Frequently Asked Questions

What is Membership Rewards® and how can I benefit from this programme?

Most of the information concerning the Membership Rewards programme is available on this site. The 'Programme Information' section tells you about all the exciting rewards that are available to you as an enrollee of the Membership Rewards programme. If you need more information, please contact us on: MR@americanexpress.com.bh.

What is the minimum number of points required before I can redeem?

You must reach a minimum of 1,000 points, before you can request a reward. The number of points you need depends on the type of reward you want.

What is the spend-to-earn ratio on my card?

Please see the table below for more details:

If I have a Partner Frequent Flyer/Frequent Guest Card (Skywards Frequent Flyer, Gulf Air Frequent Flyer, Royal Plus Programme, Marriott Bonvoy®, Hilton HHonors) why should I also enrol in Membership Rewards®?

You can benefit from enrolling in the Membership Rewards® programme. The points you earn in the programme can be combined with the points you earn in the partner's programme. To earn rewards even faster, when you purchase your airline tickets/hotel stays from that respective partner with the American Express Card, you will earn points for charging it to the American Express Card and at the same time, you will collect miles/points from the airline programme for the flight or Hotel for the stay by presenting your Airline or Hotel membership card.

I am not a frequent flyer. Why should I enrol in Membership Rewards®?

You don't have to be a frequent flyer to enjoy the benefits of the Membership Rewards® programme. Earning one point for virtually every dollar you spend on your enrolled American Express Card(s) allows you to earn points redeemable for shopping vouchers, restaurant meals, hotel nights, charity donations, and more.

Which card products are eligible to participate in the Membership Rewards® programme?

The American Express® Card (Green), the Gold Card, the Platinum Card, the Company and Corporate Cards (subject to Corporation approval), the Green, Gold and Platinum Companion Credit Card and the American Express® Platinum Credit Card and the American Express® Gold Credit Card.

Which charges are eligible to earn Membership Rewards® points?

For virtually everything you spend on enrolled Card(s) you earn Membership Rewards® points. Points are awarded for using the Card at any establishment around the world. The only charges that are not eligible to earn points are the following; Annual Fee charges, Express Cash, ATM Withdrawal, American Express Travelers Cheques, Cash Advances, Foreign Exchange, Charges for Return Cheques and Late Payment Charges.

My spouse and I each have a basic card account. Why can't my spouse and I add our points together?

We cannot combine two separate Basic Card Accounts under the same Membership Rewards® Account. However, if you and your spouse wish to collect points in the same Membership Rewards® Account then you should apply for a Supplementary Card for her/him on your Basic Card Account. Spend on any Supplementary Card(s) is automatically added to the Basic Card Account.

Does it cost anything to be enrolled in Membership Rewards®?

There is a nominal annual fee of US$ 25 or equivalent for participation in the programme for Gold Credit Cardmembers, Gold and Personal Charge Cardmembers and Company Cardmembers. For Corporate Cardmembers who enrol the Corporate Card in the programme, there is an annual fee of US $50. For Platinum Card and Platinum Credit Cardmembers who are automatically enrolled, there is no annual fee for participating in the programme.

When will the US$ 25 fee be charged?

You will be charged the US$ 25 on the day you enrol and the anniversary date thereafter.

If I opt out of Membership Rewards®, will the US$ 25 fee be reversed?

The US$ 25 fee will be reversed you if you opt out of the programme within 30 days of receiving the statement that shows the Membership Rewards® fee being charged to your Account.

Can I use my Membership Rewards® points to pay the US$ 25 fee?

Yes. You will need to redeem 6,250 points to pay for your Membership Rewards fee.

I have multiple charge cards. Does this mean I have to pay the Membership Rewards® annual fee for all the accounts if I opt in for all of them?

If you consolidate your existing multiple Membership Rewards® accounts into one account, you will only be charged the fee once. You can decide which Statement of Account you wish to see your consolidated Membership Rewards® points on. To consolidate your Membership Rewards® accounts, simply call (+973) 17 557722.

What happens to my points if my card is cancelled?

The Terms and Conditions of the programme states that: - If American Express cancels your Card Account, your points will be forfeited. - If a Cardmember voluntarily cancels his/her Card or chooses to discontinue his/her enrolment in Membership Rewards® Programme, the unused Points in the Programme Account may be redeemed up to 60 days after the date of cancellation. If the Cardmember subsequently reinstates his/her Basic Card Account or chooses for re-enrolment in the Membership Rewards® Programme within 6 months, the unused Membership Reward Points will be reinstated into the Programme Account. Unused Membership Rewards® Points will be forfeited after 6 months from the date of voluntary cancellation of Card and/or date of discontinuation of enrolment in the Membership Rewards® Programme. If you retain at least one Card in the franchise which is enrolled in the Membership Rewards® programme, your points will be unaffected.

What will happen to my points if I opt out of Membership Rewards®?

If you opt out, the points accumulated will remain in your Membership Rewards® Account for up to six months from the opt-out date. Should you wish to opt in again and reinstate your Membership Rewards® Account within 6 months, previous accrued points will be reactivated, provided the Card Account remains in good standing. On opting out, any unused Points in the Programme Account may be redeemed up to 60 days after the date of cancellation.

Am I obligated to stay in the programme or can I opt out at any time?

You are not obligated to remain in the Membership Rewards® programme. You may cancel at any time if you are not completely satisfied.

How will I know how many Membership Rewards® points I have?

The last page of your Statement of Account shows your points activity from the previous month. Keep in mind that Membership Rewards® points are only credited to your Membership Rewards® Account when you have settled your Card Account.

Can I get retroactive points for my spending prior to my enrolment in the Membership Reewards® programme?

No. Points will start accumulating on your spend from the date of enrolment.

Do my points ever expire?

No, you can carry over unused points from year to year; however, we recommend that you keep your points in your Membership Rewards® Account until you need them. Once they have been transferred to a participating programme or a voucher has been issued, they will be subject to the terms and conditions of expiry of that particular programme/voucher.

Can I transfer my points to another cardmember's Membership Rewards® account?

No. Points accrued in the programme can not be transferred to any other American Express Cardmember's Membership Rewards® Account.

Can I give a voucher to someone as a gift?

Yes, provided that the other person is holding a valid American Express Card issued in the Middle East. We should receive a letter of authority signed by the Cardmember advising us to issue the voucher as a gift for that person.

Can I return points back to my Membership Rewards® account after I have requested a reward?

No, once points have been redeemed or transferred, the points cannot be returned back to your Membership Rewards® Account.

If I travel on a free reward flight from one of the airline partners, am I automatically covered by the cardmember insurance programme?

No. Travel Accident Insurance does not apply to flights taken with frequent flyer reward tickets. Insurance programmes only come into effect when the terms and conditions of the particular insurance programme are met. These include the purchase of travel tickets on the American Express Card but do not include free flights gained through airline frequent flyer programmes.

How can cardmembers enrol in the Membership Rewards® programme?

Please contact our Membership Rewards® Customer Service Team on (+973) 17557722 or fax them on (+973) 17557822 or email them on mr@americanexpress.com.bh. A welcome letter and a Membership Rewards® guide will be will mailed to you shortly after your enrolment.

Which airlines and hotels can I use my Membership Rewards® points to redeem for flights and hotel nights and what is the conversion rate for each of the participating airline and hotel partners?

The conversion ratios vary from one partner to another as follows:

Once I have transferred my points across to a partner programme, how do I make my airline or hotel reservation?

You must make your own reservation directly with the respective participating partner prior to points transfer to make sure you do get the reservation confirmed. Because once you transfer your points to the partner, they are not reversible.

Can I redeem my Membership Rewards® points for cash/cheque?

You cannot redeem points for Travellers Cheques nor for Cash.

How can I enrol in any of the above partner programmes?

Please get in touch directly with the respective partner to register your account and enrol in the desired programme. You may do so by creating an account online through their website, or by contacting them through their official channels.

I am already a member with one of the above partners. Can I transfer my points immediately?

To enable us to transfer your points to any of the above partners, we need to link your Membership Rewards® Account to this account. Please contact our Membership Rewards® Customer Service Team on (+973) 17557722 or fax them on (+973) 17557822 or email them on mr@americanexpress.com.bh. Once the link is established we will be able to transfer the points within 5 to 7 working days.

Do I have to pay an extra fee to enrol in any of the partners' programmes?

No, there are no further charges to you levied by American Express.

How do I know how many points I need for a reward?

You may click on Membership Rewards® partners to view the number of points you need to redeem for a reward.

How do I redeem my points for the annual card membership fee or the Membership Rewards® fee?

You can use your points to settle your Annual Fees for Cardmembership and your enrolment in the Membership Rewards® programme. To redeem your points, please contact our Membership Rewards® Customer Service Team on (+973) 17557722 or fax them on (+973) 17557822 or email them on mr@americanexpress.com.bh.

How does the charities reward work?

For every 1,000 points you redeem for a Charity Reward, US$ 5 will be sent to the charity of your choice.

Can I exchange my voucher for cash?

No, the voucher can not be exchanged for Cash.

If I apply for a supplementary card for my spouse, friend or child/children will we get two vouchers?

No, the voucher will only be provided to the Basic Cardmember.

If I lose the voucher, will it be replaced with another one?

No.

Can the vouchers be used by friends or family?

Only the Basic Cardmember is able to use vouchers.