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Earning and Using Credit Card & Hotel Points

June 21, 2017
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6 min read
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Interested in using your credit cards to rack up points, but not sure how to go about it? Have you already earned tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of points and want to learn the best ways to use them for their maximum value? Then this is the FAQ page for you. See posts written by our highly knowledgeable team of points industry veterans, selected specifically to help you learn how to earn and burn like a pro.

Just want to know...

... What points are worth and if purchasing them is worth it? See our updated Points Valuations
... The best airline & hotel transfer partners? See: 10 Most Valuable Transfer Partners for Flights & Hotels
... The best cards to earn points on travel purchases? See: The 7 Best Cards for Travel Purchases
... The best way to keep track of your points and miles? See: How To Keep Track of Your Points and Miles

American Express - Membership Rewards

See: all things Membership Rewards

Earning points: Want to earn Amex Membership Rewards points? Sign up and get a huge bonus. Already did that? See this post:

Using Points: Want to use Amex Membership Rewards points? See these posts:

For transferring your points to an airline or hotel, see the transfer partners, below:

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Barclaycard - Arrival Miles

See: all things Barclaycard

Using Points: Want to use your Arrival Miles? See these posts:

Capital One - Venture Rewards

See: all things Capital One

Considering picking up a Capital One card? See some useful information, below

  • Is the Capital One Venture Rewards Card Worth Getting?
  • Why Capital One's Cards Aren't the Best for Award Travel

Chase - Ultimate Rewards

See: all things Ultimate Rewards

Earning points: Want to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points? Sign up and get a huge bonus. Already did that? See this post:

Using Points: Want to use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points? See these posts:

For transferring your points to an airline or hotel, see the transfer partners, below.

Citi - ThankYou

See: all things ThankYou Points

Using Points: Want to use your Citi ThankYou points? See these posts:

For transferring your points to an airline or hotel, see the transfer partners, below:

IHG - IHG Rewards

See: all things IHG Rewards

Using Points: Want to use your IHG Rewards? See these posts:

For transferring your points to an airline or hotel, see some related content, below.

Hyatt - World of Hyatt

See: all things Hyatt & World of Hyatt

Earning points: Want to earn World of Hyatt points? See this post about which cards to have:

Using Points: Want to use your World of Hyatt points? See this post:

For transferring your points to an airline or hotel, see some related content, below.

Hilton - Hilton Honors

See: all things Hilton

Using Points: Want to use Honors points? See these posts:

Ritz-Carlton - Ritz-Carlton Rewards

See: all things Ritz-Carlton

Using Points: Want to use your Ritz-Carlton or Marriott Rewards? See this post:

For transferring your points to an airline or hotel, see some related content, below.

SPG/Marriott - Starpoints/Marriott Rewards

See: all things Starwood
See: all things Marriott

Using Points: Want to use your Starpoints or Marriott Rewards? See these posts:

For transferring your points to an airline or hotel, see SPG transfer partners, below:

Can't find what you're looking for? Check out our guides or travel resources page. Still nothing? Shoot us an email and we'll do our best to get back to you: info@thepointsguy.com. If you'd like to see something added to this FAQ, send us a Facebook message with what you think we're missing. If your request is popular with other readers we'll add it!

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
Apply now
for American Express® Gold Card

at American Express's secure site

Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Rewards rate
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
5XNew! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
Annual fee
$325
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Excellent to Good

Pros

  • Valuable dining and food-related credits
  • Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
  • Multiple travel and purchase protections
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
  • Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
  • New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
  • Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
  • Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
  • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.