AMEX Membership Rewards vs Avios: which loyalty program wins?

We score AMEX Membership Rewards and Avios 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 Avios is best for Frequent travelers.

Skip AMEX Membership Rewards if Anyone seeking the highest local earn rate or the lowest annual fees, and skip Avios if Saudi residents who don't travel internationally.

Overall rating

	AMEX Membership Rewards	Avios
Overall rating	4.2 / 5	4.4 / 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	4.0 / 5
Expiry	5.0 / 5	5.0 / 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.
Avios	Members earn Avios on Qatar Airways flights - earning rates vary by route, fare class, and booking class. Earnings also accrue on flights with oneworld alliance partners (American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Iberia, Finnair, Royal Jordanian, and others) and on 90+ global partners including hotels (Marriott, IHG), car rentals (Hertz, Avis), retail, dining, and financial services. Avios are credited up to two hours before takeoff after check-in. Members can also purchase Avios to top up their balance, gift them to family and friends, or transfer between accounts. There is no Saudi bank co-branded credit card for Avios as of 2026.

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.
Avios	Avios redeem on Qatar Airways and oneworld alliance flights worldwide - economy, business, and first class. Cabin upgrades to Business class on Qatar Airways are available. Cash + Avios allows part-payment for flights, giving flexibility on Avios-poor or last-minute bookings. At Qatar Duty Free in Hamad International Airport (Doha), Avios redemptions save up to 20% on luxury brands and dining. Members can also redeem at the Privilege Club Collection (lifestyle merchandise) and convert Avios with partner programs. Expired Avios can be revalidated at USD 0.015 per Avios - unique flexibility among airline programs.

Partner network · Tiers & status · Point expiry policy

	AMEX Membership Rewards	Avios
Number of partners	0	0
Partners	—	—
Number of tiers	0	4
Top tier	—	Platinum
First-tier qualification	—	150 points
Point expiry	Never expire	36 months inactivity (reset on earn)

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