American Specific Membership Rewards® Factors and Chase Final Rewards® are the most effective—and the preferred—versatile rewards applications amongst journey lovers, and it is easy to see why. Factors from each applications switch to an array of airline and lodge companions that allow customers get extra worth with every redemption, and cardholders may use their factors to ebook journey by a portal.
Amex factors and Chase factors additionally provide different versatile redemption choices, equivalent to assertion credit and present playing cards, albeit at various charges. Every program additionally comes with a selection of rewards bank cards that allow customers earn beneficiant sign-up bonuses and factors for every greenback they spend.
On the finish of the day, you will need to evaluate these applications based mostly on their factors values, switch companions, and redemption choices earlier than you focus all of your card spending on both one. This in-depth information does precisely that. Learn on to find out how these dynamic applications evaluate in all of the classes that matter most.
Key insights
- Amex factors and Chase factors might be earned through bank card spending, and eligible playing cards from each issuers are geared to shoppers with good-to-excellent credit score.
- Amex Membership Rewards are greatest for severe vacationers who haven’t any intention of redeeming their factors for non-travel choices, whereas Chase factors work for individuals who journey but in addition love money again.
- Individuals who principally journey within the U.S. could need to deal with Chase factors as a result of program’s switch companions, whereas worldwide vacationers typically want Amex.
- If you cannot resolve between Amex and Chase, you are able to do what many different frequent vacationers do—earn factors in each applications directly.
American Specific Membership Rewards Factors vs. Chase Final Rewards Factors
Whenever you begin to evaluate Amex factors to Chase factors, you will discover pretty shortly that each rewards currencies have a number of issues in widespread:
- Each American Specific Membership Rewards factors and Chase Final Rewards factors are earned through bank card spending.
- Each applications provide lower-tier journey bank cards and premium journey bank cards.
- Every program has its personal number of frequent flyer and lodge loyalty companions, and a few of these companions overlap.
- You should use each kinds of rewards for assertion credit, present playing cards, and different versatile choices. Whether or not it is best to is a completely completely different subject.
Incomes factors with bank cards
As we talked about, each Amex and Chase provide a number of bank cards that earn factors of their applications. Nonetheless, there are extra American Specific bank cards usually, in addition to choices with no annual price. For probably the most half, that is what units Amex aside from Chase within the point-earning realm. You can not earn Chase factors that switch on to its airline and lodge companions with out paying an annual price for the 12 months.
That mentioned, the main points get a bit murky. You possibly can earn factors with a no-annual-fee Chase card and switch them to companions in the event you pair your card with certainly one of its journey bank cards. For instance, you possibly can earn money again with the card_name or Chase Freedom Flex, pool your rewards in your card_name or card_name account, then use your factors for superior journey redemptions.
With all these particulars in thoughts, listed below are the playing cards from each applications that earn factors that switch on their very own (without having to pair with one other card):
American Specific Membership Rewards bank cards
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2X factors on as much as $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets per 12 months (then 1X factors)
1X factors on different purchases Earn 20% extra factors if you use your card 20 or extra occasions in a billing interval Phrases Apply. |
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3X factors on as much as $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets per 12 months (then 1X factors)
2X factors on gasoline at U.S. gasoline stations 1X factors on different purchases Earn 50% extra factors if you use your card 30 or extra occasions in a billing interval Phrases Apply. |
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3X factors at eating places, together with takeout and supply within the U.S.
3X factors on transit 3X factors on journey 1X factors on different purchases Phrases Apply. |
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2X factors on as much as $50,000 in purchases per 12 months
1X factors on different purchases Phrases Apply. |
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4X factors at eating places worldwide
4X factors on as much as $25,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets every year 3X factors on flights booked with airways or by AmexTravel.com 1X factors on different purchases Phrases Apply. |
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4X factors on as much as $150,000 in mixed spending in two prime enterprise spending classes per billing cycle every year
1X factors on different purchases Phrases Apply. |
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5X factors on as much as $500,000 spent on airfare booked with airways and flights and pay as you go inns booked by American Specific Journey (per calendar 12 months)
2X factors on different eligible journey booked by American Specific Journey 1X factors on all different purchases Phrases Apply. |
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5X factors on flights and pay as you go inns booked by AmexTravel.com
1.5X factors on purchases in key enterprise classes 1.5X factors on purchases of $5,000 or extra (on as much as $2 million of those purchases per calendar 12 months) 1X factors on all different purchases Phrases Apply. |
Chase Final Rewards bank cards
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5X factors on journey by Chase Final Rewards® excluding lodge purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Final Rewards Lodge Credit score
5X factors on Lyft Rides by March 31, 2025 3X factors on eating (together with eligible supply and takeout), selectstreaming providers and on-line grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Goal and wholesale golf equipment) 2X factors on different journey purchases 1X factors on all different purchases |
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10X factors on Chase Eating purchases, lodge stays and automobile leases (after the primary $300 is spent on journey purchases yearly) by Chase Final Rewards®
10X factors on Lyft purchases by March 31, 2025 5X factors on airfare booked by Chase Final Rewards 3X factors on different journey and eating purchases 1X factors on all different purchases |
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3X factors on as much as $150,000 in spending in eligible enterprise classes every account anniversary 12 months (then 1X factors)
1X factors on all different purchases |
Professional Tip: Not all Amex bank cards earn Membership Rewards factors, simply as not all Chase playing cards earn transferable factors. Be sure you know which playing cards provide these rewards earlier than you apply.
Switch companions
Usually talking, each Amex factors and Chase factors might be value roughly 2 cents every when redeemed for journey with switch companions. In fact, you will get outsized worth in particular circumstances. If you’ll be able to switch factors to an airline associate for a world flight in a Enterprise or Firstclass cabin, for instance, it isn’t unusual to get 3 to five cents per level in worth or much more.
In the intervening time, Amex Membership Rewards has 20 switch companions and Chase has 14 switch companions. This is a rundown of the switch companions of each of those applications, plus their respective switch ratios.
Chase switch companions (all switch at a 1:1 ratio)
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Air France (Flying Blue)
- British Airways Government Membership
- Emirates Skywards
- Flying Blue Air France KLM
- Iberia Plus
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Singapore Airways KrisFlyer
- Southwest Airways Fast Rewards
- United MileagePlus
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership
- IHG One Rewards
- Marriott Bonvoy
- World of Hyatt
Amex switch companions
- Aer Lingus AerClub (1:1)
- Aeromexico (1:1.6)
- Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1)
- Air France KLM (Flying Blue) (1:1)
- ANA Mileage Membership (1:1)
- Avianca LifeMiles (1:1)
- British Airways Government Membership (1:1)
- Cathay Pacific (1:1)
- Delta SkyMiles (1:1)
- Emirates Skywards (1:1)
- Etihad Visitor (1:1)
- Hawaiian Miles (1:1)
- Iberia Plus (1:1)
- JetBlue TrueBlue (2.5:2)
- Qantas Frequent Flyer (1:1)
- Singapore Airways KrisFlyer (1:1)
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership (1:1)
- Selection Privileges (1:1)
- Hilton Honors (1:2)
- Marriott Bonvoy (1:1)
Redemption price for journey purchases
Each Amex factors and Chase factors can be utilized to ebook journey by their respective journey portals, but Chase comes out forward on this class for extra causes than one.
That is as a result of the three Chase playing cards provide 25% to 50% extra worth for factors if you redeem them for journey bookings by Chase. In truth, the card_name offers you 50% extra worth if you redeem for airfare, inns, rental vehicles and extra, and the card_name and card_name offer you 25% extra worth.
As you possibly can see within the screenshot beneath from my card_name account, a lodge reserving on the Park Hyatt Chicago that may price $661 together with taxes by Chase would solely set you again 44,024 factors.
On the flipside, Amex factors are value one cent every when redeemed for airfare by AmexTravel.com. Nonetheless, you will solely get 0.7 cents per level in worth for inns, cruises and rental vehicles.
Journey portals
Each Chase and American Specific have their very own journey portals that allow you to ebook journey instantly with factors. Each portals are comparable in that they allow you to ebook journey with factors, money, or a mix of the 2.
AmexTravel.com
The Amex journey portal enables you to seamlessly ebook airfare, inns, trip packages, rental vehicles, and cruises utilizing your factors. We already famous how you will get one cent per level in journey in the event you redeem your Amex factors for airfare, however that you will solely get round 0.7 cents per level in worth for choices like cruises, inns and rental vehicles.
American Specific additionally has the Superb Accommodations + Resorts program that is solely for Amex Platinum cardmembers. This program enables you to use factors, money or a mix of the 2 to ebook unique, luxurious properties that include added perks equivalent to free breakfast and room upgrades (based mostly on availability).
Chase journey portal
The Chase journey portal works equally to the Amex portal, besides you will get 25% to 50% extra worth on your factors relying on which Chase journey bank card account you’re utilizing. This portal enables you to ebook flights, inns, cruises, rental vehicles, in addition to “actions.” The actions you possibly can ebook are virtually solely excursions, however you can too use factors to ebook airport transfers and different miscellaneous objects associated to journey.
In London, for instance, the actions tab by Chase enables you to ebook excursions equivalent to a River Thames sightseeing cruise or an unique Harry Potter tour.
Whereas these choices might not be as priceless as level transfers to airways, I actually like the very fact you possibly can rating low-cost excursions and day journeys with factors, and nonetheless get 25% to 50% extra worth for reserving with rewards.
Additionally be aware that Chase has the Luxurious Lodge and Resort Assortment, which presents premium lodge redemptions with upgrades equivalent to free breakfast, early check-in, and extra. This assortment is on the market to Chase cardholders with a wider vary of card choices, together with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and several other United Airways bank cards.
Redeeming factors for purchases
Chase enables you to money in factors for purchases at Apple at a price of 1 cent per level, and a few Chase playing cards allow you to pay with factors at Amazon.com or utilizing PayPal.com. Each of those choices will solely internet you 0.8 cents per level.
That mentioned, Chase continues to be providing barely higher worth if you redeem factors to cowl sure kinds of purchases by its Pay Your self Again program. Nonetheless, it is value noting that this program is tweaked on a regular basis, and that choices depend upon the cardboard you might have.
For example, the present Chase Pay Your self Again promotion for the card_name® offers you 25% to 50% extra worth on your factors if you redeem them to cowl gasoline station purchases, grocery retailer purchases, the cardboard’s annual price, and eligible charitable donations.
If you wish to store with Amex factors, alternatively, you will get 0.5 cents per level in worth. On this state of affairs, you’ll be higher off making the purchases you need along with your card, then redeeming for assertion credit as an alternative. When you will not get much more worth redeeming for assertion credit (as you will see beneath), it is higher than half a cent per level.
In fact, Amex additionally enables you to “pay with factors at checkout” at choose retailers. This selection will internet you 0.7 cents per level at shops like Amazon and Greatest Purchase.
Money out and assertion credit score charges
Each applications additionally allow you to redeem factors for assertion credit or money again. Once more, Chase Final Rewards comes out forward on this class. As you possibly can see within the screenshot beneath, you possibly can redeem Chase factors for money again at a price of 1 cent per level.
Not solely does Chase allow you to redeem for a press release credit score to your account at a price of 1 cent per level, however you possibly can have the cash deposited right into a Chase checking or financial savings account you probably have one.
Professional Tip: Because you solely get 0.8 cents per level for Amazon and PayPal purchases with Chase playing cards that supply this selection, you’ll be higher off paying for the acquisition along with your card then simply redeeming for a press release credit score to cowl it at a price of 1 cent per level.
Within the meantime, the American Specific Membership Rewards program solely offers you 0.6 cents per level if you redeem rewards to cowl fees to your account. Additional, you possibly can’t get precise money again despatched to you with Amex factors.
Redeeming factors for present playing cards
Cashing in your factors for present playing cards is not at all times the most suitable choice, however it may be a great way to make use of up further rewards or get worth out of your factors when you do not have a visit arising.
Be aware that, on this realm, redeeming Chase factors for present playing cards is usually (however not at all times) a greater deal. That is as a result of Chase present playing cards are provided at a price of 1 cent per level or higher. Chase steadily has “present card gross sales” that allow you to purchase present playing cards with factors at 10% to twenty% off.
In the meantime, Amex factors are usually value lower than one cent per level if you redeem for present playing cards.
In the intervening time, Amex is exhibiting a worth of 0.7 cents per level for present playing cards related to manufacturers like Delta and Hilton. Nonetheless, a lot of its restaurant present playing cards and a few journey choices provide the full one cent per level in worth or someplace in between.
Pooling and transferring factors
American Specific robotically swimming pools all of your Amex Membership Rewards factors in a single account, which is sweet when you might have a number of Amex bank cards. You can not switch your Amex factors to a partner instantly. You possibly can, nonetheless, switch your factors to a certified consumer’s frequent flyer account.
In different phrases, your partner or associate (or different member of the family) must be a certified consumer in your Amex bank card in an effort to pool factors with them.
On the flipside, Chase lets cardholders pool their very own factors into the cardboard account of their selecting. That mentioned, keep in mind that level transferability solely applies you probably have a Chase journey bank card (card_name, card_name, or card_name).
In the meantime, Chase does allow you to pool factors with members of your family. You used to have the ability to switch factors to family members after including their card to your mix factors web page on-line. Now you must name in (with the quantity on the again of your card) to have new card accounts for family members added.
This is what Chase has to say on-line about its points-pooling coverage:
“You possibly can transfer your factors, however solely to a different Chase card with Final Rewards belonging to you or one member of your family or proprietor of the corporate, as relevant.”
High award redemption factors comparability
So, which factors will go away you higher off in the long run with Amex or Chase? Let’s check out their prime award redemption choices and what factors are value with each applications.
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Level transfers to companions |
2 cents every (on common); Many (however not all) level transfers are at a 1:1 ratio |
2 cents every (on common); All level transfers are at a 1:1 ratio |
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Journey booked by a portal |
1 cent per level for airfare; 0.7 cents per level for automobile leases, inns and different journey |
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Assertion credit to your account |
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0.5 cents per level to 0.7 cents per level |
0.8 cents per level to 1 cent per level |
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0.7 cents per level to 1 cent per level |
1 cent per level or higher |
The underside line: Which program is greatest?
As you possibly can see from the chart above, Chase factors normally provide a greater worth however not at all times. Which means that, in the end, the precise rewards program for you boils right down to the way you truly plan to make use of your factors.
Amex factors are usually greatest for:
- Worldwide vacationers who can make the most of varied Amex airline companions for premium redemptions
- Delta flyers who need to switch their factors to the SkyMiles program
- Cardholders who’re unlikely to redeem factors for present playing cards, merchandise, or assertion credit
Chase factors are usually greatest for:
- Cardholders who need the choice to switch factors to IHG Rewards, Southwest, United MileagePlus, and World of Hyatt
- Money-back lovers who could redeem their rewards for assertion credit or present playing cards every now and then
- Cardholders who could need to ebook journey by a portal versus transferring to airways or inns
For those who nonetheless cannot resolve, you can too take into account signing up for journey bank cards that work in each applications. Since most of the switch companions with Amex and Chase overlap, this could even be an effective way to spice up your rewards haul for a premium journey redemption.
Within the meantime, you might also need to take a look at different versatile applications related to Capital One bank cards (Capital One Miles) or the Citi ThankYou Rewards program. By evaluating all the highest applications, their switch companions and their journey bank cards, you are certain to discover a mixture of playing cards that works for the way in which you journey.
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Often requested questions (FAQ)
How a lot are 50,000 Amex factors value?
For those who switch your Amex factors to an airline associate for a premium redemption, 50,000 factors might be value $1,000. Nonetheless, 50,000 factors are value $500 in the event you redeem for airfare by Amex Journey, or value $350 in the event you redeem for cruises, inns, automobile leases or different journey choices.
Chase Sapphire Most well-liked vs. Amex Gold: Which is best?
The card_name has a decrease annua card_name, but the card_name has a better rewards price in bonus classes. On the finish of the day, you will need to evaluate these playing cards based mostly on their welcome presents, rewards charges, perks, and options earlier than you resolve.
Can I earn Chase Final Rewards factors with no-annual-fee bank cards?
Chase doesn’t provide any no-annual-fee bank cards that earn factors that switch to airline and lodge companions. Nonetheless, you possibly can pool factors earned with a Chase money again bank card right into a Chase journey bank card account for premium journey redemptions.