AMEX Membership Rewards
VS
Hassad
Riyad Bank
AMEX Membership Rewards vs Hassad: which loyalty program wins?
We score AMEX Membership Rewards and Hassad 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 Hassad is best for Riyad Bank World Elite cardholders who spend internationally or on e-gaming.
Skip AMEX Membership Rewards if Anyone seeking the highest local earn rate or the lowest annual fees, and skip Hassad if Anyone wanting long point validity or airline/hotel transfer partners.
Overall rating
| AMEX Membership Rewards | Hassad | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.2 / 5 | 2.8 / 5 |
| Earning | 3.0 / 5 | 3.0 / 5 |
| Redemption | 5.0 / 5 | 3.0 / 5 |
| Network | 5.0 / 5 | 3.0 / 5 |
| Ease of use | 3.0 / 5 | 3.0 / 5 |
| Expiry | 5.0 / 5 | 2.0 / 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. | |
|---|---|---|
| Hassad | Members are auto-enrolled in Hassad Rewards on most Riyad Bank credit card activations (some cards excluded). Earn rates vary significantly by card type and transaction category: World Elite Mastercard delivers up to 2.5% back; entry tiers typically earn 1% on local point-of-sale, 1.5% on international, 1.25% on online purchases, and 7.5% on e-gaming platforms. Welcome bonuses of 500-1,600 Hassad points apply on most cards. Points are also earned through digital banking transactions beyond card spend. The Hassad Rewards Calculator on the Riyad Bank website calculates expected points by card type and transaction type. |
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. | |
|---|---|---|
| Hassad | Points redeem through two main channels: at Hassad partner stores by providing the registered mobile number and confirming the transaction with an OTP code sent by SMS; or through the Riyad Bank mobile app for gift cards and vouchers. Members can transfer Hassad points to other Hassad members using their mobile number or Hassad ID. Minimum redemption threshold is 1,000 Hassad points. Vouchers obtained through Hassad are non-refundable and non-transferable. Points cannot be redeemed for cash or used to pay credit card fees, and are non-transferable financially. Refunded or cancelled transactions reverse the corresponding Hassad points. |
Partner network · Tiers & status · Point expiry policy
| AMEX Membership Rewards | Hassad | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of partners | 0 | 0 |
| Partners | — | — |
| Number of tiers | 0 | 0 |
| Top tier | — | — |
| First-tier qualification | — | — |
| Point expiry | Never expire | 12 months |