Offers provide ongoing savings and bonus points with select retailers [.pro]
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[.pro] No foreign transaction fees on many Membership Rewards cards, making them great for international trips [.pro]

Cons

[.con] Some cards, like the Platinum Card, come with hefty annual fees [.con]

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[.con] American Express isn’t as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard, especially abroad [.con]

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[.con] Some travel perks, like lounge access, only apply to the Platinum card, limiting them to higher fee cards [.con]

FAQs

What’s the best way to use American Express Membership Rewards points?

The best way to get the most value from your points is by transferring them to Amex’s airline and hotel partners. Frequent flyer programs like Delta SkyMiles or British Airways Executive Club tend to offer great value for your points, especially for international flights in business or first class.

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Do Amex Membership Rewards points expire?

As long as your account remains open and in good standing, your points don’t expire. However, closing an account could result in the loss of any points you haven’t redeemed or transferred.

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Can I pool points across different American Express cards?

Yes! You can combine your points from multiple American Express cards that earn Membership Rewards, which is great if you’re looking to boost your balance for a big redemption. Just make sure each card is linked to the same Membership Rewards account.

How do I earn bonus points with American Express?

Amex cards offer plenty of ways to earn bonus points, including through specific spending categories like restaurants, groceries, and travel. You can also earn extra points by using Amex Offers and by booking through the Amex Travel portal.

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Authors

Written by: McKay Moffitt

Content Specialist

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Edited by: Tiffany Eastham

Writer & Editor 

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🏆 Best for Restaurants
Learn more
What's on this page
Best Cards for Earning American Express Membership Rewards Points
Best credit cards for business
Best credit cards for personal
Cards That Transfer to
American Express Membership Rewards
Which Card is Right For You?
Other Ways to Earn
Pros & Cons
Related Videos
Browse Other Categories of Cards
FAQs