Whether you're just a few thousand points shy of a first-class ticket to Tokyo or looking to top off your account for a luxury hotel stay, you might be wondering:
The short answer is yes—but with several major strings attached. Here is what you need to know about "buying" your way into more American Express Membership Rewards (MR) points. The Direct Method: "Points Top-Up" buy membership rewards points
: This is widely considered the best "hack." By linking your Rakuten account to Amex , you can earn MR points instead of cash back at thousands of retailers. If a store offers 10% back, you effectively get 10 points per dollar spent. Whether you're just a few thousand points shy
: Frequently check the "Offers" tab in your Amex app. You can often find deals like "Spend $500, get 5,000 bonus points" at specific retailers. If a store offers 10% back, you effectively
Because the direct purchase price is so high (2.5 cents per point is well above the average 1.6-cent valuation), seasoned travelers use these "indirect" purchase methods instead:
You should only buy points directly if you have a locked in and the "buy" price is lower than the cash value you'll receive.