AMEX Membership Rewards
VS
Radisson Rewards
AMEX Membership Rewards vs Radisson Rewards: which loyalty program wins?
We score AMEX Membership Rewards and Radisson Rewards 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 Radisson Rewards is best for Frequent flyers.
Skip AMEX Membership Rewards if Anyone seeking the highest local earn rate or the lowest annual fees, and skip Radisson Rewards if Occasional hotel guests.
Overall rating
| AMEX Membership Rewards | Radisson Rewards | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | |
|---|---|---|
| Radisson Rewards | Members earn Radisson Rewards points on every paid stay at participating Radisson Hotel Group properties globally. Earn rates vary by tier: Club (entry, default) earns 9 points per USD spent on eligible room charges (excluding taxes and fees); Premium earns 27 points per USD; VIP earns 36 points per USD. Points also accrue on hotel incidentals charged to the room at participating properties. Members can also earn through Radisson promotional offers and the unique Discount Booster (2026) which trades fewer points for a higher instant discount (up to 20%) on the stay. Points can be purchased (up to 250,000 per year) but purchased points don't count toward elite status qualification. There are no Radisson Rewards credit cards available - co-brand cards were discontinued globally. |
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. | |
|---|---|---|
| Radisson Rewards | Points redeem for award nights at any Radisson Hotel Group property worldwide. Standard room award nights start from 9,000 points, or 5,000 points with the Points + Cash option for partial payment. There are no blackout dates on standard room redemptions. Uniquely, members still receive elite benefits (room upgrades and late checkout) when booking with points — unlike some hotel chains. Award pricing is increasingly dynamic since 2022, though some sweet spots remain on the award chart. Members can also redeem for gift cards, merchandise, travel experiences, and donations to charity. Limited airline and travel partner transfer options exist but generally offer poor value due to the compressed point value (~0.25 cents USD per point industry valuation). |
Partner network · Tiers & status · Point expiry policy
| AMEX Membership Rewards | Radisson Rewards | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of partners | 0 | 0 |
| Partners | — | — |
| Number of tiers | 0 | 3 |
| Top tier | — | VIP |
| First-tier qualification | — | 3 stays |
| Point expiry | Never expire | 24 months inactivity (reset on earn) |