The Rewards Credit Card is Amex's no-fee points card. It earns the same Membership Rewards points as Gold and Platinum, which you can transfer to Avios and other airline schemes. It has fewer perks, but it costs nothing to keep. Here's where it fits.
Growth
Amex Rewards Credit Card Review 2026: The No-Fee Points Card
American Express Rewards Credit Card review for 2026. No annual fee, 10,000-point bonus, 1 Membership Rewards point per £1, and how it compares with Amex Gold.
Key takeaways
- No annual fee. Representative 29.1% APR variable. Credit is subject to status.
- Welcome bonus: 10,000 points for £2,000 spend in three months (Money to the Masses, Aug 2026).
- Earns 1 Membership Rewards point per £1, which converts to Avios at 1:1.
- Few extra perks: no lounge passes or Deliveroo credit, unlike Gold.
- Counts as a Membership Rewards card, so holding it blocks the Gold and Platinum bonuses for 24 months.
What does the Amex Rewards Credit Card include?
| Feature | Rewards Credit Card |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | £0 |
| Representative APR | 29.1% variable |
| Welcome bonus | 10,000 points for £2,000 spend in 3 months |
| Earn rate | 1 Membership Rewards point per £1 |
| Transfers | Avios, Virgin Flying Club, Flying Blue, Hilton Honors and others |
| Foreign spending | 2.99% non-sterling fee |
| Minimum income | £15,000 |
What are the points worth?
Membership Rewards points transfer to Avios and many other schemes at 1:1. Head for Points values airline miles at around 0.75p to 1p each, so 1 point per £1 is roughly 0.75% to 1% back when used for flights. You can also redeem for statement credit or vouchers, but usually at lower value.
Calculator
What could the Rewards Credit Card earn on your spending?
- Monthly card spending£1,000
- Points value (% of spend)0.85%
- Annual fee£0
Cashback a year£102
Per month£8.50
Over 5 years£510
Assumes 1 point per £1 valued at about 0.85p, the middle of Head for Points' 0.75p-1p range for airline miles. Ignores the welcome bonus.
On £1,000 a month, that's 12,000 points a year, worth about £100 in flights, for no fee.
Rewards Credit Card vs Amex Gold
These two earn the same points at the same rate, so the difference is in the bonus and perks:
| Rewards Credit Card | Amex Gold | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | £0 | £0 in year one, then £195 |
| Representative APR | 29.1% variable | 85.8% variable |
| Welcome bonus | 10,000 points for £2,000 spend | 30,000 + £100 Selfridges publicly, or 35,000 + £100 Selfridges via referral (to 12 Jan 2027) |
| Earn rate | 1 per £1 | 1 per £1; 2 per £1 direct with airlines |
| Lounge passes | None | 4 Priority Pass visits a year |
| Deliveroo credit | None | Up to £120 a year |
Because both are Membership Rewards cards, getting one blocks the other's bonus for 24 months. That's why most people start with Gold: it's free for a year too, and the bonus is far bigger. Once year one is over, they either keep Gold for the perks or switch to a no-fee card for their ongoing spending.
You can apply for Amex Gold with our referral link (Representative 85.8% APR variable, credit subject to status). Our Amex Gold review explains the full offer.
Take Action: If you've never had an Amex that earns Membership Rewards, start with Gold rather than the Rewards card, so you don't miss out on the bigger bonus.
Who is the Rewards Credit Card best for?
It may suit you if you:
- Want to keep earning Membership Rewards points without paying a fee
- Already had your Gold or Platinum bonus and don't want to pay for perks
- Prefer a card you can keep forever without reviewing a fee each year
- Want a simple points card to pair with a cashback or Avios card
It's less suited to people who'd use lounge passes or Deliveroo credit, or who are applying for their first Amex.
Rewards card or Nectar Amex?
Both are low-cost everyday cards. The Nectar Amex earns 2 Nectar points per £1 (about 1%, or 1.25 Avios per £1) for £30 a year after a free first year. The Rewards card earns 1 point per £1 (1 Avios per £1) with no fee. For pure Avios collecting, Nectar's conversion rate is higher. Our Nectar Amex review covers it in detail.
Eligibility
You need to be over 18 with a UK address and pass Amex's credit checks. You won't get the welcome bonus if you've held a personal Amex that earns Membership Rewards (such as Gold or Platinum) in the last 24 months. Credit is subject to status.
Things to watch out for
- Interest at 29.1% variable quickly outweighs any points.
- 2.99% foreign spending fee. Use a fee-free card abroad.
- Points value depends on you. Statement credit is usually poor value compared with flights.
For a wider look at Amex strategy, see our Amex points strategy guide.
FAQ
Does the Amex Rewards Credit Card have a fee?
No. The American Express Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee. Its Representative APR is 29.1% variable. It earns 1 Membership Rewards point per £1 spent, which you can transfer to Avios and other airline and hotel schemes.
What is the Amex Rewards Credit Card welcome bonus?
The Rewards Credit Card offers 10,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you spend £2,000 in the first three months, according to Money to the Masses in August 2026. You won't qualify if you've held a personal Membership Rewards card in the last 24 months.
Is Amex Gold or the Rewards card better?
Amex Gold is usually better as a first card, because it's also free in year one and its bonus is much bigger, with lounge passes and Deliveroo credit too. The Rewards card is better for the long term if you don't want to pay Gold's £195 fee from year two.
Can I transfer Amex Rewards points to Avios?
Yes. Membership Rewards points from the Rewards Credit Card transfer to British Airways Avios at 1:1, as well as to schemes like Virgin Flying Club, Flying Blue and Hilton Honors. Transfers usually take a few days.
Can I have the Rewards card and Amex Gold?
You can hold both, but you'll only get one welcome bonus within 24 months, because both earn Membership Rewards points. Getting the Rewards card first would block the larger Gold bonus, so most people apply for Gold first.
The bottom line
The Amex Rewards Credit Card is a solid no-fee way to keep earning Membership Rewards points. But because it shares the 24-month bonus rule with Gold, it's usually the second card, not the first. Start with Gold for the bigger bonus and free first year, then decide.
Apply for Amex Gold with our referral link to get the 35,000-point bonus while it lasts. Representative 85.8% APR variable. Credit is subject to status.
Found this useful? Add Next Steps Finance as a preferred source and Google will show you more of our guides in search and AI answers.