American Express has recently revised its Membership Rewards program, changing the way points are accumulated across accounts. Previously, points from different Amex cards were automatically merged into one account if the cards were associated with the same login. Nonetheless, this automatic merging will no longer be applicable to newly issued cards. Instead, each new card will maintain an individual rewards account, and cardholders will need to manually connect accounts to combine points.
The revised terms indicate that every product enrolled in the Rewards Program will possess its own Rewards Account. Cardholders are given the option to link multiple products to a single account, consolidating points into a unified balance. This linking can be accomplished online or through the Amex App by selecting the ‘Manage Connections’ option, or by calling the number located on the back of the card.
The reasoning behind this alteration is not clearly articulated by Amex, but it may aim to avert automatic point merging, which could result in the loss of points if a card is deactivated without transferring the points. Furthermore, it might enable Amex to implement varying transfer ratios for distinct cards, in a manner akin to the practices of other issuers such as Chase and Citi.
For cardholders, this alteration signifies the need to actively link accounts to avoid point loss. While it introduces an additional step to the process, it is feasible for those who pay attention. The precise motivation behind Amex’s decision remains uncertain, but it could represent a strategic approach to better oversee point transfers and account closings.