American Express is the only bank in Canada that maintains a payment network, also known as American Express. It also has its own rewards program called – you guessed it! – American Express Membership Rewards.
Members collect points using Amex credit cards to redeem on cash, gift cards, and our top picks: points transfers and travel.
Key Takeaways
- American Express owns and operates the Membership Rewards program.
- Amex Membership Rewards points are worth up to 2 cents apiece if you transfer them to Aeroplan or spend them on the Amex travel website.
- You can only earn Amex Membership Rewards points by using an Amex credit card.
- The fastest way to earn points is to use the American Express Cobalt Card.
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What is the American Express Membership Rewards Program?
American Express Membership Rewards is the credit card rewards program of the eponymous bank and payment network. You can only earn Amex Membership Rewards points with an official Amex credit card.
Many of the program’s most valuable rewards use in-house products like the Amex Travel website, Amex Hotel Collection, and Fine Resorts + Hotels.
American Express Membership Rewards overview
Currency: American Express Membership Rewards Points
Reward categories: Transfer points to partners, Fixed Points Travel Program, Flexible Points Travel Program, cash, gift cards, and Merchandise with Points
Pros:
- 2,600+ locations and 99+ brands of hotels where you can redeem points
- 100+ brands of gift cards and merchandise rewards
- 8 point transfer partners
- 6 credit cards with accelerated rewards
- 6 reward categories
- Points worth up to 2 cents CAD each
- Member-exclusive travel and hotel deals
- Points don’t expire with an active credit card account
Cons:
- Points worth as little as 0.3 cents CAD each
- American Express credit card required
- Lower acceptance for American Express cards
- Limited earning options
What are American Express Membership Rewards Program points worth?
One of the secrets to maximizing the Amex Membership Rewards Program is finding the most valuable ways to redeem points. The higher the dollar value of a redemption option (and the lower its cost in points), the greater its value in cents per point.
Cost of reward in $CAD / cost of reward in points x 100 = value in cents per point (CPP)
With 6 different types of rewards, Amex Membership Rewards counts as a flexible rewards program. You can reap up to 2 CPP by redeeming your points on flights, whether it’s through Air Canada or the Amex Travel website:
| Reward category | Redemption options | Max. value |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer points to partners at varying ratios | * Aeroplan 1:1 * Air France / KLM Flying Blue 1:0.75 * British Airways 1:1 * Cathay Pacific 1:0.75 * Delta SkyMiles 1:0.75 * Etihad Guest 1:0.75 * Hilton Honors 1:1 * Marriott Bonvoy 5:6 | 2 CPP |
| Fixed Points Travel Program | * Business flights * Economy flights | 2 CPP |
| Flexible Points Travel Program | * Bundles * Car rentals * Flights * Hotels * Fine Resorts + Hotels * The Hotel Collection | 1 CPP |
| Cash | * Cover It with Points * Donate with Points * Pay with Points * Points for Purchases * Travel with Points | 1 CPP |
| Gift cards | * Physical gift cards * Prepaid credit cards * Vouchers | 0.91 CPP |
| Merchandise with Points | * Electronics * Fashion and accessories * Health and wellness * Home and garden * Kids * Kitchen * Sports and leisure * Travel | 1.1 CPP |
How to earn American Express Membership Rewards Program points
The only way to earn Amex Membership Rewards points is to buy them or use an American Express credit card (from the bank, not the network).
You can buy 1,000 Amex Membership Rewards points for $30 (or 3 CPP) online or by calling 1-800-668-2639. Just remember: you’re losing at least 1 CPP in the transaction and you can only buy 25% of a reward’s cost in points at the moment of redemption.
It’s easier, cheaper, and faster to collect points with the 5 best American Express credit cards in Canada:
| Credit Card | Current offer | Annual fee | Rewards | Apply now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Cobalt Card |  $100 GeniusCash + Up to 15,000 bonus points (terms) | $191.88 | * 5 points per $1 spent on eligible groceries and restaurants * 3 points per $1 spent on eligible streaming services * 2 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit, and ride share purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on foreign currency purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | Apply now |
| American Express Gold Rewards Card | Up to 60,000 bonus points (terms) | $250 | * 2 points for every $1 spent on gas, groceries, drugstores, and travel * 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases | Apply now |
| American Express Platinum Card | Up to 100,000 bonus points (terms) | $799 | * 2 points per $1 spent on restaurants and travel * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | Apply now |
| American Express Green Card | 10,000 bonus points (terms) | $0 | * 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases | Apply now |
| The Business Platinum Card from American Express | Up to 120,000 bonus points (terms) | $799 | * 1.25 points per $1 spent on all purchases | Apply now |
Best American Express credit cards in Canada
We settled the Amex Cobalt vs. Amex Gold debate by handing the crown to the American Express Cobalt Card. Not only is it the best grocery, restaurant, and travel credit card in Canada, but it’s also our pick for the best credit card overall. It returns an average of $4.5 in rewards to your pocket for every $100 you spend for the low monthly fee of $15.99.
×8 Award winner 
GC: $100
8x Award winner Although the American Express Gold Rewards Card earns fewer points, it’s fantastic in its own right. A $100 annual travel credit, 11 types of travel insurance, and airport lounge access make it the perfect credit card for frequent travellers.
Best American Express luxury travel credit card
You can make the most of your Amex points by spending them on travel, and the most of your travels by carrying the American Express Platinum Card. The coveted black metal card features $400 in annual dining and travel credits, exclusive perks at Fine Hotels + Resorts, and unlimited complimentary access to airport lounges in the Priority Pass and Amex Global Lounge Collection networks.
Best American Express no fee credit cards
Despite having no income requirements and no annual fees, the American Express Green Card is still a steady earner. Cardholders benefit from 2 types of insurance and the usual benefits, including Amex Experiences, Offers, and Front of the Line.
Best American Express business credit card
The The Business Platinum Card from American Express is the business version of the vaunted Platinum card. It’s just as rewarding and luxurious, adding $100 in NEXUS credits every 4 years and up to $620 yearly discounts from Dell and Indeed.
How to redeem American Express Membership Rewards Program points
The American Express Membership Rewards Program offers 6 types of rewards and 30+ redemption options. You can access most rewards (and check your points balance) by logging into the American Express Membership Rewards mobile app or website.
Transfer points to partners
Redemption options: Aeroplan, Flying Blue, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta SkyMiles, Etihad Guest, Hilton Honors, and Marriott Bonvoy
Most valuable option: Transfer points to Aeroplan for 2 CPP
How to redeem:
One of the most unique features of the American Express Membership Rewards Program is the ability to transfer your points to 8 rewards partners. As long as you have a minimum of 1,000 Membership Rewards points and a partner program account in your name, you can transfer points as follows:
| Travel partner | Exchange rate (Amex points to other points) | Max. value | Transfer time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeroplan (Air Canada) | 1:1 | 2 CPP | Up to 30 minutes |
| Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) | 4:3 | 2 CPP | 3 days |
| Cathay Pacific | 4:3 | 2 CPP | 5 business days |
| British Airways | 1:1 | 1.75 CPP | 5 business days |
| Delta SkyMiles | 4:3 | 1.5 CPP | Up to 30 minutes |
| Etihad Guest | 4:3 | 1 CPP | 10 business days |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 5:6 | 1.1 CPP | Up to 48 hours |
| Hilton Honors | 1:1 | 0.64 CPP | 5 business days |
With a high points value and a 1:1 exchange rate, the best transfer partner is Aeroplan. You can enjoy up to 2 CPP by redeeming your Aeroplan points on domestic or international flights through Air Canada. The next best choices are Flying Blue or Cathay Pacific; we don’t recommend transferring points to either Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy.
Before transferring Amex Membership Rewards points, you must link an existing partner program account or create a new one. Log into the Amex Rewards website, select "Use Points" in the dark blue menu, and then click “Transfer Points.” Select the transfer partner you want and click “Transfer my points” and “Add Another Account” in the pop-up.
On the next screen:
- Enroll in a partner program by selecting "Sign up for a partner program" on the right and entering your information. Alternatively, visit the official Aeroplan, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Guest, Flying Blue, or Marriott Bonvoy websites to create an account.
- Link an existing account by entering your membership number on the left.
You can transfer points immediately after creating or linking a partner program account. Once again, click "Transfer my points" and then:
- Select the linked account to transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to.
- Select how many points you’d like to transfer.
- Enter your American Express credit card information to verify your account.
- Check the box to agree to the program’s terms and conditions.
- Click "Confirm Transfer."
All point transfers are final. Also, take note that most of these partners use dynamic pricing. You’ll have to do some research and bargain-hunting to wring full value out of your new points.
Pro Tip: Read our guides to fully maximize the value of your Aeroplan, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Flying Blue, Hilton Honors, and Marriott Bonvoy points.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Once you transfer your points, you'll lose the travel insurance your Amex credit card provides as you are no longer redeeming them within Membership Rewards.
Fixed Points Travel Program
Redemption options: Business or Economy Class flights through American Express Travel
Most valuable option: A "Popular Routes" Economy flight for 2 CPP
How to redeem:
Unlike most travel rewards programs (which use dynamic pricing), you can rely on the Amex Fixed Points Travel Program to provide a fixed value for your points. Whenever you redeem points for a round-trip on the American Express Travel website, you can trade a fixed number of points for a travel credit at a preferential exchange rate.
The cost, credit, and value of your choice depend on which category your flights fall into, which we’ve ordered from most to least valuable and separated by travel class.
Here are your options for Economy travel:
| Economy class redemption option | Flight routes | Cost | Max. travel credit | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Popular Routes (Economy) | * Calgary – Vancouver * Montreal – New York * Toronto – Montreal * Toronto – New York * Toronto – Ottawa | 15,000 points | $300 | 2 CPP |
| Discover North America (Economy) | Long-haul flights from one Canadian province or territory to a non-adjacent Canadian province or territory or US state (except Alaska and Hawaii) | 40,000 points | $700 | 1.75 CPP |
| Worldwide (Economy) | Canada to destinations in: * Africa * Asia * Australia * The Middle East * New Zealand * South America * South Pacific" | 100,000 points | $1,700 | 1.7 CPP |
| Pick Your Vacation Spot (Economy) | Canada to: * Alaska * Bermuda * The Caribbean * Central America * Hawaii * Mexico | 50,000 points | $800 | 1.6 CPP |
| Explore Closer to Home (Economy) | Short-haul flights from one Canadian province or territory to an adjacent Canadian province or territory or US state (except Alaska) | 20,000 points | $300 | 1.5 CPP |
| Discover Europe (Economy) | Canada to European destinations | 60,000 points | $900 | 1.5 CPP |
Here’s what the options look like for Business class:
| Business class redemption option | Flight routes | Cost | Max. travel credit | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discover North America (Business) | Long-haul flights from one Canadian province or territory to a non-adjacent Canadian province or territory or US state (except Alaska and Hawaii) | 100,000 points | $1,800 | 1.8 CPP |
| Discover Europe (Business) | Canada to European destinations | 140,000 points | $2,500 | 1.8 CPP |
| Worldwide (Business) | Canada to destinations in: * Africa * Asia * Australia * The Middle East * New Zealand * South America * South Pacific | 250,000 points | $4,500 | 1.8 CPP |
| Pick Your Vacation Spot (Business) | Canada to: * Alaska * Bermuda * The Caribbean * Central America * Hawaii * Mexico | 120,000 points | $2,100 | 1.75 CPP |
| Explore Closer to Home (Business) | Same as "Explore Closer to Home (Economy)" | 50,000 points | $800 | 1.6 CPP |
Short-haul Economy flights are the best choice. If you find a round-trip from Toronto to New York, you can cover up to $300 of the base ticket cost with 15,000 points for 2 CPP.
On the plus side, you won’t have to save long to get the maximum value out of your points… on the other, some of the most exciting vacation spots offer 10 – 25% less value.
To browse flights or redeem your points, head to the American Express Travel website and login. Select the "Air" tab at the top and then:
- Select "Round Trip" and “Business” or “Economy.” Enter the number of travellers and your departure, destination, and travel dates, then hit “Search.”
- Select "Fixed Points Travel" at the top of the page. Filter your search results by price, airline, and more on the left. Click “Select” to choose a flight.
- Select your return flight the same way.
- Review your trip summary, then click "Continue to Checkout."
- Select "Fixed Points Travel" at the top of the page, then use the slider to select how many points to redeem.
- Enter your traveller and payment details, agree to the terms and conditions, and click "Book Now" to complete the transaction.
- (Optional) Purchase Amex Travel Insurance online or by phone by calling 1-866-616-0674.
You can also call American Express Travel Services using the phone number on the back of your credit card to ask questions or book over the phone.
While the Fixed Points Travel Program is fairly straightforward, it has a few caveats:
- You can’t book a hotel, car rental, or vacation package.
- You must book your flights using an American Express credit card.
- You must cover the entire fixed points cost for each traveller in your chosen flight category. For example, you can’t trade 15,000 points for a $300 travel credit on a flight in the "Worldwide" category.
- You must fly a round trip using a single departure and destination airport.
Finally, the Fixed Points Travel Program doesn’t cover taxes, fees, or carrier surcharges. If there are any leftover charges you’d like to cover with points, you’ll have to use the Flexible Points Travel Program.
Your purchase will be charged to your credit card whenever you make a booking on an American Express travel website. The travel credit you selected during checkout will be applied to your credit card balance within 5 – 10 business days.
Flexible Points Travel Program
Redemption options: Car rentals, hotels, and vacation packages on American Express Travel OR hotel bookings through The Hotel Collection or Fine Resorts + Hotels
Most valuable option: Any option for 1 CPP
How to redeem:
Any travel purchase outside the Amex Fixed Points Travel Program uses the Flexible Points Travel Program instead. The biggest difference between the Fixed and Flex programs is the exchange rate – you only get 1 CPP when you redeem your points on:
- Car rentals, hotel stays, or vacation packages on the American Express Travel website
- Fees, taxes, or surcharges on a Fixed Points Travel Program flight
- Flights on the Amex Travel website when you don’t have enough points to qualify for the Fixed Points Travel Program
- Hotel bookings on The Hotel Collection website
- Hotel or resort bookings on the Fine Hotels + Resorts website
In other words, if you want to fly, it’s worth waiting until you have enough points to qualify for the Fixed Points Travel Program and paying for any fees, taxes, and surcharges in cash. You can save your points for your next flight and avoid losing 50% of their potential value.
If you want to use the Flex Points Travel Program, visit the American Express Travel website, select "Hotel," “Air,” “Bundles,” or “Car”; and follow the booking steps in the previous section. If you book anything other than a flight – or you don’t have enough points to qualify for the Fixed Points Program – the website will default to using the Flex Points exchange rate.
It’s just as easy to book a stay using The Hotel Collection or Fine Hotels + Resorts websites:
- Log into the website, enter your traveller and destination details; and click "Search."
- Select "Find out more" to view rooms, check the box for the room you want, and select “Go to checkout.”
- Choose "Pay Now" and move the slider to choose how many points to redeem.
- Enter your traveller and payment details and click "Book Now" to complete your booking.
Bookings on either website may include perks like exclusive rates, a complimentary room upgrade, an early check-in, or a late check-out. However, you can enjoy the same perks by paying with your American Express credit card – and you won’t have to spend a single point.
The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings and perks are only available to certain credit cardholders.
Cash
Redemption options: Cover it with Points, Donate with Points, Pay with Points, Points for Purchases, or Travel with Points
Most valuable option: Any option for 1 CPP
How to redeem:
You can use your Amex Membership Rewards Points just like cash, but you’ll lose 50% of their potential value compared to travel. Most cash-like options trade 1,000 points for $10, or 1 CPP.
To redeem, make sure you have at least 1,000 points in your account, visit the American Express Membership Rewards website, and log in. Open the dark blue "Membership Rewards" menu, select “Use Points,” and choose one of 4 redemption options:
| Redemption option | Exchange rate | Value | How to redeem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cover it with Points | 1,000 points = $10 | 1 CPP | * Check the transactions to cover with points. * Click "Redeem Now." * Wait at least 48 hours for a statement credit to be posted to your account. |
| Travel with Points / Pay with Points at Checkout (Air Canada) | 1,000 points = $10 | 1 CPP | * Choose a flight and checkout on AirCanada.com. * Pay with your American Express credit card. * Select how many points to redeem during checkout and click "Apply Points." * Wait 2 – 4 business days for a statement credit to be posted to your account. |
| Donate with Points | 1,000 points = $10 | 1 CPP | * Click "Save the Children." * Choose how many points to redeem and click “Add to Cart.” * Go to checkout, verify your card details, and agree to the terms and conditions. * Click “Proceed with Checkout.” |
| Pay with Points at Checkout (Amazon) | 1,000 points = $7 | 0.7 CPP | * Link your Amex credit card to your Amazon account. * Shop and check out on Amazon.ca. * Choose how many points to redeem for all or part of your purchase. |
| Pay with Points at Checkout (PayPal) | 1,000 points = $7 | 0.7 CPP | * Use your American Express credit card to pay during checkout on Paypal.com. * Click "Pay with Rewards" and select how many points to redeem. |
Gift Cards
Redemption options: Physical gift cards, prepaid Amex credit cards, and Cineplex vouchers
Most valuable option: Cineplex vouchers at 0.91 CPP
How to redeem:
American Express gift cards hold a value on par with the Scene+ rewards program, returning 0.77 – 0.91 CPP each:
| Brands | Redemption options | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Cineplex | Physical "Admit One" or “Child Adventure” vouchers | 0.91 CPP |
| American Express | $25 – $1,000 physical prepaid credit cards | 0.8 CPP |
| Air Canada, Fairmont Hotels, Home Depot, Hudson’s Bay, Roots, Walmart, and more | $25 – $1,000 physical gift cards | 0.77 CPP |
All prices include shipping and handling within Canada or the United States. To order, visit the Amex Gift Card Catalogue, login, and:
- Select a gift card.
- Select a denomination, quantity, and "Add to Cart."
- Click the cart in the top right corner and "Review and Checkout," then “Proceed to Checkout.”
- Enter your delivery address before clicking "Confirm & Redeem."
If you order a gift card worth less than $200, you should receive your order from Canada Post within 1 week. Gift cards worth $200 – $499 are delivered via Priority Post within 3 – 5 business days, while those worth $500 or more require a signature upon delivery.
Gift cards, certificates, and prepaid credit cards are non-refundable.
Merchandise with Points
Redemption options: Electronics, fashion and accessories; health and wellness; home and garden, kids, kitchen, sports and leisure; and travel merchandise
Most valuable option: Wusthof 10-Piece Classic Knife Block Set for 1.1 CPP
How to redeem:
If you venture into the Amex Membership Rewards merchandise catalogue, take a calculator. The only way to find a good deal is to crunch the numbers – and as far as we’re concerned, it’s just not worth it.
We calculated the value of the least and most expensive items in every category and found zero correlation between an item’s value and its brand, price, or category. Your best option is to check the "Point Drop!" category for deals like the Wusthof 10-piece Classic Knife Block Set for 126,900 points (1.1 CPP).
You can shop with your points by logging into the American Express Membership Rewards website and finding an item you want. Once you do:
- Choose a quantity and any available options and click "Add to cart."
- Click the cart in the top right corner to "Review and Checkout," then “Proceed to Checkout.”
- Enter your delivery information and select "Confirm & Redeem" to finish your order.
Item delivery takes about 2 weeks. Keep track of shipping updates – you’ll need to provide a signature upon delivery or pick up your order at a post office later.
Merchandise rewards are non-refundable. If you receive a damaged, defective, or incorrect item, contact Customer Service at 1-866-454-3549.
American Express Membership Rewards Program versus other credit card rewards programs
The American Express Membership Rewards Program’s biggest competitors are the Aventura, TD Rewards, and the MBNA Rewards Program.
| American Express Membership Rewards | CIBC Aventura | TD Rewards | MBNA Rewards Program | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Membership requirements | Credit card | Credit card | Credit card | Credit card |
| Rewards | * Cash * Donations * Gift cards * Merchandise * Point conversions * Travel | * Cash * Donations * Gift cards * Merchandise * Travel | * Cash * Gift cards * Merchandise * Travel | * Cash * Donations * Gift cards * Merchandise * Travel |
| Best redemption option | Transfer to Aeroplan for 2 CPP | Aventura Airline Rewards for 2.29 CPP | Expedia for TD for 0.5 CPP | MBNA Travel Rewards for 1 CPP |
| Worst redemption option | Merchandise for as little as 0.03 CPP | Cash for 0.63 CPP | Cash for 0.25 CPP | Cash for 0.5 CPP |
| Membership benefits | * Exclusive benefits at select hotels and resorts * Member deals | * None | * Avis and Budget car rental discounts * Bonus Starbucks Stars * Book any travel | * No blackout dates or booking fees |
The Amex Membership Rewards Program doesn’t have as many retail and gift card partners as Aventura or Scene+ or as many merchandise and cash back options as MBNA offers. But if there’s one thing Amex does well, it’s flexibility – you’ll have a hard time finding a rewards program with more points conversion or travel partners.
Is the American Express Membership Rewards Program worth it?
The American Express Membership Rewards Program awards Amex credit cardholders with points to spend on cash, travel, gift cards, merchandise, and more. It reserves its best earning rates for restaurants and its best redemption options for travel, making it the ideal credit card for globe-trotting foodies.
That said, you’ll also have to contend with the company’s official travel program and lack of merchandise and gift card partners. If your heart’s not set on travel, we recommend investigating a straightforward cash back credit card instead.
FAQ
How much are 50,000 Amex points worth in cash?
Assuming you spend them on air travel (either through Aeroplan or the American Express Travel website), 50,000 Amex Membership Rewards points are worth about $1,000.
Do Amex points expire?
American Express Membership Rewards Program points do not expire as long as your credit card account remains open and in good standing.
What can I use my Amex Membership Rewards for?
You can redeem Amex Membership Rewards points on cash, charitable donations, gift cards, merchandise, and transfers to other rewards programs.
How many Amex points do you need for a flight?
You can trade 15,000 – 250,000 Amex Membership Rewards points for a $300 – $4,500 credit on certain flight routes, from domestic short-hauls to international long-haul flights.
What is the best thing to use your Amex points on?
Transferring your Amex Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan or redeeming them for a flight using the Fixed Points Travel Program yields up to 2 cents CAD per point.
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