Alfursan
Saudi Arabian Airlines
VS
AMEX Membership Rewards
Alfursan vs AMEX Membership Rewards: which loyalty program wins?
We score Alfursan and AMEX Membership Rewards on the same five factors — earning rate, redemption value, partner network, ease of use, and point expiry — to help you choose the right program for how you actually spend.
Verdict
Alfursan is best for Frequent flyers, while AMEX Membership Rewards is best for International travelers wanting premium-cabin redemptions and no expiry pressure.
Skip Alfursan if Occasional travellers - miles expire after 24 months, and skip AMEX Membership Rewards if Anyone seeking the highest local earn rate or the lowest annual fees.
Overall rating
| Alfursan | AMEX Membership Rewards | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.6 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Earning | 3.0 / 5 | 3.0 / 5 |
| Redemption | 4.0 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Network | 3.0 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Ease of use | 4.0 / 5 | 3.0 / 5 |
| Expiry | 4.0 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
Earning structure
| Alfursan | Earn miles based on flight distance and cabin class — from 25% of miles flown on Economy Saver up to 250% in First Class. Also earn miles via co-branded credit cards (Al Rajhi, Riyad Bank, Alinma, SNB, BSF, SAB, AmEx) and SkyTeam partner airlines. | |
|---|---|---|
| AMEX Membership Rewards | Cardholders earn 1 Membership Rewards point for every USD spent (approximately 3.75 SAR) at any establishment accepting American Express in Saudi Arabia and 200+ countries worldwide. Premium cards (Gold, Platinum, The Platinum Card, The Gold Card) offer enhanced earning on select categories such as dining, travel, and supermarkets - earning rates vary by specific card product. Welcome bonuses provide head-start points on enrollment, typically substantial. Amex Offers provide additional bonus points and statement credits at participating merchants. Some cards charge USD 25/year for Membership Rewards enrollment; others include it free. |
Redemption structure
| Alfursan | Redeem for SAUDIA and SkyTeam award flights starting at 4,500 miles (one-way domestic Economy), cabin upgrades from 3,750 miles, extra baggage, and lounge access. Miles expire if a user is not active for 2 years. | |
|---|---|---|
| AMEX Membership Rewards | Points redeem through multiple channels: transfer to international airline frequent flyer programs (multiple major carriers, typically 1:1 ratio), transfer to global hotel loyalty programs (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, ALL Accor), book travel directly via Amex's reward catalogue, redeem for digital gift cards from major retailers, pay annual card fees with points, donate to selected charities, or shop with points at AmexShop for electronics, accessories, and gifts. Minimum redemption is 1,000 points. The highest value typically comes from premium-cabin airline transfers, where points can deliver several times more value than cashback or shop-with-points options. Redemption is processed via the Amex Saudi Arabia app, online account, or by calling 800 124 2229. |
Partner network · Tiers & status · Point expiry policy
| Alfursan | AMEX Membership Rewards | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of partners | 0 | 0 |
| Partners | — | — |
| Number of tiers | 3 | 0 |
| Top tier | Gold “Elite Plus” | — |
| First-tier qualification | 20 flights | — |
| Point expiry | 24 months inactivity (reset on earn) | Never expire |