Most people think they’re using their American Express points correctly… but they’re actually losing a huge amount of value.

In this episode, Chris and Katie break down the biggest mistakes people make with Amex Membership Rewards points, including using points for gift cards, statement credits, and “pay with points” at checkout.

They explain why these options deliver poor value, and more importantly, what you should do instead to get the most out of your points.

If you want to travel better, book flights with points, or maximize your rewards, this episode will help you avoid the most common and costly mistakes.

Chapters:
00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 52
01:01 Citi Devalues 2 Transfer Partners
02:37 United Relax Row
05:23 Amex Points Pulse Email
07:32 Don’t Transfer Points Without a Plan
08:47 Ignore The Hype
10:10 Amex Offers
10:53 Tracking Benefits
12:50 AmexTravel.com
16:12 Cash-back, Statement Credits, and Gift Cards
18:55 Listener Question 1
22:22 Listener Question 2

Links from the show:
Citi Massively Reducing Points Transfer Rates to 2 Hotel Programs in April
https://upgradedpoints.com/news/citi-hotel-transfer-devaluation-2026/

United Relax Row: A Brand-New Economy Experience Coming in 2027
https://upgradedpoints.com/news/united-relax-row/

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