AMEX Membership Rewards vs ICSAB+: which loyalty program wins?

We score AMEX Membership Rewards and ICSAB+ 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 ICSAB+ is best for Households paying SADAD and government bills.

Skip AMEX Membership Rewards if Anyone seeking the highest local earn rate or the lowest annual fees, and skip ICSAB+ if Heavy spenders on groceries, fuel, and restaurants.

Overall rating

	AMEX Membership Rewards	ICSAB+
Overall rating	4.2 / 5	3.6 / 5
Earning	3.0 / 5	4.0 / 5
Redemption	5.0 / 5	3.0 / 5
Network	5.0 / 5	4.0 / 5
Ease of use	3.0 / 5	4.0 / 5
Expiry	5.0 / 5	3.0 / 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.
ICSAB+	Members earn ICSAB+ points across a wide range of activities: credit card spend (7.5–12.5 points per 100 SAR domestic, 10–15 points international, depending on card type), Mada debit card spend (0.5 points domestic, 1 point international per 100 SAR), digital banking registration and activity (10–40 points), paperless statement enrollment (10–20 points), ITM and e-Desk services (10 points each), AQSAT installment plans (10–30 points), IPO enrollment (20–40 points), and personal/home finance applications (100–200 points). Digital payment behavior boosts earnings: contactless +5%, digital wallet +10%, online purchases +15%, recurring digital payments +20%.

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.
ICSAB+	Points redeem through six channels via SAB Mobile or SAB Online: Instant ICSAB+ Cash (1,000 points = 70 SAR, deposited to account or credit card instantly via app or within 3 working days, 200 SAR minimum), Pay with ICSAB+ for SADAD and government payments directly through SAB, E-vouchers at 150+ merchants (1,000 points = 100 SAR — the highest-value path), Online Travel (flights, hotels, car rentals booked directly through the ICSAB+ portal, 1,000-point minimum), Charitable donations to Ehsan or Joodeskan (500 points = 50 SAR, no upper limit), and Points Exchange transfers to airline, hotel, and telecom partner programs. Travel redemptions cannot be cancelled or refunded once confirmed. Most other redemptions are also non-refundable. Redemption requires accepting program T&Cs on first use

Partner network · Tiers & status · Point expiry policy

	AMEX Membership Rewards	ICSAB+
Number of partners	0	0
Partners	—	—
Number of tiers	0	0
Top tier	—	—
First-tier qualification	—	—
Point expiry	Never expire	12 months

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