Ways to Maximize Your Membership Rewards Points

American Express offers a number of rewards credit cards that’ll help you earn Membership Rewards points, which can be used for travel, merchandise, and much more.

If you’re looking to get more value out of your points, here are three ways:

1. Transfer points to other rewards programs

The best way to maximize your Membership Rewards points is to transfer them to a more valuable program. There are two programs that provide a higher value for the points you earn: The Aeroplan and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) programs. While the value of a Membership Rewards point is $0.01, the value of an Aeroplan mile is $0.012 and the value of an SPG Starpoint is $0.0223.

For Aeroplan, the conversion ratio is 1:1. This means you can trade one Membership Reward point for every one Aeroplan mile. Converting 1,000 Membership Rewards points (valued at $10) will become 1,000 Aeroplan miles (valued at $12). That’s a 20% increase in value.

With SPG, you’re able to transfer points at a ratio of 2:1. This means you can trade two Membership Rewards points for every one Starpoint. If you convert 1,000 Membership Rewards points (valued at $10) to the SPG program, you’ll receive 500 Starpoints (valued at $11.15). That’s an 11.5% increase in value.

Transferring your Membership Rewards points to other rewards programs can increase their value. This is definitely something to consider before redeeming your points.

2. Book travel using the American Express website

When you book your travel on the American Express website, you’ll receive bonus points. This can be particularly useful if you’re looking to accumulate a large number of points for future use. You’ll also receive one additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge to your card on eligible hotels or car rentals.