How Do I Start Gaining Points with American Express?

If you're thinking about getting a new credit card, you may be considering an American Express card. American Express is, after all, one of the most well-known cards on the market, and it is famous for its rewards program. You can earn big savings on future purchases in approved categories, so you should keep reading to learn about how you can start gaining American Express rewards points.

American Express' Rewards Program

Not all American Express cards earn points, so you need to choose one of the several that do. Different cards offer different ways of getting points, so you should pick one that matches your spending habits. You can redeem the points at any time for cashback, gift cards, and purchases in a variety of categories, including travel.

How to Gain Points with American Express

In general, 1 point per dollar is awarded for all purchases made with the following American Express cards.

Some of the following cards give certain rewards for "eligible purchases." These purchases are liable to change, and you should consult American Express for specifics.

American Express Platinum Card: New cardholders get a 100,000 point bonus after spending $6,000 with the card in the first six months. Further bonuses of 10 times the points are given for eligible purchases at restaurants in that times, up to a $25,000 limit. Aside from this bonus, five times the normal points are awarded for purchases on flights and hotels booked with American Express Travel.

American Express Gold Card: New cardholders get a 60,000 point bonus after spending $4,000 with the card in the first six months. A bonus of four times the normal points is awarded for purchases at supermarkets and restaurants up to $25,000 in the first year.

American Express Business Platinum Card: New cardholders get a bonus of 120,000 points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months. A bonus of five times the normal points is awarded for flights and hotels booked with American Express Travel.

American Express Business Gold Card: Four times the normal points are awarded for all purchases in the two categories the cardholder spends the most money in, up to $150,000 in purchases per year.

American Express Blue Business Plus Card: New cardholders get a bonus of 15,000 points after $3,000 of purchases in the first three months. Twice the normal points are awarded for everyday business purchases up to $50,000 per year.

Contacting American Express

If you need help or have any questions about the rewards program, contact an American Express customer service representative. You can reach them by help forum or phone.