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TPG Readers on the Best Ways to Redeem Membership Rewards Points

March 19, 2018
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3 min read
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Every so often, TPG readers want to know how other travelers are redeeming their credit card earnings. To that end, we asked our TPG Lounge members to tell us: "What's your favorite way to use Amex Membership Rewards points? Any tips for newbies?"

Transfer to Airlines

The overwhelming response was to transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to airlines for maximum value. This is in keeping with our guide for the best Membership Rewards redemptions. Our readers shared their favorite airline redemption options with us:

I transfer to British Airways Avios, and redeem [through] Alaska Airlines. I check availability on AA's site, then call BA to book. Sometimes they charge a $25 booking fee, sometimes they don't. — Kathy R.
I've transferred to Etihad with bonus, and to British Airways with bonus. At the time Etihad was 30%, and BA was 40%. I've used my Avios on AA exclusively so far. Miniscule fees and good availability, even [for] last minute to Vegas from LAX, instead of paying $380 per person. [I get a] 3 cent per point value. — Edmond K.
Transfers to ANA for redemptions to Japan... always pretty inexpensive. I typically book ANA economy as I like to stretch my points. — Zain N.
Transfer for airfare generally, Delta or JetBlue mostly. — Bill F.
Aeroplan to Europe! — Tim S.
ANA to Africa — Jamie R.
Transfer to Delta. Delta has a great summer flight JFK-Nice, France direct on Saturdays and we've had good luck booking coach with reasonable points the last few summers. — Cheryl D.
1,200 mi flights on AA through British Airways. Get 3-4 cents per point! — Bryan B.
Generally I use to transfer to Delta (or SkyTeam partners) — Allyson C.
Transfer to Asia Miles to use on Cathay — Meg G.
Transfer points to ANA for 90k (ANA) or 95k (Star Alliance) roundtrip redemption to Asia on J. Free stopover in Tokyo also, when [flying] on ANA! — Peter H.
Wait for bonus transfers. British Airways is a good one for short distances, also JFK–YVR on Cathay. [I've] also put some [MR points] into Virgin Atlantic for a RT ANA first[-class redemption]. — Carl C.

Looking forward to transferring to Etihad Guest for either AA transatlantic, or Czech Airlines from Prague to Seoul. — Matt T.

I save them for high-value transfers to foreign airline partners to avoid excise tax. I generally use Ultimate Rewards points for domestic transfers, since that's not an issue. — Andrew K.

Hotels

While airline redemptions are one of the most popular ways to utilize Membership Rewards points, Hilton offers a great redemption value on the hotels side. In fact, American Express just permanently increased the transfer ratio between Membership Rewards points and Hilton early this year.

I transfer to Hilton. They have pretty decent point redemption. — Evelyn E.
[I transfer to Hilton] Honors - 3x points that I just used for a romantic weekend for pier 5 hotel at inner harbor, Baltimore. — Varun V.

Other Options

A few TPG Lounge members boldly owned their redemption methods, despite the inevitable "Facebook laughs":

[to be honest]..., NYC cabs. — Richard M.
Starbucks gift cards. — Mike Z.
Redeem via Amazon. — Darren L.

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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.
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1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.