What Does It Mean to Be an American Express® Member?
8 Min Read | Last updated: September 18, 2025
American Express® Membership helps you make the most of your everyday moments, as well as those bigger milestones. Explore the benefits of Amex Membership.
At-A-Glance
- American Express® Card Membership can help you make the most of the everyday, as well as the bigger milestones you’ll never forget.
- As an American Express Member, you can take advantage of exclusive access to luxury hotels, dinner reservations, and the highest tier restaurants to help elevate your everyday.
- Members can also seamlessly manage their money and enjoy perks within the American Express® App.
Because time is your most valuable resource, American Express® meets you where you’re at, to help you get the most out of your everyday experiences. Whether you’re picking up lunch, booking a class, or exploring a new city, American Express Card Membership doesn’t just reward big milestones, it transforms everyday moments into unforgettable experiences as well.
American Express Membership Benefits
Specific American Express Card benefits vary. However, the American Express Card Member experience is universal. So no matter if you’re looking to turn everyday expenses into rewards or finding the best way to finance a new milestone, here are some of the ways that Amex Card Membership can work for you.
Travel Benefits
From the moment you book your flight and hotel to your time at the airport and arrival at your destination, every leg of your journey shapes your experience. And American Express Card Membership can enhance every trip.
Eligible Card Members gain access to American Express Travel®. Booking your next trip with Amex Travel can make arranging your journey seamless. And when you book and pay with an eligible Card, you can earn Membership Rewards points® as well. It’s also easy to apply Membership Rewards points toward your journeys. Your points can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and more so your travel expenditures can take you further.
Member benefits include trip protection insurance, lounge access, access to Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection (all benefits available on select Cards).
- Earning and Redeeming Membership Rewards® Points
Certain American Express Cards let you earn Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases, allowing you to turn eligible expenditures into future rewards. - Trip Protection
Gain peace of mind with Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance.
If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason cancels or interrupts your trip, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance can help reimburse the non-refundable travel expenses purchased with the same Eligible Card, up to $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. [1]
[1] Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. - Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection
Enjoy access to programs like Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection that offer a $100 credit toward eligible charges, 12 PM check-in, and a room upgrade upon arrival, both when available, when you book through Amex Travel™. The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
Eligible charges vary by property, and certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. With the Platinum Card®, you may also be eligible for a $600 hotel credit received in the form of statement credits of up to $300 semi-annually.2 Please note that access to these programs will vary depending on your Amex Card.
- CLEAR® Plus Statement Credits
Move faster through security with CLEAR®. This identity verification service uses facial recognition to help you skip the standard lines at select airports, stadiums, and venues nationwide. Pay for your annual CLEAR® Plus membership with your Eligible Card and get up to $209 back in statement credits per calendar year. The membership must be charged to your Platinum Card and is subject to auto-renewal.3
Lounge Benefits
Avoid the noise and crowd of the airport terminal and step into an oasis of calm when you have access to premium lounges.
Lounge access is available on select Amex Cards. The American Express Platinum Card®, for example, gives Card Members access to the Global Lounge Collection®. With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market [4] - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.5
[4] As of 07-2025
Enjoy exclusive perks including refreshments, complimentary Wi-Fi, and more time to turn a layover into a productive work meeting or a moment of calm.
Dining Benefits
From sunset dinners in Paris to cozy nights in with your favorite takeout, American Express Card Membership brings ease, access, and a little extra magic to every moment.
- Dining statement credits
With select Amex Cards offering statement credits for dining, you can help your dining purchases go even further. Eligible Gold Card and Platinum Card Members can earn statement credits when dining at some of the US top restaurants.6,7 - Global Dining Access by Resy
And with two Cards, Gold and Platinum, offering Global Dining Access by Resy, you can elevate your dining experiences when you add your Card to your Resy profile. Secure reservations in some of the most in-demand restaurants, and be the first to receive notifications when tables open up. You’ll also get early access to special experiences, including high-profile chef dinners, virtual cooking classes, and more.8,9
Here’s a look at some of the exciting benefits that Global Dining Access by Resy has to offer:
- Priority reservations
Get early access to tables at high-demand restaurants when you add an eligible Card to your Resy profile. The seamless integration between Resy and your Amex Card opens the door to exclusive reservation windows. - Priority notify
You can also receive Priority Notify alerts so you’re the first to know about open tables at some of the most sought-after restaurants in town. - Exclusive events
When enrolled, you can receive invitations to curated dining experiences, including chef’s tables, tastings, and private pop-ups, all designed to bring you closer to the culinary world you love.
Did you know?
The Resy App makes it easy to make reservations and receive notifications when tables open up. Learn more about Global Dining Access With Resy.
Entertainment
American Express Card Members have exclusive access to exciting entertainment experiences. From VIP sporting events, music festivals, or concerts, Amex Members can get insider access to some of the hottest events of the year.
- Amex Presale Tickets™
Stay a step ahead of the year’s biggest events by accessing tickets before the general public with Amex Presale. When global tours or championship games roll around, you can skip the scramble by purchasing select seats before anyone else.10 - Amex Reserved Tickets™
Secure access to select seats for the most sought-after shows and experiences. With tickets set aside just for American Express Card Members, Amex Reserved Tickets makes it easier to secure your spot without the hassle.11 - Exclusive On-site Spend Offers
Enjoy extras like early entry and cardholder-only lounges at participating venues through the American Express Venue Collection™. Eligible Card Members can also receive 10% back on concessions at select stadiums and arenas. Enrollment is limited to one Card per Card Member.12 - American Express Fan Experience
Step into branded spaces like the American Express Fan Experience or Amex Trackside Lounges at your next eligible event. Whether you’re watching tennis at Wimbledon or cheering at Formula 1, Amex turns spectating into participating with exclusive perks and activities like trivia, giveaways, premium viewings, and Member gifts.
Did you know?
If you’re looking to stream the big game, the Platinum Card offers digital entertainment credits. You could get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, and more when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.13
Amex Offers
Save time and get offers from the brands you love with Amex Offers. Receive offers that are curated just for you across categories including retail, travel, dining, and more. By using your enrolled Card on eligible purchases, you can earn rewards for the experiences and products you love. Simply log in through the American Express® App or at americanexpress.com and explore offers.
Here’s how it works:
- Find offers tailored to your lifestyle and preferences and get rewarded when you use your eligible Card to make qualifying purchases.
- Spend on qualifying purchases to earn rewards like Membership Rewards points and statement credits.
- With new offers regularly added, check back in often to see what’s new.
Enrollment is required and may be limited. Terms Apply.
Banking Benefits
For those major milestones, like buying a new car, or investing for the future, American Express Membership means you’ll have ongoing support and access to the tools you need.
Choose from:
- American Express® High Yield Savings Account (HYSA) and Certificate of Deposit (CD)
When investing for the future, don’t forget about interest-bearing accounts like CDs and high-yield savings accounts. With competitive interest rates and flexible terms, American Express High-Yield Savings Account (HYSA) and Certificate of Deposit (CD) accounts can help your money grow long-term. Accounts offered by American Express National Bank. Member FDIC. - Rewards Checking
American Express® Rewards Checking is there for your banking and checking account needs. Easily pay bills, move money, and make purchases. You can also earn Membership Rewards® points for eligible Debit Card purchases [14] and help simplify your finances with mobile check deposits [15] and digital wallet capability. [16] Accounts offered by American Express National Bank. Member FDIC. - Amex Personal Loans
Amex Personal Loans provide clear terms and straightforward access to funds, no matter if you’re upgrading your car or looking to finance a renovation.
Did you know?
With the American Express App, you can securely and easily manage your finances and keep on top of all of your accounts, including Rewards Checking, Savings, and Credit Cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can view your American Express Card benefits by logging into your account through americanexpress.com and checking the Benefits Dashboard. You can also explore other American Express Card benefits before applying for a Card.
Membership Rewards points do not expire. However, you can lose them under certain circumstances, as outlined in the Membership Rewards program Terms and Conditions.17
Have more questions? See the American Express FAQs page to learn more.
The Takeaway
American Express Membership can elevate your everyday experiences and bigger milestones as well. From travel upgrades to curated experiences and effortless online banking, every benefit can sync with your daily life to help you save time and make the most of the moments that matter.
2 “Fine Hotels + Resorts,” American Express
3,4,6,8,9,13 For more on Offer & Benefit Terms for The Platinum Card®, click here.
5 Eligible Platinum Card Members receive access to the Delta Sky Club. Each Eligible Card on the account receives 10 Visits to Delta Sky Clubs each year. Visits may be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year. Card Members can earn Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card Account in a calendar year.
7,9 For more on Offer & Benefit Terms for The Gold Card, click here.
10 While supplies last
11 While supplies last, not all seats may be offered
12 “Venue Collection™,” American Express
14 When you open an American Express® Rewards Checking Account you will also receive a Membership Rewards® Account (a Rewards Account), in which you will earn one Membership Rewards point for every two dollars of eligible Debit Card purchases. Eligible Debit Card purchases are purchases of goods or services, minus returns and other credits, for anything except: cash withdrawals, cash equivalents, person-to-person transactions, purchases of traveler’s checks, American Express® Gift Cards bought online, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, and foreign exchange fees and fees for account services. You can redeem Membership Rewards points for a deposit into your checking account. Visit membershiprewards.com/pointsinfo to learn what other redemption options may be available. If you also have a Rewards Account in connection with a Card Account, your Rewards Accounts can be linked and you will have access to all redemption options offered with that Card Account. For more information, visit membershiprewards.com/terms.
Terms and Conditions for the Membership Rewards® program apply. Visit membershiprewards.com/terms for more information. Participating partners and available rewards are subject to change without notice.
To learn more, go to www.membershiprewards.com/pointsinfo.
15 Mobile Check Deposit is subject to deposit limits and other restrictions, which may change in the future. Please see our Mobile Check Deposit Agreement (go.amex/mcdterms) for limits and other restrictions. This agreement may be accessed prior to your use of this service. Please see the Rewards Checking Schedule (go.amex/checkingschedule) for information about when funds deposited through Mobile Check Deposit are made available. Mobile data rates may apply.
16 Digital wallets are Apple Pay® and Google Pay™
17 “Redeem Membership Rewards® Points," American Express
Liv Gillespie is a Philadelphia-based writer with a double M.A. in English Linguistics & Literature and Secondary Education. Her work focuses on personal finance.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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