Yes, you can buy American Express points directly from American Express
American Express sells points through its Membership Rewards program, and you can purchase them without opening a new card or meeting any spending requirement. You buy them in bundles through your online account, and the points land in your Membership Rewards balance within minutes. The price per point varies — American Express adjusts it based on how many you buy at once, and it typically ranges from about 0.8 cents to 1.3 cents per point, though these rates change.
The main reason people buy points is to top up their balance just before redeeming them for a flight, hotel stay, or transfer to an airline or hotel partner. If you are 5,000 points short of a ticket you want, buying those 5,000 points can be faster than waiting to earn them through spending or bonus categories.
Key Takeaways
- You can purchase Membership Rewards points directly from American Express in your online account without opening a new card or meeting spending targets.
- The cost per point varies by purchase size and changes over time, typically ranging from less than one cent to about 1.3 cents per point.
- Buying points makes the most sense when you are close to a redemption goal and the value of what you are redeeming for exceeds what you are paying per point.
- American Express also runs occasional promotions that offer bonus points when you purchase, which can improve the value of buying points.
- Points purchased through American Express carry the same expiration and transfer rules as points you earn through spending or sign-up bonuses.
How to purchase points through your Amex account
Log into your American Express online account and look for the Membership Rewards section. You will see an option to buy points — the exact wording and location can shift, but it is typically labeled "Buy Points" or "Purchase Points" in the rewards dashboard. Click through and you will see the available bundles, the price per point for each size, and your total cost.
American Express shows you the price before you confirm the purchase. Select the bundle size you want, review the total charge, and complete the transaction. The points post to your account within a few minutes, and the charge appears on your next statement as a purchase from American Express.
You can buy points as often as you want, and there is no limit on how many you can purchase in a single transaction or over time. Some cardholders buy small amounts regularly to top up before redemptions; others buy a large bundle once and use it over months.
When buying points offers real value
Buying points only makes sense if the redemption you are aiming for is worth more than what you are paying per point. For example, if you are paying 1 cent per point and redeeming for a flight worth $1,500, you need 150,000 points. If you already have 145,000 points, buying 5,000 points costs you $50 — and if that flight would otherwise cost you $1,500 in cash, the math works.
The harder calculation is whether that flight is actually worth 150,000 points in the first place. Membership Rewards points are typically worth between 0.8 and 2 cents per point depending on how you redeem them. Transferring points to airline partners often yields higher value than booking flights directly through American Express, but it requires more planning and flexibility.
Buying points to reach a transfer threshold to an airline partner can also make sense. Some partners have sweet spots — for instance, a short-haul flight might cost 25,000 transferred points instead of 50,000 points booked directly. If you are 3,000 points short and the difference in value justifies the purchase cost, buying those 3,000 points is a reasonable move.
Promotional point purchases and bonus offers
American Express periodically runs promotions where you earn bonus points when you purchase points. These offers typically give you 10 to 50 percent extra points on top of what you buy — for instance, "buy 50,000 points and get 5,000 bonus points free." These promotions are not always available, and they are not advertised widely, so you may only see them if you log into your account regularly.
If you are planning to buy points anyway, waiting for a promotional offer can improve the value significantly. A 20 percent bonus means you are effectively paying less per point than the standard rate. However, these promotions are not may provide to return on any schedule, so if you need points for a specific redemption date, do not wait indefinitely.
Points purchased versus points earned — what is the difference
Points you buy through American Express work exactly the same as points you earn through spending or sign-up bonuses. They expire under the same rules (Membership Rewards points do not expire as long as your account remains open and active), they transfer to the same airline and hotel partners, and they redeem for the same flights, hotels, and merchandise.
American Express does not mark purchased points differently in your account, and redemption partners do not know or care whether your points came from a sign-up bonus, a purchase you made, or money you paid directly. The only difference is the cost to you — earned points cost you nothing beyond the spending or annual fee required to earn them, while purchased points cost you cash upfront.
Comparing the cost of buying points to other ways to get them
The most common alternative to buying points is earning them through a sign-up bonus on a new card. A new American Express card might offer 75,000 points after you spend $5,000 in three months. If you can meet that spending naturally, the points cost you nothing beyond the annual fee (which may be waived the first year). Buying 75,000 points at 1 cent per point costs $750 in cash, so the sign-up bonus is usually the better deal if you are may be able to access for a new card.
Another alternative is earning points through everyday spending on a card you already hold. American Express cards typically earn 1 to 3 points per dollar depending on the card and the category. If you are earning 2 points per dollar on a category, you are earning points at an effective cost of 0.5 cents per point (if those points are worth 1 cent each). Buying points at 1 cent per point is more expensive than earning them this way, but buying points is faster if you need them when ready.
The trade-off is always between time and money. Buying points costs cash but gets you to your redemption goal right away. Earning points through spending takes longer but costs you nothing beyond what you would spend anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a limit to how many points I can buy?
American Express does not publish a hard limit on point purchases. You can buy points as often as you want and in whatever quantity you choose in a single transaction. If you attempt to buy an unusually large amount, American Express may contact you to confirm the purchase, but this is rare.
Do purchased points expire?
No. Membership Rewards points do not expire as long as your account remains open and active, regardless of whether you earned them or purchased them. If your account is closed or becomes inactive for an extended period, points may be forfeited according to American Express's terms.
Can I buy points if I do not have an American Express card?
You need an active American Express account to purchase points, which typically means holding at least one American Express card. If you do not have a card, you would need to open one first. Some people open a no-annual-fee card specifically to gain access to the Membership Rewards program and the ability to buy points.
What happens if I buy points and then close my card?
Your Membership Rewards account and points balance may be affected if you close all your American Express cards. The specific outcome depends on American Express's current policies and your account history. It is safest to redeem purchased points before closing cards, or to keep at least one card open to maintain your account.
Are there taxes on purchased points?
You pay sales tax on the purchase of points in most states, just as you would on any other purchase. The tax is calculated based on your state's rate and is added to the total charge on your statement. Check your statement to see the breakdown of the purchase price and any applicable tax.