What is the best way to use American Express Platinum Card points?

50,000 American Express Membership Rewards points are worth up to $500, depending on how the points are redeemed. To get maximum value from your 50,000 Amex points, redeem for certain gift cards or travel packages through Membership Rewards.

Depending on the redemption method, the value of 50,000 Amex rewards points ranges from $250 to $500. The average value is $325, as each Amex point is worth an average of about 0.65 cents.... read full answer

You can earn and redeem American Express Platinum card points by using this card for purchases. With your American Express Platinum card, you’ll earn 1 - 5 points per $1 spent on purchases. To qualify for this card’s 5 points / $1 rewards rate, flights must be booked directly through the airline’s website or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 spent per year), and hotels must be booked through Amex.... read full answer

In addition, the American Express Platinum card also offers 80,000 points for spending $6,000 in the first 6 months. When you redeem American Express Platinum card points, they’re worth 0.7 cents to 1 cent each in most cases.

Here’s how to redeem American Express Platinum card points:

• Book travel through Amex. Log in to your American Express Platinum card account via the Amex travel portal. Then, search for the transportation and accommodations you want to book. There will be an option to pay with points at the check-out.
• Transfer points. You can actually move your points at a 1:1 ratio to 17 airline and 3 hotel loyalty programs. To do so, log in to your Amex account and choose the loyalty program you wish to transfer your points to. Keep in mind that you have to transfer in at least 1,000-point increments in most cases.
• Get gift cards. Log in to Amex’s gift card reward page to make your selection. There are dozens of options to choose from, including restaurants, movie theatres, and airlines.
• Donate. You can make a charitable donation with your rewards points online through Amex’s JustGiving page.
• Amazon Shop with Points. If you connect your Amex card to your Amazon account, you can use their Shop with Points system to spend points on merchandise. But you’ll only get 0.7 cents per point using this method.
• Statement credit. You can use your points to pay your credit card bill, at a rate of 0.6 cents per point. You can do so by logging in to your American Express Platinum card online account.
• Shopping. You can also spend your points towards Rite Aid purchases, Bestbuy.com, Staples.com and a few other sites (0.7 cents per point). Plus, you can use your points at a rate of 1 cent each toward NYC Taxi rides.

For more redemption options and current point values, check the Membership Rewards Points calculator.

In addition, American Express Platinum card points do not expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. Points are forfeited when closing an account, so make sure to redeem them before that.

The most prestigious American Express card is the Centurion® Card from American Express. You need an invitation to get it, but you can also request one online. While Amex doesn’t disclose the requirements, online reports say you have to spend at least $100,000 a year on an Amex card to merit consideration.

The Centurion® Card from American Express also has a $10,000 initiation fee and a $5000 annual fee. Cardholders get access to Centurion Lounges, hotel benefits, a ... read full answerpersonal concierge, and more. They also earn 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases.

Here’s another prestigious Amex credit card:

The Platinum Card® from American Express is also among the most prestigious American Express cards. It offers new cardholders 80,000 points for spending $6,000 in the first 6 months. Plus, it makes for a great travel companion as it offers 1 - 5 points per $1 spent on purchases. Among its many perks, it also provides concierge service and access to a host of worldwide airport lounges. And it charges a $695 annual fee, which makes it significantly more affordable than the Centurion® Card from American Express.

Keep in mind that the best American Express cards aren’t necessarily the most prestigious ones. Amex has a range of offerings with rewards for various spending habits. If exclusivity isn’t a top priority, it’s best to pick a card that best fits your needs.