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I was honestly surprised when I put a poll on Instagram this week…Of 58,000 of you (at the time of this writing), more than half said you’re not earning any American Express Membership Rewards® yet.
With high annual fees on their best cards, they’re not usually the first cards people go for. But, here’s why I think those fees are worth it, why I’ll always keep a Amex Membership Rewards card in my wallet, and what makes them cost more in the first place.
If you’re just getting started with points, my Beginner’s Guide is a great place to start.
Why Amex Membership Rewards Work for Families
Flexible partners
Amex points are great because of the number of transfer partners they offer. Amex transfers to ~17 airlines and several hotel programs. If one route is pricey or sold out, this gives you the flexibility to try another partner.
Sweet spots & promo windows
Amex offers off-peak calendars, monthly promo awards, and distance-based charts. This can beat dynamic pricing, especially midweek or shoulder season if you time it right and keep your schedule flexible.
Seats for 2–4 people
More partners = more places to search when you need several award seats together.
Top-Notch Customer Service
I’ve personally noticed a huge difference in Amex customer service vs. other banks. When I’ve needed help, their reps are always quick to respond, super helpful, and more than willing to help solve the problem.
Transfer timing & planning
Some transfers are instant, others take hours or a day. That lag matters when award space is scarce, especially if you’re trying to book multiple seats on the same flight. Before you move any points, double-check which partners are instant and which ones aren’t, and always price out a “Plan B” option. Having a backup partner or a second itinerary in mind means you’re not stuck if the seats disappear while you wait for the transfer to complete.
How to Redeem for Flights
Here are family-friendly patterns that routinely deliver value. Always compare points + taxes/fees before transferring.
*Estimates vary by date, demand, and routing.
Related deep dives: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, All About Flying Blue, and why I almost never use one U.S. program directly: Delta SkyMiles thoughts.
Hotel Redemptions
One of the easiest ways to stretch American Express Membership Rewards® points on the hotel side is by leaning into programs that give you more nights for the same stash of points. Both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy offer a “fifth-night-free” benefit on standard award stays. Redeem points for four consecutive nights and your fifth night costs zero additional points. Just double-check that the room you’re eyeing actually counts as a standard award before you transfer; premium rooms and special packages don’t trigger the free night.
Membership Rewards currently transfer to three hotel programs:
- Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio (Amex often runs 20–50% bonuses).
- Marriott Bonvoy at 1:1.
- Choice Privileges at 1:1 (surprisingly useful for certain European city hotels or all-inclusive stays).
These transfers can be especially valuable when cash rates are high or a property includes perks like free breakfast or resort credits. In those situations, moving points can unlock hundreds of dollars in value.
That said, always compare the cash rate or a booking portal price before you move points. Sales, elite benefits, or trip protections through a portal (such as Capital One Travel) can sometimes beat a straight transfer. Personally, I often save my Amex points for flights (their airline partners really shine) and pay cash for hotels unless the math clearly favors a transfer.
Earn More Amex Points Without Extra Work
- Autopay the standard bills (streaming, cell, utilities) on an Amex-earning card.
- Double-dip online shopping to grow balances while you prep for trips. The quickest way to do this is Rakuten, so make sure you check out Rakuten vs. Capital One shopping portals to learn all the tricks.
- Watch transfer bonuses. A 25%–50% bonus can drop your effective cost dramatically. Amex often offers VERY valuable transfer bonuses. New to this? Start here: How to transfer points to credit card partners and How to start using points & miles.
I love sharing these kinds of tips every week in my email newsletter. You can also catch little behind-the-scenes moments and quick deals on Instagram, and we’ve even got a family travel deals chat on Facebook where parents swap finds in real time. Come say hi wherever you like. It’s fun to see familiar names pop up!
Tiny Action Plan (for Busy Parents)
- Set a Google Flights alert for your top route.
- List two Amex partners that serve it.
- Shortlist 2–3 kid-friendly hotels (note which offer free breakfast/5th-night-free).
- Save the quick steps checklist as a PDF on your phone for reference whenever you book.
- Check again next week for Flying Blue promos or other transfer bonuses.
Key Takeaways
- Amex points usually shine when transferred to airline partners (and selectively to hotels).
- Families win by comparing partners, confirming seats/fees, and transferring only when ready.
- Sweet spots: short school-break flights, off-peak Europe, ANA business to Japan, and 5th-night-free.
- Always price the whole trip: points + cash + hotel.
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