Do you have a stack of American Express Membership Rewards® points burning a hole in your virtual pocket? Have you ever looked at your Amazon cart and thought, "I wish I could use my points on this"? If so, you're in the right place! This guide will walk you through the simple, step-by-step process of using your Amex points to pay for your purchases on Amazon.com. It's a fantastic way to turn your everyday spending into a tangible reward you can use immediately. Let's get started and make your next Amazon shopping trip even more rewarding!
Step 1: Link Your American Express Card to Your Amazon Account
This is the most crucial first step. Before you can "Pay with Points" on Amazon, you need to link your eligible American Express card to your Amazon account. Don't worry, it's a quick and secure process.
Sub-heading: Via the Amazon Website
Log in to your Amazon account: Go to Amazon.com and sign in with your email and password.
Navigate to 'Your Account': In the top-right corner of the page, hover over "Account & Lists" and click on "Your Account."
Find 'Your Payments': On the "Your Account" page, look for the "Ordering and shopping preferences" section and click on "Your Payments."
Add a new payment method: Click on the "Add a payment method" button.
Enter your Amex Card details: Fill in your American Express card number, expiration date, and name on the card.
Complete the linking process: Once your card is saved, Amazon will recognize that it's an eligible card for the "Pay with Points" program.
Sub-heading: Via the American Express App
Open the Amex App: Launch the American Express app on your mobile device.
Go to 'Account': Tap the "Account" icon, usually located in the bottom navigation bar.
Find 'Add Card to Wallets & Merchants': Scroll down to the "Payment Tools" section and select this option.
Choose Amazon: Under the "Merchants" section, tap on "Amazon."
Select your card: Choose the American Express card you want to link.
Agree and continue: Read and accept the terms and conditions, then follow the prompts to log in to your Amazon account and finalize the connection.
You only need to do this once per eligible card. Once linked, your American Express Membership Rewards points balance will be visible on Amazon.
Step 2: Check for Targeted Promotions
This is a game-changing tip for anyone looking to maximize their points. While the standard redemption value for using Amex points on Amazon isn't the best, American Express and Amazon often run targeted promotions that can give you a significantly higher value.
Sub-heading: How to Find These Deals
Go to the Amazon 'Shop with Points' page: After linking your card, go to the dedicated Amex promotion page on Amazon.
Look for an 'Activate now' button: The page will show if you are eligible for any special offers. Common offers include a discount (like 30% or 50% off) on your purchase when you use just a single point.
Activate the offer: If you see a promotion, click the "Activate now" button to enroll. This is a critical step; if you don't activate it, the discount won't apply.
Read the fine print: Be sure to check the terms and conditions of the offer. They often have a maximum discount amount (e.g., "up to $15 off") and may exclude items from third-party sellers.
Step 3: Redeem Your Points at Checkout
Now for the fun part! You've linked your card and, hopefully, found a great promotion. It's time to make a purchase.
Sub-heading: Paying for Your Purchase
Add items to your cart: Go shopping on Amazon and add the products you want to buy to your cart.
Proceed to checkout: When you're ready, go to your cart and click "Proceed to checkout."
Select your linked Amex card: On the payment page, choose your linked American Express card as the payment method.
Apply your points: You will now see an option to "Apply Membership Rewards Points." You can choose to pay with all of your points, a specific number of points, or just a minimal amount to trigger a promotion. For the best value, especially with a targeted offer, consider using just one point to get the discount and paying the rest with your card.
Confirm your order: The total will be updated to reflect the points you've used and any discounts. Review the final total, and if everything looks correct, click "Place your order."
Important Note on Value: The standard redemption value for Amex Membership Rewards points on Amazon is typically around 0.7 cents per point. This is generally lower than what you can get by transferring them to airline or hotel partners, where you might get 1.5 cents per point or more. For this reason, it's highly recommended to only use your points on Amazon when there is a special promotion that significantly increases their value.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Link my American Express Card to Amazon?
To link your Amex card, go to "Your Payments" under "Your Account" on Amazon, select "Add a credit or debit card," and enter your American Express card details. The system will automatically recognize it as an eligible card for the "Pay with Points" program.
How to Check My American Express Points Balance on Amazon?
Once your card is linked, your Membership Rewards points balance will be displayed on the payment page during checkout. You can also view it from the "Shop with Points" section in your Amazon account settings.
How to Use a Small Amount of Amex Points to Trigger a Discount?
During a targeted promotion, you'll select your linked Amex card at checkout and choose to "Apply Membership Rewards Points." Instead of using your entire balance, you can manually enter a small amount, such as $0.01, which will use just one point. The discount should then be applied to your total.
How to Find Amex Points Promotions on Amazon?
Promotions are often targeted and can be found on Amazon's dedicated "Shop with Points" page for American Express. Check this page regularly after linking your card to see if you have any offers available.
How to Determine the Value of My Amex Points on Amazon?
The standard redemption value is typically 0.7 cents per point. However, this value can be much higher during promotions. For example, a 30% off promotion on a $100 item for using one point gives you a much better value than the standard rate.
How to Avoid Using All of My Amex Points by Mistake?
On the checkout page, the option to use your entire points balance is often a pre-selected default. Be sure to uncheck this box and manually enter the specific amount of points you want to use before confirming your purchase.
How to Unlink My American Express Card from Amazon?
You can unlink your card by going to "Your Payments" in your Amazon account, finding your American Express card, and selecting the option to remove it. This will also remove the "Pay with Points" functionality associated with that card.
How to Use Amex Points on a Purchase from a Third-Party Seller?
Most of the special promotions for using Amex points on Amazon only apply to items that are "sold and shipped by Amazon.com." Purchases from third-party sellers are typically not eligible for these discounts.
How to Use Amex Points for an Amazon Gift Card?
You can often redeem your Amex points directly for an Amazon gift card on the American Express Membership Rewards website, though the redemption value may not be optimal. It's often better to use the "Pay with Points" feature on Amazon directly.
How to Combine Amex Points with another Payment Method?
Yes, you can combine payment methods. During checkout, you can use a portion of your points to cover part of the cost and then pay the remaining balance with your American Express card or another payment method.
