Calculator: What's The Value of AMEX Membership Rewards Points?

AMEX points value

How much are AMEX points earned with AMEX Canada worth?

The answer: American Express Membership Rewards points are worth 1 to 2 cents per point when redeemed for travel through the AMEX Fixed Points Travel program or transferred to AMEX's airline and hotel partners. For other redemptions, such as flexible travel bookings, statement credits, or charity donations, points hold a standard value of 1 cent per point.

Here's our breakdown of AMEX points value based on redemption:

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

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.

Business flights

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.

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 AMEX 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.

Point transfers to airline partners

Transferring Membership Rewards points to airline partners will give your AMEX points anywhere from 1 to 2 cents per point depending on what airline you transfer them to and how you redeem them. First and Business class redemptions will typically give your points the highest value—even sometimes exceeding 2 cents per point.

Point transfers to hotel partners

Transferring Membership Rewards points to hotel partners will typically yield lower value than airline redemptions. On average, points transfers to AMEX's hotel partners will be worth about 0.4 cents per point with Hilton and 0.8 cents per point with Marriott.

Higher values are obtainable with both programs if you're booking high-end brands, popular vacation spots, or during peak travel times. So it's not impossible to get over 1 cent per point in value, especially with Marriott.

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.

Pay with Points

Pay with points can be used for three programs:

• Air Canada: Redeem 1,000 points for $10 in credit towards for total or part of a flight.
• Amazon: Redeem 1,000 points for a $7 statement credit to pay for total or part of a order on Amazon.ca.
• PayPal: Redeem 1,000 points for a $7 statement credit at checkout with PayPal.

Redeeming points towards Air Canada flights offers the best value of 1 cent per point, while redemptions at checkout with Amazon.ca and PayPal offers 0.7 cents per point.

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 hovered around 0.4 to 0.6 cents per point.

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

Prepaid AMEX Card

American Express prepaid cards offer slightly better value, starting at 3,125 points for $25, equating to 0.8 cents per point.

Air Canada Gift Cards

While Air Canada gift cards are available in the portal, they are not the best use of your points. Instead, transfer points directly to your Aeroplan account to book award flights for a value of up to 2 cents per point. Alternatively, use Pay with Points for a guaranteed 1 cent per point, which still surpasses the gift card value of 0.76 cents 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.

AMEX points to dollars calculator

Use our AMEX points to dollars 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 average value

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. Do note, that transferring points to airline partners or redeeming through AMEX's Fixed Points Travel program can easily offer more than 1 cent in value.

AMEX points redemption value calculator

Use our AMEX Points Redemption Value Calculator to calculate the exact value of Membership Rewards points based on the cost in cash versus 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).

How does AMEX points value compare?

Here's how the value of AMEX points compare against rewards earned with other leading travel programs:

How to 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: