The Best American Express Membership Rewards Credit Cards – May 2026

Q: How can I maximize the value of my Membership Rewards points?

The golden rule: never redeem points as a statement credit. At 1¢ per point, you're throwing away 50% to 150% of the potential value. Instead, transfer points to Aeroplan for business class flights (where redemptions can hit 4 to 6¢ per point on routes to Asia or Europe), or to Marriott Bonvoy for category 5 to 7 hotels during off-peak nights. Stack your Cobalt Card's 5x points on groceries with grocery store gift cards for travel partners, and time large redemptions during Aeroplan and Marriott transfer bonus promotions (typically 20% to 35% bonuses, 2 to 3 times per year).

Q: When is the best time to transfer Membership Rewards points?

Two situations matter. First: only transfer when you have a confirmed redemption ready — once points leave Amex they can't come back, and partner programs occasionally devalue without notice. Find your award flight or hotel availability first, then push the points across. Second: take advantage of transfer bonuses. Amex Canada runs periodic promotions (often 20% to 30% bonuses to Marriott Bonvoy or British Airways Avios), and these typically appear 2 to 4 times per year. Subscribe to the Milesopedia newsletter to get alerts the day they launch. For the Business Platinum Card, also note that transfers to Aeroplan are instant, while partners like Hilton or Marriott can take up to 48 hours.

The Best American Express Membership Rewards Credit Cards – May 2026

Below you’ll find the best Credit Card offers from American Express to earn Membership Rewards Points.

Here is a table summarizing the different offers. For more details, read on or click on the name of a card.

American Express Cobalt® Card

The American Express Cobalt^® Card is the best credit card from American Express, whether you want points for travel or cash back.

The welcome bonus is distributed monthly for the first 12 months. You’ll earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for every $750 in purchases charged to your card during the month (whether in the 1X, 2X, 3X or 5X category). That’s up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points.

You can easily use these points as statement credits for everyday or travel purchases. The value is the same for both: 1,000 points = $10.

Alternatively, transfer them to Aeroplan points, Avios (British Airways/Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy, or Hilton Honors.

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to:

15,000 Aeroplan points
15,000 Avios points
15,000 Flying Blue Miles
18,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

With the American Express Cobalt^® Card, you can earn between 1 and 5 points per dollar:

Category	Points per dollar
Grocery (Métro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, etc.)	5
Home food delivery	5
Restaurants and bars	5
Convenience stores	5
Streaming services	3
Service station	2
Transport	2
Travel	1
Other	1

This is a 1 to 5% return on all these purchases.

For example, if you spend $1,000 per month on groceries and/or restaurants and/or food delivery, you’ll earn $50 cash back per month, or $600 cash back per year with this card for this category of purchases!

And if you decide to transfer your points to other programs like Aeroplan, you could get even more value!

In addition, this card provides excellent insurance coverage: rental car theft and damage, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage, flight delay, $250,000 travel accident, hotel or motel burglary, Mobile Device Insurance, Purchase Security, Purchase Protection Insurance.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

American Express Platinum Card®

The Platinum Card^® is the best Premium Card in Canada for travellers.

With this welcome offer, you can earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points:

70,000 points when you charge $10,000 in net purchases to your Card in the first 3 months after joining;
30,000 points if you make a purchase between 15 to 17 months after signing up.

With this Card, you get:

2 points per dollar for dining purchases
2 points per dollar on travel purchases
1 point per dollar for other purchases

You can use your Membership Rewards points in many ways:

Transfer points to airline partners: Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways / Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Delta Skymiles, etc.
Transfer your points to hotel programs (Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy)
Redeem points for statement credits to offset any travel purchase charged to your Card (1,000 points = $10)
Redeem points for statement credits towards other purchases (1,000 points = $10)
And more!

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to :

100,000 Aeroplan points
100,000 Avios
100,000 Flying Blue Miles
120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

With this card, you also have advantages for your travels:

$200 Annual Travel Credit
An annual meal credit of $200
$100 NEXUS Card Statement Credit
Complimentary access for you and one additional guest to over 1,400 airport lounges in more than 130 countries
Hilton Honors Gold Elite status (complimentary breakfast at all Hilton hotels)
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
Access to the Fine Hotels and Resorts program

Last but not least, the Platinum Card^® offers a wide range of insurance coverage: rental car theft and damage, $500,000 travel accident, emergency medical expenses (out-of-province or out-of-country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delays and misdirected baggage, hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection, Purchase Security.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

American Express® Gold Rewards Card

Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards points with this welcome offer for the American Express Gold Rewards Card. That’s a value of $600 toward travel or any purchase charged to the Card:

5,000 Membership Rewards points per month when you charge $1,000 in net purchases to your Card, for 12 months (a total of 60,000 points in the first year).

You can also transfer your points to airline partners such as Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways, Qatar Airways, Finnair), Flying Blue, and hotel partners (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors).

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to :

60,000 Aeroplan points
60,000 Avios
60,000 Flying Blue Miles
72,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

With this Card, you get many benefits like:

$100 annual travel credit
Priority Pass membership and 4 complimentary Plaza Premium visits per year
$50 NEXUS credit

You earn 2 points per dollar for travel purchases, and at:

gas stations
grocery stores
drugstores

And 1 point per dollar everywhere else.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

American Express® Green Card

Do you want a cash back credit card with no annual fee that earns travel points? Here’s an option for you: American Express^® Green Card.

By signing up for the American Express^® Green Card, you can earn 10,000 Membership Rewards Welcome Bonus Points when you charge $1,000 in purchases to your Card in the first 3 months of Cardmembership. This is a $100 value for travel or any purchase on the Card.

You can also transfer your points to airline partners (Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Flying Blue, etc.) and hotel partners (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors).

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning:

10,000 Aeroplan points
10,000 Avios points
10,000 Flying Blue Miles
12,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

That’s a nice welcome bonus for a credit card with no annual fee.

You’ll also have access to online promotional offers to earn points or rebates on your purchases with this no annual fee credit card.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Earn up to 120,000 points with this welcome offer for the American Express Business Platinum Card:

80,000 Membership Rewards points for $15,000 net purchases within the first 3 months of membership
40,000 additional points if you make a purchase between the 15th and 17th month after enrollment

You can use your Membership Rewards points in many ways:

Transfer your points to airline partners: Aeroplan Avios (British Airways, Qatar Airways, Finnair, Iberia), Flying Blue, Delta Skymiles, etc.
Transfer your points to hotel programs (Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy)
Redeem your points for statement credits to offset any eligible purchase charged to your Card (1,000 points = $10)
And more!

120,000 points have a minimum value of $1,200 for a Statement credit, and much more if you transfer your points to a partner.

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to :

120,000 Aeroplan points
120,000 Avios
120,000 Flying Blue Miles
144,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

With this Card, you earn 1.25 Membership Rewards points per dollar on all purchases. What’s more, you’ll enjoy a host of travel and business benefits:

Complimentary access for you and one additional guest to over 1,400 airport lounges in over 130 countries
$200 Annual travel credit
$100 Card Statement Credit for Nexus
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
Hilton Honors Gold Elite status
Access to the Fine Hotels and Resorts program
Up to $120 in eligible Wireless Credits each year

With this Card you can maximize your cash flow with up to 55 interest free days. It is a card that is particularly appreciated by contractors when making large purchases in home improvement stores, for example.

Last but not least, Business Platinum Card^® from American Express offers a wide range of insurance coverage: rental car theft and damage, $500,000 travel accident, emergency medical expenses (out-of-province or out-of-country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delays and misdirected baggage, hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection, Purchase Security.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card®

Earn a welcome bonus of up to 70,000 Membership Rewards^® points with the American Express^® Business Gold Rewards Card^®

50,000 Membership Rewards^® points after spending $7,500 in purchases within the first three months of Cardmembership.
20,000 additional points after spending $30,000 on your Card in your first 12 months of Cardmembership.

Plus, earn 10,000 bonus points in each calendar quarter when you spend $20,000 or more.

With this Card, you earn 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar on your purchases.

You can then use your points in many ways:

Statement credit for travel purchases
Statement credit for all purchases
Transfer to partner programs (Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Delta Skymiles, Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, etc.).
Book your flight with American Express Travel at a special rate

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to:

70,000 points Aeroplan
70,000 Avios
70,000 Flying Blue Miles
84,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

Alternatively, 70,000 Membership Rewards points can also represent a value of $700 for travel or for any purchase charged to the Card.

Also, as a cardmember, you get many advantages such as up to 55 interest-free days to maximize your cash flow.

Finally, you are covered with reliable insurance for your travels and purchases.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Frequent Asked Questions about credit cards

Here are some frequently asked questions in the milesopedia community about credit cards in Canada.

What's the best credit card in Canada?

There are over 200 credit cards in Canada. There is no “one best credit card” in Canada.

Several credit cards can match your needs:

What is the best American Express Credit Card to get rewards?

It all depends on the project you’re pursuing. Milesopedia has a crush on the American Express CobaltTM Card, which has a value of $480 after subtracting its $10 monthly fee after one year. This credit card offers an excellent accumulation rate for grocery, restaurant and travel spending.

What is the best American Express credit card for me?

The first step is to define your objective. What do you want to do with your points? Travel? Saving on groceries? Earning cash back? The objective first, the choice of the card then!

Will my American Express Credit card application be accepted?

American Express does not require a minimum annual income to accept applications. However, as with any lending company, it is looking for customers with a good credit report.

How do I apply for an Amex credit card?

It is always appreciated to apply for your next card through the Milesopedia affiliate links found on its website! The steps are then easy to follow after clicking on the “Apply Now” button.

Which are the best Membership Rewards transfer partners?

The strongest transfer partners for Canadian Amex Membership Rewards points are Aeroplan (1:1), British Airways Avios (1:1), and Marriott Bonvoy (5:6, meaning 1,000 Amex = 1,200 Bonvoy). Aeroplan is usually the highest-value partner — points often redeem at 2.0 to 2.5¢ each on long-haul Star Alliance flights. Avios shines for short-haul Air Canada redemptions and partner flights on Qatar or Iberia. Hilton Honors transfers at 1:1.5, which sounds great but only delivers about 0.6¢ per Amex point. Avoid statement-credit redemptions at all costs — that’s a flat 1¢ per point and erases most of the benefit of holding a Cobalt Card or Platinum Card.

How can I maximize the value of my Membership Rewards points?

The golden rule: never redeem points as a statement credit. At 1¢ per point, you’re throwing away 50% to 150% of the potential value. Instead, transfer points to Aeroplan for business class flights (where redemptions can hit 4 to 6¢ per point on routes to Asia or Europe), or to Marriott Bonvoy for category 5 to 7 hotels during off-peak nights. Stack your Cobalt Card’s 5x points on groceries with grocery store gift cards for travel partners, and time large redemptions during Aeroplan and Marriott transfer bonus promotions (typically 20% to 35% bonuses, 2 to 3 times per year).

When is the best time to transfer Membership Rewards points?

Two situations matter. First: only transfer when you have a confirmed redemption ready — once points leave Amex they can’t come back, and partner programs occasionally devalue without notice. Find your award flight or hotel availability first, then push the points across. Second: take advantage of transfer bonuses. Amex Canada runs periodic promotions (often 20% to 30% bonuses to Marriott Bonvoy or British Airways Avios), and these typically appear 2 to 4 times per year. Subscribe to the Milesopedia newsletter to get alerts the day they launch. For the Business Platinum Card, also note that transfers to Aeroplan are instant, while partners like Hilton or Marriott can take up to 48 hours.