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If you want to earn some of the most valuable points around, you're going to need at least one American Express rewards credit card.
In the world of points and miles, not all currencies are created equal. Transferable points give you the flexibility to choose a loyalty program that offers the best value for each trip. The top bank rewards programs also make it easy to redeem for travel or even cash back. Membership Rewards stands out by offering both great redemption options for value maximizers and simple ways for travelers to turn rewards into savings without a lot of hassle.
Fortunately, American Express issues a variety of personal and business cards that make it easy to rack up Membership Rewards points. In this post, we'll cover how each Amex rewards card earns points, highlight key benefits, and share our best tips and resources to help you get the most out of your rewards.
Page Contents
- Amex Rewards Cards for Personal Use
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- American Express Platinum Card® by Charles Schwab
- The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley
- American Express® Gold Card
- Centurion® Card from American Express
- American Express® Green Card
- Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card
- Amex EveryDay® Credit Card
- Business Cards That Earn Membership Rewards
- Other Ways to Earn American Express Membership Rewards
- Ways to Redeem Membership Rewards
- Final Thoughts
Amex Rewards Cards for Personal Use
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Amex Platinum card is one of the most recognizable premium cards on the market. It charges a hefty $695 annual fee (Rates & Fees), but the card comes packed with value.
If you play your cards right, you can receive significantly more than $695 in value from the card every year. So, don't let its high price tag scare you away. Even if you only utilize half of the annual and monthly statement credits it offers, you'll come out ahead.
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount - all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
- A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card®.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
Cardholders can also earn bonus points on bookings made through American Express Travel® and enjoy other benefits, such as access to Amex Centurion lounges and Priority Pass lounges. All of this adds up to make this card a wallet mainstay for the savvy traveler.
Pros:
- Up to $200 credit to cover airline incidentals.
- $200 credit toward prepaid hotel bookings in Amex's The Hotel Collection or Fine Hotels + Resorts® program — and extra perks when you stay.
- Up to $100 in annual statement credits for Saks Fifth Avenue.
- Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash.
- Up to $199 CLEAR® Plus membership credit.
- Up to $240 in Digital Entertainment Credit.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with the airline or on both hotel and airfare bookings made through AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 in combined purchases per calendar year).
- Access to Amex's Global Lounge Collection®, including Centurion Lounges, to eligible cardmembers.
Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
Cons:
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on everyday purchases.
- $695 annual fee (Rates & Fees).
- Many of its perks can be tedious to track and complicated to use.
Additionally, there are several “flavors” of the Amex Platinum card. For the most part, all of the benefits are the same as the classic Amex Platinum card. Still, there are a few notable differences.
American Express Platinum Card® by Charles Schwab
The so-called “Schwab Platinum” earns Membership Rewards at the same rate as the standard Amex Platinum card. In fact, nearly all of its other perks are exactly the same. However, you can find two perks that cardholders receive over the traditional Amex Platinum card:
- Invest with Rewards: Transfer Membership Rewards points to a Schwab investment account at a rate of 1.1¢ per point.
- Up to $200 annual statement credits: Receive a $100 annual statement credit if your qualifying Schwab holdings are equal to or greater than $250,000. Receive a $200 annual statement credit if your qualifying Schwab holdings are equal to or greater than $1,000,000. Values are measured following card account approval and annually thereafter.
The Amex Platinum Schwab card is available to creditworthy applicants who have a Charles Schwab banking relationship with one of the following account types: Schwab One, General Brokerage, and specific IRAs. You can find details here.
The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley
The Morgan Stanley version of the Amex Platinum card is also exactly the same as the classic Amex Platinum in terms of its earning rates, benefits, and annual fee. However, the Platinum Card from Morgan Stanley provides cardholders with two additional unique benefits you won't find on the standard version of the card:
- Complimentary First Additional Platinum Card: Normally, authorized user cards for the Amex Platinum cost $195 for each additional Platinum Card for Authorized Users (Rates & Fees). With the Platinum Card from Morgan Stanley, the first authorized user is complimentary.
- Invest with Rewards: As a cardmember, you can use Membership Rewards points for deposits to your qualifying Morgan Stanley brokerage account at a rate of 1¢ per point.
The Platinum Card from Morgan Stanley is open to creditworthy applicants who hold a qualifying brokerage account with Morgan Stanley. Minimum investment amounts vary by account type.
American Express® Gold Card
The Amex Gold Card is a fan favorite, and not just because it comes in a rose gold option. It offers generous rewards for spending at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets, as well as for flight bookings. Cardholders also receive monthly Uber Cash and dining credits. Among cards that earn Membership Rewards, this one has the potential for consistent monthly earnings.
Amex Disclosure: To receive $10 monthly credits (up to $120 per year) in Uber Cash, you must add the American Express® Gold Card to your Uber account and select it as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction.
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount - all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That's up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- 4X Membership Rewards® Points at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
- 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
- 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
- 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels and other eligible travel booked on amextravel.com
- 1X on other eligible purchases
Pros:
- 4X at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery within the U.S. (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- 4X at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X).
- 3X on flights when you book directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- $10 monthly in Uber Cash.
- $10 monthly dining statement credit, valid at select locations (up to $120 per year).
- $7 monthly Dunkin' statement credit.
- $100 annual Resy statement credit.
- Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
Cons:
- $325 annual fee (Rates & Fees).
- The various dining credits can be difficult to use, and not maximizing them can greatly decrease the card's value.
- Tracking and using the monthly Uber Cash can be tedious.
If you can maximize the Uber Cash credit and dining credits, the Amex Gold can provide value for the right cardholder. If not, you'll need to do some math to see whether the extra points you earn are enough to justify the annual fee compared to similar cards.
Centurion® Card from American Express
The Amex Centurion Card, also known as the Black Card, is an ultra-premium card available by invitation only. With this card, you'll receive benefits such as top-tier hotel status, airline elite status, a handful of annual credits, a personal concierge, and more.
And it shouldn't come as a surprise, but you'll also pay for the perks and prestige of the Black Card. First, it comes with a one-time initiation fee of $10,000. Then, you'll pay an annual fee of $5,000 going forward. Finally, if you want to add an authorized user, you'll need to pay another $5,000 per person.
Figuring out how to qualify for the Amex Centurion Card is another hurdle. Amex doesn't publish a list of eligibility requirements, so it's hard to determine who qualifies for an invitation. However, it's well known that those who receive an invitation generally spend hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars annually on their Amex cards.
A long-standing relationship with American Express will likely help you qualify as well, but big spending seems to be the most important factor.
Oddly, this card doesn't offer out-of-this-world perks, especially considering the astronomical annual fee. Additionally, it has no welcome offer like other cards you're accustomed to. But it looks super sleek, and celebrities brag about it. If the prestige of having the card matters to you, this could be a great card to work toward.
Pros:
- Get up to 1.5 cents per point when redeeming MR points for flights through the Amex Travel portal.
- Get a 50% points rebate on premium-cabin flights booked using Pay With Points.
- Complimentary Delta Platinum Medallion status.
- It's an epic status symbol.
Cons:
- Very few people are eligible for this card; it's invite-only.
- Earn one point per dollar on all purchases.
- Considering the massive initiation cost and steep annual fee, the benefits aren't extraordinary.
American Express® Green Card
The Amex Green Card is a solid option for those looking for a Membership Rewards-earning card without paying the higher annual fees commanded by more premium Amex cards. The bells and whistles of the Amex Gold and Amex Platinum are absent from the Amex Green Card. However, it still has a lot to offer, especially for travelers.
- 3x Membership Rewards® on travel
- 3x Membership Rewards® at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 3x Membership Rewards® on transit including trains, buses, ferries, subways, and more
- 1x Membership Rewards® on other purchases
Pros:
- 3X on travel and transit (including trains, buses, ferries, subways, and more).
- 3X at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus membership credit.
Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
Cons:
- $150 annual fee.
- Limited additional perks beyond those mentioned above.
Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card
Although no longer open to new applicants, the Amex EveryDay Preferred card is exactly as advertised: an everyday card with bonus categories to complement typical day-to-day spending. Add in the fact that you earn 50% more points when you make 30+ monthly purchases, and this card offers a solid return on spending.
- 3X points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year (then 1X)
- 2X points at U.S. gas stations
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
- Use your card 30 or more times on purchases in a billing period and earn 50% extra points on those purchases less returns and credits.
Pros:
- 3X points on U.S. supermarket purchases (on up to $6,000 annual purchases, then 1X).
- 2X at U.S. gas stations and at AmexTravel.com.
- 50% bonus points when you make 30+ purchases per month.
- Affordable annual fee of $95.
Cons:
- Low $6,000 annual spending cap on the U.S. supermarket category.
- The card doesn't offer many benefits beyond those mentioned above. However, the low annual fee and earning capabilities offset the general lack of benefits.
Amex EveryDay® Credit Card
Like the Amex EveryDay Preferred, the Amex EveryDay card is no longer open to new applicants. It is the no-annual-fee counterpart to the Amex EveryDay Preferred; both cards share the same basic structure, but the Amex EveryDay card earns at a lower rate. Overall, it still provides good value, especially if you're averse to paying an annual fee.
- 2x points at US supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1x)
- 1x points on other purchases
- Use your Card 20 or more times on purchases in a billing period and earn 20% more points on those purchases less returns and credits.
Pros:
- 2X at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1X).
- 20% more Membership Rewards points when you make 20 or more purchases per month.
- No annual fee.
Cons:
- Lower earning rates than the Amex EveryDay Preferred.
Business Cards That Earn Membership Rewards
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card from American Express offers some outstanding perks. Beyond its elevated earnings for spending in select travel categories, it has strong insurance protections, access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection, and much more.
The card can deliver over $1,000 in annual value through its various credits. One key benefit is the card's 35% points rebate on travel booked with Membership Rewards (up to one million bonus points per calendar year), which is an excellent way to save on premium-cabin airfare.
- Limited Time Travel Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after you spend $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel with your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. You can earn one or both of these offers. Offer ends 6/30/25.
- 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 10/2024.
- 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.
- 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.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points for flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals and prepaid flight + hotel packages booked at AmexTravel.com. 1X points on other 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.
- Rates & Fees
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com.
- Earn 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more.
- Earn 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on each eligible purchase with U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers.
- Earn 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on each eligible purchase with U.S. electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers.
- Earn 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on each eligible purchase with U.S. shipping providers.
- 1.5X earning rates are subject to a cap of $2 million in purchases per calendar year.
The primary downside is the card's massive $695 annual fee (Rates & Fees). That said, the benefits can outweigh the cost, and frequent travelers can even save money in the long run.
Pros:
- 5X points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com.
- 1.5X points per dollar on qualifying purchases of $5,000 or more and in select business categories (up to $2 million of these purchases annually, then 1X).
- 35% Pay with Points airline rebate benefit.
- $200 annual airline incidentals credit.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus membership credit.
- $50 quarterly Hilton hotels statement credit.
- Statement credits for Dell, Indeed, Adobe, and wireless telephone service.
Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
Cons:
- $695 annual fee.
- The business services credits may not be useful to every business.
- Many of the perks can be complicated and inconvenient to use.
American Express® Business Gold Card
The Amex Business Gold is a notch below the Business Platinum Card. However, the Amex Business Gold shines brightly in its bonus-earning categories.
- 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 29.24% 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
- Rates & Fees
- U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)
- U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
- U.S. purchases at gas stations
- U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
- Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
- Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
Cardholders can earn 4X points per dollar in the two eligible spending categories where their business spends the most, 3X points on prepaid airfare and hotels at Amex Travel and 1X everywhere else. The 4X categories include:
- U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio).
- U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers.
- U.S. purchases at gas stations.
- U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery.
- Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
- Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
The 4X earnings apply to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each year. After that, the card only earns 1X. The unique bonus categories make the card ideal for businesses that have significant expenses in these areas. The uniqueness of some of these categories provides an excellent opportunity to earn up to 600,000 bonus points annually in categories where other cards earn just 1X.
Pros:
- 4X on the two categories where your business spends the most — on up to $150,000 in annual spending, then 1X.
- Two staple benefits — the $240 flexible business credit and the $155 Walmart+ credit — outweigh the $375 annual fee.
Cons:
- $375 annual fee (Rates & Fees).
- Offers little else beyond its bonus categories.
- Spending caps on bonus Membership Rewards.
Business Green Rewards Card from American Express
The Amex Business Green Card is one of the issuer's weaker cards, in our opinion. For a card with an annual fee, it offers little justification for that cost. The card's main perk is its increased earning rate (2X, to be exact) on flights booked through Amex Travel. Given that another no-annual-fee business card also earns 2X Membership Rewards, this perk alone doesn’t justify the fee.
- Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Business Green Rewards Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership
- Earn one Membership Rewards® point for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases
- PAY OVER TIME OPTION: Decide whether you want to pay eligible purchases in full each month-or pay over time with interest, up to the Pay Over Time Limit on your account
- From travel to top brands, and everything in between - use Membership Rewards® points on the reward that means the most to you
- $95 Annual Fee
- Terms & Limitations Apply
- Rates & Fees
- Earn One Membership Rewards® point for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases
Pros:
- 2X on travel booked through American Express Travel.
Cons:
- $95 (Rates & Fees).
- No other bonus categories beyond the travel option.
Most other Amex cards outshine the Amex Business Green Card in terms of value. The next card on our list offers better overall earnings for no annual fee.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
The Blue Business Plus is a must-have card for your non-bonus-category expenses. Most Amex cards only earn one point per dollar on eligible purchases that don't fall into a favored category, but the Blue Business Plus earns two points per dollar on everyday business purchases — up to $50,000 each year (then 1X). This makes it the perfect companion to any other American Express card in your wallet.
- 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.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
- You've got the power to spend beyond your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
You can pair it with the Business Platinum Card to get 35% back when you book flights through Amex Travel and use Pay with Points. Among the Amex rewards cards, using the Blue Business Plus is one of the simplest (and cheapest!) ways to rack up points.
Pros:
- 2X on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners, on the first $50,000 worth of purchases each year (then 1X).
- No annual fee (Rates & Fees).
- Access Amex transfer partners without an annual fee.
Cons:
- Cap on 2X points earning.
- No ongoing perks or benefits.
While some other Amex cards turn your head with their perks, the Blue Business Plus is the real workhorse. Its value within a portfolio of other Amex cards shouldn't be underestimated.
Other Ways to Earn American Express Membership Rewards
Besides welcome bonuses and using an Amex Rewards card for everyday spending, there are a few other noteworthy ways to accrue these valuable points.
American Express Rewards card promotions
Activate targeted Amex Offers in your online account to earn extra points or statement credits on specific merchants. These deals may award a lump-sum bonus after meeting a spending threshold or grant additional points per dollar. You'll also find Amex Offers that provide rebates in the form of a statement credit. Be sure to enroll before spending, as offers are targeted and vary by cardholder.
For more, check out our beginner's guide to Amex Offers.
American Express periodically rolls out incentives that award bonus points when you add an authorized user and they meet a minimum spend requirement. These promos can be lucrative, but they usually cap the number of users that can trigger a bonus.
Refer a friend or business
Share your personal referral link to invite friends or businesses to apply for an eligible Amex card. The bonus you receive depends on the card that generates the link, so refer from whichever card shows the best offer in your account.
The recipient can choose whichever card best suits their needs — even if it’s different from yours—and you’ll earn bonus Membership Rewards (or a cash-back statement credit) up to the annual referral cap.
Ways to Redeem Membership Rewards
Earning Membership Rewards can be the hard part; redeeming them is the fun part. You can redeem your Membership Rewards for gift cards, statement credits, or even Amazon purchases. If you have the Amex Platinum Schwab, you can redeem your points directly into your investment account.
However, the best value lies in Amex's 21 travel transfer partners, which include the following:
If you travel within the United States, here are some of the top Amex redemptions for domestic flights. For worldwide opportunities, check out our in-depth guide on the best use of Amex points — and the poor redemptions to avoid.
Final Thoughts
Membership Rewards is one of the best transferable currencies on the market. Understanding all the cards that earn Membership Rewards allows you to plan your rewards strategy and maximize your earnings, bringing you closer to your next redemption even faster.
Even with all the perks and benefits offered by premium Amex cards, the card I use most consistently is the Blue Business Plus. It's been a mainstay in my wallet for years.
Before you apply, make sure you understand the American Express rewards card application rules and restrictions, as there is a limit to how many Amex cards you can hold at one time.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees), American Express® Gold Card (Rates & Fees), The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees), American Express® Business Gold Card (Rates & Fees), Business Green Rewards Card from American Express (Rates & Fees), and The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (Rates & Fees)
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