Amex Membership Rewards

Earn Points

With Card Welcome Offers

The easiest way to earn American Express Membership Rewards Points is by applying to one of the membership rewards cards and getting a welcome bonus.

Welcome bonuses differ between each card and are offered to new cardholders:

Carte Cobaltᴹᴰ American Express

The American Express Cobalt® Card is the best credit card from American Express, whether you want points for travel or cash back.

American Express Cobalt® Card welcome offer

The welcome bonus is paid out monthly over your first 12 months. You earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you charge $750 in net purchases to your card, in any category (1X, 2X, 3X or 5X). That adds up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points over the year, a welcome offer we value at $255.

Earning the full bonus means $9,000 in net purchases spread across 12 monthly billing periods. This offer rewards steady monthly spending rather than one large purchase.

You can use these points as statement credits on everyday or travel purchases, at the same rate either way: 1,000 points = $10.

You can also transfer them to Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways and Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors. With the full welcome bonus, that is a choice between:

• 15,000 Aeroplan points
• 15,000 Avios points
• 15,000 Flying Blue Miles
• 18,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

If hotel points are what you are after, our ultimate guide to Marriott Bonvoy and our complete map of Marriott Bonvoy hotels by category show what those points can actually buy.

American Express Cobalt® Card benefits

Here is what the card gives you, starting with the benefits cardholders use most.

• 5X points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada: groceries, restaurants and bars, home food delivery and convenience stores. A spend cap applies.
• 3X points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.
• 2X points on eligible gas, public transit and ride sharing purchases in Canada.
• 1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings made through American Express Travel Online.
• 1X point per dollar on everything else, with no category restrictions.
• Points that hold the same value either way: 1,000 points = $10 as a statement credit, or a 1:1 transfer to several airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• No minimum income requirement, as with every American Express Canada card.
• Additional cards at no extra cost: the first and every other supplementary card is $0.
• The Hotel Collection: a room upgrade when available, 12pm check-in and late check-out when available, and up to $100 USD in hotel credit on amenities charged to the room for a stay of two or more consecutive nights, booked through American Express Travel.
• Front Of The Line^® presale and reserved tickets for concerts and theatre performances, plus offers and events curated for cardmembers through Amex Experiences.
• A soft credit check before you apply: you can see whether you will be approved with no impact to your credit score. This applies to American Express personal card applications.

To see how it compares with the rest of the line-up, read our round-up of the best credit cards from American Express in Canada.

The 5X categories and where they apply

The 5X rate is the reason most people carry this card. In Canada it covers four kinds of merchants:

• Groceries: Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, Safeway, Whole Foods.
• Restaurants and bars: sit-down meals, takeout and drinks.
• Home food delivery.
• Convenience stores: Couche-Tard, 7-Eleven.

The 2X rate covers gas stations such as Esso, Shell and Petro-Canada, along with public transit and ride sharing.

With the American Express Cobalt® Card, you earn between 1 and 5 points per dollar:

That works out to a 1 to 5% return on those purchases. For example, if you spend $1,000 per month across groceries, restaurants and food delivery, you earn $50 back per month, or $600 per year from that category alone. Transfer the points to a program such as Aeroplan instead and the return can be higher.

You can also stack these categories with the hundreds of stores that offer 5x points.

American Express Cobalt® Card insurance coverage

The card comes with a broad insurance package. The amounts below are the coverage limits; conditions, age limits and exclusions are set out in the certificate of insurance linked in the Insurance section above.

Travel insurance

• Emergency medical: up to $5,000,000 for the first 15 days of a trip.
• Travel accident: accidental death and dismemberment of up to $250,000 for you, your spouse and dependent children under age 23 when travelling on a common carrier (plane, train, bus or ship) and the tickets are charged to your card. Supplementary cardholders and their families are covered too.
• Flight delay: up to $500 for necessary hotel, meal and sundry expenses bought within 48 hours when you are delayed or denied boarding for four hours or more and no other transportation is available. This $500 is an aggregate limit per occurrence, shared with missed connection and delayed baggage coverage.
• Delayed baggage: up to $500 for essential clothing and sundries bought within four days when your outbound luggage is delayed six hours or more. This $500 is an aggregate limit per occurrence, shared with missed connection and flight delay coverage.
• Lost or stolen baggage: up to $500 per occurrence for all insured persons combined, for checked or carry-on baggage and personal effects in transit, when the airline tickets are charged to your card. Within that limit, jewellery is capped at $300 per occurrence and golf clubs, including golf bags, at $250 per occurrence.
• Hotel and motel burglary: up to $500 against the loss of most personal items if your hotel or motel is burglarized, when the stay is charged to your card.

Rental car insurance

Theft and damage coverage is included for a rental car with an MSRP, for its model year, of up to $85,000 excluding all taxes, for rentals of up to 48 days. To use it, decline the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or any similar option from the rental company and charge the full rental to your card. There is no cost for this coverage, and it replaces the daily insurance the rental company charges, usually $16 to $23 per day.

Mobile device insurance

Your device is covered for up to $1,000 per occurrence when it is charged to the card, for up to two years from the date of purchase. The payout is based on the depreciated value of the device, which falls by 2% of the purchase price for every completed month, less a 10% deductible. Theft and accidental damage coverage starts on the 91st day after purchase, because the first 90 days are covered by purchase protection.

Purchase protection and extended warranty

Eligible items charged to your card are insured against accidental physical damage or theft for 90 days from the purchase date, up to $1,000 per occurrence for all items combined. The card also extends the original manufacturer’s warranty by up to one additional year on eligible items, with indemnification limited to $10,000 per insured item and $25,000 per Cardmember per policy year for all items combined.

American Express Cobalt® Card fees

• Card fee: $15.99 per month, which equals $191.88 per year, for residents outside Quebec. Quebec residents are billed $191.88 per year.
• Additional cards: $0.
• Purchase interest rate: 21.99%.
• Cash advance interest rate: 21.99%.
• Foreign transaction fee: 2.5%.
• Minimum income required: none.

Because the fee is billed monthly rather than in one annual charge, you can stop and restart the cost in step with how much you are actually using the card.

Carte Verte American Expressᴹᴰ

Do you want a cash back credit card with no annual fee that earns travel points? Here’s an option for you: American Express® Green Card.

By signing up for the American Express® Green Card, you can earn 10,000 Membership Rewards Welcome Bonus Points when you charge $1,000 in purchases to your Card in the first 3 months of Cardmembership. This is a $100 value for travel or any purchase on the Card.

You can also transfer your points to airline partners (Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Flying Blue, etc.) and hotel partners (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors).

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning:

• 10,000 Aeroplan points
• 10,000 Avios points
• 10,000 Flying Blue Miles
• 12,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

That’s a nice welcome bonus for a credit card with no annual fee.

You’ll also have access to online promotional offers to earn points or rebates on your purchases with this no annual fee credit card.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Carte Or avec primes American Expressᴹᴰ

Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards points with this welcome offer for the American Express Gold Rewards Card. That’s a value of $600 toward travel or any purchase charged to the Card:

• 5,000 Membership Rewards points per month when you charge $1,000 in net purchases to your Card, for 12 months (a total of 60,000 points in the first year).

You can also transfer your points to airline partners such as Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways, Qatar Airways, Finnair), Flying Blue, and hotel partners (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors).

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to :

• 60,000 Aeroplan points
• 60,000 Avios
• 60,000 Flying Blue Miles
• 72,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

With this Card, you get many benefits like:

• $100 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass membership and 4 complimentary Plaza Premium visits per year
• $50 NEXUS credit

You earn 2 points per dollar for travel purchases, and at:

• gas stations
• grocery stores
• drugstores

And 1 point per dollar everywhere else.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Carte de Platineᴹᴰ d’American Express

The Platinum Card^® is the best premium card in Canada for travellers.

With this welcome offer, you can earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards^® points:

• 70,000 points after charging $10,000 to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
• 30,000 points when you make a purchase between the 15th and 17th month after your Cardmembership begins

With this Card, you get:

• 2 points per $1 on eligible dining and delivery purchases in Canada
• 2 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases charged to the Card
• 1 point per $1 on all other purchases charged to the Card

You can use your Membership Rewards^® points in many ways:

• Transfer points to airline partners: Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways / Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Delta SkyMiles, etc.
• Transfer points to hotel partners, including Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
• Redeem points for statement credits to offset any travel purchase charged to your Card (1,000 points = $10)
• Redeem points for statement credits towards other purchases (1,000 points = $10)
• And more!

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards^® points to a partner loyalty program, you could earn up to:

• 100,000 Aeroplan points
• 100,000 Avios
• 100,000 Flying Blue Miles
• 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

With this card, you also have advantages for your travels:

• $200 Annual Travel Credit
• An annual meal credit of $200
• A $100 statement credit for NEXUS membership
• Complimentary access for you and one additional guest to more than 1,550 airport lounges in over 140 countries
• Hilton Honors Gold status
• Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
• Access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program

Last but not least, The Platinum Card^® offers a wide range of insurance coverage: rental car theft and damage, $500,000 travel accident, emergency medical expenses (out-of-province or out-of-country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delays and misdirected baggage, hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection, Purchase Security.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Platinum Card^® from American Express - The Platinum Card^® from American Express« />

Carte en Or pour PME avec primes American Expressᴹᴰ

Earn a welcome bonus of up to 70,000 Membership Rewards® points with the American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card®

• 50,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $7,500 in purchases within the first three months of Cardmembership.
• 20,000 additional points after spending $30,000 on your Card in your first 12 months of Cardmembership.

Plus, earn 10,000 bonus points in each calendar quarter when you spend $20,000 or more.

With this Card, you earn 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar on your purchases.

You can then use your points in many ways:

• Statement credit for travel purchases
• Statement credit for all purchases
• Transfer to partner programs (Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Delta Skymiles, Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, etc.).
• Book your flight with American Express Travel at a special rate

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to:

• 70,000 points Aeroplan
• 70,000 Avios
• 70,000 Flying Blue Miles
• 84,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

Alternatively, 70,000 Membership Rewards points can also represent a value of $700 for travel or for any purchase charged to the Card.

Also, as a cardmember, you get many advantages such as up to 55 interest-free days to maximize your cash flow.

Finally, you are covered with reliable insurance for your travels and purchases.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Carte de Platine entrepriseᴹᴰ d’American Express

Earn up to 120,000 points with this welcome offer for the American Express Business Platinum Card:

• 80,000 Membership Rewards points for $15,000 net purchases within the first 3 months of membership
• 40,000 additional points if you make a purchase between the 15th and 17th month after enrollment

You can use your Membership Rewards points in many ways:

• Transfer your points to airline partners: Aeroplan Avios (British Airways, Qatar Airways, Finnair, Iberia), Flying Blue, Delta Skymiles, etc.
• Transfer your points to hotel programs (Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy)
• Redeem your points for statement credits to offset any eligible purchase charged to your Card (1,000 points = $10)
• And more!

120,000 points have a minimum value of $1,200 for a Statement credit, and much more if you transfer your points to a partner.

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to :

• 120,000 Aeroplan points
• 120,000 Avios
• 120,000 Flying Blue Miles
• 144,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

With this Card, you earn 1.25 Membership Rewards points per dollar on all purchases. What’s more, you’ll enjoy a host of travel and business benefits:

• Complimentary access for you and one additional guest to over 1,400 airport lounges in over 130 countries
• $200 Annual travel credit
• $100 Card Statement Credit for Nexus
• Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
• Hilton Honors Gold Elite status
• Access to the Fine Hotels and Resorts program
• Up to $120 in eligible Wireless Credits each year

With this Card you can maximize your cash flow with up to 55 interest free days. It is a card that is particularly appreciated by contractors when making large purchases in home improvement stores, for example.

Last but not least, Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers a wide range of insurance coverage: rental car theft and damage, $500,000 travel accident, emergency medical expenses (out-of-province or out-of-country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delays and misdirected baggage, hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection, Purchase Security.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

With expenses and bonus categories

Aside from the welcome bonus, the best way to earn membership rewards is by using your card to pay for all your purchases.

It is thus possible to earn between 1 and 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar depending on the categories of purchases.

This is where you need to be strategic in accumulating Membership Rewards points!

While the American Express Cobalt^® Card is the ultimate earning card in certain 5X categories, we must not forget the other 2X earning categories offered by the American Express^® Gold Rewards Card.

However, if most of your purchases are made outside of all these categories, the American Express^® Business Platinum Card will be recommended due to its earning rate of 1.25 Membership Rewards point per dollar.

With friends' referrals

American Express is the only institution that allows you to refer friends so they can open a card.

Offers are not always attractive compared to those offered on milesopedia.

Indeed, some offers may require spending up to twice as much money in 3 months to get an equivalent welcome bonus. Nothing to make good friends with…. !

However, it is an option to keep in mind… especially in a couple.

For the referrer, it is possible to get between 5,000 and 25,000 membership rewards points per referred card.

With AMEX's offers

American Express recently introduced « Amex’s offers » some of which earn membership rewards

With additional cardholders

American Express regularly offers a Membership Rewards bonus for adding an additional cardholder to your account.

Offers can range from 1,000 to 5,000 Membership Rewards points.

Redeem Points

For transfers to other programs

To hotel partners

All cards offering membership rewards allow you to transfer their points to 3 hotel partners:

Here are the transfer rates and processing times:

ALL Accor Live Limitless joined the list in July 2026. Transfers are made at a ratio of 2 Membership Rewards points for 1 Reward point, in increments of 100 points, with a minimum of 1,000 Membership Rewards points. Here are all the details about the Amex and ALL Accor partnership.

ALL Accor also works as a bridge to airline miles: the program converts its Reward points into some thirty frequent flyer programs. The detour loses value in most cases, except with Qantas Frequent Flyer, where 2,000 Reward points become 2,500 Qantas points. At the end of the chain, 1,000 Membership Rewards points are worth 625 Qantas points via ALL Accor, versus 400 via Marriott Bonvoy. The full math is in our guide to points transfer programs in Canada.

To airline partners

All Membership Rewards cards can transfer their points to these airline partners.

American Express Canada partners with 5 airline rewards programs.

Here is each of them, with the transfer rate and processing time:

Redeem for flights

American Express Fixed Points Travel Program

American Express’ fixed point travel program is a fare schedule for some economy class flights:

And on some business class flights:

To book this type of flight, you will need to visit the American Express Travel portal.

Let’s take the example of a round-trip from Montreal to New York.

In this example, the flights costs $462.87.

Here, with the Fixed Points Travel Program, you can redeem 15,000 Membership Rewards points and pay $162.87 in taxes.

Thus, 15,000 membership rewards save $300.

So 1,000 membership rewards = $20.

American Express Flexible Points Travel Program

The Flexible Points Travel Program redemption option allows you to redeem your Membership Rewards points to pay for the ticket price in full or in part, including taxes, fees, and carrier surcharges, at a ratio that gives you a $10 statement credit for every 1,000 points.

Let’s revisit the same Montreal – New York round-trip with the Flexible Points option.

In this example, the flight still costs $462.87.

Here, with the flexible point travel program, it is possible to redeem 46,287 membership rewards to cover the full ticket.

To compare with fixed points, 15,000 membership rewards save $150.

So 1,000 membership rewards = $10.

Statement credit for travels

American Express Membership Rewards points can be applied as a statement credit for any travel purchase charged to the card.

Here, 1,000 Membership Rewards points = $10.

For all current purchases

American Express Membership Rewards points can be applied as a statement credit for any everyday purchase charged to the card.

Here, 1,000 Membership Rewards points = $10 as of May 31, 2021.

Annual Fee Statement credit

A little-known option: redeem your Membership Rewards Points as a statement credit for your Card Annual Fee.

For example, upon renewal of the American Express^® Gold Rewards Card, you could use 25,000 Membership Rewards points to pay the $250 annual fee.

Here, 1,000 Membership Rewards points = $10.

For gift cards

You can redeem your Membership Rewards Points on American Express’ online store. The first option is gift cards. There are dozens of them.

Here is an example of an Air Canada gift card:

You could use 13,000 Membership Rewards points to get a $100 gift card.

Here, 1,000 Membership Rewards points = $7.70

For products

The second option on the American Express store is for products. Hundreds of them exist.

This toaster costs $75 in stores.

Here, 1,000 Membership Rewards points = $5

Redeem your points on Amazon.ca

Another little-known option: redeem its membership rewards on Amazon.ca.

Here, 1,000 Membership Rewards points = $7.

For charitable donations

Finally, it is possible to donate your Membership Rewards Points.

Here, 1,000 Membership Rewards points = $10.

Manage

Points value

As you may have seen above, there are many ways to redeem American Express Membership Rewards Points.

The value of 1 Membership Rewards point is estimated between 0.5 and 5.0 cents per point depending on usage (from purchasing a toaster to transferring to Aeroplan for business class travel).

So we decided to rate the membership reward at 1.7 cents per dollar in order to be conservative.

This means that the welcome bonus of the American Express^® Gold Rewards Card has a value of approximately $400.

Points expiracy

Membership rewards do not expire, as long as you keep a card active and in good standing.

It can be beneficial to have a card like the American Express Cobalt^® Card, whose annual fee is one of the least expensive, in order to maintain an active Membership Rewards account.

Or the American Express^® Green Card (no annual-fee card).

Combine Membership Rewards Points between your Cards

You can combine Membership Rewards Points from several cards in one Membership Rewards account.

The condition: all cards must be in your name.

It is therefore impossible for a couple or friends to transfer Membership Rewards points from one account to another. Read our article here.

To request the combination of Membership Rewards points into a single account, you will need to contact American Express (by phone, secure message, or chat).

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