Feeling a little overwhelmed by all those American Express Membership Rewards points piling up? Wondering how to turn them into something tangible, perhaps a shiny new gadget or that book you've been eyeing on Amazon? You're in the right place! This guide will walk you through the process of using your American Express points on Amazon, step-by-step, to make your shopping experience seamless.
Let's dive in and unlock the potential of your points!
Step 1: Connect Your American Express Card to Your Amazon Account
Before you can start spending those precious points, you need to tell Amazon that your American Express card exists and that you want to use your points with it. This is a crucial first step!
Sub-heading: How to Link Your Card
There are a couple of ways to get this done:
Through the American Express App:
Log in to your American Express App on your mobile device.
Tap the "Account" icon in the bottom navigation bar.
Scroll down to "Payment Tools" and tap "Add Card to Wallets & Merchants."
Under "Merchants," tap "Amazon."
Select the American Express Card you wish to link.
Review the terms and conditions, then tap "Agree & Continue."
Follow the Amazon prompts to either set up a new Amazon.com account or log in to your existing one.
Press "Continue" when prompted. Your card should now be automatically linked!
Through the American Express Website:
Log in to your account at americanexpress.com.
Select "Account Services."
Under "Account Services," select the tab "Card Management" or look for options related to "Link Card to Amazon."
Select "Amazon" from the list of merchants.
Select the American Express Card you want to link and confirm your choice.
Review the terms and conditions, and click "Agree & Continue."
You'll then be directed to Amazon to sign up or log in to your Amazon account.
Review Amazon's terms and conditions, and click "Continue."
Once linked, information about your American Express Card will be shared with Amazon, allowing you to see and use your available Membership Rewards points.
Step 2: Check Your Eligibility for "Shop with Points"
Not all American Express cards earn Membership Rewards points, and therefore, not all are eligible for the "Shop with Points" program on Amazon. Generally, cards that earn Membership Rewards points (like The Platinum Card®, American Express® Gold Card, or American Express® Green Card) are eligible. Cash back cards (like Blue Cash Preferred®) earn "Reward Dollars" which can also be redeemed on Amazon.
Sub-heading: Verifying Your Points Balance on Amazon
After linking your card, you can often see your available points balance directly on Amazon.
Go to your Amazon account.
Navigate to "Your Payments" or "Shop with Points."
Your linked American Express card and its associated points balance should be displayed.
Step 3: Make a Purchase and Apply Your Points at Checkout
Now for the exciting part – spending those points!
Sub-heading: Adding Items to Your Cart
Browse Amazon.com as you normally would.
Add the items you wish to purchase to your shopping cart.
Proceed to checkout.
Sub-heading: Redeeming Points During Checkout
At the payment stage of your Amazon checkout:
Select your linked American Express card as your payment method.
You should see an option to "Use your Membership Rewards points" (or "Reward Dollars," if applicable).
You'll see your available points balance and the equivalent monetary value.
Enter the amount of points you wish to apply to your purchase. You can use points for the full amount or just a portion. Remember, it's often not the best value to use all your points on Amazon, as the redemption rate is typically lower than for travel redemptions.
The remaining balance (if any) will be charged to your linked American Express card.
Review your order details and complete your purchase.
You'll see the points deducted from your Membership Rewards account, and a corresponding credit will appear on your American Express statement.
Step 4: Consider Targeted Offers for Better Value
While the standard redemption rate for American Express points on Amazon is generally 0.7 cents per point (meaning 10,000 points equals $70), Amazon and American Express occasionally offer targeted promotions that can significantly increase the value of your points.
Sub-heading: How to Spot and Utilize Targeted Offers
Check American Express Offers: Regularly log in to your American Express online account or app and look for "Amex Offers" related to Amazon.
Look for Amazon Promotions: Amazon sometimes displays offers directly on product pages or at checkout if you're targeted. These might be promotions like "Save X% when you use at least 1 Membership Rewards point."
Activate the Offer: If you find a targeted offer, make sure to activate it before making your purchase. Often, you just need to apply as little as one point to unlock a significant discount (e.g., 50% off up to a certain dollar amount). This is a fantastic way to maximize value.
Pro Tip: Always check for these targeted offers before making a large purchase on Amazon with your points!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check my American Express Membership Rewards point balance?
You can check your American Express Membership Rewards point balance by logging into your American Express online account, or through the American Express mobile app. The "Rewards Summary" or "Dashboard" section typically displays your current points.
How to unlink my American Express card from Amazon?
To unlink your American Express card from Amazon, go to your Amazon account, navigate to "Your Payments," find your linked Amex card, and select the option to remove or unlink it. You can also sometimes do this through your American Express online account under "Card Management" or "Payment Tools."
How to get the best value when using Amex points on Amazon?
The best value for using Amex points on Amazon typically comes from targeted promotions where you can get a significant discount (e.g., 10% or 50% off) by using just one point. Otherwise, the standard redemption value of 0.7 cents per point is generally lower than other redemption options like transferring to airline partners for travel.
How to use American Express "Reward Dollars" on Amazon?
If you have an American Express cash back card (like Blue Cash Everyday or Preferred), you earn "Reward Dollars." These can be redeemed at Amazon checkout similar to Membership Rewards points. You'll see an option to apply your cash back balance to your purchase.
How to tell if a product is eligible for "Shop with Points" on Amazon?
Generally, most products sold directly by Amazon are eligible for "Shop with Points." However, items from third-party sellers on the Amazon Marketplace, digital content (like e-books or video games), gift cards, or certain subscription services might be excluded. The system will usually notify you at checkout if points cannot be applied.
How to combine American Express points with other payment methods on Amazon?
Yes, you can combine American Express points with other payment methods on Amazon. If your points don't cover the full purchase amount, the remaining balance will be charged to your linked American Express card or another payment method you choose (like an Amazon gift card balance).
How to get a refund if I return an item purchased with Amex points?
If you return an item purchased with American Express points on Amazon, the refund will typically be processed according to Amazon's return policy. You will usually receive a refund of the amount charged to your card, and the points used may be credited back to your Membership Rewards account.
How to transfer Amex points to another Amazon account?
You generally cannot directly transfer American Express Membership Rewards points from your account to another person's Amazon account. The "Shop with Points" feature is tied to your individual Amazon and American Express accounts.
How to use Amex points for Amazon Prime membership?
While you can't directly use Amex points at the Amazon checkout for a Prime membership in the same way you would for a product, American Express sometimes offers specific deals through its "Reward Multiplier" platform or other promotions where you can purchase Amazon Prime membership e-gift cards or vouchers using your points, or even get a discount on Prime when paying with your Amex card.
How to avoid a poor redemption value when using Amex points on Amazon?
To avoid a poor redemption value, try to only use your Amex points on Amazon when there's a targeted promotion that significantly increases their worth (e.g., 50% off). For other purchases, consider saving your points for higher-value redemptions like transferring them to airline or hotel partners for travel.
