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  1. #1
    phil
    phil is offline
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    Question American Express Pay With Points Value?

    Hello,

    I am thinking about getting an AMEX card and was wondering if someone can explain the valuation of Pay with Points for flights booked from AMEX Travel.

    I currently have the BOFA Alaska Air card and Alaska's value is about 1% of points to cash for tickets. I am hoping AMEX is about the same.

    Also, are MR Express points valued less then regular MR points when using Pay with Points? I know that MR First points get you 20% of the points used back.

    Thanks!

    Phil
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    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote     May 14, 11, 5:27 pm
  2. #2
    jeffysdad
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    I don't know the answer to the question above, but I would ask the same about the Chase Sapphire card, which also offers "pay with points."

    I suspect that in the case of either Amex or Chase, one who is not a very heavy traveler is better off following a simple cash-back strategy instead of juggling points/miles conversions, travel itineraries and potential blackout dates, etc.

    In the same ballpark, what of Amex "pay with points" on Amazon.com? Is that worth it?
    CARDS (and why)
    FIA Card Services: Fidelity Amex (best cash back excepting 5% cards), Fidelity Visa (spare)
    Chase: Freedom (only for 5% reward categories, purchases under $10), Sapphire (not in use), Amazon Rewards (for Amazon purchases only)
    CapitalOne: No Hassle Rewards (no foreign transaction fee, my only MasterCard, not in use)
    Amex: Blue Cash Everyday (not in use)
    Discover: More (only for 5% reward categories)
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    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote     May 15, 11, 7:20 am
  3. #3
    Mogul of Pineapples
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    The last I checked, the value of AmEx Membership Rewards Express was 0.5 cents per point and for the regular Membership Rewards, it was 1 cent per point. With the MRE you can still get 1 cent per point through gift cards.

    With the Chase Sapphire it is also 1 cent per point with their equivalent to the AmEx Pay With Points benefit. With Sapphire Preferred you get a 25% boost, 1.25 cents per dollar.

    Given the promotion you get with the Sapphire I would recommend that right now. I don't even need another travel card but am thinking am applying myself because of the bonus Chase is offering for it right now. CreditCardForum is a Chase affilaite and has access to the offer: Chase Sapphire review
    Disclosure: I am a moderator/paid staff of this site, which does have advertising relationships with some credit cards that are discussed. Regardless, anything I say is my honest opinion.

    Current Cards:     American Express: Blue Cash, Simply Cash Bank of America: WorldPoints Platinum Plus Chase: Amazon, British Airways, Cash Plus Rewards, Freedom, Ink Cash Citi: Thank You Premier, Dividend Platinum Select Discover: More
    Primary Everyday Card: American Express Blue Cash
    Primary Travel Card: Citi Thank You Premier
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    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote     May 16, 11, 9:30 pm
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