American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards sit at the top of the travel rewards world. These two points ecosystems give travelers the ability to turn everyday spending into flights, hotel stays, and premium travel experiences that would normally cost thousands of dollars.

If you are comparing Amex Membership Rewards vs Chase Ultimate Rewards, you are already asking the right question. These are not basic cash back programs. They are flexible points currencies that can be transferred to airline and hotel partners, or used to book travel directly through each issuer’s travel portal. That flexibility is what creates real value.

At a glance, these programs look similar. Both offer generous welcome bonuses, flexible redemption options, and long lists of airline and hotel partners. But once you start earning and using points, the differences become clear. The way points are earned, how easy they are to redeem, and the type of value they deliver can vary significantly depending on how you travel.

Choosing between Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards is less about which program is better on paper and more about which ecosystem fits your habits. Some travelers value simplicity and predictable redemptions. Others want maximum flexibility and premium travel upside. These programs reward those priorities in different ways.

This guide breaks down how each ecosystem works in practice. It looks at earning power, transfer partners, redemption options, and real-world value, not just published point valuations. Along the way, it highlights who each program is best suited for and where each one can fall short.

Transferable Points: The Foundation Of Award Travel

Before comparing Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards, it helps to understand what makes these programs different from most travel rewards. Transferable points are not tied to a single airline or hotel brand. Instead, they act as a flexible currency that can be moved to multiple travel partners or used to book travel directly. That flexibility is what gives these points their power.

Traditional airline miles or hotel points lock you into one program. If award space is limited or pricing is high, your options are narrow. Transferable points solve that problem by giving you multiple paths to the same destination. If one airline has poor availability, you can often book the same flight through a partner program. If hotel pricing spikes, you can pivot to another brand or use a travel portal instead.

This flexibility is the main reason Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards are so valuable. Both ecosystems allow you to earn points through everyday spending, welcome bonuses, and bonus categories. Those points can then be transferred to airline and hotel partners, often at a one to one ratio, or redeemed through each issuer’s travel portal for flights, hotels, rental cars, and more.

American Express emphasizes depth and optionality. It offers a larger set of airline partners, more frequent transfer bonuses, and strong upside for premium international travel. Chase focuses on simplicity and consistency. It offers fewer partners but pairs them with strong portal redemptions and standout hotel options.

Amex Membership Rewards vs Chase Ultimate Rewards: A High-Level Comparison

Before diving deeper into each ecosystem, it helps to step back and look at how Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards compare at a glance.

High-Level Snapshot

Both programs are issued by major banks, American Express and Chase, and both are considered transferable points currencies. That shared foundation is why they are often discussed together. The differences show up once you move beyond the headline features.

Amex Membership Rewards leans into airline flexibility. The larger partner list creates more routing options and more opportunities to find high-value redemptions, especially for international travel. That depth can unlock outsized value, but it also requires more planning.

Chase Ultimate Rewards emphasizes usability. Its smaller partner list is easier to learn, and its travel portal can offer strong value without requiring transfers. The inclusion of a high-value hotel partner like World of Hyatt also gives Chase an edge for travelers who prioritize hotel stays.

American Express Membership Rewards: Program Overview

American Express Membership Rewards is a flexible points currency built around airline transfers and premium travel redemptions. Points earned across eligible American Express cards feed into a single Membership Rewards balance, making it easy to earn from multiple cards while keeping rewards centralized.

Membership Rewards points are issued by American Express and can be redeemed in several ways, including transfers to airline and hotel partners or bookings through the American Express Travel portal.

How Membership Rewards Points Are Earned

Points are earned through a broad lineup of personal and business credit cards. Most cardholders accumulate points through:

• Welcome bonuses
• Everyday spending in bonus categories such as dining or airfare
• Ongoing card benefits and targeted offers

Different cards emphasize different spending categories, which allows travelers to build an earning strategy that matches their habits.

Core Redemption Paths

One of the defining features of Membership Rewards is the size and diversity of its transfer partner network. Points can be transferred to a wide range of airline and hotel loyalty programs, often at a one to one ratio. This creates flexibility when searching for award availability and makes it easier to route travel through partner programs when direct options are limited.

American Express also regularly offers transfer bonuses to select partners. These bonuses can increase the effective value of points and reward travelers who are willing to plan ahead. While not guaranteed, they are a meaningful part of the program’s long-term appeal.

In addition to transfers, Membership Rewards points can be redeemed through the American Express Travel portal for flights, hotels, and other travel bookings. Points can also be used for statement credits, gift cards, or shopping purchases, although these options usually provide lower value compared to travel redemptions.

High-Level Strengths And Limitations

Membership Rewards shines when flexibility and upside matter most. The ability to choose from many airline partners, combined with transfer bonuses and premium cabin opportunities, makes it especially attractive for travelers who enjoy optimizing redemptions. At the same time, that flexibility can feel overwhelming. With more partners and more redemption paths, there is more room for complexity and decision fatigue. For some travelers, this is a feature. For others, it is a hurdle.

Chase Ultimate Rewards: Program Overview

Chase Ultimate Rewards is a transferable points currency designed around simplicity, consistency, and strong everyday value. Points earned across eligible Chase credit cards can be pooled into a single Ultimate Rewards balance, making it easy to combine earnings and redeem points strategically.

Ultimate Rewards points are issued by Chase and can be redeemed in several ways, including transfers to airline and hotel partners or bookings through the Chase travel portal. The program is known for being approachable while still offering meaningful upside for travelers who want to optimize.

How Ultimate Rewards Points Are Earned

Points are earned through a smaller, more focused lineup of personal and business credit cards. Most cardholders earn Ultimate Rewards points through:

• Welcome bonuses
• Everyday spending in bonus categories such as travel, dining, and business expenses
• Ongoing earning from no annual fee cards that pair with premium cards

A key feature of the Chase ecosystem is the ability to earn points across multiple cards and then move them to a single premium card for transfers or higher-value redemptions.

Core Redemption Paths

Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to a curated list of airline and hotel loyalty programs, typically at a one to one ratio. While the partner list is smaller than American Express, it includes several highly practical programs that work well for both domestic and international travel.

Chase also places a strong emphasis on portal redemptions. Points can be used to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and experiences through the Chase Travel portal, often at elevated values when paired with certain premium cards. This allows cardholders to redeem points for travel without needing to understand airline award charts or transfer rules.

High-Level Strengths And Limitations

Ultimate Rewards stands out for its ease of use and predictability. The combination of solid transfer partners, a high-value hotel option, and strong portal redemptions makes it easy to get consistent value from points with minimal friction. The trade-off is reduced flexibility at the margins. With fewer airline partners and less frequent transfer bonuses, Ultimate Rewards may offer fewer creative redemption paths for travelers chasing premium international awards. For many, that simplicity is the appeal. For others, it can feel limiting.

Ease Of Use And Learning Curve

Over time, the way a points ecosystem feels can matter just as much as the value it delivers. Ease of use, clarity, and how forgiving a program is all influence how confidently travelers earn and redeem points. This is an area where Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards take noticeably different approaches.

Day-To-Day Usability

Chase Ultimate Rewards is generally easier to navigate on a day-to-day basis. Points earned across multiple cards can be combined quickly, and redemption options are presented clearly. The Chase travel portal mirrors a standard booking experience, which lowers friction and reduces uncertainty.

American Express Membership Rewards offers more options, but that comes with added complexity. With more transfer partners, more redemption paths, and more fine print, users often need to slow down and double-check decisions. For travelers who enjoy learning the details, this is manageable. For others, it can feel like extra work.

Redemption Simplicity vs Flexibility

Chase emphasizes simplicity. Portal bookings provide predictable value, and transfer partners are limited enough to learn without extensive research. It is easier to avoid low-value redemptions, even without deep points knowledge.

American Express emphasizes flexibility. The program rewards travelers who understand airline alliances, partner award charts, and transfer timing. The upside is higher potential value. The downside is that poor redemption choices are easier to make if points are used casually.

Mistake Tolerance

Mistake tolerance is an underrated factor in choosing a points ecosystem. Chase is more forgiving. Portal bookings lock in value, and transfers are typically straightforward. Even suboptimal redemptions tend to land within a reasonable value range. Amex is less forgiving. Transfers are irreversible, and portal redemptions often cap value. Without a plan, it is easier to leave value on the table.

Winner for Ease Of Use: Chase Ultimate Rewards

Welcome Bonuses

Welcome bonuses are often the fastest way to build a meaningful points balance. In many cases, a single bonus can be worth more than months or even years of everyday spending. How American Express and Chase structure these bonuses, and the rules that govern eligibility, plays a major role in long-term strategy.

Why They Matter So Much

For both ecosystems, welcome bonuses represent the highest return on spend you will ever get from a credit card. Earning tens or hundreds of thousands of points from a single application can accelerate travel goals dramatically. That said, the rules around who qualifies and how often you can earn these bonuses are very different between American Express and Chase.

American Express Welcome Bonus Strategy

American Express offers a wide range of cards that earn Membership Rewards points, often with large welcome bonuses. These bonuses can be very lucrative, especially on premium and business cards. The key limitation is the once-per-lifetime rule. In most cases, you can only earn the welcome bonus on a specific American Express card one time. This makes card selection and timing more important.

Because American Express has many Membership Rewards cards, travelers often approach Amex with a long-term mindset. Choosing which cards to apply for, and in what order, can influence how much total value you extract over time. Amex welcome bonuses reward patience and planning. The upside is significant, but mistakes can be costly if you lock yourself out of a bonus too early.

Examples of typical welcome bonuses on key American Express cards include:

• American Express Platinum Card® – 150,000 points
• American Express® Gold Card – 75,000 points
• American Express® Green Card – 40,000 points
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express – 150,00 points
• American Express® Business Gold Card – 100,000 points
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express – 30,000 points

Chase Welcome Bonus Strategy

Chase offers fewer cards that earn transferable Ultimate Rewards points, but its bonuses are still highly competitive. The defining rule in the Chase ecosystem is the 5/24 rule. If you have opened five or more personal credit cards across all banks in the past 24 months, you are unlikely to be approved for most Chase cards. This rule makes application order critical.

Because of this restriction, many travelers choose to prioritize Chase cards earlier in their points journey. Doing so preserves access to Ultimate Rewards bonuses that may not be available later. Chase bonuses tend to be more straightforward. You earn the bonus, pool the points, and redeem them without worrying about lifetime restrictions on that specific card.

Examples of typical welcome bonuses on key Chase cards include:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – 60,000 points
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® – 100,000 points
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® – 20,000 points
• Chase Freedom Flex® – 20,000 points
• Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ – 200,000 points
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card – 90,000 points
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card – 75,000 points
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card – 75,000 points

How This Impacts Your Strategy

If you value flexibility and want access to many large bonuses over time, American Express offers more opportunities, but with stricter rules. If you value predictability and want to protect future approval options, Chase often deserves priority. Welcome bonuses are not just about the first card you open. They shape your entire points strategy. Understanding how each ecosystem handles eligibility can help you avoid regret and maximize value over the long run.

Winner for Welcome Bonuses: Amex Membership Rewards

Bonus Categories And Everyday Spending Strategy

Once welcome bonuses are earned, long-term value comes from how well your cards align with everyday spending. This is where the philosophical differences between Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards become most obvious.

Both ecosystems reward strategic spending, but they do so in very different ways.

How American Express Approaches Everyday Spending

American Express leans heavily into category optimization. Many Membership Rewards cards offer high earning rates in specific spending categories such as dining, airfare, travel, or business expenses. When paired correctly, it is possible to earn well above one point per dollar across a wide range of purchases.

This approach works best for travelers who:

• Are comfortable managing multiple cards
• Want to maximize earning in specific categories
• Have high spend in areas like dining, airfare, or business expenses

Examples of typical earning rates on key American Express cards include:

• American Express Platinum Card® – 5x on flights
• American Express® Gold Card – 4x on U.S. supermarkets and restaurants
• American Express® Green Card – 3x on travel and dining
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express – 5x on Amex Travel
• American Express® Business Gold Card – 4x on top two monthly categories (advertising, gas, shipping, technology, restaurants, and airfare)
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express – 2x on all purchases

The upside is clear. With the right setup, everyday spending can generate points quickly. The trade-off is complexity. Maximizing Amex earning often requires remembering which card to use for each purchase and staying aware of category caps and rules.

For engaged users, this is a feature. For others, it can feel like unnecessary friction.

How Chase Approaches Everyday Spending

Chase focuses on simplicity and coverage. Rather than offering extreme earning rates across many narrow categories, Chase emphasizes solid earning across common spending areas and the ability to combine points easily.

This approach works well for travelers who:

• Prefer fewer cards in their wallet
• Want predictable earning without constant tracking
• Value simplicity over squeezing out every extra point

Examples of typical earning rates on key Chase cards include:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – 3x on dining and online groceries
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® – 4x on flights and hotels
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® – 1.5x on all purchases
• Chase Freedom Flex® – 5x on rotating quarterly categories
• Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ – 4x on flights and hotels
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card – 3x on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card – 1.5x on all purchases
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card – 5x on office supply stores

No annual fee cards play a key role here. They boost earning on everyday purchases, while premium cards unlock transfers and higher-value redemptions. The result is an ecosystem that is easy to scale without becoming complicated.

A Practical Way To Think About Everyday Earning

If you enjoy optimizing and are willing to juggle categories, American Express can deliver higher earning rates over time. If you want strong earning with minimal decision-making, Chase offers a smoother experience. Everyday spending does not need to be complicated to be effective. The best setup is the one you will actually use consistently.

Winner for Everyday Spending / Earning: Amex Membership Rewards

Transfer Partners Compared: Depth vs Focus

Transfer partners are where Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards separate most clearly. Both programs allow points to move to airline and hotel loyalty programs, usually at a one to one ratio, but the philosophy behind each partner lineup is very different.

At a high level, American Express prioritizes breadth and optionality. Chase prioritizes focus and usability. Neither approach is inherently better. The right fit depends on how and where you travel.

Airline Transfer Partners

American Express offers one of the largest airline partner networks among bank-issued points programs. This depth creates flexibility, especially for international travel and premium cabin awards.

Key American Express airline partners include:

• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Aeromexico Rewards
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue
• ANA Mileage Club
• Avianca lifemiles
• British Airways Executive Club
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
• Delta SkyMiles
• Emirates Skywards
• Etihad Guest
• Iberia Plus
• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

This variety makes Amex Membership Rewards especially powerful for travelers who enjoy routing flexibility, partner sweet spots, and premium international cabins. It also allows access to unique programs that are not available through Chase, including Delta SkyMiles and ANA Mileage Club.

Chase offers a smaller but highly practical airline partner list that overlaps with many major alliances.

Key Chase airline partners include:

• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue
• British Airways Executive Club
• Iberia Plus
• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
• United Airlines MileagePlus
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

The standout difference is United Airlines Mileage Plus and Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards. For travelers who frequently fly United or Southwest, this exclusivity can be decisive.

Hotel Transfer Partners

Hotel partners often matter just as much as airlines, especially for travelers who prefer predictable value.

American Express partners with:

• Choice Privileges
• Hilton Honors
• Marriott Bonvoy

Hilton transfers at a higher ratio (1:2), which can look appealing, but hotel award pricing can vary widely. Value is possible, but it often requires careful selection.

Chase partners with:

• IHG One Rewards
• Marriott Bonvoy
• World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt is the clear differentiator. Its award chart structure and consistently strong redemption rates make it one of the most valuable hotel programs available. For travelers who use points for hotel stays, Hyatt alone can tilt the comparison toward Chase.

How Partner Choice Shapes Strategy

Transfer partners are one of the clearest points of separation between these two ecosystems, and they directly influence how travelers use their points.

Amex transfer partners favor travelers who value flexibility and international reach. The larger airline network increases the odds of finding award availability, especially for long-haul routes and premium cabins. Chase transfer partners favor travelers who value clarity and consistency. A smaller partner list reduces complexity, and the inclusion of World of Hyatt delivers strong, repeatable hotel value that is easy to use.

Winner for Airline Transfer Partners: Amex Membership Rewards

Winner for Hotel Transfer Partners: Chase Ultimate Rewards

Redemption Options and Real-World Value

Earning points is only half the equation. The real value of any points ecosystem shows up when it is time to redeem. This is where Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards begin to feel very different in practice, even when point valuations look similar on paper.

Both programs offer two primary redemption paths, booking travel through a portal or transferring points to airline and hotel partners. The difference lies in how much value and flexibility each path provides.

Booking Travel Through Issuer Portals

Travel portals are often the simplest way to redeem points. They function like an online travel agency, allowing you to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and experiences using points instead of cash.

American Express Travel Portal

When booking through the American Express Travel portal, Membership Rewards points are typically worth about one cent per point for flights and hotels. The experience is straightforward, and availability mirrors paid fares, which means no award seat hunting. However, the capped value limits upside. Portal bookings are best viewed as a convenience option, not a value-maximizing one.

Chase Travel Portal

The Chase Travel portal is a stronger value proposition. Depending on the card you hold, points redeemed through the portal can be worth significantly more than one cent each. This makes portal bookings a legitimate value strategy rather than a fallback option. For travelers who prefer simplicity or want to avoid learning transfer rules, this difference alone can make Chase Ultimate Rewards feel more powerful in everyday use.

Winner for Travel Portals: Chase Ultimate Rewards

Transferring Points To Travel Partners

Transfers are where transferable points can deliver their highest value, but they also require more effort and planning.

American Express Transfers

Membership Rewards excels here. The large airline partner list creates more booking paths, especially for international travel. Transferring points can unlock premium cabin redemptions that deliver far more value than portal bookings, sometimes several cents per point. Transfer bonuses add another layer of upside, rewarding travelers who time redemptions carefully.

Chase Transfers

Chase transfers are simpler and more predictable. While the airline partner list is smaller, it includes highly practical programs, and hotel transfers to World of Hyatt consistently deliver strong value. Chase transfers may offer fewer creative options, but they reduce the risk of poor redemptions.

Winner for Transfer Partners: Amex Membership Rewards

Which Ecosystem Is Best For Different Types of Travelers

After comparing earning, transfer partners, redemption options, and ease of use, a clear theme emerges. There is no single best points ecosystem for everyone. Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards excel in different situations, and the right choice depends on how you travel and how involved you want to be.

Who Should Lean Toward Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Ultimate Rewards is a strong fit for travelers who value consistency and simplicity.

This ecosystem works especially well for travelers who:

• Prefer straightforward redemptions without extensive planning
• Use points frequently for hotels
• Want strong value through a travel portal
• Travel domestically or book Economy Class flights often

The ability to redeem points through the Chase Travel portal at elevated values creates a reliable floor for redemptions. The inclusion of World of Hyatt adds outsized hotel value with minimal complexity. For many travelers, this combination delivers strong results with less effort. 

Chase is also a practical choice for those who want points to feel usable, not aspirational.

Who Should Lean Toward Amex Membership Rewards

Amex Membership Rewards is best suited for travelers who prioritize flexibility and upside.

This ecosystem tends to work best for travelers who:

• Fly internationally or target premium cabins
• Enjoy optimizing redemptions
• Are comfortable transferring points to partners
• Want access to a broader airline network

The larger transfer partner list and frequent transfer bonuses create more opportunities to extract high value. For travelers who plan ahead and enjoy learning award programs, Membership Rewards can unlock experiences that are difficult to replicate through portals alone.

Amex rewards engagement. The more effort you put in, the more value you can often extract.

Which Ecosystem Is Best For Different Travelers

Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards are both flexible, powerful ecosystems, but they serve different travel styles better than others. Viewing the comparison through the lens of how you actually travel can make the choice far clearer.

• Best for Beginners / Infrequent Travelers: Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Best for Frequent Flyers / Premium Cabins: Amex Membership Rewards
• Best for Hotel Loyalists: Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Best for Business Owners: Amex Membership Rewards
• Best for Families: Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Best for Domestic Flights: Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Best for Advanced Users: Amex Membership Rewards

Who May Benefit From Using Both Ecosystems

Many experienced travelers eventually use both Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards. The programs complement each other well.

A dual-ecosystem approach can make sense for travelers who:

• Want airline flexibility from Amex and hotel value from Chase
• Travel frequently across different regions
• Balance premium trips with simpler redemptions

Using both allows you to route points where they perform best instead of forcing one program to do everything. If you want points that are easy to use and hard to misuse, Chase Ultimate Rewards is often the better starting point. If you want maximum flexibility and are willing to engage more deeply, Amex Membership Rewards offers more upside.

The goal is not to pick the program with the longest feature list. It is to choose the ecosystem that fits how you actually travel.

Common Mistakes That Reduce Points Value

Both Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards are powerful tools, but they are easy to misuse. Most lost value does not come from bad cards or bad programs. It comes from simple mistakes that compound over time. Avoiding these pitfalls can often matter more than choosing the perfect card.

• Transferring Points Without Confirmed Availability. Transfers to airline and hotel partners are usually irreversible. Moving points before confirming award space can leave you stuck with miles that are difficult to use or poorly valued.
• Defaulting To Travel Portal Redemptions. Portals are convenient, but they often cap point value. With Amex in particular, using points through the portal can significantly reduce value compared to transferring to partners.
• Hoarding Points Without A Redemption Goal. Points can lose value over time due to devaluations and pricing changes. Earning without a plan increases the risk that your points will be worth less when you finally redeem them.
• Ignoring Taxes, Fees, and Fuel Surcharges. Some award tickets carry high out-of-pocket costs that erase much of the perceived value. This is especially common with international airline transfers and must be factored into any redemption.
• Choosing Complexity Over Usability. Chasing maximum theoretical value can lead to frustration and unused points. A redemption you confidently book is often better than a perfect one that never happens.

Points are meant to make travel easier and more accessible, not more complicated. Most mistakes come from moving too fast or trying to optimize without enough context.

Final Thoughts

Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards are both exceptional points ecosystems. Each offers real flexibility, strong earning potential, and the ability to turn everyday spending into meaningful travel experiences. The differences between them are not about quality. They are about philosophy.

American Express Membership Rewards prioritizes flexibility and upside. Its expansive airline partner network and frequent transfer bonuses create opportunities for high-value redemptions, especially for international and premium travel. That value often comes with added complexity, and it rewards travelers who are willing to plan and optimize.

Chase Ultimate Rewards prioritizes simplicity and consistency. Its streamlined partner list, strong hotel options, and valuable travel portal make points easier to earn and easier to use well. For many travelers, this reliability delivers excellent results with less effort.

There is no single right answer to the Amex Membership Rewards vs Chase Ultimate Rewards question. The better ecosystem is the one that aligns with how you travel, how much time you want to spend managing points, and what types of trips you value most. Many travelers eventually find that using both ecosystems offers the best of both worlds. Others prefer to focus on one and keep things simple. Both approaches can work.

The most important takeaway is this. Points are a tool, not a scorecard. When used intentionally, either Amex Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards can make travel more accessible, more comfortable, and more rewarding.

Kevin Zanes