American Express Membership Rewards - Any way to turn Amex Platinum points into cash?

Hi all, I have about 400,000 points on Amex that I'd like to turn into cash. I could really use the $4000 that they are worth to pay bills, etc. I don't care about airline miles, hotel points, and all that.

Is there any way to convert these to cash for $0.01/point? I have heard someone say they get gift cards and then sell them on eBay, but is there some other way?

Hi all, I have about 400,000 points on Amex that I'd like to turn into cash. I could really use the $4000 that they are worth to pay bills, etc. I don't care about airline miles, hotel points, and all that.

Is there any way to convert these to cash for $0.01/point? I have heard someone say they get gift cards and then sell them on eBay, but is there some other way?

well you can get amex gift cards and then pay your bills with those?

well you can get amex gift cards and then pay your bills with those?

I think this is the closest solution but will only yield $2000 in gift cards.

I think this is the closest solution but will only yield $2000 in gift cards.

You can either get $2000 in statement credit, amex gift card or travelers check.

You can either get $2000 in statement credit, amex gift card or travelers check.

true i forgot about that! prob more direct way to cover your bills and such, pay with your amex then apply the credit....

I'm a bit surprised to see such a request coming from someone so determined to get the Centurion card. Certainly there must be something else of value that you want from American Express, right??

Or have the tables turned so much that the only thing left is to hope that the minimal "equity" built up in points can save you?

I'm a bit surprised to see such a request coming from someone so determined to get the Centurion card. Certainly there must be something else of value that you want from American Express, right??

Or have the tables turned so much that the only thing left is to hope that the minimal "equity" built up in points can save you?


It has been an intriguing soap opera.

Wow you guys are looking WAAAY too deep into things here. Just a simple question about turning points into cash, that's all.

As for Centurion, that is not a current goal of mine as it once was. I still have to get my credit score up a bit for that and I'm in the process of paying down debt to get there.

I know you can transfer Amex points to another member (or at least you once were able to), perhaps you can get someone to purchase them?

I know that you can get Saks gift cards and the points are worth more with Saks Gift cards than with Amex cards. IE, 25,000 points = $250 in saks gift cards but it is less for Amex gift cards. I cannot be certain of this, but maybe you can get the saks cards and then return the items for cash.

I'd double the check if they allow you to return the items for cash or store credit.

Not to sound like an ..., but how did you expect to get the Centurion card if you were so much in debt?

I know you can transfer Amex points to another member (or at least you once were able to), perhaps you can get someone to purchase them?

I do not think this is an available option.

I know that you can get Saks gift cards and the points are worth more with Saks Gift cards than with Amex cards. IE, 25,000 points = $250 in saks gift cards but it is less for Amex gift cards. I cannot be certain of this, but maybe you can get the saks cards and then return the items for cash.

I'd double the check if they allow you to return the items for cash or store credit.


Upon an item return to Saks, Saks will make a refund in an original payment method. Basically you get your gift card back. On occasions, Saks employee might slip and give you cash. It happened to me more often at Nordstrom, then Saks.

An American Express Gift Cheque is expensive.
10,000 points = $50 gift cheque
400,00 points = $2,000 in gift cheques.
but it seams to be the only legal game in town.

Robert, The Concierge

An American Express Gift Cheque is expensive.
10,000 points = $50 gift cheque
400,00 points = $2,000 in gift cheques.
but it seams to be the only legal game in town.

Robert, The Concierge


Robert's adjective between "only" and "game" is important. You could in principle get points converted to airline travel awards and in then sell those. But even if that is legal in the sense that the police won't be knowcking down your door I imagine it violates your agreements with at least the airline company involved.

I do not think this is an available option.




Upon an item return to Saks, Saks will make a refund in an original payment method. Basically you get your gift card back. On occasions, Saks employee might slip and give you cash. It happened to me more often at Nordstrom, then Saks.

Nordstrom will offer cash, regardless of payment method (confirmed to me by Nordstrom clerk when I was returning unwanted Christmas presents last week). However, I don't think Amex points can get you a nordstrom gift card. I suppose if someone is trying to run up Amex points they could buy stuff at Nordstrom, return for cash (get the float on $), and then use the cash to pay amex bill. Not something I would ever do;)