What to Do With Leftover Points When Closing a Platinum Card

This week I helped my dad decide what to do with his Platinum Card® from American Express.

How to Get 20% Off Your Amazon Order (Up to $100)

Update 11/26/18: This looks to be a targeted offer, so not everyone who has a Membership Rewards earning Amex card added to their Amazon account as a payment method will qualify.

Amazon is offering 20% off purchases sold by Amazon, in addition to various gift cards not sold by Amazon, for those apply at least 1 Membership Rewards point to their order and pay with the Amex card that earned it. The maximum discount is $100 on a $500 order.

1. Navigate here and click the “Click to activate” button to apply the offer to your Amazon account.

2.

40% Membership Rewards to Avios Transfer Bonus

Through November 15 you'll earn 40% bonus points when you transfer Membership Rewards to either British Airways or Iberia Avios.

That means 1,000 Membership Rewards = 1,400 Avios.

This deal typically comes around once a year and presents an excellent opportunity to save points on awards in and between various parts of the world.

Amex Membership Rewards Get New Transfer Partner

Aer Lingus was just added as a 1:1 transfer partner for American Express Membership Rewards.
Complete List of Membership Reward Partners
Membership Rewards can be transferred to 18 airline and two hotel loyalty programs at the moment.

Membership Rewards Partner Transfer Rate
AeroMexico1,000=1,600
Aeroplan1,000=1,000
Avianca 1,000=1,000
Alitalia1,000=1,000
ANA1,000=1,000
Cathay Pacific1,000=1,000
British Airways 1,000=1,000
El Al1,000=20
Emirates1,000=1,000
Etihad1,000=1,000
Flying Blue1,000=1,000
Hawaiian 1,000=1,000
Iberia 1,000=1,000
JetBlue 250=200
Singapore1,000=1,000
Virgin Atlantic1,000=1,000
Choice Privileges 1,000=1,000
Hilton 1,000=2,000

Like British Airways and Iberia, Aer Lingus is owned by IAG, so it was already possible to circuitously transfer Membership Rewards via Iberia or British Airways Avios. Members of AerClub also earns rewards called Avios, that while a separate rewards program from Iberia Avios or BA Avios, has similar rules and redemption rates that are distance-based.

Amazon Prime Day + Additional $100 Off by Applying 1 Point

Right now you can get 20% off your purchase of a product (or products) sold and shipped by Amazon, up to a $100 discount, when you apply at least one Membership Reward point to payment.

This is especially pertinent as Amazon Prime Day just kicked off: 36 hours of massive sales for Amazon Prime members. Prime Day started at 12 pm PT today. Don't have a Prime membership but want to take advantage of the sales? Sign up for a free trial.

Easy Extra 2 Membership Rewards Per Dollar Spent (Up to 5k)

Until May 17, 2018, using your Membership Reward earning Amex card to pay for specific online purchases through Amex Express Checkout will you earn 2 bonus Membership Rewards per dollar spent (on top of whatever category bonus your card may also earn for the card, or on top of the at least one point you'd earn for non-bonused spend).

The Trigger Happy Advice I Thankfully Thought to Retract

At the end of February I traveled to Rio de Janeiro and Buzios, Brazil. I'm a huge fan of Brazil and have traveled it more than any other country. The image above is from Buzios.

Using a sweetspot on the Etihad award chart, I flew roundtrip between Buenos Aires and Rio on Brazilian airline GOL for 18,000 Membership Rewards + taxes. Cash tickets are notoriously expensive between the two cities, so the value per point I got was over three cents.

30% Transfer Bonus: Membership Rewards to Virgin Atlantic

Transfers of American Express Membership Rewards to Virgin Atlantic miles will have a 30% bonus through November 30, 2017.

This is a fantastic deal that sets up a chance to book one way awards to Europe for 8,000 Membership Rewards+ $150.

You must transfer Membership Rewards in 1,000 point increments, so until November 30:

1,000 Membership Rewards = 1,300 Virgin Atlantic miles

Three Reasons Why You Want Virgin Atlantic Miles
1.

Another Great Amex Offer: Save $50 on Amazon

We've been seeing a lot of valuable Amex offers for Amazon purchases lately, which I'm all for as we all probably spend on Amazon anyways.