Is the Amex Plenti Rewards Program Worth Using?
TPG reader Stephen sent me a message on Facebook to ask about a new rewards program from Amex:
"Hi! I've been enjoying your postings. What are your thoughts about Plenti?"
Earlier this year, Amex launched a new loyalty program called Plenti, which offers rewards across a coalition of merchant and retail partners. The roster is still small, feauturing 11 brand partners that vary pretty widely from Direct Energy to Hulu to Exxon/Mobil. Each partner has its own earning structure (like 1 point per dollar spent on your AT&T bill, or 1 point for every $3 on insurance premiums from Nationwide). On the redemption side, points are generally worth 1 cent apiece toward future purchases from the same list of partners.
Plenti doesn't have any impressive travel partners — apart from gas, there's just Alamo, Enterprise and National car rentals — but it does have a few things going for it. First, you're not locked in to any particular method of payment, which means you can earn Plenti Rewards on top of whatever points or miles you'd normally get from your credit card, as well as rewards from each partner (like Star Rewards at Macy's). That creates some opportunities to maximize your purchases by double- or triple-dipping.
Second, while the everyday earning rates are uninspiring, there are some special offers for bonus rewards that give you a decent return (like 500 points when you spend $25 at Rite Aid). That equates to a 20% discount, and again, it's in addition to whatever other points you earn.
All that said, I'm not impressed by Plenti so far. The list of partners is too short and the incentives just aren't enough to get me interested. For example, the standard offer from Exxon and Mobil is 1 point for every gallon of gas you buy. That will probably get you 10-20 cents back for filling your tank, which might cover the fuel you burned getting there. Some of the offers are more rewarding, but at best you're getting about 1% back.
I love to maximize my spending, but maximizing time is important as well, and it's not worth going out of your way to earn what might amount to only a few cents extra. If you already do business with these partners and if it's not too much hassle to keep track of offers and incorporate Plenti into your purchases, then you might as well get the extra return. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother — your time is too valuable!
When it comes to award travel, I prefer to focus on the easy wins. I take advantage of bonus spending categories and online shopping portals to boost my rewards for each purchase. I look for special offers from airlines and hotels to make my flights and stays more lucrative. I also earn big chunks of points and miles by getting in on the best credit card sign-up bonuses. Those strategies (and others) help me rack up rewards quickly, and give me a much better overall return.
Plenti will be more worthwhile when Amex expands the list of partners and begins offering redemption options outside of those partners (like cash back or gift cards). However, I think the biggest step would be to allow transfers from Plenti to Amex Membership Rewards. Even if the exchange rate isn't good, access to flight and hotel awards would make the program way more compelling.
If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.
[card card-name='The Platinum Card® from American Express' card-id='22504813' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees