🤔 So...how do I actually make the most of Membership Rewards Points?
Earning points is the easy part, but using them well? That’s where the real value is. With sweet perks like free flights and hotel upgrades up for grabs a little strategy can go a long way. Here are a few quick tips to help you get the most bang for your (points) buck.
So let's break down how Membership Rewards Points convert to some of the most popular airline and hotel partners.
| Partner Program | Transfer Rate | Minimum Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Air New Zealand Airpoints™ | 200 MR points = 1 Airpoints Dollar™ | 2,000 MR points |
| Asia Miles | 2 MR points = 1 Asia Mile | 5,000 MR points |
| British Airways | 2 MR points = 1 Avios | 2,000 MR points |
| Emirates Skywards | 3 MR points = 1 Skywards Mile | 3,000 MR points |
| Etihad Guest | 2 MR points = 1 Etihad Guest Mile | 1,000 MR points |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 2 MR points = 1 HawaiianMile | 2,000 MR points |
| Malaysia Airlines Enrich | 2 MR points = 1 Enrich Mile | 1,000 MR points |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | 2 MR points = 1 Avios | 500 MR points |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 3 MR points = 1 KrisFlyer Mile | 3,000 MR points |
| Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus | 2 MR points = 1 Royal Orchid Plus Mile | 5,000 MR points |
| Velocity Frequent Flyer | 2 MR points = 1 Velocity Point | 2,000 MR points |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 2 MR points = 1 Flying Club Mile | 2,000 MR points |
| Hilton Honors | 2 MR points = 1 Hilton Honors Point | 2,000 MR points |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 3 MR points = 2 Marriott Bonvoy Points | 600 MR points |
NB: It technically is possible to transfer MR points to Qantas by transferring first to Marriot and then to Qantas.
💼 Beyond the Points: Perks That Pack a Punch
The huge value Membership Rewards Points pack is definitely a massive draw, but they're not the only reason to consider an Amex. You'll find added extras on almost every one of their cards. Look closely and you'll see extras like lounge access, complimentary insurances, smartphone cover and travel credits. Depending on the card you choose, these perks can seriously boost the overall value you’re getting. It pays to know what’s included on your card.
🛍️ For the everyday spenders
Just using your Amex for groceries, travel and streaming? Perfect. Many personal cards come with built-in perks like smartphone cover, travel insurance and even lounge passes—so you can enjoy more value. You just do what you do.
American Express Explorer Credit Card
Annual Travel Credit: Receive a $400 Travel Credit each year, which can be used for eligible flights, hotels, or car hire through American Express Travel.
Airport Lounge Access: Enjoy two complimentary entries per year to The Centurion Lounge at Sydney and Melbourne International Airports.
Travel Insurance: Benefit from complimentary domestic and international travel insurance when you pay for your trip with the card.
American Express Essential Rewards Card
Accelerated Points Earning: Earn up to 5 points per $1 spent across a range of retailers, food outlets, and services.
Smartphone Screen Cover: Receive complimentary Smartphone Screen Cover of up to $500 when you pay for your phone or contract with your Amex Essential Rewards card.
Additional Card Members: Add up to four complimentary additional card members to help earn points faster.
American Express Platinum Charge Card
Annual Travel Credit: Receive a $450 Platinum Travel Credit each year, redeemable for eligible flights, hotels, or car hire.
Global Lounge Access: Gain complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges in over 650 cities across 140 countries, including The Centurion Lounge and Priority Pass Lounges.
Hotel Benefits: Enjoy complimentary Accor Plus membership, providing access to exclusive hotel offers and experiences.
🧑💼 Let's not forget those business owners
When you’re running a business, the right Amex card can do more than earn points. It can help streamline your spend, unlock valuable credits and give you access to perks that make business travel and expenses just that little bit easier.
American Express Business Gold Plus Card
Business Credits: Receive up to $550 worth of credits annually until 31 December 2026 with merchants like Xero, Google Ads, Meta, AWS, and Dell. Enrolment required.
Accelerated Points Earning: Earn up to 3 points per $1 spent with selected merchants, 2 points with AccessLine (after enrolment approval), and 1.5 points on everyday spending. Also two employee cards at $0 ($75 p.a. for extras).
Travel Benefits: Access hotel credits and perks, hire car benefits, and travel insurance.
American Express Platinum Business Card
Flexible Spending Power: Benefit from uncapped points with no expiry and flexible spending limits.
Travel Extras: Complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries, complimentary Accor Plus membership Complimentary Accor Plus membership and access to VIP privileges at over 1,500 hotels globally with the Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection partners.
Business Tools: Receive up to $125 back with Dell Technologies transactions (offer ends 31 December 2026) and add up to 99 Employee Cards at no extra cost
✈️ Amex Membership Rewards vs Frequent Flyer Points: What’s the difference?
So far, we've seen how flexible the Membership Rewards Points are as not all rewards points are created equal. If you're a member of Qantas or Velocity, let's see how these program stacks up.
|
Rewards Programs Comparison
|
||
|---|---|---|
| Membership Rewards Points | Frequent Flyer Points | |
| Flexibility | Can be transferred to multiple airline & hotel partners | Locked into one program (e.g. Qantas or Velocity) |
| Best for | People who want options and value-hunters | Loyal flyers who always stick to one airline |
| Transfer Partners | 14+ airlines, plus hotel programs like Marriott & Hilton | Not transferable—you earn and redeem in one program |
| Redemption Options | Flights, hotels, gift cards, shopping, statement credit | Mainly flights and upgrades with that airline |
| Point Expiry | Don’t expire as long as your account is active | Expiry rules vary by frequent flyer program |
A quick snapshot of do's and don'ts
Earning points is just the beginning. To really make them work for you, it helps to know a few tricks (and a few traps to avoid). Here's what I like to keep in mind.
Do's
- Look out for limited-time offers with bonus points (like the current sweet 20,000 point boost).
- Use your card for everyday spend. You'll earn points on the stuff you're already buying.
- Explore the full list of bonuses and transfer partners to get the best bang for your points.
- Track your points balance and take advantage of promotions from Amex or their partners.
Don'ts
- Pay interest on your purchases. Any value you get from points is quickly wiped out so aim to pay off your balance in full each month.
- Forget to meet the minimum spend for the sign-up bonus, Set a reminder so you don't miss out!
- Assume all redemptions are equal. Flights and transfers usually offer better value than gift cards or cashback.
- Let your points sit there doing nothing. Make sure you redeem or transfer them when the value is right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Amex cards earn Membership Rewards Points?
The cards we’ve covered that earn Membership Rewards Points are:
- American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card
- American Express Explorer Credit Card
- American Express Platinum Card
- American Express Business Gold Plus Card
- American Express Platinum Business Card
What’s the value of a Membership Rewards Point?
It depends how you use them. You’ll generally get the best value when transferring to airline or hotel partners, often 1 to 2 cents per point. Gift cards and cashback usually offer lower value.
Can I transfer Membership Rewards Points to airline programs?
Yes! You can transfer points to over 14 airline partners including Velocity, KrisFlyer, Emirates Skywards, and more.
Do Membership Rewards Points expire?
Nope! As long as your account stays active and in good standing, your points won’t expire.
How long does it take to get bonus points after meeting the spend requirement?
Bonus points typically land in your account 8–10 weeks after you meet the spend criteria.
What happens to my points if I close my card?
You’ll lose them unless you transfer to a partner program or redeem them before closing the account. So don’t forget to use them first.
Is it worth getting an Amex just for the bonus points?
It can be, especially with the current bonus offers. Just make sure you can hit the minimum spend and the card perks suit your lifestyle long term. Also make sure you meet the application requirements too.
Bottom line?
If you like having options and want to chase the best deals, Membership Rewards Points give you more ways to redeem and more control. But if you’re all-in on a single airline like Qantas or Virgin Australia, a direct frequent flyer card could be more your style.
