For those of you who need an excuse to shop, our members provide some handy tips in redeeming points for travel from your American Express credit card.

Our members discover that the method of redemption can have an impact on the relative value of the points. One member swears by using Webjet, Harvey world travel, Travelscene or American Express Travel to redeem AMEX accrued points. By using these agencies, our member advises that points are redeemed on dollar value of a point for any flight on any airline.

Our members have also discovered a myriad of other advantages in using points stored on AMEX to purchase flights. Using AMEX accrued points you get points and status credits as well. Using points accrued through an airline often have stricter criteria regarding the accrual of status credits.

Many of our members, however find that redemption for business class or first class flights is a poor use of Amex-accrued points and that often using Qantas points for such travel can give you more bang for your buck. One member’s strategy is to use Amex points for domestic travel only and purchase international tickets or first class travel when on sale.

Let us know your points-improving strategies HERE!