Amex vs Chase Points
Membership Rewards vs Ultimate Rewards — Updated 2026
Quick Verdict
Amex Membership Rewards has more transfer partners (20 vs 13) and better airline coverage. Chase Ultimate Rewards has the 1:1 Hyatt transfer and earns up to 8x on Chase Travel bookings with the CSR. Most serious award travelers eventually hold cards from both ecosystems.
Category Breakdown
How they compare across key categories
Transfer Partners
Amex wins20 partners vs 13 — Amex has wider airline coverage
Hotel Transfers
Chase wins1:1 Hyatt is the best hotel transfer in the game
Portal Earning
Chase winsCSR earns 8x on Chase Travel purchases vs standard rates on Amex Travel
Earning Flexibility
Chase winsFreedom Flex 5x categories + Freedom Unlimited 1.5x base
Premium Perks
Amex winsCenturion Lounges + Delta Sky Club, hotel status, $2,200+ in credits
Signup Bonuses
Amex winsAmex typically offers higher bonuses across the card family
Ecosystem Depth
Chase winsTrifecta strategy (CSR/CSP + Flex + Unlimited) is cohesive
International Acceptance
Chase winsVisa accepted more widely than Amex globally
Which Is Right for You?
Get the Amex Ecosystem if...
- You want access to the most airline transfer partners (20)
- You value Centurion Lounge and Delta Sky Club access
- You can take advantage of $2,200+ in credits across Amex cards
- You fly premium cabins frequently and want maximum booking flexibility
Get the Chase Ecosystem if...
- You stay at Hyatt hotels frequently
- You want 8x earning on Chase Travel bookings (CSR)
- You prefer Visa acceptance over Amex internationally
- You want a clean trifecta earning strategy (5x/3x/1.5x)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Amex or Chase points more valuable?
Both are valued around 2 cents per point by most experts. Amex Membership Rewards has more transfer partners (20 vs 13), giving you more booking options. Chase Ultimate Rewards has the unbeatable 1:1 Hyatt transfer. The 'best' depends on your travel style — most serious travelers collect both.
Should I get Amex or Chase first?
Start with Chase. Chase has the 5/24 rule (won't approve you if you've opened 5+ cards in 24 months), so get Chase cards while you're under 5/24. Amex has no such restriction, so you can always get Amex cards later.
Can I transfer between Amex and Chase?
No — you cannot transfer points directly between Amex and Chase. However, both programs share some airline partners (like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Air France), so you can combine points from both programs into the same airline account.
Which ecosystem has better airline redemptions?
Amex has a slight edge with more airline transfer partners. However, both can access top redemptions like ANA first class via Virgin Atlantic (120k RT). Chase uniquely transfers to United and Southwest, while Amex uniquely transfers to Delta, Hawaiian, and Singapore.
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Earn bonus points with these credit card offers
Can't find availability at your current points balance? These credit cards offer generous welcome bonuses to help you book your dream flight.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Business Card | Annual Fee: $895
200,000 Membership Rewards® points
after $20,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
Key Benefits:
- 5x points on flights & hotels via Amex Travel
- 1.5x points on purchases over $5,000
- Airport lounge access
American Express® Business Gold Card
Business Card | Annual Fee: $375
100,000 Membership Rewards® points
after $15,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
Key Benefits:
- 4x points on top 2 spending categories (up to $150K/yr)
- Up to $240 in annual statement credits
Chase Ink Business Preferred®
Business Card | Annual Fee: $95
100,000 Ultimate Rewards points
after $8,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
Key Benefits:
- 3x points on travel & shipping
- 3x points on advertising
- 3x points on internet/cable/phone
The Platinum Card from American Express
Personal Card | Annual Fee: $695
80,000 points
after $8,000 in 6 months
Key Benefits:
- $200 airline fee credit
- $200 hotel credit (FHR/THC)
- $200 Uber credit
Capital One Venture Rewards
Personal Card | Annual Fee: $95
75,000 miles
after $4,000 in 3 months
Key Benefits:
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
- No foreign transaction fees
Capital One Venture X Rewards
Personal Card | Annual Fee: $395
75,000 miles
after $4,000 in 3 months
Key Benefits:
- $300 annual travel credit (Capital One Travel)
- 10,000 bonus miles annually
- Capital One Lounge access
* Credit card approval subject to eligibility. Terms and conditions apply. American Express cards shown are available to US residents only.