How to Find AmEx Reward Flights with Point.me
Apr 03, 2024
Avoid the hassle of checking every airline partner one-by-one. American Express Membership Rewards® partners with Point.me savings hours and making the search for airline partner reward availability easier.
Read time: 6 minutes
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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
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Now THIS was a welcomed announcement.
No more long division math.
(remember that?)
Multiple browser windows.
Reference charts and tables.
Scratch paper because I ran out of room on my screen.
Hours of time...
...wasted if I didn't find anything.
I'm talking about the manual way of finding redemption airlines tickets.
The old way was a pain.
But that is all gone now with American Express partnering up with Point.me.
Together they automate that process...
...well most of it at least.
The best part: it's FREE.
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How to Find AmEx Reward Flights with Point.me
What is Point.me?
As they self-describe themselves on their website...
"We're a leading reward-flight search tool that makes it easy to discover and compare reward flights, so you can get the best value for points.
We have partnered with American Express to offer point.me for Membership Rewards® points."
TL&DR: They make it easier and faster to find AmEx airline transfer partner availability.
Through the partnership you get a free subscription (valued at $12/ mo).
Well, it's a hybrid of Point.me's subscriptions.
Let's call it the "Standard Plan - AmEx Edition."
You can everything in the Standard Plan...
...except only to view AmEx Membership Rewards® partners.
You'll have to purchase a normal subscription if you're trying to search for reward point availability on an airline that isn't an AmEx partner.
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How to Find AmEx Reward Flights with Point.me
You'll want to first navigate to the exclusive American Express and Point.me partnership page: www.point.me/amex
This is a different site and login than their normal page - so bookmark this one.
You'll need to login with your American Express credentials to verify you are a cardholder.
Start your search.
Similar to other searching experiences - add your desired flight details such as dates and destination.
Point.me will start to search each of the AmEx partners for anything that might be available.
Note: The system is known to be slow at times.
It can take up to 90 seconds...
...which in today's time can feel like FOREVER.
Selecting the best option for you.
There may be one result...
...there may be 10+ results.
It depends on a ton of factors, but here are the big ones:
- Departure / Destination Location - Are there hubs or major airports for the airlines being search?
- Date of Travel - Searching ~11 months ahead or last minute (less than 60 days) I have found to be the sweet spot
- Fare Class - The availability for an Economy Class seat will differ than a First Class seat.
You'll also notice that the cost will vary with the options that are available.
Both in rewards points and cash (taxes & fees).
Confirming your flight details.
There might be multiple ways to actually book the route you're looking at.
Since may of the airlines are partners with one another...
...you may be able to book it with either of the airlines.
The main thing to notice is that the cost might differ.
After you select the flight that you want...
...Point.me will show you a guide on how to actually transfer the points.
There are even short videos when you select "Learn how to book this flight."
But before you jump and complete this step - there are a few things to consider.
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When should you transfer AmEx points to an airline partner?
Just because you see the flight available doesn't mean that it's available.
WHAT?!
Let me explain.
Neither Point.me or even the airline's website will have the 100% most up-to-date information.
The best way to confirm the seat availability and for the reward price that you're seeing it is to call the airline.
Only the airline booking agent will be able to see the true availability.
And even with that confirmation can you then start to consider transferring your points.
Sometimes transferring points can take days to process.
During the times that I've booked - it's only taken minutes.
But there are stories of that not always being the case.
So, you need to consider the following:
- How many seats are available when you called the airline? (Ask the agent)
- Do the points transfer on the weekend? (Ask the agent)
- Do you have an alternative flight that you can book with the airline if the seat isn't available after transfer? (Search yourself or ask the agent)
- Are you okay with taking the chance to wait during the "transfer time"?
If you've considered those things and are comfortable with them,
Then do it.
Of course, there is the option of keeping the points with AmEx and using the Travel Portal...
...but that may not get you those sweet deals that you're seeing directly with the airline.
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What should I do if there are no flight results?
Most airlines will only have a specific number of seats available for point rewards redemptions.
That means that it's first-come, first-serve.
I've noticed that the best time to search for redemptions are ~11 months before you want to go...
...or within 60 days of your desired departure date.
So those that plan way ahead or super last-minute will most likely see more options.
Here are a few things that I usually try when I don't get either enough or any results:
Check nearby airports.
If you were checking San Francisco International (SFO)...
...you might also want to try others like Oakland (OAK) or San Jose International (SJC).
Sometimes I'll even try places I know I can get a cheap flight to - so that'll include Los Angeles (LAX) or Denver (DEN).
Can't get to another airport - try different dates.
Try a a few days before and after your desired dates.
This can be difficult if you're planning around your kid's Spring Break.
But if you have some flexibility, you may find a hidden gem available.
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What American Express credit cards are eligible?
There are a number of American Express cards that are eligible for the Point.me partnership.
The easiest way to see if it'll work is by logging at point.me/amex.
If you are curious if you have one of the eligible cards...
...here are a few of the common ones:
- American Express® Gold Card
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- American Express® Business Gold Card
- View other American Express cards (not all may be eligible)
As of April 2024, I still use the The Platinum Card® from American Express.
I've found that I am still able to justify keeping the card given the perks and benefits.
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Do I need to have an American Express card to use Point.me?
The short answer: no.
You can go to Point.me and sign-up for any of their normal subscription.
Those start at $12 per month...
...and will let you search any of the programs (not just AmEx) partners.
Don't want to spend the time figuring all of this out?
They even have a concierge service if you want additional assistance.
That'll take some of the searching and headache of coordinating everything out the equation.
There are different prices and services offered under their concierge.
But you get idea - they do more of the work.
They'll reduce some of the risk.
And you'll be on flight somewhere in the world before you know it.
If you are going to try that route, make sure to also check out some of the other third-party options.
Another one that I've used was seats.aero specifically when searching for availability with Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
No concierge option, but it's a super powerful search tool.
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📚 Other Notable Resources
- Recent Thursday Trailblazer Article: Should I Get the Robinhood Gold Credit Card?
- Free Crash Course: Miles & Points 101 Course by Daily Drop
- Article: 3 Ways to Maximize the Value of Your Credit Card Points (+Seats.aero Walk-through)
Nicholas Ayala
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