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$5,000 Annual Fee. $10,000+ in Elite Status, Credits, and Access.
The invitation-only Centurion Card from American Express commands a $5,000 annual fee and $10,000 initiation fee, but delivers Delta Platinum Medallion status, Hilton Diamond status, a $3,600 Equinox membership, $1,000 in Saks credits, $4,850 PS airport membership, Lufthansa First Class lounge access, and a dedicated personal concierge. For those who qualify, the perks exceed $10,000 in annual value before accounting for the intangible benefits of exclusivity.
$5,000
Annual Fee
1.5X
Top Rate
Annual Fee
$5,000
Authorized User Fee
$5,000
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
Network
—
Rewards Currency
American Express Membership Rewards
Point Valuation
1.5–2 cpp (mid: 1.8)
Credit Required
Excellent
Benefits & Perks
Program & Transfers
22 transfer partners: 19 airlines + 3 hotels across all alliances
Amex Membership Rewards offers the most extensive transfer network in the industry with 19 airline and 3 hotel partners. The program's strength lies in premium cabin redemptions, with exceptional sweet spots like ANA first class via Virgin Atlantic and Delta One awards through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Unlike competitors, Amex frequently runs transfer bonuses (15-40%) to partners like Virgin Atlantic, Avianca, and British Airways, often 3-4 times per year. These bonuses can dramatically improve redemption value, making MR points worth 2-3+ cents per point for savvy users who time their transfers. The program covers all three major alliances with multiple partners in each, providing unmatched redundancy. If one partner has poor availability, you have alternatives. This flexibility, combined with instant transfers to most partners, makes Membership Rewards ideal for last-minute premium cabin bookings.
Reviews & Analysis
| Publication | Rating | Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| WalletHub | 4.1/5 |
The ultimate status card. Where the Amex Platinum offers similar lounge access and hotel status for $895/year, the Centurion adds Delta Platinum Medallion status, a full Equinox membership, 10x the Saks credit, PS airport membership, Lufthansa First lounges, and a dedicated concierge. The 1x earn rate is the card's weakness — pair it with an Amex Gold for dining and groceries.
Credit Utilization (60%)
Details & Terms
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
| Authorized User Fee | $5000 |
Amex Centurion family
| Card | Tier | Annual Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum | super_premium | $695 |
You can redeem Membership Rewards points for a statement credit at only 0.6¢ per point. With an Amex Business Checking account you can reach 1¢ per point, which still isn’t great value. For the best return, transfer points to airline or hotel partners before booking.
$5,000 Annual Fee. $10,000+ in Elite Status, Credits, and Access.
The invitation-only Centurion Card from American Express commands a $5,000 annual fee and $10,000 initiation fee, but delivers Delta Platinum Medallion status, Hilton Diamond status, a $3,600 Equinox membership, $1,000 in Saks credits, $4,850 PS airport membership, Lufthansa First Class lounge access, and a dedicated personal concierge. For those who qualify, the perks exceed $10,000 in annual value before accounting for the intangible benefits of exclusivity.
$5,000
Annual Fee
1.5X
Top Rate
Annual Fee
$5,000
Authorized User Fee
$5,000
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
Network
—
Rewards Currency
American Express Membership Rewards
Point Valuation
1.5–2 cpp (mid: 1.8)
Credit Required
Excellent
Benefits & Perks
Program & Transfers
22 transfer partners: 19 airlines + 3 hotels across all alliances
Amex Membership Rewards offers the most extensive transfer network in the industry with 19 airline and 3 hotel partners. The program's strength lies in premium cabin redemptions, with exceptional sweet spots like ANA first class via Virgin Atlantic and Delta One awards through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Unlike competitors, Amex frequently runs transfer bonuses (15-40%) to partners like Virgin Atlantic, Avianca, and British Airways, often 3-4 times per year. These bonuses can dramatically improve redemption value, making MR points worth 2-3+ cents per point for savvy users who time their transfers. The program covers all three major alliances with multiple partners in each, providing unmatched redundancy. If one partner has poor availability, you have alternatives. This flexibility, combined with instant transfers to most partners, makes Membership Rewards ideal for last-minute premium cabin bookings.
Reviews & Analysis
| Publication | Rating | Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| WalletHub | 4.1/5 |
The ultimate status card. Where the Amex Platinum offers similar lounge access and hotel status for $895/year, the Centurion adds Delta Platinum Medallion status, a full Equinox membership, 10x the Saks credit, PS airport membership, Lufthansa First lounges, and a dedicated concierge. The 1x earn rate is the card's weakness — pair it with an Amex Gold for dining and groceries.
Credit Utilization (60%)
Details & Terms
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
| Authorized User Fee | $5000 |
Amex Centurion family
| Card | Tier | Annual Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum | super_premium | $695 |
You can redeem Membership Rewards points for a statement credit at only 0.6¢ per point. With an Amex Business Checking account you can reach 1¢ per point, which still isn’t great value. For the best return, transfer points to airline or hotel partners before booking.
$5,000 Annual Fee. $10,000+ in Elite Status, Credits, and Access.
The invitation-only Centurion Card from American Express commands a $5,000 annual fee and $10,000 initiation fee, but delivers Delta Platinum Medallion status, Hilton Diamond status, a $3,600 Equinox membership, $1,000 in Saks credits, $4,850 PS airport membership, Lufthansa First Class lounge access, and a dedicated personal concierge. For those who qualify, the perks exceed $10,000 in annual value before accounting for the intangible benefits of exclusivity.
$5,000
Annual Fee
1.5X
Top Rate
Annual Fee
$5,000
Authorized User Fee
$5,000
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
Network
—
Rewards Currency
American Express Membership Rewards
Point Valuation
1.5–2 cpp (mid: 1.8)
Credit Required
Excellent
Benefits & Perks
Program & Transfers
22 transfer partners: 19 airlines + 3 hotels across all alliances
Amex Membership Rewards offers the most extensive transfer network in the industry with 19 airline and 3 hotel partners. The program's strength lies in premium cabin redemptions, with exceptional sweet spots like ANA first class via Virgin Atlantic and Delta One awards through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Unlike competitors, Amex frequently runs transfer bonuses (15-40%) to partners like Virgin Atlantic, Avianca, and British Airways, often 3-4 times per year. These bonuses can dramatically improve redemption value, making MR points worth 2-3+ cents per point for savvy users who time their transfers. The program covers all three major alliances with multiple partners in each, providing unmatched redundancy. If one partner has poor availability, you have alternatives. This flexibility, combined with instant transfers to most partners, makes Membership Rewards ideal for last-minute premium cabin bookings.
Reviews & Analysis
| Publication | Rating | Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| WalletHub | 4.1/5 |
The ultimate status card. Where the Amex Platinum offers similar lounge access and hotel status for $895/year, the Centurion adds Delta Platinum Medallion status, a full Equinox membership, 10x the Saks credit, PS airport membership, Lufthansa First lounges, and a dedicated concierge. The 1x earn rate is the card's weakness — pair it with an Amex Gold for dining and groceries.
Credit Utilization (60%)
Details & Terms
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
| Authorized User Fee | $5000 |
Amex Centurion family
| Card | Tier | Annual Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum | super_premium | $695 |
You can redeem Membership Rewards points for a statement credit at only 0.6¢ per point. With an Amex Business Checking account you can reach 1¢ per point, which still isn’t great value. For the best return, transfer points to airline or hotel partners before booking.
Up to
$10,419
in annual credits
$4,850 PS airport membership
$4,850
Annual
Private terminal experience at LAX, ATL, MIA with exclusive suites and tarmac transfers.
$3,600 Equinox + SoulCycle credit
$3,600
Annual
Up to $3,600 annual credit covers Equinox All-Access (unlimited classes + SoulCycle globally).
$600 annual FHR hotel credit
$600
Annual
Up to $600/year in statement credits ($300 semi-annually) on FHR/Hotel Collection bookings.
$369 CLEAR Plus
$369
Annual
Cardmembers receive an annual statement credit for up to $369 to cover a Clear Plus membership for them and up to three family members.
$250 Saks Fifth Avenue
$250
Cardmembers receive up to $1,000 annually in credits for Saks Fifth Avenue purchases, distributed as quarterly credits of $250.
Fast track to top-tier perks
This card comes with 7 elite status and membership benefits that can unlock priority service, upgrades, and exclusive access.
Highest Hilton tier with room upgrades, 5th night free on awards, suite awards, late checkout.
Elite car rental status with dedicated counters, free upgrades, and bonus points.
Platinum Medallion status with priority boarding, free checked baggage, lounge access, upgrades.
Gold Elite status with room upgrades, 10% points bonus, late checkout, and free Wi-Fi.
Elite Hertz status with rapid processing, free upgrades, and bonus points.
Platinum Elite status with room upgrades, late checkout, 10% points bonus, and other perks.
Highest-tier status at 430+ luxury independent hotels globally with upgrades and breakfast.
Covers meals, lodging, and essential items for delays over 12 hours.
Covers damage, breakage, and theft of purchases for 90 days.
Reimburses non-refundable trip costs if you must cancel due to illness, injury, or weather.
Coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage and personal items during travel.
24/7 emergency assistance for medical, legal, financial, and travel crises worldwide.
Extends manufacturer's warranty by up to one additional year.
Transfer your Membership Rewards points to 20 leading loyalty programs for maximum value.
Most partners accept Membership Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio with instant or near-instant transfers.
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:8 | instant | — | — | |
| 1:1 | instant | — | — | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | — | 1.8 cpp | |
| 5:4 | instant | — | 1.35 cpp | |
| 1:1 | instant | — | — | |
| Route / Property | Points | Book With | Cabin/Type | Value / Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intra-Europe Economy via Iberia | 3,500 | — | economy | europe |
| Intra-Europe in Economy on a Partner | 4,000 | — | economy | europe |
| Domestic US in Business on a Partner | 6,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Europe in Economy | 6,000 | — | economy | europe |
| US to South America in Economy | 7,100 | — | economy | south_america |
| Domestic US and Canada in Economy | 7,100 | — | economy | united_states |
| Intra-Europe in Economy | 7,500 | — | economy | europe |
| Intra-Europe in Business | 8,000 | — | business | europe |
| US to Canada in Economy | 10,300 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Mexico in Economy on a Partner | 11,500 | — | economy | central_america |
| Canada to Hawaii in Economy | 11,600 | — | economy | united_states |
| Domestic US in First Class | 12,500 | — | first | united_states |
| US to Mexico in Economy | 14,400 | — | economy | central_america |
| US to Hawaii in Economy on a Partner | 15,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Iceland in Economy on a Partner | 17,000 | — | economy | europe |
| US to Japan in Economy | 20,000 | — | economy | asia |
| US to Asia in Economy | 20,000 | — | economy | asia |
| US to South America in Business | 22,500 | — | business | south_america |
| US to Northern Africa in Economy | 25,000 | — | economy | africa |
| US to Hong Kong in Economy | 27,000 | — | economy | asia |
Showing top 20 of 47 sweet spots
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$6,251.40
Annual Fee
-$5,000
Net Annual Value
+$1,251.40
The best place to use Amex points is with transfer partners. Move points to an airline or hotel program and book award travel for more than 1¢ per point you'll earn from the Amex Travel Portal. Partner sweet spots often yield much higher value once you get more advanced in the hobby.
You can upgrade, but it’s usually not recommended. Amex limits welcome offers to roughly once every 7 years per card. Upgrade bonuses are typically much smaller than new-card offers, so applying for a new Platinum card generally provides better long-term value.
There’s no way to avoid the [Amex Platinum](https://pointsnav.com/credit-cards/american-express-platinum-personal) annual fee. The card’s benefits and welcome offer can offset year one, but ongoing value depends on your use of credits and lounges. If the math no longer works, your options are to cancel or downgrade to a lower-fee card.
Yes. Upgrading with points often costs less than paying cash, but you’ll usually get better value by transferring points to the airline and booking business class from the start. Amex partner sweet spots can produce excellent premium-cabin redemptions when available.
Transfer to airline partners when redemption value exceeds 1.5 cents per point (common for business/first class). Use the Amex Travel portal at 1 cpp for economy flights when transfer partners offer poor availability or require fuel surcharges. Portal bookings earn 5x on Platinum for effective 5 cpp value, making them competitive with mediocre transfer redemptions.
Log into your Amex account, navigate to the rewards section, click "Transfer Points," link your loyalty account with your chosen airline partner, select the partner and amount, then initiate the transfer. Transfers are irreversible once completed, so verify all details before confirming.
There is a federal excise tax of $0.0006 per point (maximum $99 per transaction) when transferring to US-based airline partners like Delta, Hawaiian, and JetBlue. No transfer fees apply to other partners, hotel programs, or international airlines. Always check the specific partner's terms before transferring.
Points from multiple Amex Membership Rewards cards automatically pool under one login for flexible redemptions. You cannot directly transfer points between different Amex accounts or to unauthorized users, but you can transfer pooled points to an authorized user's loyalty account after a 90-day waiting period.
CNBC analysis of the American Express Centurion Card, explaining the invitation process, requirements, and exclusive benefits of this prestigious card.
Wikipedia entry on the Centurion Card covering history, requirements, benefits, and cultural significance of American Express's most exclusive credit card.
Everything you've ever wanted to know about the ultra-exclusive Centurion Card from American Express, including how to get invited, fees, elite status benefits, lounge access, and concierge services.
Comprehensive breakdown of the Amex Centurion Card's costs, benefits, and whether the $5,000 annual fee can be justified. Includes analysis of elite status, credits, and the opportunity cost of spending on the card.
Full review of the invitation-only Amex Centurion Card covering airline and airport perks, hotel benefits, car rental advantages, and luxury lifestyle benefits.
Overview of the invite-only Amex Centurion Black Card with its $10,000 initiation fee and $5,000 annual fee, including complimentary elite status, concierge access, and comparison to alternatives.
Reviews, rates, fees, and rewards details for the Centurion Card from American Express with user reviews, editor analysis, and FAQ about qualification requirements.
Canadian perspective on the American Express Centurion Card, often referred to as the Black Card, analyzing whether the exclusive perks justify the substantial fees.
| Source | Date | URL |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
Up to
$10,419
in annual credits
$4,850 PS airport membership
$4,850
Annual
Private terminal experience at LAX, ATL, MIA with exclusive suites and tarmac transfers.
$3,600 Equinox + SoulCycle credit
$3,600
Annual
Up to $3,600 annual credit covers Equinox All-Access (unlimited classes + SoulCycle globally).
$600 annual FHR hotel credit
$600
Annual
Up to $600/year in statement credits ($300 semi-annually) on FHR/Hotel Collection bookings.
$369 CLEAR Plus
$369
Annual
Cardmembers receive an annual statement credit for up to $369 to cover a Clear Plus membership for them and up to three family members.
$250 Saks Fifth Avenue
$250
Cardmembers receive up to $1,000 annually in credits for Saks Fifth Avenue purchases, distributed as quarterly credits of $250.
Fast track to top-tier perks
This card comes with 7 elite status and membership benefits that can unlock priority service, upgrades, and exclusive access.
Highest Hilton tier with room upgrades, 5th night free on awards, suite awards, late checkout.
Elite car rental status with dedicated counters, free upgrades, and bonus points.
Platinum Medallion status with priority boarding, free checked baggage, lounge access, upgrades.
Gold Elite status with room upgrades, 10% points bonus, late checkout, and free Wi-Fi.
Elite Hertz status with rapid processing, free upgrades, and bonus points.
Platinum Elite status with room upgrades, late checkout, 10% points bonus, and other perks.
Highest-tier status at 430+ luxury independent hotels globally with upgrades and breakfast.
Covers meals, lodging, and essential items for delays over 12 hours.
Covers damage, breakage, and theft of purchases for 90 days.
Reimburses non-refundable trip costs if you must cancel due to illness, injury, or weather.
Coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage and personal items during travel.
24/7 emergency assistance for medical, legal, financial, and travel crises worldwide.
Extends manufacturer's warranty by up to one additional year.
Transfer your Membership Rewards points to 20 leading loyalty programs for maximum value.
Most partners accept Membership Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio with instant or near-instant transfers.
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:8 | instant | — | — | |
| 1:1 | instant | — | — | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | — | 1.8 cpp | |
| 5:4 | instant | — | 1.35 cpp | |
| 1:1 | instant | — | — | |
| Route / Property | Points | Book With | Cabin/Type | Value / Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intra-Europe Economy via Iberia | 3,500 | — | economy | europe |
| Intra-Europe in Economy on a Partner | 4,000 | — | economy | europe |
| Domestic US in Business on a Partner | 6,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Europe in Economy | 6,000 | — | economy | europe |
| US to South America in Economy | 7,100 | — | economy | south_america |
| Domestic US and Canada in Economy | 7,100 | — | economy | united_states |
| Intra-Europe in Economy | 7,500 | — | economy | europe |
| Intra-Europe in Business | 8,000 | — | business | europe |
| US to Canada in Economy | 10,300 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Mexico in Economy on a Partner | 11,500 | — | economy | central_america |
| Canada to Hawaii in Economy | 11,600 | — | economy | united_states |
| Domestic US in First Class | 12,500 | — | first | united_states |
| US to Mexico in Economy | 14,400 | — | economy | central_america |
| US to Hawaii in Economy on a Partner | 15,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Iceland in Economy on a Partner | 17,000 | — | economy | europe |
| US to Japan in Economy | 20,000 | — | economy | asia |
| US to Asia in Economy | 20,000 | — | economy | asia |
| US to South America in Business | 22,500 | — | business | south_america |
| US to Northern Africa in Economy | 25,000 | — | economy | africa |
| US to Hong Kong in Economy | 27,000 | — | economy | asia |
Showing top 20 of 47 sweet spots
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$6,251.40
Annual Fee
-$5,000
Net Annual Value
+$1,251.40
The best place to use Amex points is with transfer partners. Move points to an airline or hotel program and book award travel for more than 1¢ per point you'll earn from the Amex Travel Portal. Partner sweet spots often yield much higher value once you get more advanced in the hobby.
You can upgrade, but it’s usually not recommended. Amex limits welcome offers to roughly once every 7 years per card. Upgrade bonuses are typically much smaller than new-card offers, so applying for a new Platinum card generally provides better long-term value.
There’s no way to avoid the [Amex Platinum](https://pointsnav.com/credit-cards/american-express-platinum-personal) annual fee. The card’s benefits and welcome offer can offset year one, but ongoing value depends on your use of credits and lounges. If the math no longer works, your options are to cancel or downgrade to a lower-fee card.
Yes. Upgrading with points often costs less than paying cash, but you’ll usually get better value by transferring points to the airline and booking business class from the start. Amex partner sweet spots can produce excellent premium-cabin redemptions when available.
Transfer to airline partners when redemption value exceeds 1.5 cents per point (common for business/first class). Use the Amex Travel portal at 1 cpp for economy flights when transfer partners offer poor availability or require fuel surcharges. Portal bookings earn 5x on Platinum for effective 5 cpp value, making them competitive with mediocre transfer redemptions.
Log into your Amex account, navigate to the rewards section, click "Transfer Points," link your loyalty account with your chosen airline partner, select the partner and amount, then initiate the transfer. Transfers are irreversible once completed, so verify all details before confirming.
There is a federal excise tax of $0.0006 per point (maximum $99 per transaction) when transferring to US-based airline partners like Delta, Hawaiian, and JetBlue. No transfer fees apply to other partners, hotel programs, or international airlines. Always check the specific partner's terms before transferring.
Points from multiple Amex Membership Rewards cards automatically pool under one login for flexible redemptions. You cannot directly transfer points between different Amex accounts or to unauthorized users, but you can transfer pooled points to an authorized user's loyalty account after a 90-day waiting period.
CNBC analysis of the American Express Centurion Card, explaining the invitation process, requirements, and exclusive benefits of this prestigious card.
Wikipedia entry on the Centurion Card covering history, requirements, benefits, and cultural significance of American Express's most exclusive credit card.
Everything you've ever wanted to know about the ultra-exclusive Centurion Card from American Express, including how to get invited, fees, elite status benefits, lounge access, and concierge services.
Comprehensive breakdown of the Amex Centurion Card's costs, benefits, and whether the $5,000 annual fee can be justified. Includes analysis of elite status, credits, and the opportunity cost of spending on the card.
Full review of the invitation-only Amex Centurion Card covering airline and airport perks, hotel benefits, car rental advantages, and luxury lifestyle benefits.
Overview of the invite-only Amex Centurion Black Card with its $10,000 initiation fee and $5,000 annual fee, including complimentary elite status, concierge access, and comparison to alternatives.
Reviews, rates, fees, and rewards details for the Centurion Card from American Express with user reviews, editor analysis, and FAQ about qualification requirements.
Canadian perspective on the American Express Centurion Card, often referred to as the Black Card, analyzing whether the exclusive perks justify the substantial fees.
| Source | Date | URL |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
| — | — | View source |
Up to
$10,419
in annual credits
$4,850 PS airport membership
$4,850
Annual
Private terminal experience at LAX, ATL, MIA with exclusive suites and tarmac transfers.
$3,600 Equinox + SoulCycle credit
$3,600
Annual
Up to $3,600 annual credit covers Equinox All-Access (unlimited classes + SoulCycle globally).
$600 annual FHR hotel credit
$600
Annual
Up to $600/year in statement credits ($300 semi-annually) on FHR/Hotel Collection bookings.
$369 CLEAR Plus
$369
Annual
Cardmembers receive an annual statement credit for up to $369 to cover a Clear Plus membership for them and up to three family members.
$250 Saks Fifth Avenue
$250
Cardmembers receive up to $1,000 annually in credits for Saks Fifth Avenue purchases, distributed as quarterly credits of $250.
Fast track to top-tier perks
This card comes with 7 elite status and membership benefits that can unlock priority service, upgrades, and exclusive access.
Highest Hilton tier with room upgrades, 5th night free on awards, suite awards, late checkout.
Elite car rental status with dedicated counters, free upgrades, and bonus points.
Platinum Medallion status with priority boarding, free checked baggage, lounge access, upgrades.
Gold Elite status with room upgrades, 10% points bonus, late checkout, and free Wi-Fi.
Elite Hertz status with rapid processing, free upgrades, and bonus points.
Platinum Elite status with room upgrades, late checkout, 10% points bonus, and other perks.
Highest-tier status at 430+ luxury independent hotels globally with upgrades and breakfast.
Covers meals, lodging, and essential items for delays over 12 hours.
Covers damage, breakage, and theft of purchases for 90 days.
Reimburses non-refundable trip costs if you must cancel due to illness, injury, or weather.
Coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage and personal items during travel.
24/7 emergency assistance for medical, legal, financial, and travel crises worldwide.
Extends manufacturer's warranty by up to one additional year.
Transfer your Membership Rewards points to 20 leading loyalty programs for maximum value.
Most partners accept Membership Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio with instant or near-instant transfers.
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:8 | instant | — | — | |
| 1:1 | instant | — | — | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | — | 1.8 cpp | |
| 5:4 | instant | — | 1.35 cpp | |
| 1:1 | instant | — | — | |
| Route / Property | Points | Book With | Cabin/Type | Value / Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intra-Europe Economy via Iberia | 3,500 | — | economy | europe |
| Intra-Europe in Economy on a Partner | 4,000 | — | economy | europe |
| Domestic US in Business on a Partner | 6,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Europe in Economy | 6,000 | — | economy | europe |
| US to South America in Economy | 7,100 | — | economy | south_america |
| Domestic US and Canada in Economy | 7,100 | — | economy | united_states |
| Intra-Europe in Economy | 7,500 | — | economy | europe |
| Intra-Europe in Business | 8,000 | — | business | europe |
| US to Canada in Economy | 10,300 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Mexico in Economy on a Partner | 11,500 | — | economy | central_america |
| Canada to Hawaii in Economy | 11,600 | — | economy | united_states |
| Domestic US in First Class | 12,500 | — | first | united_states |
| US to Mexico in Economy | 14,400 | — | economy | central_america |
| US to Hawaii in Economy on a Partner | 15,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Iceland in Economy on a Partner | 17,000 | — | economy | europe |
| US to Japan in Economy | 20,000 | — | economy | asia |
| US to Asia in Economy | 20,000 | — | economy | asia |
| US to South America in Business | 22,500 | — | business | south_america |
| US to Northern Africa in Economy | 25,000 | — | economy | africa |
| US to Hong Kong in Economy | 27,000 | — | economy | asia |
Showing top 20 of 47 sweet spots
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$6,251.40
Annual Fee
-$5,000
Net Annual Value
+$1,251.40
The best place to use Amex points is with transfer partners. Move points to an airline or hotel program and book award travel for more than 1¢ per point you'll earn from the Amex Travel Portal. Partner sweet spots often yield much higher value once you get more advanced in the hobby.
You can upgrade, but it’s usually not recommended. Amex limits welcome offers to roughly once every 7 years per card. Upgrade bonuses are typically much smaller than new-card offers, so applying for a new Platinum card generally provides better long-term value.
There’s no way to avoid the [Amex Platinum](https://pointsnav.com/credit-cards/american-express-platinum-personal) annual fee. The card’s benefits and welcome offer can offset year one, but ongoing value depends on your use of credits and lounges. If the math no longer works, your options are to cancel or downgrade to a lower-fee card.
Yes. Upgrading with points often costs less than paying cash, but you’ll usually get better value by transferring points to the airline and booking business class from the start. Amex partner sweet spots can produce excellent premium-cabin redemptions when available.
Transfer to airline partners when redemption value exceeds 1.5 cents per point (common for business/first class). Use the Amex Travel portal at 1 cpp for economy flights when transfer partners offer poor availability or require fuel surcharges. Portal bookings earn 5x on Platinum for effective 5 cpp value, making them competitive with mediocre transfer redemptions.
Log into your Amex account, navigate to the rewards section, click "Transfer Points," link your loyalty account with your chosen airline partner, select the partner and amount, then initiate the transfer. Transfers are irreversible once completed, so verify all details before confirming.
There is a federal excise tax of $0.0006 per point (maximum $99 per transaction) when transferring to US-based airline partners like Delta, Hawaiian, and JetBlue. No transfer fees apply to other partners, hotel programs, or international airlines. Always check the specific partner's terms before transferring.
Points from multiple Amex Membership Rewards cards automatically pool under one login for flexible redemptions. You cannot directly transfer points between different Amex accounts or to unauthorized users, but you can transfer pooled points to an authorized user's loyalty account after a 90-day waiting period.
CNBC analysis of the American Express Centurion Card, explaining the invitation process, requirements, and exclusive benefits of this prestigious card.
Wikipedia entry on the Centurion Card covering history, requirements, benefits, and cultural significance of American Express's most exclusive credit card.
Everything you've ever wanted to know about the ultra-exclusive Centurion Card from American Express, including how to get invited, fees, elite status benefits, lounge access, and concierge services.
Comprehensive breakdown of the Amex Centurion Card's costs, benefits, and whether the $5,000 annual fee can be justified. Includes analysis of elite status, credits, and the opportunity cost of spending on the card.
Full review of the invitation-only Amex Centurion Card covering airline and airport perks, hotel benefits, car rental advantages, and luxury lifestyle benefits.
Overview of the invite-only Amex Centurion Black Card with its $10,000 initiation fee and $5,000 annual fee, including complimentary elite status, concierge access, and comparison to alternatives.
Reviews, rates, fees, and rewards details for the Centurion Card from American Express with user reviews, editor analysis, and FAQ about qualification requirements.
Canadian perspective on the American Express Centurion Card, often referred to as the Black Card, analyzing whether the exclusive perks justify the substantial fees.
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Amex refunds full purchase price if merchant won't accept return within 90 days.
| 1:1 |
| instant |
| 94% |
| — |
| 1:1 | instant | 88% | 1.5 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 81% | 1.4 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 81% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | 1.2 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 69% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 69% | — |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:2 | instant | 63% | 0.5 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | 44% | 0.7 cpp | |
| 2:3 | instant | 44% | 0.6 cpp |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
cathay_pacific_asia_miles | 1:1 | instant | — | — |
air_france_klm_flying_blue | 1:1 | instant | 81% | — |
Amex refunds full purchase price if merchant won't accept return within 90 days.
| 1:1 |
| instant |
| 94% |
| — |
| 1:1 | instant | 88% | 1.5 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 81% | 1.4 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 81% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | 1.2 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 69% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 69% | — |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:2 | instant | 63% | 0.5 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | 44% | 0.7 cpp | |
| 2:3 | instant | 44% | 0.6 cpp |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
cathay_pacific_asia_miles | 1:1 | instant | — | — |
air_france_klm_flying_blue | 1:1 | instant | 81% | — |
Amex refunds full purchase price if merchant won't accept return within 90 days.
| 1:1 |
| instant |
| 94% |
| — |
| 1:1 | instant | 88% | 1.5 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 81% | 1.4 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 81% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | 1.2 cpp |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 75% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 69% | — |
| 1:1 | instant | 69% | — |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:2 | instant | 63% | 0.5 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | 44% | 0.7 cpp | |
| 2:3 | instant | 44% | 0.6 cpp |
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
cathay_pacific_asia_miles | 1:1 | instant | — | — |
air_france_klm_flying_blue | 1:1 | instant | 81% | — |
