If you’re looking for the best American Express credit cards for travel rewards, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll show you the top-rated Amex cards that will help you maximize your rewards points and redeem them for free flights, hotel stays and more.
Whether you’re a frequent traveler or just looking to get started, there exists the perfect Amex card for you.
What are American Express membership rewards?
American Express membership rewards are points that you earn on eligible purchases made with your Amex card. You can then redeem these points for a variety of travel-related expenses, such as airfare, hotel stays, car rentals and more. Plus, there are no blackout dates or restrictions on how you use your points, so you can book your dream vacation while using points.
How do you earn American Express membership rewards points?
You’ll earn American Express membership rewards automatically when you use your Amex card to make eligible purchases. There’s no need to sign up for anything or keep track of special offers – just use your card and start racking up the points. In general, you’ll earn 1 point per dollar spent on eligible purchases, though some cards offer bonus points in specific spending categories.
How much are American Express travel points worth?
The value of your American Express travel points will depend on how you redeem them. For example, you can redeem 20,000 points for a $200 statement credit towards travel expenses, or you could use those same points to book a $400 flight through the Amex travel portal.
It really just depends on how you want to use your travel points for your different trips.
How to use American Express points for travel
You can use American Express points to cover a variety of travel-related expenses, including airfare, hotels, car rentals and more. To redeem your points, simply log into your account and click on the “Rewards” tab. From there, you’ll be able to see all the different ways you can use your points. If you’re not sure how many points you have, just look at your most recent statement – it will list your current point balance.
The best Amex cards for travel rewards
Here are our picks for the best American Express credit cards for travel rewards:
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card is our top pick for the best Amex card for travel rewards. With it, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar spent on airfare, hotels and other travel-related expenses booked through Amex Travel. You’ll also get access to a variety of exclusive benefits, such as airport lounge access and statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Plus, there’s no annual fee for your first year (then $450).
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
If you’re a Delta fan, this is the Amex card for you. With it, you’ll earn 2 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, and 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else. You’ll also get a $100 statement credit after your first Delta purchase, along with 20% off in-flight purchases and no foreign transaction fees. There’s no annual fee for your first year (then $95).
Hilton Honors Surpass American Express Card
This card is perfect for Hilton fans who want to earn rewards quickly. With it, you’ll earn 12 points per dollar spent on Hilton purchases, and 6 points per dollar spent on everything else. Plus, you’ll get a free weekend night certificate after you spend $3,000 in purchases within your first 3 months. There’s no annual fee for your first year (then $95).
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
This card is a great option for Marriott fans who want to earn rewards quickly. With it, you’ll earn 6 points per dollar spent on Marriott purchases, and 3 points per dollar spent on everything else. Plus, you’ll get a free night certificate after you spend $3,000 in purchases within your first 3 months. There’s no annual fee for your first year (then $450).
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express
This is a great option for small business owners who want to earn rewards on their business expenses. With it, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar spent on the first $50,000 in purchases each year, and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else (including business trips). Plus, there’s no annual fee.
American Express Business Gold Card
This Amex Business Gold Card is another great option for business owners who want to earn rewards on their business expenses. With it, you’ll earn 4 points per dollar spent on the 2 categories where you spend the most each month (including business travel), and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else. Plus, there’s no annual fee for your first year (then $295).
FAQs
How can I maximize my travel rewards with an American Express credit card?
There are a few different ways you can maximize your travel rewards with an American Express credit card. First, make sure you’re using a card that offers bonus points on travel-related expenses, such as airfare or hotels. Second, use your points to cover travel-related expenses like airfare or hotels instead of redeeming them for cash back or gift cards. Finally, consider using your points to book travel through Amex Travel, as you’ll often get a better value than redeeming them directly with the airline or hotel.
What are the best ways to redeem American Express travel rewards?
The best ways to redeem American Express travel rewards depend on how you want to use them. If you want to use them for travel-related expenses like airfare or hotels, we recommend using Amex Travel. If you want to redeem your points for cash back or gift cards, you can do so through the Amex Membership Rewards program. Finally, if you want to transfer your points to a partner airline or hotel program, you’ll need to have a premium Amex card like the Platinum Card® from American Express.
Can I use my American Express travel rewards for non-travel expenses?
Yes, you can use your American Express travel rewards for non-travel expenses like cash back or gift cards. However, we recommend using your points to book travel through Amex Travel, as you’ll often get better value than redeeming them directly with the airline or hotel.
What are the best American Express credit cards for travel insurance?
The best American Express credit cards for travel insurance depend on what type of coverage you’re looking for. If you’re looking for basic coverage, we recommend the American Express Platinum Card®. If you’re looking for comprehensive coverage, we recommend the American Express Business Platinum Card®. Finally, if you’re looking for premium coverage, we recommend the American Express Centurion® Card.
What are the best American Express credit cards for international travel?
The best American Express credit cards for international travel depend on your spending habits and travel needs. If you’re a frequent traveler, we recommend the American Express Platinum Card®. If you’re looking for a card with no foreign transaction fees, we recommend the American Express Business Gold Card®.
What are the best American Express credit cards for domestic travel?
If you’re looking for the best American Express credit card for domestic travel, you’ll want to consider the following factors: points earning potential, redemption options, and perks. The best American Express credit card for domestic travel is the Platinum Card from American Express. The Platinum card offers 5x points on eligible airfare and hotels booked through Amex Travel, as well as a $200 annual airline fee credit and access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide.
What are the best American Express credit cards for business travel?
If you’re a small business owner or frequent business traveler, the best American Express credit card for you will likely be a business card like the Blue Business Plus or Business Gold Card that offer rewards and perks tailored to your business and points for business travel.
Bottom line
There are a lot of great American Express credit cards out there, but these are our picks for the best ones for travel rewards. With any of these cards, you’ll be able to earn rewards quickly and easily redeem them for free travel. Start planning your dream vacation today – with the help of Amex points, it could be closer than you think!
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