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Amazon and American Express often run a promo for Membership Rewards points. Right now it is 40% off, up to $35, when you pay at least 1,429 points ($10) on your order. The offer ends December 31, 2026. It takes about two minutes to set up, and the discount shows in your order summary before you pay. This guide walks through each step and shows a real order.
Quick answer: how to use the Amex offer on Amazon
- Open the Amex Membership Rewards promo page on Amazon and sign in.
- Click Activate promotion. If your card qualifies, Amazon confirms it.
- Add eligible items to your cart. A subtotal of $87.50 or more gets the full $35.
- At checkout, pay with your linked Amex card and apply at least 1,429 points ($10).
- Check the order summary for a line called Amex 40% Off before you place the order.
Amex offer cheat sheet
- Offer: 40% off, up to $35
- You must use: at least 1,429 Membership Rewards points ($10)
- Best cart size: $87.50 or more (40% of $87.50 is $35)
- Ends: December 31, 2026
- Check before paying: “Amex 40% Off” in the order summary
Who can get this offer?
The promo is targeted. Amex and Amazon choose which card members see it, so not everyone gets the same offer. You need an American Express card that earns Membership Rewards points, such as the Gold, Platinum or Green card. The card must be linked to your Amazon account for paying with points.
If you have more than one Amex card, check each one. One card may qualify when another does not. If the page says you are not eligible, the offer is not available on that account right now. Check again later, because new rounds appear several times a year.
Step 1: Link your Amex card to Amazon
Add your American Express card in Amazon under Your Account → Your Payments. Amazon then offers to link it for paying with Membership Rewards points. Accept that, and your points balance appears at checkout.
You only do this once. After that, every order paid with this card shows your available points.
Step 2: Activate the promotion
Go to the Amex promo page on Amazon while signed in. It shows the current offer, for example “Get 40% off, up to $35, when using at least 1,429 Membership Rewards points ($10)”. Click the yellow Activate promotion button.
Activate it before you check out. The discount is not added to orders placed before activation.
Step 3: Fill your cart with eligible items
The page says eligible products are listed in its terms, so read them first. In our experience, items sold by Amazon.com usually qualify. Gift cards and some digital items usually do not.
The discount is 40% of your subtotal, capped at $35. So a cart of $87.50 or more gets the full $35 off. A smaller cart still works. For example, a $50 cart gets $20 off.
Step 4: Apply at least 1,429 points at checkout
On the checkout page, choose your linked Amex card. Under the payment method, open Change American Express Membership Rewards points. Type 10.00 in the dollar box. Amazon shows “Points applied” and 1,429 points.
You do not need to pay the whole order with points. Points are worth only 0.7 cents each on Amazon, so use the minimum. Pay the rest with your card or a gift card balance.
Step 5: Check the discount before you place the order
Look at the order summary on the right. You should see a line called Amex 40% Off with the discount, and a separate Rewards Points line for your $10 in points. If the Amex line is missing, do not place the order yet. Check that the promo is activated and that at least $10 in points is applied.
A real order, step by step
Here is an actual order from our team, using this exact offer:
| Items subtotal | $98.70 |
| Shipping | $0.00 |
| Amex 40% Off (capped at $35) | −$35.00 |
| Total before tax | $63.70 |
| Estimated tax | $5.25 |
| Rewards points (1,429 points) | −$10.00 |
| Grand total | $58.95 |
The 40% of $98.70 would be $39.48, so the $35 cap applied. The order cost $58.95 plus 1,429 points, instead of $103.95. That is a saving of $35 for points worth $10 on Amazon.
Tips to get the most from it
- Aim for $87.50 to $100. Above $87.50 the discount stays at $35, so a much bigger cart does not save more.
- Use only the minimum points. Points used on Amazon are worth 0.7 cents each. They are often worth more as travel transfers, so keep the rest.
- Buy things you already need. Household basics, school supplies or a planned gift are good picks. Check our daily deals for items already on sale.
- Check every Amex card you have. Offers are targeted per card and per account.
- Do it before the end date. This round ends December 31, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Why don’t I see the Amex offer on Amazon?
The offer is targeted, so only some card members get it. Make sure your Amex card is linked for paying with points and that you are signed in. If you have several Amex cards, try each one.
Do I have to pay the whole order with points?
No. You only need to apply at least 1,429 points ($10). Pay the rest with your card or a gift card balance.
How many times can I use it?
Usually once per account during each promo round. The terms on the promo page give the exact limit.
Can I combine it with a gift card balance?
Yes. In our order, the points covered $10 and a gift card balance paid the rest. The Amex discount still applied.
Is using Amex points on Amazon a good deal?
On its own, no, because points are worth only 0.7 cents each there. With this promo, $10 in points gets you up to $35 off, which makes it worth it.
More ways to save with your cards: see our credit card offers and buying guides. Terms and availability can change, so check the promo page and your order summary before you pay.
