American Express Membership Rewards Deep Dive: The Best Cards for Earning MR Points
American Express Membership Rewards (MR) is one of the most versatile and valuable points programs, offering cardholders the ability to earn points on a variety of spending categories and redeem them in countless ways. Whether you’re looking to book a flight, upgrade your travel experience, or simply get the most value out of your everyday purchases, there’s an Amex card that can help you maximize your rewards.
In this deep dive, we’ll cover all the American Express cards that earn Membership Rewards points, including cards that typically earn cash back but can be paired with an MR-earning card to unlock more value.
Why Choose American Express Membership Rewards?
American Express is well known for its robust Membership Rewards program, which offers:
Flexible Transfer Options: Points can be transferred to a wide range of airline and hotel partners, providing excellent value, especially for travel redemptions.
High Earning Rates on Key Categories: Amex cards offer multiple ways to earn points, from dining and groceries to travel and business expenses.
Access to Premium Perks: Many Amex cards come with luxury benefits such as airport lounge access, travel insurance, and exclusive offers.
Let’s explore the cards that can earn you Membership Rewards points and how to make the most out of them.
American Express Membership Rewards-Earning Cards
Here are the American Express cards that allow you to earn Membership Rewards points directly. These cards cover various spending categories, so you can choose the one that best fits your lifestyle.
1. American Express® Gold Card
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first six months. (Occasionally, elevated offers of 75,000 or more points may be available.)
Earning Rates: 4x points on dining at restaurants (including takeout and delivery), 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1x), 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, and 1x on everything else.
Annual Fee: $250
Why It’s Great: The Amex Gold Card is a standout for those who spend a lot on dining and groceries. It’s an excellent option for accumulating points quickly in these popular categories.
2. The Platinum Card® from American Express
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in the first six months. (Occasionally, offers can be elevated to 100,000 or more points.)
Earning Rates: 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, and 1x on everything else.
Annual Fee: $695
Why It’s Great: The Platinum Card is designed for frequent travelers who want premium perks like airport lounge access, annual travel credits, and high earning rates on flights and hotels. It’s one of the best cards for those looking to maximize their travel experience.
3. American Express® Green Card
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn 45,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $2,000 in the first three months. (Sometimes, there are elevated offers with more points or additional perks.)
Earning Rates: 3x points on travel (including transit) and dining worldwide, 1x on everything else.
Annual Fee: $150
Why It’s Great: A versatile mid-tier card, the Green Card is ideal for those who want to earn points on travel and dining without the high annual fee of the Platinum Card.
4. American Express® Business Gold Card
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $10,000 in the first three months. (Elevated offers may provide more points or additional benefits.)
Earning Rates: 4x points on the two categories where your business spends the most each month (from a list of six), up to $150,000 per year, then 1x on everything else.
Annual Fee: $295
Why It’s Great: Perfect for business owners who have varying monthly expenses, this card adapts to your spending habits and rewards you accordingly. It’s great for earning points on high business expenses.
5. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 in the first three months. (Sometimes, there are elevated offers that include more points or added perks.)
Earning Rates: 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, 1.5x points on eligible purchases in key business categories and purchases over $5,000, 1x on everything else.
Annual Fee: $695
Why It’s Great: The Business Platinum Card provides business owners with premium travel perks, including airport lounge access, travel credits, and more. It’s perfect for those who want to combine business spending with luxury travel benefits.
Cash Back Cards That Can Earn Membership Rewards
American Express also offers a range of cash back cards that, on their own, don’t earn Membership Rewards points. However, when paired with a card that does earn MR points, you can convert cash back into MR points, increasing their flexibility and value. Here are a few:
1. Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Most Common Bonus Offer: No standard bonus, but occasionally you may find offers with 15,000 or more points.
Earning Rates: 2x points on the first $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1x on everything else.
Annual Fee: $0
Why It’s Great: This card earns Membership Rewards points directly, making it a fantastic choice for everyday business expenses. It’s simple, effective, and earns points that can be transferred to travel partners.
2. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn $250 cash back after spending $3,000 in the first six months. (Elevated offers sometimes include more cash back or rewards.)
Earning Rates: 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% on transit and U.S. gas stations, and 1% on everything else.
Annual Fee: $95
How to Convert: If you hold an MR-earning card, you can convert this cash back into Membership Rewards points, making this card’s high-earning categories even more valuable.
3. American Express® Cash Magnet Card
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn $150 cash back after spending $1,000 in the first three months.
Earning Rates: 1.5% cash back on every purchase, with no limit.
Annual Fee: $0
How to Convert: Pair this card with an MR card to convert your cash back into Membership Rewards points, which can then be transferred to travel partners or redeemed for other benefits.
Important Note: To unlock the ability to convert cash back into Membership Rewards points, you must hold at least one card that directly earns MR points (such as the Amex Gold, Green, or Platinum). This strategy can significantly increase the value of your rewards.
How to Redeem American Express Membership Rewards Points
With so many ways to redeem your points, it’s essential to know how to maximize their value. Here are the top options:
1. Transfer Points to Travel Partners
The best way to get the most out of your points is to transfer them to airline and hotel partners. This can yield excellent value, especially for international flights in premium cabins.
2. Book Travel Through Amex Travel
If you prefer to book travel directly, you can use your points through the Amex Travel portal. Points can be used to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and more, offering flexibility for those who want a straightforward redemption option.
3. Redeem for Statement Credits, Gift Cards, or Shopping
Points can also be redeemed for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, or used for shopping at partner retailers. While this may not always provide the highest value, it offers versatility for those who need to use their points in different ways.
Final Thoughts
American Express offers a robust and flexible Membership Rewards program, supported by a range of credit cards that can help you earn points on everything from dining and groceries to business expenses and everyday purchases. By understanding which cards earn MR points, and how to convert cash back into MR points, you can create a strategy that maximizes your rewards.
Whether you’re looking to travel in luxury, save on everyday purchases, or earn points on your business expenses, Amex has an option to help you reach your goals. So, if you’re ready to make the most of American Express Membership Rewards, consider adding one of these cards to your wallet.