American Express has just made it even easier for its cardholders to redeem their Membership Rewards points, but is this a good move? In my opinion, while the new 'Pay with Points' feature through Apple Pay is a convenient addition, it's not the most efficient way to maximize the value of your rewards. Personally, I think it's a step towards a more seamless and integrated rewards experience, but it's not without its limitations. Let's dive into the details and explore why, from my perspective, this new feature is more about convenience than maximizing value.
A New Way to Redeem Points
American Express cardholders can now use their Membership Rewards points directly through Apple Pay when making online or in-app purchases on an iPhone or iPad. This feature allows you to apply points towards eligible purchases without leaving the Apple Pay checkout experience. What makes this particularly fascinating is that it provides a level of flexibility that traditional redemption methods often lack. You can apply points towards all or part of an eligible purchase, which is a nice touch for those who want to reduce their out-of-pocket costs.
Eligible Cards and How to Use It
The new Apple Pay redemption feature is available on several eligible American Express cards that earn Membership Rewards points. These include the American Express® Business Gold Card, American Express® Gold Card, American Express Green Card®, American Express Platinum Card®, The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, and the Business Green Rewards Card from American Express. If your eligible card has been added to Apple Pay, the 'Use Rewards' option should appear automatically during checkout.
Using it is straightforward. Shop online or in an app using Apple Pay, select your eligible American Express Membership Rewards card, choose 'Use Rewards' during checkout, enter the number of points you want to redeem, and complete your transaction. It's a seamless process that makes redeeming points feel more like a natural part of the checkout experience.
Value of Points with Apple Pay
American Express values Membership Rewards points redeemed through Apple Pay at 0.7 cents apiece. This means 10,000 points can be redeemed for $70. In comparison, TPG currently values Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each when transferred to airline and hotel partners, as of June 2026. This makes Apple Pay a convenience-focused redemption rather than a value-focused one.
Is Apple Pay a Good Way to Use Membership Rewards Points?
While the added flexibility is convenient, I generally don't recommend redeeming Membership Rewards points this way. At TPG, we typically recommend transferring Membership Rewards points to Amex's airline and hotel partners whenever possible, as those redemptions can provide significantly more value than using points towards everyday purchases. However, redeeming points through Apple Pay could make sense in certain situations.
If you have a large Membership Rewards balance or simply want to offset the cost of an eligible purchase, the convenience may outweigh maximizing every point's value. If your goal is to maximize value, transfers remain the better choice. If your goal is convenience, Apple Pay is now another redemption option.
Bottom Line
American Express's new 'Pay with Points' integration makes it easier for eligible cardholders to redeem Membership Rewards points through Apple Pay. While the added flexibility is a welcome addition, it's not the best way to maximize the value of your rewards. If you're looking to get the most out of your Membership Rewards points, you'll typically come out ahead by transferring them to one of Amex's airline or hotel partners. Still, for cardholders who want to offset the cost of an everyday purchase, the new feature offers another useful redemption option.
In my opinion, this new feature is a step towards a more integrated rewards experience, but it's not a game-changer for maximizing value. It's a convenient addition that provides flexibility, but it's not the most efficient way to get the most out of your Membership Rewards points. So, while it's a nice feature to have, it's not the primary method I'd recommend for redeeming points.
