Explore Amex vs Chase points in 2025: earning strategies, transfer partners, redemption values, and pros/cons. Discover which program fits your travel style for maximum savings on US and international trips.
Picture this: You're scrolling through flight deals, dreaming of a beach getaway, but ticket prices make you pause. That's where points come in handy. They turn groceries, gas, and online shopping into free or discounted travel. American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards stand out as top flexible programs. They let you earn points on purchases and redeem them for everything from economy seats to luxury stays.
Both are great for US-based folks who travel occasionally or often. Amex often appeals to those chasing premium experiences, while Chase suits everyday spenders wanting straightforward value. In 2025, with rising travel costs, understanding these programs can save you hundreds on trips. We'll break down how to earn points, the best ways to use them, key partners, and which might edge out the other based on your habits.
Understanding the Basics of Each Program
Membership Rewards from American Express and Ultimate Rewards from Chase are transferable points systems. That means you collect points from credit card spending and move them to airline or hotel programs for bookings. This flexibility beats rigid airline miles that lock you into one carrier.
Amex launched Membership Rewards years ago, focusing on luxury perks. It's tied to cards like the Platinum and Gold, emphasizing high-end travel. Chase Ultimate Rewards came later but quickly gained fans for its user-friendly approach. Cards like the Sapphire Preferred make it accessible without sky-high fees.
In 2025, both programs have seen tweaks. Amex adjusted some transfer ratios, like a slight dip for Emirates, while Chase boosted its travel portal for premium cardholders. Points don't expire as long as your account stays active, giving you time to plan that big trip.
How to Earn Points: Cards and Strategies
Earning is where the fun starts. Both programs reward spending in bonus categories, plus welcome offers for new cardholders.
For Amex, popular cards include:
- American Express Platinum Card: Earns 5x on flights booked directly or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per year) and 5x on prepaid hotels via Amex Travel. Annual fee: $695. Welcome bonus: Often 80,000-150,000 points after spending requirements.
- American Express Gold Card: 4x on restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000/year) and US supermarkets (up to $25,000/year), 3x on flights. Annual fee: $325. Solid for foodies.
- Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express: 2x on all purchases up to $50,000/year, then 1x. No annual fee, great for small businesses.
Chase counters with:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: 10x on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel, 5x on flights via Chase Travel, 3x on dining and travel. Annual fee: $550. Welcome bonus: Typically 60,000-75,000 points.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: 5x on travel through Chase Travel, 3x on dining, online groceries, and select streaming. Annual fee: $95. Entry-level favorite.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited: 5x on travel via Chase Travel, 3x on dining and drugstores, 1.5x on everything else. No annual fee.
To maximize earnings, pair cards. For Amex, use Gold for dining and Platinum for airfare. With Chase, combine Sapphire Preferred with Freedom Unlimited to boost everyday spend to 1.5x, then transfer to Sapphire for better redemptions.
Welcome bonuses can net 50,000-100,000 points per card, enough for a round-trip domestic flight. Focus on categories matching your life—dining for food lovers, travel for jet-setters. In 2025, both issuers offer referral bonuses, adding extra points for recommending friends.
Redemption Options: Getting the Most Value
Redeeming is key to real savings. Both programs offer multiple paths, but transfers usually yield the highest returns.
Amex redemptions include:
- Amex Travel portal: 1 cent per point (cpp) for flights, 0.7 cpp for hotels.
- Statement credits: 0.6 cpp.
- Gift cards: Up to 1 cpp from select retailers.
- Shopping partners: Like Amazon, but often under 1 cpp.
Chase options:
- Chase Travel portal: 1.25 cpp with Preferred, 1.5 cpp with Reserve (up to 2 cpp for select bookings in 2025).
- Cash back: 1 cpp.
- Gift cards: 1 cpp or better during promotions.
- Pay Yourself Back: For categories like groceries, at enhanced rates temporarily.
For everyday use, Chase's cash back at full value beats Amex's lower rate. But for travel, aim higher.
Transfer Partners: The Game-Changer for High-Value Trips
Transfers unlock premium value, often 1.5-3 cents per point or more.
Amex boasts 20 partners (17 airlines, 3 hotels):
- Airlines: Aer Lingus (1:1), Aeromexico (1:1.6), Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1), Air France-KLM Flying Blue (1:1), ANA (1:1), British Airways (1:1), Cathay Pacific (1:1), Delta (1:1), Emirates (1:1, changed in 2025), Etihad (1:1), Hawaiian (1:1), Iberia (1:1), JetBlue (1:0.8), Qantas (1:1), Qatar (1:1), Singapore (1:1), Virgin Atlantic (1:1).
- Hotels: Choice (1:1), Hilton (1:2), Marriott (1:1).
Chase has 14 partners (11 airlines, 3 hotels):
- Airlines: Aer Lingus (1:1), Air Canada (1:1), Air France-KLM (1:1), British Airways (1:1), Emirates (1:1), Iberia (1:1), JetBlue (1:1), Singapore (1:1), Southwest (1:1), United (1:1), Virgin Atlantic (1:1).
- Hotels: IHG (1:1), Marriott (1:1), Hyatt (1:1).
Amex wins on quantity, especially international airlines like ANA for Asia deals. Chase excels with domestic options (Southwest, United) and Hyatt, known for generous awards—think 12,000 points for a luxury stay vs. competitors' 30,000+.
In 2025, watch for bonuses: Amex offered 30% to Marriott, Chase 30% to British Airways. Transfers take minutes to days; confirm award space first.
| Program | Airline Partners | Hotel Partners | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex | 17 | 3 | International flights, premium cabins |
| Chase | 11 | 3 | Domestic travel, high-value hotels |
Point Values: What Are They Really Worth?
Valuations vary by redemption. Independent estimates peg Amex at 2 cents per point, Chase at 2.05 cents in 2025.
Amex shines in transfers: Book Delta business class to Europe for 50,000 points (value: $1,000+ flight). Chase edges with Hyatt: 15,000 points for a $400 night.
For portal bookings, Chase's 1.5 cpp beats Amex's 1 cpp. User feedback shows Amex better for aspirational trips, Chase for practical ones. Always calculate: Divide cash price by points needed.
Pros and Cons: A Balanced View
No program is perfect. Here's a quick comparison.
Amex Pros:
- More partners for global reach.
- Strong airline bonuses.
- Luxury perks like lounge access.
Amex Cons:
- Higher annual fees.
- Lower cash-back value (0.6 cpp).
- Acceptance issues outside US.
Chase Pros:
- Better domestic focus.
- Higher portal value.
- Full 1 cpp cash back.
Chase Cons:
- Fewer international partners.
- Strict approval rules (5/24).
- Less emphasis on luxury.
Real users on platforms like Reddit note Chase feels more beginner-friendly, while Amex suits frequent flyers. Some complain about Amex devaluations, others praise Chase's Hyatt redemptions.
| Aspect | Amex | Chase |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fees | Higher ($95-$695) | Lower ($0-$550) |
| Cash Value | 0.6 cpp | 1 cpp |
| Transfer Variety | More airlines | Better hotels |
| User Rating (from forums) | 4.2/5 | 4.5/5 |
Which Is Better? It Depends on You
Research suggests neither is universally superior—Chase might edge for most US travelers due to ease and value, but Amex leads for international ambitions. If you fly Delta often, Amex's partnership wins. For Hyatt fans, Chase is unbeatable.
Consider your spending: High on dining? Both work. Business owner? Amex business cards offer uncapped earning. Test with a low-fee card like Chase Sapphire Preferred.
In 2025, with travel rebounding, start small. Track spending for three months to see potential earnings. Many users combine both for ultimate flexibility.
Conclusion
Amex and Chase points open doors to smarter travel. By earning strategically and redeeming wisely, you can cut costs on vacations without skimping on fun. Pick based on your trips—Chase for simplicity, Amex for breadth. Start tracking your points today and watch those dream destinations get closer.
Further Reading
- Official American Express Membership Rewards: https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/benefits/rewards/membership-rewards/
- Official Chase Ultimate Rewards: https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/ultimate-rewards
- The Points Guy Amex Guide: https://thepointsguy.com/loyalty-programs/ultimate-guide-amex-membership-rewards/
- The Points Guy Chase Guide: https://thepointsguy.com/loyalty-programs/chase-ultimate-rewards/
- NerdWallet Comparison: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/amex-points-vs-chase-points
- Forbes Advisor Review: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/chase-ultimate-rewards-vs-american-express-membership-rewards/