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You can once again redeem Norwegian CashPoints (sort of)
Benji Stawski
Contributor
Benji Stawski is a former reporter for the site, covering all things points, miles, credit cards, travel and aviation.
May 28, 2021
•
3 min read
You can once again redeem Norwegian CashPoints (sort of)
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In February, Norwegian Airlines — once one of Europe's most popular low-cost carriers — "paused" its loyalty program as the airline restructured.
Well, Norwegian has successfully exited the examinership and reconstruction processes. As promised, the Norwegian Reward program is up and running again. You can now earn and redeem CashPoints on Norwegian flights and extra services like baggage fees again.
However, there are some major caveats.
What this means for you
The good news is that Norwegian didn't devalue the CashPoints program as a whole. One CashPoint continues to equal 1 Norwegian Krone (~$0.12) towards flights and other services. However, Norwegian is temporarily limiting how many CashPoints you can redeem at a time. This doesn't come as much of a surprise as Norwegian warned that it reserved the right to limit CashPoint redemption after restructuring until "the ongoing pandemic is under control and Norwegian's commercial activities can return to a new normal."
For now, for every $100 you spend on flight tickets, you can redeem up to 500 of your CashPoints. If the total booking price is under $100, you can't redeem any points. You can redeem up to 10,000 points per account per month.
That said, most readers likely still won't get any use out of their points. That's because in mid-January, Norwegian permanently canceled all long-haul flights, including transatlantic flights to the U.S. The airline is now operating a very limited route network in Europe.
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On the bright side, the airline has extended the validity of all CashPoints set to expire in 2021 until December 31, 2022.
Related: 5 reasons we'll miss Norwegian long haul
Bottom line
On the one hand, it's promising to see that Norwegian stuck to its word and resumed its loyalty program. However, ultimately, this news won't mean much for many people. Although Norwegian is extending the validity of CashPoints, it's limiting the number of points members can redeem at a time and no longer offers any long-haul flights.
This is especially disappointing for Norwegian Reward members who accepted CashPoints (with a 20% bonus) in lieu of a refund on canceled flights in 2020. Norwegian now needs to work to regain the trust of frequent flyers who might be nervous about earning CashPoints in the future.
This string of bad news surrounding Norwegian Airlines comes after years of massive growth for the airline. Before the pandemic, the airline beefed up its U.S. presence by offering low-cost transatlantic flights from major U.S. cities to its numerous European gateways. Its route network once comprised of premier routes like Los Angeles (LAX) and New York-JFK to London-Gatwick (LGW). The airline even launched a U.S. cobranded credit card in early 2020.
Additional reporting by Andrew Kunesh
Feature photo by Ryan Patterson/The Points Guy
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.