If you stay mostly in Airbnbs or hostels, collecting points that transfer to hotel chains like Hilton or Hyatt won't deliver much value. But if you prefer high-end stays, earning points that transfer to luxury hotel brands and multiple airlines will give you both value and flexibility. And if you live near a hub for a specific airline, focusing on points that help you fly that carrier might be your highest priority.<\/p>\n
Not all flexible rewards currencies are created equal. Before you commit to earning one over another, here\u2019s what makes each one worth considering.<\/p>\n
Page Contents<\/p>
- Pros and Cons of Different Types of Rewards Currencies<\/a><\/li>
- Major Flexible Rewards Currencies<\/a><\/li>
- The Best Flexible Rewards Currencies<\/a>
- American Express Membership Rewards<\/a><\/li>
- Bilt Rewards<\/a><\/li>
- Chase Ultimate Rewards<\/a><\/li>
- Capital One miles<\/a><\/li>
- Citi ThankYou\u00ae<\/sup> Points<\/a><\/li>
- Rove Miles<\/a><\/li>
- Wells Fargo Rewards<\/a><\/li>
- Marriott Bonvoy<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Comparing Flexible Rewards Points<\/a><\/li>
- Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n
Pros and Cons of Different Types of Rewards Currencies<\/span><\/h2>\n
Cash back cards<\/a> are popular for their simplicity. You can usually redeem rewards for gift cards or statement credits, typically at a value of 1 cent per point. However, cash back cards offer limited upside. Most earn a flat 1% to 2% back, with higher rates in select bonus categories if the card happens to offer them.<\/p>\n
Airline or hotel-specific points and miles can offer better value than cash back, depending on how you use them. But earning rewards tied to a single program limits your redemption options.<\/p>\n
However, transferable rewards points can unlock significantly more value. These currencies let you transfer to a variety of airline and hotel partners, which gives you more chances to book with fewer points or access experiences you would not pay for with cash.<\/p>\n
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Business class on Iberia's A321neo XLR. Credit: Tyler Glatt<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Major Flexible Rewards Currencies<\/span><\/h2>\n
Here are eight rewards programs that offer high-value flexible points:<\/p>\n
- \n
- American Express Membership Rewards<\/a><\/li>\n
- Bilt Rewards<\/a><\/li>\n
- Chase Ultimate Rewards<\/a><\/li>\n
- Capital One Rewards<\/a><\/li>\n
- Citi ThankYou\u00ae<\/sup> Rewards<\/a><\/li>\n
- Marriott Bonvoy\u00ae<\/sup><\/a><\/li>\n
- Rove Miles<\/a><\/li>\n
- Wells Fargo Rewards<\/a><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Each program offers a mix of useful transfer partners and diverse earning opportunities. You can earn points through credit cards, online shopping, dining programs, and, in Marriott\u2019s case, regular hotel stays and promotions.<\/p>\n
Next, we will look at which credit cards earn each type of point, the programs they transfer to, and some of the best ways to redeem them.<\/p>\n
Related: Back to Basics: An Introduction to the Types of Reward Points<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
The Best Flexible Rewards Currencies<\/span><\/h2>\n
American Express Membership Rewards<\/span><\/h3>\n
American Express offers members great options for earning its Membership Rewards points<\/a>. Whether it\u2019s 5X points on airfare with the American Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> (on up to $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar year booked directly with airlines) or earning 4X at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X) with the American Express\u00ae<\/sup> Gold Card<\/a>, there's a huge stable of cards that earn Amex points<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Credit card options range from no-annual-fee cards for everyday purchases<\/a> to ultra-premium cards that offer the best elite perks and lounge access<\/a> in award travel.<\/p>\n
<\/div><\/div>American Express\u00ae<\/sup> Gold Card<\/div>Welcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nFind Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.<\/div><\/div>How to Apply<\/a><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>$325Rates & Fees<\/a>
(Terms apply)<\/span><\/p><\/div>Credit Score<\/strong>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>
- 4X Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> points at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)<\/li>\r\n \t
- 4X Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)<\/li>\r\n
- 5X Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com<\/li>\r\n
- 3X Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com<\/li>\r\n
- 2X Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> points on prepaid car rentals booked through amextravel.com<\/li>\r\n
- 2X Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> points on cruises booked and paid through amextravel.com\r\n
- 1X on other eligible purchases<\/li>\r\n <\/ul><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>American Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/div>Welcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nAs High As 175,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.<\/div><\/div>How to Apply<\/a><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>$895Rates & Fees<\/a>
(Terms apply)<\/span><\/p><\/div>Credit Score<\/strong>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>
- \r\n
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel\u00ae<\/sup> (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel\u00ae<\/sup>.<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts\u00ae<\/sup> and The Hotel Collection bookings.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>The Business Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup> from American Express<\/div>Find Out Your Offer<\/strong>\r\nYou may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.<\/div><\/div>How to Apply<\/a><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>$895Rates & Fees<\/a>
(Terms apply)<\/span><\/p><\/div>Credit Score<\/strong>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>
- Earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com.<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 2X points on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more.<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 2X points on each eligible purchase with U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers.<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 2X points on each eligible purchase with U.S. electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers.<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 2X points on each eligible purchase with U.S. shipping providers.<\/li>\r\n
- 2X earning rates are subject to a cap of $2 million in purchases per calendar year.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Centurion Lounge Washington (DCA) airport. Credit: Tyler Glatt\/AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Membership Rewards points transfer to 17 different airline partners and three hotel partners<\/a>. And there's no shortage of excellent ways to redeem them. Here are some of our favorite ways to redeem Amex Membership Rewards points<\/a>:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Transfer points to ANA Mileage Club to book round-trip United Airlines business class flights to Europe<\/a><\/li>\n
- Transfer points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club to book ANA First Class<\/a> between the United States and Japan<\/li>\n
- Transfer points to Delta SkyMiles to book low-cost domestic flights<\/a> or business class awards to and from select international destinations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
And this is just a small sample of what you can do with Amex transfer partners. For more options, check out the full list of American Express partner programs for U.S. cardholders:<\/p>\n
From<\/div>To<\/div>Transfer Ratio<\/div>Min.Transfer<\/div>Average Time<\/div><\/div>Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a>New Zealand<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span>Accor Group (ALL - Accor Live Limitless)<\/div><\/div><\/div>2,500:500<\/div>-<\/div>Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div>Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a>United States<\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div>\u2794<\/span>Aer Lingus (AerClub)<\/div><\/div><\/div>1,000:1,000<\/div>-<\/div>Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div> - Transfer points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club to book ANA First Class<\/a> between the United States and Japan<\/li>\n
- Transfer points to ANA Mileage Club to book round-trip United Airlines business class flights to Europe<\/a><\/li>\n
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel\u00ae<\/sup>.<\/li>\r\n
- 4X Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)<\/li>\r\n
- Bilt Rewards<\/a><\/li>\n
- Bilt Rewards<\/a><\/li>
- Major Flexible Rewards Currencies<\/a><\/li>
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