American Express Membership Rewards points earned with AMEX Canada can be redeemed towards travel, gift cards, card purchases, merchandise, charity donations, and at checkout with retailers. You can also transfer points to AMEX's airline and hotel partners.
Membership Rewards points will have the best value when redeemed via AMEX's Fixed Points Travel program or when being transferred to AMEX's travel partners.
AMEX Canada points value
What's the value of Membership Rewards points earned with AMEX Canada?
The answer: 0.6 cents to 2 cents per point.
This means 10,000 AMEX Canada points can be worth as little as $60 or much as $200 depending on how you redeem them.
Out of all available redemption options, redeeming your Membership Rewards points for travel will give your the best value of 1 to 2 cents per point. Other redemptions such as gift cards, merchandise, and checkout with retailers will typically give you less than 1 cent in value.
Here is our valuations for American Express Canada Membership Rewards Points:
| Redemption option | AMEX point value in cents |
|---|---|
| Transferring points to airline partners | 1.2 - 2 |
| Airfare via AMEX Fixed Points Travel program | 1.5 - 2 |
| Travel via AMEX Flexible Points Travel program | 1 |
| Charity donations | 1 |
| Redeeming points towards card purchases | 1 |
| Gift cards | 0.76 |
| Pay With Points for Amazon and PayPal | 0.7 |
| Shopping for merchandise through AMEX Shop | 0.4 - 0.6 |
Fixed Points Travel
The easiest way to get great value out of your Membership Rewards points is by using the AMEX Fixed Points Travel program which allows you to redeem a set amount of points for up to a maximum ticket price based on specified routes. There's two charts: one for Economy flights and one for Business Class flights.
Economy flights via Fixed Points Travel
When booking Economy flights using the Fixed Points Travel program, you will get up to 2 cents per point based on max ticket price and maximum points required.
| Route | Points | Max Ticket Price | Max Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Popular Routes Canada/U.S. (Short Haul) | 15,000 Points | $300 | 2 Cents |
| Explore Closer To Home Canada/U.S. (Short Haul) | 20,000 Points | $300 | 1.5 Cents |
| Discover North America Canada/U.S. (Long Haul) | 40,000 Points | $700 | 1.75 Cents |
| Pick Your Vacation Spot | 50,000 Points | $800 | 1.6 Cents |
| Discover Europe | 60,000 Points | $900 | 1.5 Cents |
| Worldwide | 100,000 Points | $1,700 | 1.7 Cents |
Business flights via Fixed Points Travel
When booking Business Class flights through AMEX Fixed Travel, you will be able to get up to 1.8 cents per point based on the max ticket price and maximum cost in points.
| Route | Points | Max Ticket Price | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explore Closer To Home Canada/U.S. (Short Haul) | 50,000 Points | $800 | 1.6 Cents |
| Discover North America Canada/U.S. (Long Haul) | 100,000 Points | $1,800 | 1.8 Cents |
| Pick Your Vacation Spot | 120,000 Points | $2,100 | 1.75 Cents |
| Discover Europe | 140,000 Points | $2,500 | 1.785 Cents |
| Worldwide | 250,000 Points | $4,500 | 1.8 Cents |
Benefits of Fixed Points Travel
Here's some of the main benefits of using the AMEX Fixed Points Travel program:
- Book any airline, fly anywhere, and travel any day of the year
- Book up to a day before departure
- Book economy or business class flights
- Book direct flights
- Enjoy the travel benefits that comes with your AMEX card
No matter the flight availability, time of year, or peak/off-peak season, the flight will always cost the same.
Do note that the AMEX Fixed Points program will only be available if you have enough Membership Rewards points to cover all travelers at the fixed points amount.
Flexible Points Travel
AMEX Flexible Points Travel allows you to redeem 1,000 AMEX Points for $10 in travel credit for a point value of 1 cent each. The credit can be applied towards new travel purchases, including taxes, surcharges and fees, booked through the American Express Travel Service or through the americanexpress.ca/travel website.
This is a great option if:
- You can't find a flight that offers good value or that fits your schedule using AMEX Fixed Points Travel
- Transferring your points to Aeroplan or other programs will yield less value
- You want to use points for any other type of travel outside of flights
This is an easy and straightforward way to get a minimum of 1 cent in value out of your Membership Rewards points.
AMEX point transfers to partners
Membership Rewards points earned with AMEX Canada can be transferred to six frequent flyer programs and two hotel loyalty programs. This provides an alternative route for building rewards with your favorite programs.
Transferring points to airline partners will typically give your points more than 1 cent in value since airline miles are generally worth 1.2 to 1.5 cents on average when redeemed for economy and as much as 2 cents or more for upper class redemptions.
Transferring points to hotel partners will typically yield lower value, but there are redemptions at high-end resorts that can give you well over 1 cent per point in value.
Pay with Points
Membership Rewards points can be redeemed at checkout on Amazon.ca and with PayPal. Points can be redeemed at a rate of 1,000 Membership Rewards points for $7 in value.
Amazon Shop with Points
While this is a low redemption value compared to what you can get out of travel redemptions, Amazon will occasionally offer discount for using points on their website. This will be promos such as:
"Use Membership Rewards points to get $X off a purchase of $Y or more."
The good thing is that you generally don't have to pay for the full purchase in points. In fact, sometimes you can pay a single point, pay the rest in cash, and still receive the full discount.
Merchandise
Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for merchandise in the 'Shop' portion of the American Express Membership Rewards portal. The value you receive from shopping with AMEX will vary, but most redemptions that I tested hovered around the 0.4 to 0.6 cents range.
This is one of the lowest redemption values for Membership Rewards points, so I recommend avoiding the purchase of merchandise if you can.
Gift cards
Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for gift cards starting at 3,250 for a $25 gift card. This gives your points a value of 0.76 cents per point.
| Gift card denomination | Cost in AMEX points |
|---|---|
| $25 gift card | 3,250 points |
| $50 gift card | 6,500 points |
| $100 gift card | 13,000 points |
| $250 gift card | 32,500 points |
| $500 gift card | 65,000 points |
| $1,000 gift card | 130,000 points |
American Express prepaid cards do not cost the same value as the standard gift cards. They can be redeemed at a value of 1 cent per point with the lowest redemption starting at 2,500 points for a $25 American Express prepaid card.
I also want to point out that Air Canada gift cards are available through the portal as well. I recommend avoiding these since you can transfer points directly to your Aeroplan account and use those points to book award flights on Air Canada for as much as 2 cent per point.
Charity
Membership Rewards points can be donated to Save the Children which gives your points a value of 1 cent each. Donations start at 1,000 AMEX Points for a $10 donation.
Use points for purchases
Membership Rewards points can be used towards eligible purchases charged to your Membership Rewards credit card at a value of 1 cent per point. This means that every 1,000 AMEX Points you redeem towards purchases will give you a $10 statement credit.
This can be useful if you want to use your points to pay of purchases you've made to a card during the last 3 months.
Calculator: AMEX points to dollars
Use the AMEX Points Value Calculator to determine the dollar value (in CAD) of your Membership Rewards points when redeemed for travel, gift cards, and more. This will give you an idea of how much your points are worth on average.
AMEX Points Value Calculator
Enter any amount of points to calculate the dollar value.| Redemption option | Average dollar value (in CAD) |
|---|---|
| Transferring points to airline partners | $0 - $0 |
| Airfare via AMEX Fixed Points Travel program | $0 - $0 |
| Travel via AMEX Flexible Points Travel program | $0 |
| Charity donations | $0 |
| Redeeming points towards card purchases | $0 |
| Gift cards | $0 |
| Using points at checkout on Amazon.ca | $0 |
| Shopping for merchandise through AMEX Shop | $0 - $0 |
Average value for AMEX Travel redemptions
The table below lists the average cash values for Membership Rewards points when redeemed for Fixed points travel at a value of 1 cent per point.
| AMEX Membership Rewards points | Dollar value |
|---|---|
| 10,000 Points | $100 |
| 25,000 Points | $250 |
| 30,000 Points | $300 |
| 40,000 Points | $400 |
| 50,000 Points | $500 |
| 60,000 Points | $600 |
| 70,000 Points | $700 |
| 75,000 Points | $750 |
| 100,000 Points | $1,000 |
| 125,000 Points | $1,250 |
| 150,000 Points | $1,500 |
| 200,000 Points | $2,000 |
| 500,000 Points | $5,000 |
Membership Rewards Points Redemption Value Calculator
Use the Membership Rewards Points Redemption Value Calculator to determine if a redemption is worth it based on the cost in cash and the cost in points. Try to aim for redemptions that gives you at least 1 cent per point (though you should strive for higher if possible).
Credit cards that earn Membership Rewards points
Membership Rewards points are earned through intro bonuses and everyday spending across American Express Canada Membership Rewards credit cards. You can earn points using the following cards:
- Earn 2X points on dining and food delivery purchases in Canada
- Earn 2X points on travel
- Earn 1X points on all other purchases
- $200 Annual Travel Credit, $200 Annual Dining Credit, and $100 CAD NEXUS statement credit
- Access 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide with American Express Global Lounge Collection
- Enroll in complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- Top notch travel and purchase insurance
- Plus Fine Hotels & Resorts, The Hotel Collection, Global Dining Collection, benefits at Toronto Pearson, and much more
- $799 annual fee
- Card Value & AMEX Platinum Points Calculator
- Earn 2X points on travel, including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more
- Earn 2X points on eligible gas, grocery and drugstore purchases in Canada
- Earn 1X points on everything else
- Annual $100 CAD Travel Credit and $50 CAD NEXUS Statement Credit
- Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Lounge access
- Access to hotel benefits when booking through The Hotel Collection
- Top notch travel and purchase insurance
- $250 annual fee
- Card Value & AMEX Gold Points Calculator
- Earn 5X points on eligible restaurant and grocery stores in Canada, including food and grocery delivery
- Earn 3X points on streaming subscriptions with select providers in Canada
- Earn 1X points on all other purchases
- Access to hotel benefits when booking through The Hotel Collection
- Travel & purchase insurance
- $12.99 monthly fee ($155.88 annually)
- Card Value & AMEX Cobalt Points Calculator
- Earn 1X points on all card purchases
- Earn 1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings through AMEX Travel Online
- $0 annual fee
- Card Value & AMEX Green Points Calculator
- Earn 1.25X points on all card purchases
- Access 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide with American Express Global Lounge Collection
- Up to $820 in annual credits
- Complimentary Marriott Gold Bonvoy Elite status and Hilton Honors Gold status (enrollment required)
- Top notch travel and purchase insurance
- Plus Fine Hotels & Resorts, The Hotel Collection, Global Dining Collection, International Airline Program, benefits at Toronto Pearson, and much more
- $799 annual fee
- Card Value & Business Platinum Points Calculator
- Earn 1X points on everything
- Earn 10,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $20,000 in net purchases each calendar quarter (up to 40K points annually)
- Travel & purchase insurance
- $199 annual fee
- Card Value & Rewards Calculator
- Earn 3X points on eligible office supplies & electronics, rides & gas, and eats & drinks
- Earn 1X points on all other purchases
- Spend $3,000 or more in Card purchases each monthly billing period to earn a Monthly Spend Bonus, up to 12,000 bonus points a year
- $99 annual fee
- Card Value & Business Edge Points Calculator
FAQ
How much are AMEX Membership Rewards points worth in Canada?
AMEX Canada points are worth 1 to 2 cents each when using them towards travel with the Fixed Point Travel or Flexible Points Travel redemption options.
Can AMEX Canada Membership Rewards points be transfered to partners?
Yes. Membership Rewards Points can be transferred to a handful of airline and hotel partners including Air Canada Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, and British Airways Executive Club.
What can you redeem Membership Rewards points earned with AMEX Canada for?
AMEX Canada Membership Rewards Points can be used for travel, merchandise, and gift cards. You can also redeem them on Amazon.ca, donate them to charity, or apply them to your account as a statement credit.
How do you earn AMEX Membership Rewards points in Canada?
Membership Rewards points are earned through intro bonuses and everyday spending across American Express Canada Membership Rewards credit cards.
How much is 30,000 AMEX points worth?
30,000 Membership Rewards points earned with AMEX Canada are worth $300 when redeemed for Fixed Points Travel, but can be worth up to $600 when transferred to AMEX's travel partners.
How much is 40,000 AMEX points worth?
40,000 Membership Rewards points earned with AMEX Canada are worth $400 when redeemed for Fixed Points Travel, but can be worth up to $800 when transferred to AMEX's travel partners.
How much is 60,000 AMEX points worth?
60,000 Membership Rewards points earned with AMEX Canada are worth $600 when redeemed for Fixed Points Travel, but can be worth up to $1,200 when transferred to AMEX's travel partners.
How much is 70,000 AMEX points worth?
70,000 Membership Rewards points earned with AMEX Canada are worth $700 when redeemed for Fixed Points Travel, but can be worth up to $1,400 when transferred to AMEX's travel partners.
How much is 75,000 AMEX points worth?
75,000 Membership Rewards points earned with AMEX Canada are worth $750 when redeemed for Fixed Points Travel, but can be worth up to $1,500 when transferred to AMEX's travel partners.
How much is 100,000 AMEX points worth?
100,000 Membership Rewards points earned with AMEX Canada are worth $1,000 when redeemed for Fixed Points Travel, but can be worth up to $2,000 when transferred to AMEX's travel partners.
How much is 500,000 AMEX points worth?
500,000 Membership Rewards points earned with AMEX Canada are worth $5,000 when redeemed for Fixed Points Travel, but can be worth up to $10,000 when transferred to AMEX's travel partners.
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