Tired of guessing what the value of 500,000 Amex MR points is? FinlyWealth's point calculator tool can estimate the value of your points when redeemed through various options in Canada.
Loyalty Program
Number of Points
Points
Redemption Options
★BEST VALUE
Aeroplan® Flights
500,000 Amex MR points are worth $10,000 on average using the most optimal redemption
$10,000
2¢/point
2 cpp (cents per point) is an averaged out value that includes business class routes as well, however most economy trips may yield 1.3 cpp - 1.6 cpp depending on the award availability and booking timeframe.
Transfer to Airline Partners
500,000 Amex MR points are worth $8,000 on average if redeemed for Transfer to Airline Partners
$8,000
1.6¢/point
Fixed Point Travel Program
500,000 Amex MR points are worth $5,800 on average if redeemed for Fixed Point Travel Program
$5,800
1.16¢/point
Transfer to Hotel Partners
500,000 Amex MR points are worth $5,800 on average if redeemed for Transfer to Hotel Partners
$5,800
1.16¢/point
Statement Credits (Cash)
500,000 Amex MR points are worth $5,000 on average if redeemed for Statement Credits (Cash)
$5,000
1¢/point
Gift Cards
500,000 Amex MR points are worth $4,550 on average if redeemed for Gift Cards
$4,550
0.91¢/point
Amazon.ca
500,000 Amex MR points are worth $3,500 on average if redeemed for Amazon.ca
$3,500
0.7¢/point
Merchandise
500,000 Amex MR points are worth $3,150 on average if redeemed for Merchandise
$3,150
0.63¢/point
American Express Membership Rewards Points Value Chart
American Express Membership Rewards Points Value Table
American Express Membership Rewards Program Breakdown
Tapping into American Express Membership Rewards points is as easy as tapping your eligible Amex credit card.
Each card comes with its own curated rewards program that optimizes categories like day-to-day expenses and travel.
Once you collect enough American Express Membership Rewards points on your eligible purchases, you can redeem them towards travel, shopping, gifts, or even paying off your bills.
To learn all there is to know about this top-tier loyalty program, keep reading
How do you earn American Express Membership Rewards Points? 🏆
First, let’s address the most obvious question: how do you earn American Express Membership Rewards points?
The best way to rack up Amex rewards is by applying for an American Express credit card that participates in the American Express Membership Rewards Program. These cards come equipped with rewards programs that cater to different types of spenders, whether you’re an everyday shopper or a frequent traveller.
Keep in mind, however, that you’ll want to apply for an American Express credit card that’s issued by the American Express financial institution. American Express is both a network and a financial institution, so you might come across cards that are under the Amex network, but are financed by another financial institution – like, say, Scotiabank – earning you Scene+ points rather than American Express Membership Rewards points.
Once your application for an American Express Membership Rewards credit card is approved, you can start collecting American Express Membership Rewards points on your card’s specialized earn categories.
Below, we’ve rounded up the top American Express Membership Rewards credit cards on the Canadian market. Take a quick look at the following table for a brief overview before we dig into the details.
5x points per $1 spent on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery (up to 12,500 points per month)
3x points per $1 spent on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
2x points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases
2x points per $1 spent on eligible dining & food delivery purchases (restaurant, fast food, coffee shop, food delivery)
2x points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases (flights, hotels, tours and more)
1x point per $1 spent for all other purchases
1x point per $1 spent on all purchases
Insurance Included
10 types
Emergency Medical Term
15 days, up to $5M (if under age 65)
Flight Delay
$500
Baggage Delay
$500
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Travel Accident
$250,000
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
11 types
Emergency Medical Term
15 days
Trip Cancellation
$2,500
Trip Interruption
$2,500
Flight Delay
$1,000
Baggage Delay
$1,000
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1000
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000
Travel Accident
$500,000
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Yes
Purchase Protection
120 days
Extended Warranty
1 year
2 types
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to a year
Benefits
2 benefits
Amex Experiences™
Access Front Of The Line® Amex Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts and theatre performances and special offers and events curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™
Travel Credit
Book two or more consecutive nights at participating properties through The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel to receive a $100 credit for amenities or a complimentary room upgrade, if available.
12 benefits
Airport Lounge - American Express Global Lounge
Take full advantage of The American Express Global Lounge Collection™ which unlocks access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide. This includes The Centurion® Lounge network, Plaza Premium Lounges, and hundreds of other domestic and international lounges designed to enhance your travel experience.
Travel Credit
$200
Dining Credit
$200 at Select Restaurants
Nexus Program Rebate
$100 statement credit every 4 years
Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Enjoy complimentary benefits that offer an average value of $550 USD at over 1,600 extraordinary properties worldwide when you book Fine Hotels + Resorts
Status lift
Upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold Status
Status lift
Upgrade to Marriott BonvoyTM Gold Elite status
Priority Travel
At Toronto Pearson Airport get Priority Security lane, Complimentary valet and 15% discount at the Express Park and daily park
Concierge Services
Trip and legal Assistance
American Express® Experiences
Extra points
Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers
2 benefits
Amex Experiences™
With Amex Experiences™ and Front Of The Line® Amex Presale Tickets, American Express Cardmembers get access to amazing events in Canada
This card was voted one of the Best Credit Card in Canada by FinlyWealth. The rewards earned on this card for a person with average spending exceed those of other credit cards in Canada by a huge margin! In addition, this card has a good benefits coverage, a flexible amex cobalt bonus points redemption program (1:1 transfer to Aeroplan® or Avios), making it the best candidate to become the main credit card for the majority of people.
Pros
Amex cobalt credit card Points can be transferred to Air Canada Aeroplan® at a 1:1 ratio, making this card a solid Aeroplan® points earner as an alternative to Aeroplan® branded credit cards
Generous welcome amex cobalt bonus points of up to 15,000
4+ different ways of redeeming your points for great value
10 different types of insurance, including travel
Often referred to as the Best Credit Card in Canada
Cons
Less acceptance of American Express at different merchants across Canada
Not all types of travel insurance are covered, especially trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Rewards
5x points per $1 spent on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery (up to 12,500 points per month)
3x points per $1 spent on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
2x points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Emergency Medical Term
15 days, up to $5M (if under age 65)
Flight Delay
$500
Baggage Delay
$500
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Travel Accident
$250,000
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Benefits
Details
Amex Experiences™
Access Front Of The Line® Amex Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts and theatre performances and special offers and events curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™
Travel Credit
Book two or more consecutive nights at participating properties through The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel to receive a $100 credit for amenities or a complimentary room upgrade, if available.
Eligibility
Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
N/A
**Terms and conditions apply.
If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 29.99%.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment. Check here for full details and current product information.
The American Express Cobalt Card is the best credit card for American Express Membership Rewards generation, it's also considered to be the best credit card in Canada – so how could you really pass it up?
This card effectively earns you tons of points per dollar spent on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery. You can also earn strong points per dollar spent on eligible Canadian streaming subscriptions, followed by solid points per dollar on eligible gas, transit and ride share in Canada. For a sneak peek of the earning potential of this card, based on average spending, check out the calculator section on this page.
Note that this contender does come with an annual fee, but this fee can certainly be offset by the overall value of annual rewards.
Overall, if you're looking for a card that's going to help you collect the most American Express Membership Rewards points, look no further than the American Express Cobalt Card.
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is an excellent choice for travelers seeking an entry-level card that offers a strong balance of generous travel benefits without excessive costs. With a relatively low annual fee, this card provides flexibility and a range of perks that make it stand out among other options. It’s ideal for those who want to maximize their travel rewards without being tied to a specific airline or compromising on the benefits offered.
Pros
Flexible Rewards: Enjoy flexible Membership Rewards point conversion with up to 2 points per $1 spent.
Travel Perks: Includes $100 annual travel credit and 4 free passes to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada.
Comprehensive Insurance: Comes with 11 types of insurance coverage.
Multiple Redemption Options: Offers 4 ways to redeem points for maximum value.
Cons
High Annual Fee: The card comes with a $250 annual fee.
Foreign Transaction Fees: A 2.5% fee applies to foreign transactions.
Limited Travel Insurance for Seniors: No travel medical insurance coverage for those over 65.
Lower Acceptance: As an American Express card, it may have lower acceptance compared to Visa or Mastercard.
Rewards
2x points per $1 spent on gas, groceries and drugstore purchases
2x points per $1 spent on travel (eligible flights, hotels, tours and more)
1x point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Emergency Medical Term
15 days
Trip Cancellation
$1,500 per person, $3,000 combined
Trip Interruption
$1,500 per person, $6,000 combined
Flight Delay
$500
Baggage Delay
$500
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Travel Accident
$500,000
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Benefits
Details
Travel Credit
$100
Nexus Program Rebate
$50 statement credit every 4 years
Airport Lounge - Priority Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!
Airport Lounge - Plaza Premium
4 Free complimentary visits
Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Hotels booked American Express Travel
Status lift
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® loyalty program
American Express® Experiences
Extra points
Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers
Eligibility
Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
N/A
**Terms and conditions apply.
Subject to approval. The preferred rate for purchases is 21.99% and funds advances is 21.99%. If you have Missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99% and/or 29.99%. See the information box included with the application for the definition of Missed Payment and which rates apply to charges on your account and other details.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment. Check here for full details and current product information.
The second best Amex card for American Express Membership Rewards points generation is the American Express Gold Rewards Card.
While this card won't earn you nearly as many points overall as the American Express Cobalt card, this contender will still grant you admirable point rates on everyday earn categories like gas, groceries, and drugstore purchases, plus the same point rate on travel arrangements like flights, hotel stays, and tours.
Ultimately, if you want a card that still has good American Express Membership Reward earning potential, plus better coverage and perks, consider the American Express Gold Rewards Card.
If you're a frequent traveler, the Platinum card is an excellent choice. It's highly recommended for its extensive travel benefits, including unlimited lounge access for you and a guest at the American Express Lounge collection, making it the best card for lounge access in Canada. The card also offers unique perks not commonly found with other Canadian cards, such as status upgrades at Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton, dining and travel credits, concierge service, airport benefits, Nexus application reimbursement, and more. These benefits can more than offset the annual fee. However, if you don't travel often or are mainly looking for a card that maximizes rewards, this card may not be the best option for you.
Pros
Offers more perks than any other credit card in Canada, catering to premium users who value extensive benefits.
Enjoy $400 in annual travel and dining credits, which can offset some of the card's cost.
Gain unlimited access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, enhancing your travel experience.
Multiple options for redeeming points for high value, giving you flexibility in how you use your rewards.
Includes 11 types of insurance coverage, offering comprehensive protection for cardholders.
It's a metal card, who doesn't love a metal credit card?
Cons
As with other American Express cards, it may have lower acceptance in some locations compared to other networks.
The high annual fee of $799 may be a barrier for some users, especially those who do not fully utilize the card's benefits.
Some benefits are limited to specific airports and hotels.
Rewards
2x points per $1 spent on eligible dining & food delivery purchases (restaurant, fast food, coffee shop, food delivery)
2x points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases (flights, hotels, tours and more)
1x point per $1 spent for all other purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Emergency Medical Term
15 days
Trip Cancellation
$2,500
Trip Interruption
$2,500
Flight Delay
$1,000
Baggage Delay
$1,000
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1000
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000
Travel Accident
$500,000
Car Rental Damage & Theft
Yes
Purchase Protection
120 days
Extended Warranty
1 year
Benefits
Details
Airport Lounge - American Express Global Lounge
Take full advantage of The American Express Global Lounge Collection™ which unlocks access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide. This includes The Centurion® Lounge network, Plaza Premium Lounges, and hundreds of other domestic and international lounges designed to enhance your travel experience.
Travel Credit
$200
Dining Credit
$200 at Select Restaurants
Nexus Program Rebate
$100 statement credit every 4 years
Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Enjoy complimentary benefits that offer an average value of $550 USD at over 1,600 extraordinary properties worldwide when you book Fine Hotels + Resorts
Status lift
Upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold Status
Status lift
Upgrade to Marriott BonvoyTM Gold Elite status
Priority Travel
At Toronto Pearson Airport get Priority Security lane, Complimentary valet and 15% discount at the Express Park and daily park
Concierge Services
Trip and legal Assistance
American Express® Experiences
Extra points
Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers
Eligibility
Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
N/A
**Terms and conditions apply.
This Charge Card requires full payment of the Due in Full balance each month, with a 30% interest rate on late payments. The Flexible Payment Option balance has a 21.99% interest rate, which increases to 25.99% after two missed payments and 28.99% after three or more within 12 months. A 21-day interest-free grace period applies to new transactions if the full balance is paid by the due date.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment. Check here for full details and current product information.
Let's say you're a luxury traveller looking for the most premium perks. In that case, you may want to collect your American Express Membership Rewards points using the American Express Platinum Card.
This card's rewards program is pretty straight-forward, offering you solid points per dollar spent on dining and food delivery purchases, plus the same point rate on eligible travel arrangements, including flights, hotel stays, and tours.
While the points program is relatively basic, the point welcome bonus on this card is one of the biggest in Canada – earning you tons of American Express Membership rewards points when you meet a certain amount in net purchases within the first few months of card membership, plus even more points when you make a purchase between 14 and 17 months of membership. Still, to get the most out of this bonus, you'll definitely need to be a big spender.
Honestly though, most applicants will probably be drawn to this card based on its perks rather than its point-potential, with extensive premium benefits like unlimited airport lounge access, a substantial annual travel and dining credit, plenty of status lifts, and priority travel perks.
To cover all of these perks, keep in mind that this card has one of the highest annual costs.
So, if you're looking for high-end benefits, a simple rewards program, and a huge American Express Membership Rewards welcome bonus, look into the American Express Platinum Card.
The American Express® Green Card is a great option for those looking for a no-frills card that earns rewards on all purchases without any annual fee or minimum income requirement. It's an accessible card with no cap on rewards, making it ideal for those who want to earn points without the higher costs and complexities of premium cards. However, it does come with lower rewards earnings across most categories and a modest welcome bonus.
Pros
No Spending Limits: Earn unlimited rewards with no caps.
Flexible Redemption: Transfer points to other loyalty programs for maximum value.
VIP Perks: Access a variety of exclusive benefits through Amex Experiences™.
Eco-Friendly: The card is made from 99% recycled plastic.
Cons
Lower Reward Rates: Earn rates are lower compared to other no-fee cards.
Limited Travel Perks: Lacks some of the travel benefits and insurance options provided by other cards.
Rewards
1x point per $1 spent on all purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to a year
Benefits
Details
Amex Experiences™
With Amex Experiences™ and Front Of The Line® Amex Presale Tickets, American Express Cardmembers get access to amazing events in Canada
Extra points
2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases
Eligibility
Credit Score
Fair
Annual Income
N/A
**Terms and conditions apply.
If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 29.99%.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment. Check here for full details and current product information.
On the other end of the spending spectrum, you'll find the budget-friendly American Express Green Card.
This option offers cardholders a standard flat rate of American Express Membership Rewards points on all purchases, which may not be as impressive as the above competitors, but if you're looking to earn American Express Membership Rewards points for no annual fee, this should be your top pick.
How do you Redeem your American Express Membership Rewards Points? 🤑
Now that you have a better idea of how to start pocketing your American Express Membership Rewards points, it's time to tackle exactly how you can redeem those hard-earned rewards.
Before we unpack each American Express Membership Reward redemption category, take a look at this table for a complete overview of all of your redemption options, organized from most valuable to least valuable, so you know which categories are best to optimize.
Redemption Category
Redemption Description
Redemption Opportunities
Average Redemption Value
Transfers and Fly with Aeroplan
When you transfer your points to Aeroplan and redeem for economy-business class routes
Aeroplan flights (transfer ratio is 1:1)
2.0 cpp (cents per point)
Transfer to Airline Partners
When you transfer your points to other Amex airline partners
Air France KLM Flying Blue (transfer ratio is 1:0.75)
British Airways Executive Club (transfer ratio is 1:1)
Cathay Pacific (transfer ratio is 1:0.75)
Delta SkyMiles (transfer ratio is 1:0.75)
Etihad Guest (transfer ratio is 1:0.75)
1.6 cpp
Transfers to Hotel Partners
Transfer and use points towards hotel bookings through partners like Marriott Bonvoy.
Hilton Honors (transfer ratio is 1:1)
Marriott Bonvoy (transfer ratio is 1:1.2)
1.16 cpp
Fixed Point Travel Program
When you use a fixed number of points to cover the base ticket price of eligible flights up to the applicable maximum base ticket price.
Business flights
Economy flights
1.16 cpp
Flexible Points Travel Program
When you pay for travel arrangements through American Express Travel.
Flights
Hotel stays
Car rentals
Vacation bundles
1 cpp
Air Canada Pay with Points
Covering the cost of your Air Canada flight with points by checking out at AirCanada.com.
Air Canada flight costs (either in part or in full)
1 cpp
Statement Credits (Cash)
Redeeming your points as cash towards your statement balance.
Pay bills
Make purchases at eligible American Express merchants, all charged to your Amex card
1 cpp
Charity
When you donate the value of your points towards select charities and causes.
Save the Children
1 cpp
Gift Cards
When you use your points to purchase eligible gift cards.
Air Canada
Cineplex
Esso and Mobil
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Gap Options
Holt Renfrew
The Home Depot
Indigo
The Keg
Oliver & Bonacini
Roots
TJX Canada
The Ultimate Dining Card
Walmart Canada
0.91 cpp
Amazon.ca Purchases
Using your points to make purchases on Amazon.ca.
Amazon.ca orders (either the total cost or a portion of the cost when paying for the rest with your Amex card)
0.7 cpp
Pay with Points with PayPal
Using your points to make purchases online when checking out with PayPal.
PayPal purchases from thousands of online retailers
0.7 cpp
Merchandise
Redeeming your points towards eligible everyday items like kitchen tools, supplies, etc.
Travel accessories
Electronics
Fashion
Health & Wellness products
Home goods
Kids toys
Kitchen appliances
Sports equipment
0.63 cpp
Let's look at those redemption categories a little more comprehensively:
The most optimal transfer option overall could be to transfer your points to an airline partner. This way, you can turn your American Express Membership Rewards points into a more convenient or valuable currency to book plane tickets.
Let's take a closer look at these airline partner transfers below, ranked from most valuable to least valuable:
Airline Partner
Transfer Ratio
Maximum Value
Estimated Transfer time
Minimum Transfer Amount
Aeroplan
1:1
2+ cpp
Up to 30 minutes
1000 points
Air France KLM Flying Blue
1:0.75
2+ cpp
3 days
1000 points
Cathay Pacific
1:0.75
2+ cpp
5 business days
1000 points
British Airways Executive Club
1:1
1.75+ cpp
5 business days
1000 points
Delta SkyMiles
1:0.75
1.5+ cpp
Up to 30 minutes
1000 points
Etihad Guest
1:0.75
1+ cpp
10 business days
1000 points
Maybe you're more interested in redeeming your points towards your next hotel stay instead of or in addition to your upcoming takeoff. In that case, consider transferring your American Express Membership Rewards points to one of two hotel partners.
Here's a sneak peak into this type of transfer, ranked from most valuable to least valuable:
Hotel Partner
Transfer Ratio
Maximum Value
Estimated Transfer Time
Minimum Transfer Amount
Hilton Honors
1:1
1.75 cpp
5 business days
1000 points
Marriott Bonvoy
1:1.2
1.2 cpp
Up to 48 hours
1000 points
While the point transfer rate of American Express Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy points appears to be higher, Hilton Honors has a more valuable redemption option based on the potential value you can pull from its respective points.
The American Express Membership Rewards Program's Fixed Points Travel Program allows cardholders to book flights either within Canada or anywhere internationally for a fixed number of points – as long as they're below the maximum allowed base ticket price. These points will remain the same no matter the availability, time of the year, or demand of the flight. Fixed airfare starts at 15,000 points and multiplies depending on the ticket class and flight route.
To help you navigate all of your fixed-point redemption options, we've put together two tables based on class: Economy and Business.
Starting with Economy, let's see what your fixed-point redemption options are, listed from most valuable to least valuable:
Economy Redemptions
Flight Routes
Fixed-Point Cost
Maximum Base Ticket Price
Value
Popular routes: Canada/U.S. (Short Haul)
Calgary – Vancouver
Montreal – New York
Toronto – Montreal
Toronto – New York
Toronto – Ottawa
15,000 points
$300
2 cpp
Discover North America: Canada/U.S. (Long Haul)
From a Canadian Province/Territory to a non-adjacent Canadian Province/Territory/U.S. State (excluding Hawaii and Alaska)
40,000 points
$700
1.75 cpp
Worldwide
Canada to destinations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Middle East, New Zealand, South America or South Pacific
100,000 points
$1,700
1.7 cpp
Pick your vacation spot
Canada to Alaska, Bermuda, Caribbean, Central America, Hawaii or Mexico
50,000 points
$800
1.6 cpp
Explore closer to home: Canada/U.S. (Short Haul)
Within or from a Canadian Province/Territory to an adjacent Canadian Province/Territory/U.S. State (excluding Alaska)
20,000 points
$300
1.5 cpp
Discover Europe
Canada to destinations in Europe
60,000 points
$900
1.5 cpp
So, if you want to extract the most value out of your American Express Membership Rewards points towards a Fixed Points Travel opportunity, you'll want to concentrate your trips towards popular, more domestic North American flight routes, before tapping into more international itineraries.
Next up, we've got a breakdown of all of the Business class fixed-point opportunities:
Business Redemptions
Flight Routes
Fixed-Point Cost
Maximum Base Ticket Price
Value
Discover North America Canada/U.S. (Long Haul)
From a Canadian Province/Territory to a non-adjacent Canadian Province/Territory/U.S. State (excluding Hawaii and Alaska)
100,000 points
$1,800
1.8 cpp
Discover Europe
Canada to destinations in Europe
140,000 points
$2,500
1.8 cpp
Worldwide
Canada to destinations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Middle East, New Zealand, South America or South Pacific
250,000 points
$4,500
1.8 cpp
Pick your vacation spot
Canada to Alaska, Bermuda, Caribbean, Central America, Hawaii or Mexico
120,000 points
$2,100
1.75 cpp
Explore closer to home: Canada/U.S. (Short Haul)
Within or from a Canadian Province/Territory to an adjacent Canadian Province/Territory/U.S. State (excluding Alaska)
50,000 points
$800
1.6 cpp
So, if you're a luxury flyer looking to get the most value out of your points (and give up the least amount of points in the process) consider taking your trips within North America before expanding your horizons.
How do you Book a Trip Using the Fixed Points Travel Program?
Thankfully, redeeming your points towards the American Express Fixed Points Travel Program is a simple process.
To redeem your points towards this redemption category, follow these steps:
Search for the flight and departure dates of your choice. Note that the "Fixed Points Travel" option will only be available once you have enough Membership Rewards to cover every traveller on the itinerary at the fixed point amount. Select this option at the top of the page when you see it.
Go ahead and redeem the fixed points amount towards your selected base ticket price.
Looking for ways to cover leftover travel costs? Travel purchases that are excluded from the American Express Fixed Points Travel Program can be paid for by points through the Flexible Points Travel Program instead, just mind the lower maximum exchange rate of 1 cpp.
The Flexible Points Travel Program allows you to redeem your American Express Membership Rewards points on:
Car rentals
Hotel Stays
Flights not covered by the Fixed Points Travel Program
Vacation bundles
Any fees, taxes, or surcharges incurred on a Fixed Points Travel Program flight booking
How do You Redeem Your Points Within the Flexible Points Travel Program?
You can redeem your points through the American Express Flexible Points Travel Program by following these steps:
Visit the American Express Travel website and log in to your account.
On the main page, you'll be able to see a drop-down menu for air, hotel, bundle, and car rental options. Select which travel booking you'd like to cover with points.
Follow the booking steps in your selected travel category and proceed to pay with points alone or your Amex card and points. If you're booking a flight and happen to have enough points to support a Fixed Points Travel Program flight, consider doing so since it will be more valuable overall.
Planning on booking through Air Canada? Cover the cost of your flight by applying your American Express Membership Rewards points at checkout on AirCanada.com. You can choose to use your points to cover the total ticket cost or part of the purchase. Keep in mind, however, that the minimum redemption requirement is 10 points.
How do You Redeem Your Points with Air Canada?
The process for redeeming your points on AirCanada.com is relatively straight-forward.
To pay with points, simply:
Use your Amex credit card at checkout on AirCanada.com.
Select 'Check Points Balance' at checkout to see how many points you have available.
Confirm how many points you'd like to use as payment by selecting 'Apply Points', then submit your booking.
For the most flexible and valuable point redemption option in this category, you can turn your American Express Membership Rewards points into cash towards your statement balance. This credit can then be applied to any purchase from eligible American Express Merchants.
That said, maybe you'd rather focus on the necessities. In that case, use this credit to cover any pending bill payments on your account.
To redeem your American Express Membership Rewards points towards a statement credit, simply:
Sign in to your Online Services account or the American Express App.
Select the card purchase you'd like to redeem points for.
Follow the prompts to submit your redemption request.
Many of us are constantly adding products to our virtual carts on Amazon.ca. With a variety of items to choose from and tons of quick delivery options, it's easy and convenient to accumulate a hefty total at checkout.
With this in mind, what if we told you you could cover this cost with American Express Membership Rewards points? That's right, you can choose to use your points on Amazon.ca orders either in part or in full.
So, the next time you go on a shopping binge from the comfort of your couch cushions, know that you can potentially buy at least the bulk of your order without breaking the bank.
Link your Membership Rewards points account to your Amazon.ca account.
Opt to pay with points at checkout, either alone or in combination with your Amex Card.
Looking for the best shopping buddy? Try PayPal. Better yet, onboard two shopping buddies and try PayPal and American Express Membership Rewards points – they're kind of a package deal!
This duo comes into play when you use your American Express Membership Rewards points to make purchases online while checking out through PayPal, a perk that's applicable at thousands of online retailers.
To effectively pay with your American Express Membership Rewards points through PayPal, follow these steps:
Select your Amex Card when checking out with PayPal.
Review your available points balance and the associated dollar value of those points.
Confirm the amount of points you'd like to apply towards your purchase.
Pay your points forward and consider donating them to select charities and causes.
To do so, a minimum of 1,000 Membership Rewards points is required to be redeemed for a $10 donation.
To see which charities are available and to select one to support, simply:
Select an available and acceptable point value to donate.
Add the donation to your cart and proceed to checkout.
Perhaps you're not necessarily looking to treat yourself, but rather gift your points to someone else. What better way to do so than to turn your points into the perfect present?
As listed in our redemptions table above, your American Express Membership Rewards points can easily be transformed into gift cards redeemable at tons of retailers. Want something a little more flexible? You can even trade points for American Express Prepaid Cards.
To help you decide which gift cards will get you the most value, here's another table to take a look at:
Gift Card Brands
Redemption Type
Maximum Point Value
Cineplex
Physical gift card (either Admit One, Great Escape, or Child Adventure)
0.91 cpp
American Express
Physical prepaid credit card ranging from $25 - $1,000
0.8 cpp
Air Canada, Walmart, Roots, TJX Canada, The Home Depot, ESSO and more
Physical gift cards with values ranging from $25 - $1,000
0.77 cpp
Based on these insights, the most valuable gift cards to go for are those offered by Cineplex, followed by American Express prepaid cards, then the rest of the participating brands.
To make this point-to-gift-card switch, do the following:
Check your points balance on the Membership Rewards website.
Follow further instructions on the website to go through with your redemption.
Maybe you're looking to trade in your American Express Membership Rewards points for eligible merchandise instead.
If so, you can carefully sift through a wide range of products on the American Express Membership Rewards website. Here, you'll find a variety of items, everything from travel and electronics to fashion and home decor.
You can redeem your points towards merchandise by:
Reviewing your points balance by logging in to the Membership Rewards website.
Following the instructions provided on the website to go through with the redemption process.
So, How Exactly do you Transfer your American Express Membership Rewards Points?
The American Express Membership Rewards point-transferring process is actually fairly simple:
First, you'll want to browse American Express travel partners directly from the source (the Amex official website).
Find a partner that you'd like to make a transfer to, then hit the "Transfer my points" button under that option.
You'll then be prompted to log in to your account and enter the amount of points you'd like to transfer. You may also need to sign up for the partner program in question.
Once you're enrolled in the respective partner program and you've input your desired transfer amount, review your transfer information and understand that all points transferred are final and cannot be returned. It's also worth noting that once you transfer your points, you forfeit any insurance coverage offered by your Amex card since you are no longer redeeming for travel directly through the American Express Membership Rewards program.
Lastly, confirm your transfer request by pressing "Transfer my points" for a final time.
Are American Express Membership Rewards Worth it?
Ultimately, American Express Membership Rewards points are the most lucrative for avid travellers who intend on transferring their points to eligible airline or hotel partners. Taking part in the Fixed Points Travel Program is also a valuable way for cardholders to redeem their American Express Membership Rewards points.
Don't get us wrong, using your points to shop is also a decent way to spend your rewards – it just tends to make the most sense to apply for an American Express Membership Rewards card if you intend on optimizing upcoming trips.
How do I Know if I'm Optimizing my American Express Membership Rewards Points to Their Full Potential?
Based on the redemption ranking above, it's clear that redeeming your points towards flights by transferring your American Express Membership Rewards points to airline partners, is the best way to optimize your points.
But how do you know which airline will give you the best deal for the fewest points?
Of course, you can take the more time-consuming route and and frantically search for discounted flight opportunities yourself.
OR
You could trust tried and true cross-search tools that filter through flight deals for you. These tools include search engines like Point.me and Pointhound, which compare different flight deals offered by various airlines.
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