Travel points can feel confusing.

There are so many cards out there.

And everyone claims their favorite program is the best.

But the truth is pretty simple. Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards are two of the strongest currencies you can collect, and each one shines in its own way.

In this guide, you will get a clear, friendly breakdown of how these programs work, where they differ, and why earning both can open the door to more comfortable and more affordable travel.

How Each Program Lets You Earn Points

Both programs give you plenty of ways to build balances, but the earning patterns vary by card and spending style.

Welcome Bonuses

Chase usually offers warm and steady bonuses. You will often see offers like 60,000 points on the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve, and large bonuses on business cards that can reach 90,000 points.

American Express leans into premium bonuses too. Cards like the Platinum often come with 80,000 points, the Gold card tends to sit around 60,000 points, and the Business Gold can climb much higher for big spenders.

Category Bonuses

Chase cards reward everyday travel spending in a simple, dependable way. Sapphire Preferred earns 2x on travel and 3x on dining. Sapphire Reserve earns on similar categories, and even higher rates on certain hotel and rental bookings. Freedom Flex adds rotating 5 percent categories that can be surprisingly valuable.

American Express cards lean harder into lifestyle spending. The Platinum earns 5x on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel. The Gold card gives a strong 4x on diningand at U.S. supermarkets. Blue Business Plus delivers a clean 2x on most purchases up to a yearly limit.

Referral Bonuses

Both Chase and Amex allow you to earn points when you refer friends. This can become a quiet superpower. When people see you taking great trips for very little money, they tend to ask how you do it. Sharing your link helps them start their journey, and you pick up extra points along the way.

How These Points Perform When You Want to Travel

Here is where things get interesting. The best value in both programs usually comes from transferring points to airline or hotel partners. The partner lists are different, which is why having both currencies can help you reach more places with less hassle.

Chase Exclusive Partners

Chase partners with United and Southwest, along with hotel brands like World of Hyatt and IHG. Hyatt is especially loved for its consistent value, which can stretch your points farther than you expect.

Amex Exclusive Partners

American Express brings partners like Delta, ANA, Qantas (Capital One and Citi have this too), Avianca Lifemiles (Cap1 and Citi too). It also works with Hilton and Choice (Citi is better for Choice hotels), giving you more hotel options if you like variety.

Using the Travel Portals

Travel portals are rarely the best value, but they can be easy.

Chase gives you between 1 and 2 cents per point depending on your card and portal points boost offer. This is higher than Amex, which usually values points around 1 cent on AmexTravel. If you like simple redemptions, Chase tends to win here.

Other Ways to Redeem Points

Cash back sits at 1 cent per point with Chase. Amex can be lower unless you hold the Schwab Platinum, which lets you cash out at 1.1 cents.

Shopping redemptions on either side offer poor value. They are convenient but not ideal for stretching your points.

Beyond Points. Perks and Benefits Matter Too

Both banks stack their cards with extra comforts. You will find travel credits, lounge access, insurance protections, and more. Amex often leans into premium perks like Centurion Lounges. Chase focuses on strong all around benefits that feel easy to use. Either way, both ecosystems are generous once you understand them.

How to Choose the Program That Fits You

Choose Chase if you want simple, flexible value, easy Hyatt redemptions, or regular flights with United or Southwest. Chase also works well if you want simple cash out options without planning complex transfer strategies.

Choose American Express if you enjoy premium touches, want a smooth way to fly Delta, or spend heavily on dining and groceries. Amex also shines if you like a wider menu of international transfer partners.

A fairly good rule of thumb is Chase for hotels (Hyatt), and Amex for flights (generally better flight transfer partners).

Both programs can take you far. Chase might feel more straightforward. Amex might feel more luxurious. The real magic happens when you collect both, because together they unlock almost every corner of the travel world.

When you mix these currencies wisely, you set yourself up for comfortable cabins, great hotels, and long lasting memories that come at a surprisingly low cost.

Talk soon,

Your Maestro Concierge

Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are only the author’s and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity.