AMEX Membership Rewards vs British Airways Club: which loyalty program wins?

We score AMEX Membership Rewards and British Airways Club 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

AMEX Membership Rewards is best for International travelers wanting premium-cabin redemptions and no expiry pressure, while British Airways Club is best for Frequent flyers.

Skip AMEX Membership Rewards if Anyone seeking the highest local earn rate or the lowest annual fees, and skip British Airways Club if Anyone targeting elite status.

Overall rating

	AMEX Membership Rewards	British Airways Club
Overall rating	4.2 / 5	4.1 / 5
Earning	3.0 / 5	3.0 / 5
Redemption	5.0 / 5	5.0 / 5
Network	5.0 / 5	5.0 / 5
Ease of use	3.0 / 5	3.0 / 5
Expiry	5.0 / 5	4.0 / 5

Earning structure

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.
British Airways Club	Members earn two currencies on BA-marketed flights and oneworld partners: Avios (the spending currency) and Tier Points (the status currency). Avios accrue at 6 per £1 (Blue), 7 (Bronze), 8 (Silver), or 9 (Gold) on eligible BA spending. Tier Points: 1 per £1 of eligible BA spend (fare + extras like seats, baggage), 2 per £1 of Sustainable Aviation Fuel contributions (April 2026 update, max 2,000 tier points/year). Bonus tier points based on fare type (April 2026): flexible fares earn more than standard fares within the same cabin. American Airlines and Iberia flights now earn bonus tier points based on cabin/haul. No Saudi bank issues a BA co-branded card. Avios can also be earned via Marriott Bonvoy transfer (3:1 ratio, 5,000 bonus per 60,000 points).

Redemption structure

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.
British Airways Club	Avios redeem for award flights and upgrades on BA, oneworld partners. Reward Flight Saver offers fixed cash + Avios pricing for select short-haul routes. Standard award flights use variable Avios + taxes/fees. BA award redemptions include high carrier-imposed surcharges (especially on premium-cabin long-haul). Members can use Avios for hotel stays (BA Hotels), car rentals, Avios shopping, BA Cabin Crew Wine, and gift experiences. Cash + Avios part-pay available on most BA bookings. Tier Points cannot be redeemed — they only determine status.

Partner network · Tiers & status · Point expiry policy

	AMEX Membership Rewards	British Airways Club
Number of partners	0	0
Partners	—	—
Number of tiers	0	4
Top tier	—	Gold
First-tier qualification	—	3,500 points
Point expiry	Never expire	36 months inactivity (reset on earn)

Open in loyaup