There are many reasons travellers love credit cards, but one of the top perks is earning points that can be redeemed for free travel. Two of the most popular credit card travel rewards programs are American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards, for American Express and Chase cardholders, respectively. Both programs offer the chance to accumulate points that can be transferred to travel partners, used to purchase travel directly from the company’s own travel portal, or even issued as a statement credit.
Trying to decide which credit card you should apply for next? Or if you already have both, are you trying to figure out which one you should use for your next big purchase? Read on to compare Amex points and Chase points, and find out which of these two credit card rewards programs is best for you.
Amex Points Partners vs. Chase Points Partners
One of the most valuable ways to redeem credit card points is by transferring them to travel partners. Amex wins for airlines, as it has 18 airline partners compared to Chase’s 11 airline partners. Both programs have three hotel partners each. That said, the specific airlines and hotel groups differ between the programs, so if you only fly one alliance or book stays at one hotel group, you may want to choose the card that offers you those partners. Here’s the full list of Amex and Chase travel partners as of April 2023, but note that these can change at any time.
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Amex Rewards Airline Partners
- Aer Lingus
- Aeromexico
- Air Canada
- Air France
- KLM
- ANA
- Avianca
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Delta
- Emirates
- Etihad
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Iberia
- JetBlue
- Qantas
- Singapore Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
Amex Rewards Hotel Partners
- Choice Hotels
- Hilton
- Marriott
Chase Ultimate Rewards Airline Partners
- Aer Lingus
- Air Canada
- Air France
- KLM
- British Airways
- Emirates
- Iberia
- JetBlue
- Singapore Airlines
- Southwest
- United
- Virgin Atlantic
Chase Ultimate Rewards Hotel Partners
- IHG
- Marriott
- Hyatt
Differences in Point Values
Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards points are roughly equivalent in value, though it depends on how you’re redeeming the points. If you’re transferring to travel partners, it all depends on your specific purchase with those points. Typically, baseline point values for both rewards programs sit between one and two cents per point. An exception is transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to World of Hyatt — that transaction has a baseline of nearly three cents per point.
If you’re using your points to book directly through the Amex or Chase travel portals, you’re looking at redemption values between 0.7 and one cent for Amex and 0.7 and 1.5 cents for Chase.
And if you’re trading your points for statement credits, Amex points are worth just 0.6 cents, while Chase’s are worth one cent.
Top Amex Membership Rewards Credit Cards
Note that annual fees and perks are subject to change.
The Platinum Card from American Express
Annual fee: USD 695
If you travel frequently, this card is probably your best bet — if you can swallow that annual fee. It does cover perks like access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection (including Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs), up to USD 200 in Uber cash, credit for a Clear membership, up to USD 200 credit for airline fees (such as baggage fees), and hotel status with Hilton and Marriott. It also earns 5x points on travel purchases.
American Express Green Card
Annual fee: USD 150
With a more palatable annual fee, this card is a solid deal. You can get your annual fee back immediately by enrolling in Clear, as the card covers the USD 189 annual fee, and you can also get a USD 200 LoungeBuddy credit. When booking travel with this card, you earn 3x points.
American Express Everyday Card
Annual fee: USD 0
No fee, no problem. You can still earn Amex Membership Rewards points with this card, though it doesn’t come with perks. You’ll earn 2x points at supermarkets and 2x points on travel booked through Amex’s travel portal. You can also earn a 20% bonus on points each billing period if you use the card at least 20 times.
Top Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Cards
Note that annual fees and perks are subject to change.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Annual fee: USD 550
Chase’s top-tier Ultimate Rewards card comes with a number of travel benefits, including a USD 300 travel credit, a Priority Pass Select membership, and a USD 100 reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years. You also earn 10x points for Chase Dining, hotel stays, and car rentals if booked through Chase’s travel portal, as well as 3x points for travel and dining not booked through the portal. Finally, thee travel rewards program associated with this card provides access to Chase’s Reserved by Sapphire restaurant reservation service.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Annual fee: USD 95
For a low annual fee, cardholders receive a USD 50 hotel credit for stays booked through Chase’s travel portal, fairly strong travel insurance, and an annual points bonus that equates to 10% of your year’s purchases. You also earn 5x points on travel booked through Chase’s portal and 2x points on other travel.
Chase Freedom Flex
Annual fee: USD 0
If you’re just dipping your toe in the points game, this card is a good place to start. Though it doesn’t have many perks right off the bat, it does allow you to earn 5x points in different categories every quarter on up to USD 1,500 in purchases. You’ll also earn 3x points on dining and drugstore purchases.
Which travel rewards program is better?
This story first appeared on www.travelandleisure.com
Main and Feature Image Credit: American Express
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