I would love to know what anyone's experience is with "pending points" in the Amex Membership Rewards program. I am a new cardholder who received the Premier Rewards Gold Card in January. I will receive a sign-up bonus and points for my purchases in my last billing cycle. I have read the terms on the AmEx website and understand that points are pending until both the statement is generated and the balance due is paid in full. Both have occurred. I paid my full balance a week ago yet my points are still noted as "pending".

How long does it take for AmEx to make my points available for me to use? What is your experience?

Frankly, I am carefully analyzing whether this product is as good, or better, than my Chase Sapphire Preferred, and will decide in a year whether the $175 annual fee for the card is worth paying. Sapphire Preferred has a lower annual fee of $95, and my points are available to me immediately once my statement is generated. In addition, I had the unfortunate experience of doing $2,000 of damage to a rental car in Europe last year, and the Visa Signature insurance paid every penny of it. I do see that AmEx allows me to transfer points to a larger selection of travel partner programs, and occasionally has transfer bonuses. I suppose that is an advantage.

In the end, at $175 a year, is it too much for me to expect my points to be available to me even a week after paying my balance in full? What is your experience in waiting to get the points?