A surprising opportunity is emerging for American Express cardholders – a chance to dramatically reduce the cost of Amazon purchases. Select cardholders are now seeing offers that can slash up to 40% off their orders, a significant improvement over typical redemption values for Membership Rewards points.
Historically, using Amex points on Amazon hasn’t been the most strategic move for savvy rewards users. Travel redemptions usually offer a greater return. But this new wave of targeted offers changes the equation, potentially unlocking substantial savings for those who are in the right group.
The offers aren’t uniform; some cardholders are seeing discounts as high as 40% (up to $60 off), while others have access to more modest savings of 10% or 15%. A minimum of 714 Membership Rewards points is now required to activate the discount, a recent change to the program.
To take advantage of this, you’ll need an American Express card that earns Membership Rewards points, such as the Platinum, Gold, or Green Card. The first step is to link your eligible card to your Amazon account, easily done through the Amex app or the Amazon website.
Once linked, carefully check your Amazon account for a targeted offer. If you’re lucky enough to have one, activate it and start filling your cart with eligible items. The key is to use the *minimum* number of points required to achieve the discount, preserving your points for potentially more valuable redemptions later.
During checkout, the discount should automatically apply when using your linked Amex card. You can also combine this with any existing Amazon gift card balance you may have. The terms have broadened to include a wider selection of products, moving beyond items solely sold by Amazon.
While past offers sometimes included discounts on third-party gift cards, that functionality appears to be currently unavailable. Keep an eye out for similar promotions from other rewards programs, like Discover, Citi, Capital One, and Chase, which have offered comparable discounts on Amazon in the past.
Don’t overlook the possibility of stacking offers. Occasionally, bonus Membership Rewards points are available on Amazon purchases through Amex Offers, adding another layer of savings. Also, check individual Amazon product pages – targeted offers sometimes appear directly beneath the price.
This is a dynamic situation, with offers changing frequently. Regularly checking your accounts and staying informed can unlock significant savings on your Amazon purchases, turning everyday spending into a rewarding experience.
