You might find yourself ready to book a flight reward, only to realise you’re still several thousand points short of your goal. Is there a way to bridge the gap quickly? With American Express Membership Rewards, there is, but it’s not publicly advertised. We’ve got all the details on how it works.
How much does it cost to buy Amex points?
In Australia, the cost to top-up your Amex points for Membership Rewards-linked cards is AU$25 for 1,000 points. That’s 2.5c per point. However, since most airlines now have a 2:1 (or even a 3:1) ratio transfer from Amex, you are effectively buying one airline point for 5.0-7.5 cents each, which is high.
We’re glad Amex offers this facility, but it’s still usually cheaper to top-up points from the airline directly, where offered. There are limited scenarios where buying Amex MR points makes sense, and that’s when you’re desperate for a quick points top-up for a redemption.
| Transfer Partners | Transfer Ratio | Cost per airline/hotel point |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy | 3 pts = 2 pts | 3.75c per point |
| Cathay, Etihad, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Thai Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Hilton Honors | 2 pts = 1 pt | 5c per point |
| Emirates, Singapore Airlines | 3 pts = 1 pt | 7.5c per point |
| Air New Zealand | 2,000 pts = 10 Airpoint Dollars | $5 per Airpoint Dollar |
| Gift cards, travel redemptions | 10,000 pts = $50 value | 2.5c per point |
How to buy American Express Membership Rewards Points
According to internal documents sighted by Point Hacks, the only way to purchase points is to call American Express Membership Rewards on 1300 363 276. Before you call, make sure you know all of the following details:
- How many points you want to purchase (in blocks of 1,000 pts for A$25 each)
- What you want to do with the points (they need to be redeemed or transferred immediately)
Purchased points can be used for any airline or hotel transfer partner, merchandise and gift vouchers. You can’t use them for ‘Points for Travel’, ‘Points for Credit’ and ‘Cover Charges with Points’ – essentially anything that is applied as a statement credit to your account.
There is no set limit to the number of points purchased, but those points do need to be redeemed or transferred to a partner immediately while on the call. The cost is charged to your Card Account.
New to Amex? Enjoy a huge boost to your Membership Rewards balance with this offer.
American Express Platinum Card
- Sign-up Bonus:
- 200,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points¹
- Rewards Earn Rate:
- Earn 2.25 Membership Rewards points per $1 on all eligible purchases, except for spend with government bodies, for which you will earn 1 point per $1 spent
- Annual Fee:
- $1,450 p.a.
- Offer expires
- 25 August 2026
- Enjoy 200,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points¹ when you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. (Offer available to new American Express Card Members only. Offer ends 25 August 2026. T&Cs apply.) Unlock premium perks including unlimited airport lounge access, international travel insurance, Amex Hotels and Resorts benefits, up to $400 in Global Dining Credit¹⁰, and a $450 Travel Credit⁵ each year. Earn up to 2.25 Membership Rewards Points per $1 on eligible spend. The annual fee is $1,450.
How else can I buy Amex points for less?
If you’re not in such a hurry, there are ways to ‘buy’ extra points at lower costs.
1. Spend at Qantas Wine
Consider buying from Qantas Wine with bonus points offers. In the example below, you would earn 30,000 Qantas Points by spending $690 on wine. The points are usually credited in a few days.
Compare that to:
- Buying 60,000 Amex MR points for $1,500 (equivalent to 30,000 Qantas Points for Ascent Premium members).
- Topping-up 30,000 Qantas Points directly for $929 at retail price.
The Qantas Wine offer clearly comes out on top with a lower purchase price. Plus, you get a dozen bottles of wine!
2. Wait for Velocity Booster offers (e.g. 40% off)
If you need Velocity Points quickly, it could be worth buying them when there’s a 40% off offer. At the top end of the scale, you could effectively buy points at 1.4 cents each.
3. Use gift card offers at Coles or Woolworths
A cheaper way to earn bonus Velocity Points is through Flybuys offers at Coles. It’s the same for Qantas and Everyday Rewards at Woolworths.
An example of a popular offer is 2,000 bonus Flybuys points on $100 Coles Mastercard gift cards. These have a fee of $5 each to activate. You can usually get bonus points on five a week, so that’s 10,000 Flybuys Points (or 5,000 Velocity Points) for just $25 in fees. Plus, you also get the full gift card value to use.
Summing up
It’s good to still have the option to buy American Express Membership Rewards Points if you need a top-up. But because Amex’s transfer rates are not 1:1, it’s best you keep it as a ‘last resort’ option.
If you’re short of points in your account, don’t hesitate to ask for help in the Point Hacks Community, as someone might have a clever way to top-up the shortfall and save some money.
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So what’s the best way to use Amex reward points now
Hi Lakun
The best way to use your Amex rewards points is an individual decision based on your travel patterns. We encourage to take a look at the following guides, that m,ay be of assistance:
https://www.pointhacks.com.au/credit-cards/american-express-membership-rewards-ultimate-guide/
https://www.pointhacks.com.au/best-uses-150k-amex-points/
https://www.pointhacks.com.au/amex-changes-apr-2019/
There’s an error in the section on buying Velocity points. You state that Velocity points are “o.325 cents per point” — which would be an absolute steal!! In fact they’re 3.25 cents per point.
Hi sixtyeight, thank you for pointing that out. Will get that fix up now 🙂
Is it $25 AUD or USD?
AUD
Hi,
Does the 2.5c per point apply to both Ascent and Gateway?
As far as I know!
Hi
I was looking at the Amex explorer card to use for qantas points but it does not say anything about being able to transfer to qantas frequent flyers. Is this the case or an I mistaken? Does it still not apply if I pay with Rewardpay? Otherwise can you suggest a card that will with maximum points.
Only the Platinum Charge card allows transfers to Qantas Frequent Flyer; other Amex cards don’t. There is more about that in this guide.
just rang and tried to buy extra points (for an award booking with Krisflyer) – got told flat out that you cant purchase points through Amex
Worth trying again. It’s not the best known option but I have had multiple phone agents who know how to go about doing this, and several folks with success stories.
yep rang again, spoke to another agent who knew all about it, so wasnt a problem
thanks
The annual limit for points purchase is 1,000,000 per card per year (or was the last time I asked Amex). If you get the free Reserve card to partner the platinum charge card that doubles it up to 2,000,000.
It would be theoretically possible to identify an award seat – for example, a first class SYD-LHR for about 120,000 points on Singapore Airlines – then simply buy the Amex points, transfer, and book: a $3,000 expense to access a $7,000 seat.
I currently have my American Express Corporate Card linked to Membership Rewards. Even in the terms and conditions of my card (and the linked MR program) it says I can purchase points (I’m still responsible for the full balance on my card and I have to pay it each month myself, I.e. company does not pay) however when I called up a few weeks ago they said this was not possible on Corporate Cards. When I asked why I was given a pretty half-baked excuse so perhaps I may have had more luck if I hung up and called back.