How To Redeem Your American Express Membership Rewards® Points For Flights

“What card should I get for earning points?” I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked this question. 

Ask any points enthusiast, and they’ll tell you that American Express Membership Rewards^® points¹ are unmatched when it comes to earning, flexibility, or desirability (don’t tell me you haven’t thought about an American Express Centurion Card with your name on it). In the opinion of this author, there really is no other program that holds a candle to the American Express^® offering. From once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences to shopping, dining, and even cover your charges on your statement for all eligible transactions. Membership Rewards points can be leveraged for significant value¹. 

It’s worth mentioning that American Express Cards are built different, and for the sake of this guide we won’t be addressing direct earn cards, as they don’t offer the flexibility of Membership Rewards Cards. The major difference is transferability. Points accrued on direct earn cards – like those linked to Qantas or Velocity frequent flyer programs – cannot be transferred out of the ecosystem they are linked to. 

Membership Rewards points on the other hand, are banked into the Amex online portal. From there Card Members can transfer the required amounts to the partners associated with your specific Card¹, providing infinitely more choice (and in many cases value) when it comes time to redeem. Think of it as a shopping centre gift card, accepted at any retailer in their network, as opposed to a specific store voucher, limited to that single retailer. 

For Australians, the allure of Membership Rewards points is especially enticing after the introduction of ‘Qantas Classic Plus Rewards’, which has essentially allowed Qantas to charge 2-3x the points of every redemption under the guise of ‘demand’. With ‘Classic Rewards’ harder to find on the Qantas website, Membership Rewards points can easily be transferred to Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines for more reward seat options¹. 

This guide will explore all the great ways you can use your Amex Membership Rewards points. 

Travel Benefits

Airline Tickets

There is no doubt that the best way to use Amex Membership Rewards points is to redeem them for premium cabin air travel¹. When I say best, I mean extracting the most value from each point that you have earnt, while giving you access to experiences usually reserved for the super wealthy or business travellers – flying First & Business Class. That is, of course, if you’re lucky enough to find a reward seat, as they’re limited in availability.

American Express Card Members can redeem points for flights one of two ways:

1.  Login to American Express Travel Online to book flights directly with points², offering max convenience, or;
2. By transferring points to airline partners to yield higher value. The number of partners you can transfer to, and the rate at which the points transfer, will depend on the Card you hold, for instance the American Express Platinum Card allows holders to transfer Membership Rewards points directly to Qantas Frequent Flyer, while the American Express Explorer Card does not. 

To our knowledge, calculating the value of an airline’s frequent flyer point can be done by dividing the cost of a reward by the number of points needed to redeem it. If a Qantas Business Class ticket from Sydney to Singapore costs $3,000 to buy and 68,400 to redeem, the value of each point would be $0.04. If a Qantas Economy Class ticket from Sydney to Singapore costs $900 to buy and 25,200 points to redeem, the value of each point would be $0.03. This calculation allows you to compare the value of different rewards and determine which ones provide the most value. It’s quite likely that redeeming frequent flyer points for premium airfares will more often give you a better value per point. In short – save your points for the pointy end. Qantas, it’s worth noting, is only transferable for Platinum Card Members.

Hotels & Rental Cars

Alongside flights, the Amex Travel Online⁶ portal also gives you access to hotels and rental cars using your Membership Rewards points², and will highlight offers and partnerships specific to American Express, which may provide additional value. Card Members also have the ability to transfer points to two hotel partners (Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy), and then redeem those points within that partner’s loyalty program, often providing enhanced value.¹ 

Unlike flight redemptions, hotels are generally valued on their nightly room price, so ‘saver’ or ‘classic’ redemptions are rarely applicable, and in Marriott’s case demand always seems to be high. Ultimately, that affects the value of each point.

Transfer to Travel Partners¹⁵

American Express Membership Rewards boasts over 10 major Airline Reward Partner Programs for Explorer, Platinum Edge, and Essential Rewards Card Members, and adds Qantas to the list for Platinum & Centurion cardholders, for a total of 12 partners. Transferring points to travel partners is a great way to top up your balance earned while flying, and the best way to extract the most value, as well as to upgrade cash tickets using points. These are the key partners available to Australian cardholders:

Airline Partners

• Qantas Frequent Flyer (Platinum & Centurion Only): Use points for flights, upgrades, hotels and hire cars booked via Qantas Frequent Flyer.⁷ Given they’re codeshare partners with Emirates (i.e., they share bookable flights with Emirates), it’s worth keeping an eye on first-class award availability, bookable through the Qantas website 
• Velocity Frequent Flyer: Redeem points for Virgin Australia flights and services, ideal for domestic travel.⁸ 
• Air New Zealand: Perfect for flights into New Zealand and on to North & South America.⁹ 
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: Access Krisflyer’s extensive network of flight, hotel and travel benefits, this includes access to carriers such as United Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, and Swiss.¹⁰
• Cathay Pacific Miles: A great value way to redeem points in premium cabins on One World carriers, especially Qantas.¹¹ 
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: Best for booking ANA premium cabins.¹² 

Hotel Partners

• Hilton Honors: Transfer points for complimentary nights (every fifth night is free) and upgrades (subject to availability) at Hilton properties worldwide including Conrad, LXR & Waldorf Astoria.
• Marriott Bonvoy: Use points for stays at Marriott hotels, which include brands like Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, and Westin.¹³ 

Pay with Points Travel Partners

• Webjet and Helloworld (and its subsidiaries): Redeem points for a variety of flight and hotel bookings through Webjet.com.au and Helloworld (including MTA Travel).   

Shopping and Gift Cards

The American Express shopping ecosystem includes redemption of points for Gift Cards³, payment for items via Shop with Points at Myer⁴ or The Good Guys¹⁴.

Using points to purchase Gift Cards is another option to give you even more flexibility on your spend³. With a wide range of retailers you can indulge in everything from fine wine to a new fishing rod or help cover everyday expenses like groceries and fuel at Woolworths or Coles. You can also use Gift Cards to minimise your travel costs, with Accor & Airbnb offering $200 for 40,000 points and $500 for 100,000 points for Airbnb. 

Finally, a small number of Australian retailers allow you to use Membership Rewards points directly at checkout, these retailers include Myer, The Good Guys and Paypal, for eligible online purchases.¹⁴ 

Cover Charges with Points

Cover Charges with Points⁶ allows you to use Membership Rewards points for statement credits, which is a simple and practical option to offset recent charges on your Account (eligible charges only). This can be particularly useful for covering unexpected expenses or managing your budget more effectively.

Final Thoughts

American Express Membership Rewards points offer a wealth of opportunities for Card Members but it is critical users consider point value before committing to a redemption. While personal situation and perceived value may impact a decision, maximising Membership Rewards points value really starts and ends with premium air travel. 

This article is produced in partnership with American Express. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Boss Hunting.

Terms & Conditions

Subject to Terms and Conditions. Fees and charges apply. All information is correct as of 28/3/2025 and is subject to change. Cards are offered, issued, and administered by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085). ^®Registered Trademark of American Express Company

1. Membership Rewards Points.
   Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards program available here. To transfer Membership Rewards points into an airline rewards or frequent guest partner program you must be a member of the partner program. Membership of the partner program is the Card Member’s responsibility and is subject to the Terms and Conditions of the applicable program. A joining fee may apply.
2. Use points with American Express Travel Online.
   To earn or redeem Membership Rewards points, Cards must be enrolled to the American Express Membership Rewards program, and your Card Account must be in good standing.You will then receive a statement credit within 3 business days for your points redemption. If the credit isn’t on the same statement as the transaction, it should appear on your next statement. Please pay all amounts due each month. You will earn Membership Rewards points on the full dollar amount charged to your Card. All bookings are subject to the terms and conditions of our Membership Rewards Program. View the full Membership Rewards Terms and Conditions here.
3. Gift Cards.
   Please allow up to 10 days for the Gift Cards to be delivered. Gift Card or voucher rewards are not redeemable or exchangeable for cash or credit. Gift Card validity period varies for each retailer, please visit https://global.americanexpress.com/rewards/gift-cards to check each Gift Card validity period. Normal retailer Gift Card Terms and Conditions apply. Membership Rewards Terms and Conditions apply.
4. Pay with Points – Myer Online.
   Shop With Points at Myer. You can Shop with points for a Credit online if you are the Primary Card Member of an eligible American Express Card issued by American Express Australia Limited; your Card is enrolled in an eligible Membership Rewards program; and your Card Account is in good standing (i.e., not overdue or in collections). Additional or Employee Card Members, Card Members enrolled in Qantas or Velocity Direct program, Business Ascent program or Business Card Members with spend locked to one supplier are not eligible to use Shop with points at Myer. The minimum redemption value is 1,000 Membership Rewards points. The full transaction amount will be charged and appear on your account and the credit will appear within 2-4 business days of the charge. The credit may not appear on the same statement as the full charge. In this case, you must still pay the amount due on your statement, and the credit will apply to charges on your next statement. For full terms and conditions click here.
5. Cover Charges with Points.
   For each successful transaction with cover charges with points, points will be debited from your Membership Rewards account and a credit placed on your Card. A minimum of 1,000 Membership Rewards points is required to cover any eligible transaction with points. Account cannot be in credit when using cover charges with points. A credit will appear on your statement identified as “Membership Rewards Credit”. Points will be debited immediately and the credit will take up to 2-4 business days. to appear online. Credits processed after the Card account’s statement closing date will appear in the following statement. You are still responsible for payment of the amount due on your Card account by the due date. Any charges covered by points is not redeemable for cash via Credit balance refund. View full terms and conditions here.
6. Amex Travel.
   To earn or redeem Membership Rewards Points, Cards must be enrolled to the American Express Membership Rewards program, and your Card Account must be in good standing. To redeem Membership Rewards Points with American Express Travel Online, you need to have available limit on your Card for the full transaction amount of the booking. You will then receive a statement credit within 3 business days for your points redemption. If the credit isn’t on the same statement as the transaction, it should appear on your next statement. Please pay all amounts due each month. You will earn Membership Rewards Points on the full dollar amount charged to your Card. All bookings are subject to the terms and conditions of our Membership Rewards Program. For full Terms and Conditions, please visit the Membership Rewards website.
7. Qantas Frequent Flyer.
   You must be a member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program to earn and redeem Qantas Points. A joining fee may apply. Membership and the earning and redemption of points are subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program available at qantas.com/frequentflyer. Qantas Points and bonus Qantas Points are earned in accordance with and subject to the Qantas American Express Cards Points Terms and Conditions, and exclusions apply. Eligible purchases do not include annual Card fees, cash advances, interest, fees and charges for traveller’s cheques and foreign currencies – these do not earn Qantas Points. For the full list of exclusions, please refer to the Qantas American Express Cards Points Terms and Conditions. You will earn 0.5 point per dollar spent with Merchants classified as ‘government’, including the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Postal Corporation (Australia Post), Federal/State and Local Government bodies, including where you use a payment account, payment aggregator, services of a third party or online retailers that sell goods for another merchant.
8. Velocity Points.
   A minimum of 2,000 Membership Rewards points must be redeemed for Velocity Points at any one time and must be in increments of 2 Membership Rewards points and must be in whole numbers. For full details on points transfers, including eligibility criteria, minimum points transfer requirements, applicable conversion rate see the American Express Membership Rewards Program Terms and Conditions  . The earning and redemption of Membership Rewards points is subject to the Terms and Conditions of the American Express Membership Rewards Program. The redemption of Membership Rewards points will be administered solely by American Express and will take up to 1 business day to transfer into your Velocity Account and is subject to the Terms and Conditions of the American Express Membership Rewards Program in which you are enrolled. Once the Membership Rewards points have been redeemed for Velocity Points, they are governed by the Velocity membership Terms and Conditions and cannot be reversed. Transferred Velocity Points will take up to 1 business day to be available in your Velocity Account. Please note that once points have been transferred out of Membership Rewards to your Velocity Frequent Flyer Account it is not possible to have this reversed back into your Membership Rewards Account as outlined in the Terms and Conditions. To earn and redeem Velocity Points you must be a Velocity member. Velocity membership and Points earn and redemption are subject to the Velocity membership Terms and Conditions, as amended from time to time.
9. Air NZ: AIR NEW ZEALAND & AIRPOINTS
   To transfer Membership Rewards points into Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars™ you must be enrolled in Membership Rewards Ascent or Ascent Premium and be a member of Airpoints™. Membership of Airpoints is the Card Member’s responsibility and is subject to the Airpoints terms and conditions. A joining fee of AUD50 applies. Under Membership Rewards Ascent and Ascent Premium, a minimum of 2,000 Membership Rewards points may be redeemed for Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars at any one time and must be in whole numbers and increments of 100. The transfer of Membership Rewards points will take 1 business day to transfer into your Air New Zealand Airpoints account. Once Membership Rewards points have been redeemed for Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars, they cannot be reversed and are governed by the terms and conditions of the Airpoints program. For Airpoints terms and conditions and bookings, visit airnewzealand.com.au.
10. Singapore Airlines Kris Flyer.
    Participation in KrisFlyer program is subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer program. Full details can be found at krisflyer.com . Under the Membership Rewards Ascent or Ascent Premium program a minimum of 7,500 Membership Rewards points may be redeemed for KrisFlyer miles at any one time and must be in whole numbers. Once Membership Rewards points have been transferred to the KrisFlyer program, they are governed by the Terms and Conditions of the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program. The transfer of points will take up to 1 business day to transfer into your KrisFlyer account. Available to Australian Membership Rewards Ascent or Ascent Premium members and Australian resident members of KrisFlyer at time of redemption. Seats are subject to availability. Please check availability before transferring your points.
11. Cathay Pacific (Asia Miles).
    Under the Ascent, Gateway, Ascent Premium or David Jones Membership Rewards programs a minimum of 5,000 Membership Rewards points may be redeemed for Asia Miles at any one time and must be in whole numbers. Once Membership Rewards points have been transferred to the Asia Miles program, Asia Miles Terms and Conditions will be applied. Full details can be found at www.asiamiles.com. Available to Australian Ascent, Gateway, Ascent Premium or David Jones Membership Rewards members and Australian resident members of Asia Miles at time of redemption. Reward items are subject to availability. Please check availability before transferring your points.
12. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
    Under the Membership Rewards Ascent, Ascent Premium, Gateway or David Jones programs a minimum of 2,000 Membership Rewards points may be redeemed for Virgin Points at any one time and must be in whole numbers. Once Membership Rewards points have been transferred to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, they are governed by the terms and conditions of the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club program and cannot be reversed. The transfer of points will take up to 1 business day to transfer into your Flying Club account. If you are not already a Flying Club member transfer of points may take additional time. Available to Australian Membership Rewards Ascent, Ascent Premium, Gateway or David Jones members and Australian resident members of Flying Club at time of redemption. Seats are subject to availability. Please check availability before transferring your points.
13.  Marriott Bonvoy (Sheraton and Westin).
    Terms and Conditions for the Membership Rewards® program apply. Visit americanexpress.com/en-au/rewards/membership-rewards/terms for more information. Participating partners and available rewards are subject to change without notice. To transfer Membership Rewards points for Marriott Bonvoy Points you must be enrolled in Membership Rewards Ascent, Gateway, Premium Ascent, Spirit, Corporate Ascent, Business Ascent or David Jones Membership Rewards program. You must be enrolled in Marriott Bonvoy in order to participate in this offer, visit https://www.marriott.com/loyalty.mi to enrol. American Express is not responsible for availability, accommodations or any other rewards in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Once you have transferred Membership Rewards points, they become subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Marriott Bonvoy program and cannot be transferred back to your Membership Rewards program account. See Marriott Bonvoy Terms and Conditions for details.
14. Good Guys – Gift Cards.
    Gift Card or voucher rewards are not redeemable or exchangeable for cash or credit and are valid for a period of minimum 3 years from the date of issue, unless otherwise stated. We are not responsible if any Gift Card is lost, stolen, or destroyed, or the Gift Card is used without your permission. Membership Reward terms and conditions apply. Normal retailer gift card or voucher conditions apply, refer to the gift card or retailer website for details.
15. Partner Programs.
    Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards program available here. To transfer Membership Rewards points into an airline rewards or frequent guest partner program you must be a member of the partner program. Membership of the partner program is the Card Member’s responsibility and is subject to the Terms and Conditions of the applicable program. A joining fee may apply.