How to Easily Redeem Amex Points (for MAX Value)

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  • Опубліковано 25 чер 2024
  • In this video, we’re going over how to redeem Amex points for max value! American Express gives customers many options for how to use Amex Points, but unfortunately many of these options can be bad. That’s why I’m going to walk through which of these redemption options you should avoid and which ones you should use to get the most out of your hard-earned credit card points.
    The best way to redeem Amex Points is for travel through the many transfer partners that American Express works with. By using Amex Points for travel, you can find many ways to get at least double or triple the value of your credit card points compared to other options! I’ll go over a few examples of how to use Amex Points for travel in this video to explain how to do that.
    LINKS:
    💻 Seats.Aero: danielbraun.me/SeatsAero
    ✈️ FREE Transfer Partner Guide: danielbraun.me/TransferGuide
    💳 Learn More About The Amex Gold Card: danielbraun.me/Amex-Gold
    💳 Learn More About The Amex Platinum Card: danielbraun.me/AmexPlatinum
    OTHER USEFUL LINKS:
    🏦 SoFi Checking & Savings ($300 Bonus): danielbraun.me/SoFi
    🛒 Get a $30 Bonus With Rakuten: danielbraun.me/Rakuten
    📈 Up To 15 Free Stocks With Moomoo: danielbraun.me/moomoo
    FOLLOW ME on Instagram: / _danbraun
    CHECK OUT SOME OF MY OTHER VIDEOS:
    ▶️ I Ranked Every Credit Card (Here’s What’s ACTUALLY Good): • I Ranked Every Credit ...
    ▶️ The Only 5 Credit Cards You Need in 2024: • The Only 5 Credit Card...
    ▶️ My HONEST Amex Gold Card Review (After 3 Years): • My HONEST Amex Gold Ca...
    ▶️ How to Redeem Credit Card Points (US Domestic Flights): • How to Redeem Credit C...
    ▶️ How To Redeem Amex Points Like A Pro (Part 2): • How To Redeem Amex Poi...
    CHAPTERS:
    0:00 - Intro
    0:44 - Statement Credit
    2:03 - Cover Charges
    3:17 - Shopping
    4:42 - Points at Checkout
    5:47 - Gift Cards
    6:38 - Special Options
    7:24 - Redeem For Travel
    9:24 - Hotel Example
    12:55 - Flight Example 1
    16:46 - Flight Example 2
    DISCLAIMER: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which Daniel Braun will earn an affiliate commission or referral bonus. Daniel Braun is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers.
    The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 138

  • @Jason-vi8ny
    @Jason-vi8ny 4 місяці тому +65

    Just got my first amex last week. These videos have definitely helped me explain to my relatives why I agreed to a $695 annual fee lol

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +8

      Nice, enjoy the new card! Glad to hear that these videos are helpful at explaining that haha

    • @SkyboundMar
      @SkyboundMar 4 місяці тому +12

      I just got my first one last week too. I went for Gold first, and then I'll get Platinum after hitting my Gold bonus. Never thought I'd be this invested in the credit card youtube space lol

    • @NigeloWalker
      @NigeloWalker 4 місяці тому +7

      You dont have to explain anything to anybody

    • @tigerrx7
      @tigerrx7 4 місяці тому +7

      @@NigeloWalkerhe’s close with his family and they care deeply about each other.

    • @LK_EBM
      @LK_EBM 4 місяці тому +5

      Congratulations on the Amex platinum card! You should have gotten the green or gold card first, now you're ineligible for those bonuses

  • @JakeVanderPloeg
    @JakeVanderPloeg 4 місяці тому +23

    Your editing is so smooth and seamless. Such quality content per usual. Thanks Daniel

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +3

      Thanks Jake, much appreciated as always man!

  • @Buncobabe
    @Buncobabe 4 місяці тому +5

    Excellent video with well laid out detailed descriptions. Great job.

  • @its.christina.rose_
    @its.christina.rose_ 3 місяці тому +1

    THANK YOU for the spreadsheet! super helpful! :)

  • @xXSN4K3E4T3R5Xx
    @xXSN4K3E4T3R5Xx 4 місяці тому +5

    Great video! I was planning a trip to Alaska and Hawaii and back home to Boston and your airline alliance excel is going to be super helpful. Thank you!

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +1

      Thank you! And always happy to help - enjoy that Transfer Partner Guide!

  • @FTFinest06
    @FTFinest06 4 місяці тому +9

    Love it! Subscribed. Need this for chase and cap 1!!

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +6

      Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! I’ve got the same type of video coming out for both Chase and Capital One next! Working on those right now 👍

    • @cottagekeeper
      @cottagekeeper 4 місяці тому

      @@Daniel_Braun Yes!

  • @acecrxss
    @acecrxss 4 місяці тому

    Thanks for the detailed explanation!

  • @mikefoy2834
    @mikefoy2834 4 місяці тому +2

    you are the truth. thanks for the breakdown brotha

  • @CarlosJosueHernandez22
    @CarlosJosueHernandez22 4 місяці тому

    Great content man, keep it up!

  • @mdmcfp
    @mdmcfp 4 місяці тому +2

    Good stuff! Will you post when AMEX runs the transfer promos?

  • @queenasmr9236
    @queenasmr9236 3 місяці тому

    wow! This is hard to get my head around. But thank you for explaining so perfectly 😁

  • @Yaw_Jr
    @Yaw_Jr 4 місяці тому +6

    Great content - just feels like it takes too much effort to - 1. Find 2. Figure out if it's a good deal 3. Execute
    Feels like a hassle ...

  • @zabbygee
    @zabbygee 4 місяці тому +1

    Super helpful. Thanks so much!

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +1

      I love to hear that! Thanks for watching!

  • @sjg6158
    @sjg6158 4 місяці тому +2

    Awesome. Hope you're well.

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +1

      Thanks Scott - hope all is well with you too!

  • @bigm328
    @bigm328 4 місяці тому +1

    He Daniel, really love your content. Can you make a video like this for redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points?

  • @jasonnohel0057
    @jasonnohel0057 4 місяці тому +1

    Holy shit! I understand way better now thanks!

  • @clausellray3949
    @clausellray3949 4 місяці тому +1

    Great video keep that content coming

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +1

      Thanks so much! I've got a ton of content coming up!

  • @dustyrabbit9234
    @dustyrabbit9234 4 місяці тому

    the transitions have gotten very smooth! also how do you pronounce your last name. it sounds quite german.

  • @De_Guatemala
    @De_Guatemala 4 місяці тому +3

    Great visuals

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +1

      Thank you! Glad you liked that 👍

  • @Milkinporsche
    @Milkinporsche 4 місяці тому +9

    Very solid contents. To get the best value you have to willing to put time in to research.

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +2

      Thanks! Yeah there’s definitely going to be some research needed to get the most value out of Amex Points

  • @cameronwaterman9684
    @cameronwaterman9684 4 місяці тому +1

    Love the golf comment! You should do a video on how to best use points for a golf trip 😂

  • @jschucke
    @jschucke 3 місяці тому

    Really great info, thanks Daniel! For some of us, the goal isn’t solely maximizing point value. Personally, I try to minimize cash out of pocket while maximizing the value. The end result might be a slightly lower cent per point redemption but I save my cash for something else. ( Best redemption to date has been an $820 flight for 10k points!). Anyway, my thinking is why should I blow my entire wad of points on one expensive flight that I will probably spend most of the time sleeping or watching a movie? I will schedule my trips in economy and save the points to use on future trips. (Not 10 years but maybe a year so there is less chance of program restructuring that reduces overall point value.) This way I can take 3 trips, when you are only taking one and I use that cash towards the airbnb!

  • @luxuryFean
    @luxuryFean 4 місяці тому +9

    The amount of work to do this is insane

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +1

      There is definitely some time and research needed - but it also gets easier and easier over time. Some of those tools like Seats.Aero have helped decrease the amount of work needed as well

    • @vvvarunv
      @vvvarunv 4 місяці тому

      Agree but there is a kind of thrill doing all this 😅

  • @huberian
    @huberian 4 місяці тому +2

    I need to get out of the analysis paralysis syndrome. This video was super helpful! 🎉

  • @NolbertoPardo
    @NolbertoPardo 4 місяці тому +6

    I redeemed 4 nights at Hyatt regency waikiki with chase points. I also used my Amex miles to get my wife, daughter, and me round trip on Hawaiian for may 2024

    • @LK_EBM
      @LK_EBM 4 місяці тому

      How did you redeem your Amex points to Hawaii? I'm planning a trip for this summer

    • @inlinesix6694
      @inlinesix6694 4 місяці тому

      Same here but for June. I couldn’t find any Turkish Airline availability with my CITI points so went with Qantas

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +1

      Nice! I love to hear good stories of using points like that!

    • @NolbertoPardo
      @NolbertoPardo 4 місяці тому

      @@LK_EBM they happened to be an option when choosing the flight. I didn't transfer anything

  • @klaudiadang7417
    @klaudiadang7417 2 місяці тому +1

    how do i get alerts for the transfer bonuses? Is that in the AMEX travel portal or is it somewhere else?

  • @eliseorios7278
    @eliseorios7278 3 місяці тому

    Thanks ! Just upgraded my Gold to Platinum for my 100,000 bonus . Downgrading after 1 year

  • @megano101
    @megano101 2 місяці тому

    So true about not saving your points for a trip 10 years down the road. I work for a bank, and I have a client who earned all these travel miles with her husband (750k miles). Her husband passed before they decided on anything. You never know how long you have on this planet. Enjoy life!!

  • @Sakurasan2023
    @Sakurasan2023 4 місяці тому +1

    Great video 📹 👍

  • @LeviThomass
    @LeviThomass 3 місяці тому

    Could you make a video like this for Capital One please?

  • @TheDiscardedFoot
    @TheDiscardedFoot 2 місяці тому

    Should I swap from the Hilton amex middle tier ($200 fee) to the amex gold card? I'm losing my diamond status this month and might get more use out of the standard amex points instead.

  • @isaiahsmith6999
    @isaiahsmith6999 4 місяці тому +2

    I love the videos! My struggle is my local airport connection spoke airport and I always have to fly into a hub to fly internationally. So I have to fly into Philadelphia, Atlanta, JFK and so on. What is the best way to book a flight where I have to connect domestically before flying over seas? Or a video on that would be great!

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +1

      Thanks Isaiah! So I can make a video with more examples, but I would search for award availability from that connecting hub airport. Then you can do a positioning flight from your local airport to that larger one. It all depends on the situation

  • @Kel.Vision
    @Kel.Vision 4 місяці тому +1

    Daniel! You beautiful pirate angel! I’ve been stressing out about how to book my flight to London in August and Cathay Pacific never once crossed my mind! Thank you! 🙏🏾

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +2

      That's what I'm here for! 😁
      Thanks for watching!

  • @EthanPatrick_CreditCards
    @EthanPatrick_CreditCards 4 місяці тому +5

    I've had my eye on the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay for a while. 80k points per night is a bit expensive It looks amazing! You'll have to do a review if you stay there!
    Loved the examples in this one Daniel. Great video.

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +1

      Yeah it's a bit pricey, but I think it looks like an really nice one to check out! Thanks Ethan!

    • @ramseyanderson5195
      @ramseyanderson5195 4 місяці тому +1

      I used to work at the RC Half Moon Bay! haha.. beautiful when the sun is out ;-)

    • @EthanPatrick_CreditCards
      @EthanPatrick_CreditCards 4 місяці тому

      Nice! looks like a great place to stay! Are there good places to eat nearby?@@ramseyanderson5195

  • @ChaseYokoyama
    @ChaseYokoyama 4 місяці тому

    take advantage of those transfer bonuses for travel partners 🔥

  • @suplex57
    @suplex57 3 місяці тому

    I just got my gold Amex in the mail 🎉🎉

  • @DrummyCovers15
    @DrummyCovers15 4 місяці тому +2

    Will you upload any vlogs on your trip to Europe?

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +1

      I recorded a lot of video footage so I was considering making some sort of video out of it!

  • @amadogarcia49
    @amadogarcia49 4 місяці тому +1

    A Chase UR version would be great

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +1

      That's the next one I'll be making! I'm finishing up the writing for that now and hopefully filming and uploading within the next few weeks 👍

  • @jackellerin5033
    @jackellerin5033 15 днів тому

    Daniel - I'm curious, do you know anything about the Traditional Gold AMEX card? I've had mine since the early 90s and only pay $95 a year. But it's not the same Gold Card you discuss in any of your videos. I cannot find anything but realize I must be grandfathered into this card, but am wondering if it's worth holding onto for some reason I can't think of or change? I looked through some old materials I saved and I'm also signed up for 'Sign & Travel and/or Extended Payment Option'. But at this point have been using my Platinum card for travel for years now. Seems like I'm paying $95 annually for nothing, though don't often close credit/charge cards unless they have not value for me any longer. This is one I'm starting to question. Thanks

  • @fenoyii
    @fenoyii Місяць тому

    Can you maximize travel points with your Amex platinum points and your Amex reserve points?

  • @callmeNeno
    @callmeNeno 4 місяці тому +3

    Perfect timing; just received 90k for my Gold card.

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +3

      Nice! Great to see that 90K offers are still going around for that card 👌

  • @curmudgeonextraordinaire1884
    @curmudgeonextraordinaire1884 4 місяці тому +1

    Cash back should be 1cpp, like Chase. 0.6 is ridiculous.

  • @BZBees247
    @BZBees247 4 місяці тому

    Would you recommend transferring points during bonus times to take advantage of the bonus even without an immediate plan?

    • @LK_EBM
      @LK_EBM 4 місяці тому

      No, the airline can be value and all your points can be worth way less

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +1

      I would say to usually just hold your points unless: 1) you have A LOT of Amex points saved up, or 2) there is some sort of crazy good transfer bonus deal
      Typically I don't recommend transferring until you find a deal that you want to book

  • @m0ttz755
    @m0ttz755 4 місяці тому +1

    can you show redeeming flights for non business class? and tips to just get decent value without flying business?

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +1

      Sure thing! I've actually got a video about that right here: ua-cam.com/video/uIY268QxEGE/v-deo.html

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +2

      I'll make videos with more examples in the future as well 👍

  • @CC-TimesTwo
    @CC-TimesTwo 3 місяці тому

    It's basically coupon clipping.

  • @therealtarunkandaswamy
    @therealtarunkandaswamy 4 місяці тому +1

    Hey Daniel, I thought you might like to know that at 13:14 you leaked your email. Hopefully you can edit it out before you get spammed lol, great video!

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +1

      Hey thanks for letting me know! I saw that as the video was being created, but it's ok because that is my email that anyone can already access through the About page on my channel 👍

  • @BobI-jb4rk
    @BobI-jb4rk 4 місяці тому +1

    You get my 👍towards the 👕!

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +1

      Thank you!! Hopefully I'll hit that like number and wear that shirt soon!

  • @KennethTungol
    @KennethTungol 26 днів тому

    Little confused, why do we subtract the fees in the CPP calculation?

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  26 днів тому

      You have to figure out the net cash out of pocket that you'll pay by paying entirely with cash vs redeeming points with fees. When booking in points, you're paying some fees most of the time - so taking the cash price minus the fees gives you the total out of pocket cost regardless of booking method. That should then be used to calculate CPP

    • @KennethTungol
      @KennethTungol 26 днів тому

      @@Daniel_Braun oh I see so are you saying that the cash price usually includes the fees already in it? I was under the assumption that the cash price doesn’t have fees so I would think to add the fees instead of subtract

  • @_iErik
    @_iErik 4 місяці тому

    I would caution that for most people, calculating the cpp value based on cpp = ( points / posted retail price ) is not a very good representation of the actual value of the points.
    Also: points sitting in your account do not accrue interest, therefore are effectively losing value every day due to inflation. Saving up points is not a good strategy. The most valuable redemption is the one you actually make.

  • @RansomXX
    @RansomXX 4 місяці тому

    I'm having a little trouble with redeeming for United, American (unavailable) and Delta (super expensive) for domestic flights. Any tips, anyone?

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому

      Check out this other video that I made: ua-cam.com/video/uIY268QxEGE/v-deo.html
      It walks through examples for booking domestic flights with points for each of those 3 major US airlines 👍

  • @marincusman9303
    @marincusman9303 4 місяці тому

    I can’t search for flights with avios because I don’t have any avios in my account. What do I do?

    • @LK_EBM
      @LK_EBM 4 місяці тому

      Just sent over the minimum amount from Amex

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому

      I was able to search for award flights on BA without any Avios in my account, but not sure if something changed.
      On the main BA website, try going to "Book" then "Book a Flight With Avios". That should bring you to the search page - and just create a free BA account if you haven't already

  • @SOXGATORS
    @SOXGATORS 4 місяці тому +1

    👍🏻

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +2

      First comment! 🥇
      Thanks as always!!

  • @jetski335
    @jetski335 4 місяці тому +1

    😊

  • @ahmedaboutalebabdelrheem7638
    @ahmedaboutalebabdelrheem7638 4 місяці тому +1

    👏👏

  • @claygoated
    @claygoated 4 місяці тому +2

    First 🔥🔥

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +2

      Looks like you just barely missed it haha - still a very close second place though 🥈
      Thanks for watching!

  • @cousinsthegamer
    @cousinsthegamer 4 місяці тому

    I was hoping for more hotel as I do not fly a whole lot. Perhaps in the future. What would be a good way to use points for hotel or am I better off using some other credit point currency?

  • @MK-jn9uu
    @MK-jn9uu Місяць тому

    f what's the TL;DR

  • @ernestomcgrew8246
    @ernestomcgrew8246 3 місяці тому

    What a hassle. Honestly worth it though

  • @Jack-kj1zu
    @Jack-kj1zu 3 місяці тому

    Sounds crazy but when i get my 90,000 point bonus in a couple months I might get a gift card to subway lmao. Equals out to .85 points per dollar so not too bad and I get $765 aka i can go to subway and get what I usually get 65ish times for free lmao. About 3-4 months of free lunch on my break

    • @Dude-tb8ry
      @Dude-tb8ry 2 місяці тому

      i mean if it works out for you, sure. but you’re missing out on double that amount if you just book for travel. not to sound like a financial advisor or asshole but if your intentions were to use these points for cash back why didn’t you get the savor one instead?

    • @Jack-kj1zu
      @Jack-kj1zu 2 місяці тому +2

      @@Dude-tb8ry I don’t like flying and my family does roadtrips. I’ll spend my money how I see fit.

    • @CandycaneBeyond
      @CandycaneBeyond 2 місяці тому

      If it brings you happiness in the long run that's all that really matters.

  • @tripppierce13
    @tripppierce13 4 місяці тому

    Along the lines of finance tips and this channel I have a question:
    I’m getting Married in a month I’m 24 and have a good paying engineering job and my soon to be wife works.
    We have no debt and with the budget that I’ve laid out me and my wife will be able to save 52000$ a year we both have a 3% 401k match and contribute 3% for the match
    I also want to contribute around 10k of the 52k a year to an IRA or a Roth IRA between the both of us but both of our parents and her think it’s a bad idea because in 2008 when the stock market crashed both of our parents had money invested in local companies and banks and lost everything so now they say I should just keep all the money in a savings account and not invest any extra from the 6% total 401k into retirement
    I’ve been watching your videos and other investments channels that are telling me the opposite so what should I do?
    Also just got the Amex gold card because of this channel and they told me that was dumb too lol
    Anyone can comment I’m just looking for advice

    • @marincusman9303
      @marincusman9303 4 місяці тому +1

      Idk about the other stuff but the gold card is objectively not dumb if you get a good sign up bonus and use it properly.

    • @LK_EBM
      @LK_EBM 4 місяці тому

      Invest in the 401k. The total stock market is way different than local companies and banks. You will be way way more diversified.
      You need to invest if you ever want to retire comfortably. Savings account are great, but it won't make you wealthy

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +1

      You're off to a great start by saving and asking the right questions! My answer is to not try to "pick" companies to invest in with individual stocks. Invest in that 401K with the company match and look to invest mostly in a low cost total market index fund. It's diversified and has the best long term track record.
      You'll definitely need to invest the money - otherwise over time it's going to lose purchasing power because of inflation. Savings accounts are great for short term savings, but they are not going to build wealth over the long term like investing in a good index fund can

  • @Oliver-sd8oz
    @Oliver-sd8oz 3 місяці тому +25

    This is so unnecessarily complicated jesus

    • @jordangerrity250
      @jordangerrity250 2 місяці тому +4

      how lmao, you get points, you get more value by transferring the points out to a transfer partner. Done there’s the video

    • @pizzamilf
      @pizzamilf Місяць тому

      And this is why chase ultimate reward points are a better value in most cases. While Amex points fall behind on value in what everyday people are using them for unfortunately.

    • @Menscraft
      @Menscraft 12 днів тому

      How?

    • @jewriscanela9726
      @jewriscanela9726 12 днів тому

      😂😂😂😭😭😭😭

  • @Milkinporsche
    @Milkinporsche 4 місяці тому +1

    It's sad to see green card was also added the SUB restrictions.

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому +1

      Yeah it’s been disappointing to see some of the changes that Amex has made to the terms for sign up bonuses like that. Now it’s no longer a card that I will consider

    • @Milkinporsche
      @Milkinporsche 4 місяці тому

      @@Daniel_Braun green card is worthless to most people without the SUB, I wish amex would reconsider.

  • @devinwynn1299
    @devinwynn1299 4 місяці тому +2

    This video went a lot longer than it should lol

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому

      Sorry if it seemed too long, there is a lot of info to cover 👍

  • @manny5848
    @manny5848 4 місяці тому

    Amex points seem weak

    • @Daniel_Braun
      @Daniel_Braun  4 місяці тому

      For cash back, they are weak. But for travel booked with transfer partners, Amex points are some of the best

  • @jonathanduran7136
    @jonathanduran7136 4 місяці тому

    spend 945$ in fees to get 1400$ in points

  • @1farlin
    @1farlin Місяць тому

    Great info but please speak slower in your videos

  • @june6959
    @june6959 3 місяці тому

    "Promo sm" 😚