Why collect Amex points?
Membership Rewards points don't belong to one airline or hotel. You keep them in your Amex account until you know where you want to go, then move them across. That flexibility is what makes them so valuable.
- Avios at 1:1, for British Airways, Qatar Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus
- Virgin Points at 1:1
- Other airlines, including Emirates Skywards
- Hotels: Hilton Honors at 1:2 and Marriott Bonvoy at 2:3
The 7 best ways to earn
1. Welcome bonuses
Nothing builds your balance faster. A new card's welcome bonus can give you more points in three months than a year of normal spending.
| Card | Annual fee | Welcome bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Amex Preferred Rewards Gold | Free year 1, then £195 | 20,000 points after £3,000 in 3 months |
| The Platinum Card | £650 | 50,000 points after £6,000 in 3 months |
| Amex Rewards Credit Card | Free | 10,000 points after £2,000 in 3 months |
Amex business cards also earn Membership Rewards. If you run a business, a business card is a second way to earn a welcome bonus, alongside your personal card.
2. Put your everyday spending on Amex
Your card earns at least 1 point for every £1 you spend. The trick is to move as much of your normal spending onto it as possible, and pay it off in full every month.
- Food shopping and fuel
- Phone, broadband and streaming
- Insurance renewals, paid yearly where you can
- Utility bills, where the supplier accepts Amex
- Online shopping and subscriptions
Amex isn't accepted everywhere. Keep a Mastercard or Visa as a backup for places that don't take it, ideally one that also earns points.
3. Earn double on flights and abroad
The Amex Gold card earns 2 points per £1 on flights booked directly with airlines, and on spending outside the UK. If you travel a few times a year, that adds up quickly.
Book flights on the airline's own website rather than through a travel agent, so the spend counts as airline spending.
4. Hit the annual spend bonus
The Gold card gives you up to 10,000 bonus points a year, with the full amount when you spend £20,000. If you're close to the target near the end of your card year, it can be worth timing a big planned purchase, such as a holiday or an insurance renewal, to land before the deadline.
5. Refer friends and family
When someone you invite is approved for an Amex card, you earn bonus points, and they usually get a bonus too. You'll find your personal referral link in the Amex app.
- The bonus you get depends on which card your friend applies for.
- There's a yearly limit on how many referral points you can earn.
- Only refer people who'll genuinely use and pay off the card.
6. Add a supplementary card
Add a partner or family member as a supplementary cardholder, and everything they spend earns points in your account. It's an easy way to reach a welcome bonus or the annual spend bonus faster.
Amex sometimes runs offers that give bonus points just for adding a supplementary card and using it. Check the offers in your Amex account from time to time.
7. Use Amex Offers
In the Amex app you'll find a list of offers at brands such as restaurants, shops and travel companies. Add an offer to your card, then spend as normal to earn bonus points or money back.
Offers change regularly and are different for each cardholder, so it's worth checking every few weeks.
What a year of earning could look like
Here's an example for someone who opens the Amex Gold card and puts around £1,700 a month on it:
| Source | Points |
|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | 20,000 |
| £20,000 of spending in the year, at 1 point per £1 | 20,000 |
| Annual spend bonus | 10,000 |
| Total | 50,000 points |
That's 50,000 Avios once transferred, before counting any double points on travel, referrals or offers. It's enough for a business class flight to many places in Europe and beyond, depending on the route and date.
Mistakes to avoid
- Carrying a balance. Interest wipes out the value of your points. Always pay in full.
- Spending more to earn more. Only put spending on the card that you'd make anyway.
- Closing your account with points still in it. Move your points out first, or you could lose them.
- Transferring points too early. Find the flight or hotel first. Transfers can't be reversed.
- Missing the welcome bonus deadline. Set a reminder for three months after you open the card.
Turn your points into a trip
The smartest ways to spend your points once they're in your account.
Not sure which card to start with? Read our Amex Gold review or compare every card in our airline card guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which Amex card earns the most points?
For most people, the Amex Preferred Rewards Gold, thanks to double points on travel and the annual spend bonus. The Platinum card has a bigger welcome bonus but a much higher fee.
Do Amex points expire?
Not while your account is open. If you close it, move your points to an airline or hotel programme first.
Does a supplementary cardholder's spending count?
Yes. Points from supplementary card spending go into the main cardholder's account.
What are Amex points worth?
It depends how you use them. Transferred to Avios or Virgin Points for a premium flight, they can be worth far more than if you use them for shopping or statement credit.