Amex Points Vs Chase Points: What Is The Difference Between Them?
American Express and Chase are the two reward giants in the world. Both banks own an extensive chain of cardholders all over the market. According to reports, American Express holds more than 121 million cards throughout the world. Among these, approximately 57 million cards are owned by citizens within the USA.
Alternatively, Chase has distributed more than 93 million credit cards until now. It holds an extensive range of customers globally and within the USA. Individuals are fond of these banks for their reward cards and services to customers. Most people find it difficult to pick one among the two cards for their countless benefits.
Amex cards work through the American Express Membership Rewards Program. Whereas, Chase cards distribute points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Program. This brings a tough debate between
Amex points vs Chase points. Our experts have gone through detailed research to help individuals understand the difference between their valuable points.
Amex Points Vs Chase Points – An Overview
When comparing the Amex Membership Rewards Points vsChaseUltimate Rewards Points, similarities are many, and so are the differences. Most of their points can be easily transferred to travel and hotel partners. Also, they offer separate travel booking portals to help people redeem their points.
The basic differences between both of these points are specified below.
Redemption Rates for Travel Purchases
Chase offers two reward cards, namely the Ink Reward Card and the Sapphire Reward Card. Users can redeem points for travel at 1.25 cents and 1.5 cents per point respectively.
American Express on the other hand, also provides two reward cards, namely the Business Platinum Reward Card and the Business Gold Reward Card. Generally, cardholders can redeem travel points from both cards at 1 cent per point. However, both cards come up with a ‘Points Bonus’ for eligible airfare points. It can boost the redemption value to 1.54 cents per point.
Number of Transfer Partners
American Express wins this debate as it offers 20 airline and hotel partners to its cardholders. However, Chase only has 14 travel and airline partners to offer rewards and benefits.
Cash-Out Credit Rates
Amex offers card points through which users can cover their card charges at a redemption rate of 0.6 cents per point. It is also termed a statement credit. In this case, Chase offers its cardholders the opportunity to redeem their card points at a cashback rate of 1 cent per point.
Quality Of The Portal
According to users and cardholders, the online travel portal of American Express is way better than that of Chase in terms of features and services.
Redemption Points for Purchases
Amex membership card points offer a redemption rate of 0.7 cents per point for purchases. In the case of Chase's ultimate reward points, the redemption rates rate differ by the value of 1 cent per point for purchases. Cardholders get the benefit to use these points at multiple checkouts.
American Express Membership Rewards Points
All the points that card members earn through the Amex card are known as American Express Membership Rewards Points. Besides using these points for purchases at different retailer checkouts, you can use them for gift cards and travel redemptions.
Evaluating the Value of Amex Points
The Amex membership points can be redeemed at a rate of one or two cents per point. It depends on how you use your card and the points.
Using Amex Points via Transfer Partners
The value for Amex Membership Reward points can be up to 2 cents per point when redeemed through transfer partners. It happens due to the collaboration of the bank with valuable transfer partners like Air Canada Aeroplan and ANA (All Nippon Airways) Mileage Club. Moreover, when you purchase first-class business tickets through these points, the redemption value becomes higher.
Redeeming Amex Points inthe Travel Portal
All the travel purchases made through Amex travel offer a value of 0.7 cents per point. Cardholders use this value to enjoy prepaid booking for resorts, cruises, and hotels. However, this value changes to 1 cent per point when members reserve their bookings through American Express Travel.
Using Amex Points as a Statement Credit
The redemption value for Amex points used as statement credits is only worth 0.6 cents per point. To make sure that cardholders can redeem these points easily, the bank offers an Amex Cover-Your-Charge Program.
Chase Ultimate Rewards Point
Chase offers only three Chase-branded reward cards. However, these cards are extremely popular in the points and redemption market.
Evaluating the Value of Chase Points
The baseline rate for ChaseUltimate Rewards points is worth up to 1 cent per point. Cardholders can cash out their points as the statement credit according to this rate. Nevertheless, when redeeming these points through the ChaseUltimate Rewards portal for travel purchases, their value gets higher. Also, users can benefit from a higher value by transferring these points to the different travel and hotel partners of the bank.
Using Chase Points via Transfer Partners
The baseline value of Chase points varies according to their different travel and hotel partners. For instance, when transferring the ChaseUltimate Rewards points to Marriott, the redemption value is 1:1. Whereas, when transferring these points through Bonvoy, the value is only 0.7 cents per point.
However, members can also benefit from a higher value of 1.9 cents per point when redeemed through the Air Canada Aeroplanor 2.8 cents per point for the World of Hyatt.
Redeeming Chase Points via the Ultimate Travel Portal
As mentioned earlier, Chase offers three different cards through which members can Earn Ultimate Rewards points. The company offers a higher value on these points when earned through the Ultimate Rewards Travel portal. The individual value for each card is discussed further.
- Ink Business Preferred Credit Card offers 25% more value for each point. It converts to 1.25 cents per point.
- ChaseSapphire Preferred Credit Card also provides 25% more value for each point. It converts to 1.25 cents per point.
- ChaseSapphire Reserve Card offers 50% more value for each point. It converts to 1.5 cents per point.
Also available are other Ink and Freedom cards that are compatible with cash-back points. Cardholders can convert these points to Ultimate Rewards points.
Using Chase Points as Cashback
According to owners, The Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be easily redeemed as cash back at a value of 1 cent per point.
List of Cards to Earn Amex Points Vs Chase Points
American Express and Chase come up with different cards through which users can earn these valuable points for further use.
Cards for American Express
The list of American Express credit cards.
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
- American Express® Green Card
- Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card
- American Express® Gold Card
- American Express® Business Gold Card
Each of these cards has different perks and benefits for cardholders. Some may entertain users with zero annual fees, while others offer a price as high as $695 per year. A prominent benefit of these cards comes in the form of welcome bonuses.
Most card members are fond of the American Express Platinum Card. It offers users the chance to spend $6000 in the first six months and earn 80,000 points as a result. Next is the American Express Gold Card,which comes up with plenty of offers for cardholders. For instance,
- Cardholders get a chance to earn four times the Membership Rewards points at supermarkets and hotels within the USA.
- Users can easily earn three times the Membership Reward points on airlines or flights booked through amextravel.com.
- Members also get a chance to earn 60,000 bonus points by spending $4000 in the first six months.
Cards for Chase
The list of Chase personal and small debit cards.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Chase Freedom Flex℠
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Similar to the Amex cards, these cards are available at a variety of prices. Some of these come with a zero annual fee, while others may provide a luxury price tag along with their luxurious perks and benefits.
For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit card is one of the most recommended travel credit cards among users. It offers a chance to spend $4000 in the first three months and earn 60,000 points as a result. By redeeming these points for travel purposes, the value can be worth up to $750.
Further, the Chase Freedom Flex Card serves as an ideal choice for everyday purchases. Some of its benefits are discussed below,
- It offers a zero annual fee.
- Users can earn 3% at drug stores and restaurants along with delivery and takeout.
- Cardholders can earn 5% at chase travel purchases and quarterly rotating categories.
Amex Points Vs Chase Points – Pros and Cons
Both cards have their advantages and disadvantages for users. You can look around these to make a visible choice.
Pros and Cons of American Express Points
+ Points transfer compatible with 3 hotels and 18 airline partners
+ Merges points from different cards into a single bucket automatically
+ Transfer bonus promotions on different occasions
+ Points are free of any expiry date
+ Higher redemption value when using points for booking business class or first class tickets
- The ratio for transfer partners varies among hotels and airlines
- Welcome bonuses are only available once per user
- Unfortunate redemption value for online shopping, cash back, and gift cards
Pros and Cons of Chase Points
+ Points transfer compatible with 3 hotels and 11 airline partners
+ Points are free of any expiry date
+ The cashback value is worth $0.01 per point
+ Bonus points are available for users buying through the ultimate rewards shopping portal
+ Owners get a chance to earn up to 50% more for Pay-Yourself-Back and travel purchases
- New cards are restricted due to the Chase Sapphire 48-month Rule and the Chase 5/24 Rule
- The redemption value of the points varies according to the cards
- Users must manually combine the reward points from different cards
Amex Points Vs Chase Points – Which One To Choose?
Choosing between the American Express Membership Rewards Program and the Chase Ultimate Rewards Program can be challenging. Both loyalty programs are appreciated by cardholders all over the USA. However, when it comes to selecting one as the right choice, the decision can depend on your personal choice.
Every individual possesses a unique lifestyle and spends according to their choices. Most users fond of traveling prefer using the Amex card for its variety of airlines and travel partners. Also, it offers a high potential value when booking tickets for first class or business. Chase cardholders, in comparison, get fewer choices for travel and stay. Nevertheless, Chase points serve extraordinarily for online shopping lovers.
The Ultimate Rewards shopping portal is an add-on for Chase members. For this reason, people prefer keeping both cards in their wallets. Besides having the chance to combine their points in a single redemption bucket, cardholders get a chance at restriction-free usage. It means you are free to sign up for more loyalty programs and earn benefits as much as you want.
