AMEX Membership Rewards
VS
Jarir Bookstore
AMEX Membership Rewards vs Jarir Bookstore: which loyalty program wins?
We score AMEX Membership Rewards and Jarir Bookstore 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 Jarir Bookstore is best for Office supply, art, and book buyers.
Skip AMEX Membership Rewards if Anyone seeking the highest local earn rate or the lowest annual fees, and skip Jarir Bookstore if Electronics-focused shoppers are excluded from the discount.
Overall rating
| AMEX Membership Rewards | Jarir Bookstore | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.2 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 |
| Earning | 3.0 / 5 | 2.0 / 5 |
| Redemption | 5.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Network | 5.0 / 5 | 2.0 / 5 |
| Ease of use | 3.0 / 5 | 5.0 / 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. | |
|---|---|---|
| Jarir Bookstore | Jarir Discount Card is not a points program - there's no earning mechanic in the traditional sense. Instead, cardholders receive an instant 10% discount on eligible categories: most office supplies, art and craft supplies, books, and computer bags. The discount is applied automatically at checkout, both in Jarir stores and on Jarir.com. To qualify for the card, applicants must have accumulated at least 500 SAR in purchase history under their registered mobile number. Jarir verifies this automatically from past transaction records. If the threshold isn't met, customers can add purchases to reach 500 SAR. Application is processed exclusively through the Jarir mobile app. |
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. | |
|---|---|---|
| Jarir Bookstore | The 10% discount is applied automatically at the point of sale. In Jarir physical stores, cardholders open the Jarir app, tap "Discount Card" to display the digital card barcode, and present it to the cashier before payment. The eligible items are auto-discounted. On Jarir.com online, the discount applies automatically when logged in with the registered account; alternatively, cardholders can enter their 7-digit discount card number manually at checkout. No minimum spend required, no point thresholds, no redemption forms to complete. Excluded categories include electronics, computers, smartphones, TVs, and gaming. |
Partner network · Tiers & status · Point expiry policy
| AMEX Membership Rewards | Jarir Bookstore | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of partners | 0 | 0 |
| Partners | — | — |
| Number of tiers | 0 | 0 |
| Top tier | — | — |
| First-tier qualification | — | — |
| Point expiry | Never expire | — |