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How to save money on flights with Membership Rewards points from American Express

How to save money on flights with Membership Rewards points from American Express
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How to save money on flights with Membership Rewards points from American Express

We often see American Express Membership Rewards points in two ways:

  1. as transferable points to airline programs (Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, etc.) or hotel programs (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, ALL Accor)
  2. like travel points you can use for a statement credit for travel or everyday purchases charged to your Card

However, there is a third way to use American Express Membership Rewards points: via the American Express Travel Booking portal!

American Express Travel booking portal

With American Express Travel, you can use your Membership Rewards points to book your flights in two ways:

  • via the fixed points travel program
  • via the flexible points travel program
How to save money on flights with Membership Rewards points from American Express - amex points fixes ou souples

The flexible points travel program means that points are used at the same rate as travel purchases (10,000 points = $100 = 1 cent/point).

The Fixed Points Travel Program can be much more advantageous!

American Express Fixed Points Travel Program

Fixed points travel program

For example, with American Express Travel, you can get this round trip on Air Canada at $509.41 with the fixed points travel program:

How to save money on flights with Membership Rewards points from American Express - yul lga amex voyages

With the American Express Fixed Points Travel Program, you can pay this short-haul flight with 15,000 Membership Rewards points + $209.41. Here is the price breakdown:

How to save money on flights with Membership Rewards points from American Express - yul lga amex voyages ventilation du prix

We can therefore see that the basic ticket price is $360.97, plus taxes, fees and carrier surcharges of $148.44.

In this case, the 15,000 Membership Rewards points have a value of $300. This corresponds to the American Express Fixed Points Travel Chart, which we will detail later.

Flexible Points Travel Program

With American Express Travel, you can get this same round trip on Air Canada at 36,097 points and $148.44 with the Flexible Points Travel program:

How to save money on flights with Membership Rewards points from American Express - yul lga amex voyages points souples

Here is the price breakdown:

How to save money on flights with Membership Rewards points from American Express - yul lga amex voyages ventilation du prix points souples

We can therefore see that the basic ticket price is still $360.97, plus taxes, fees and carrier surcharges of $148.44.

In this case, you would have had to use 30,000 points to save $300 or the double vs the fixed points travel program! A dead loss of 15,000 Membership Rewards points!

Comparison of the two options

Let’s calculate the profitability of using Membership Rewards points for this trip.

ProgramMembership Rewards points usedFees and TaxesSavingsMembership Rewards Point Value
American Express Fixed Travel Program15 000$209,41$300,002 cents
American Express Fleixble Points Travel Program36 099$148,44$360,971 cent
American Express Statement Credit50 941$0,00$509,411 cent

The fixed points travel program is a winner here with a Membership Rewards points value of 2 cents / point.

American Express Fixed Points Travel Program Chart

American Express has divided the world into 5 categories:

  1. Canada and United States (short-haul)
  2. Canada and United States (long haul)
  3. Alaska, Bermuda, Caribbean, Central America, Hawaii or Mexico
  4. Europe
  5. International

And there is also an economy class chart and a business class chart.

For a short-haul flight, the maximum ticket price covered by the 15,000 points will be $300. This is the most advantageous solution!

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American Express Membership Rewards Cards

7 Cards are part of the American Express Membership Rewards Program:

Our credit card selection
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$191.88Welcome offer
Up to 15,000 points
Apply Now
Annual fee$0Welcome offer
10,000 points
Apply Now
Annual fee$199Welcome offer
Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
Annual fee$250Welcome offer
Up to 60,000 points
Apply Now
Annual fee$799Welcome offer
Up to 120,000 points
Apply Now
Annual fee$799Welcome offer
Up to 100,000 points
Apply Now

Conclusion

The American Express fixed points travel program is therefore an option to keep in mind when planning your itinerary. It will not necessarily be the most advantageous all the time, but it allows you to book the flight that YOU really want.

For your information: RBC offers virtually the same system within its RBC Rewards program. However, a minimum of 14 days notice is required to book with RBC. American Express offers you the opportunity to do so until the day before.

Go further with American Express Membership Rewards

To maximize your Membership Rewards earning, check our complete American Express Membership Rewards program guide and our best American Express Membership Rewards credit cards ranking, updated monthly by the Milesopedia team.

Our featured card

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Annual fee
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Our valuation
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Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,050Total$1,050Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 70,000 points
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on RBC's website

For a limited time, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card offers a welcome bonus of up to 70,000 Avion points, worth up to $1,500 in travel.

  • 35,000 points upon approval of your application
  • 20,000 points when you charge $5,000 in purchases to your account within the first six months
  • 15,000 points on the first anniversary of your account

You can redeem your Avion points for flights with more than 500 airlines, with no blackout periods or seat restrictions, or transfer them to partner programs such as American Airlines AAdvantage, The British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and WestJet Rewards.

The card earns you 1.25 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on all your other eligible purchases. It also includes extensive insurance coverage: emergency medical, trip cancellation and interruption, collision coverage for rental vehicles, and mobile devices.

The annual fee is $120.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1.25xTravel
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,369
2nd Year Value$271

Transfer partners

  • American Airlines AAdvantageAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • WestJet RewardsAirline

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Included
Travel medical (55-64)Included
Travel medical (65+)Included
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,500 / 1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

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Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.