amex points

[stengiz]

What is the best way to use points other than for travel? I have accumulated quite a bit points but I have no trip coming soon, is using the points at amazon a good idea ?

[Anonymous]

Are these Membership Rewards (from the charge cards for example) or some other points?

Unless something recently changed, using MR at Amazon isn't good, as they give just 0.7c per point.  Transferring to partners will often give you 2c per point or more.

If you can't travel, consider gift cards if you can use them, or selling the points to a broker.

[sunkissed]

Is it better to hold on to the points for future travel than to redeem them now for less value?

[Anonymous]

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@sunkissed wrote:

Is it better to hold on to the points for future travel than to redeem them now for less value?

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Depends on the situation!   If you don't have travel plans, where you can intelligently use the points, for "some time" (for your own definition of that), holding them runs the almost certain risk of devaluation (the partners will require more miles for the same trip) so by the time you use them, they have lost value anyway.

If you do decide to redeem, just make sure you get the best value that makes sense for you, which could include gift cards or selling them

[takeshi74]

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@stengiz wrote:

is using the points at amazon a good idea ?

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Your call to make.  You have to decide whether you prefer to avoid the risk of devaluation or hold on and try to get the most value from your points.

[-NewGuy-]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@sunkissed wrote:

Is it better to hold on to the points for future travel than to redeem them now for less value?

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Depends on the situation!   If you don't have travel plans, where you can intelligently use the points, for "some time" (for your own definition of that), holding them runs the almost certain risk of devaluation (the partners will require more miles for the same trip) so by the time you use them, they have lost value anyway.

If you do decide to redeem, just make sure you get the best value that makes sense for you, which could include gift cards or selling them

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Agreed. It's the same with money. 10k today is worth more than 10k 5 years from now. If you think that you can use them at a good value for travel in the near future, go for it. Otherwise think about the GC option.

Also, transferring to travel partners is the main strength of the MR program. If that isn't how you want to use them, perhaps you could look into getting a BCP / Cash + / Sallie Mae / Freedom etc that is just straight cashback.