There are certain online and offline brands wherein if you use your American Express credit card, you will earn base reward points (1x). The same applies to marketplaces like Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, etc. However, when you purchase gift vouchers of these brands and marketplaces from the Reward Multiplier platform and use them further, you can earn accelerated reward points (up to 5x). Similarly, when you visit the online brands/marketplaces through the Reward Multiplier platform, you can earn accelerated reward points (up to 5x).
Savvy American Express cardholders use this one extra step to multiply their reward points. You too can use this one extra step in your shopping journey to multiply reward points that can take care of your next family vacation. In this article, we will understand what is the Reward Multiplier platform and how you can maximise your rewards using it.
What is the Reward Multiplier platform?
The Reward Multiplier is a platform owned, managed, and operated by American Express. Amex provides its cardholders an opportunity to earn additional Membership Rewards points (bonus MR points) on making purchases from merchants listed on the Reward Multiplier platform.
Similarly, the Reward Multiplier platform lists gift vouchers of various online and offline brands. When a cardholder buys gift vouchers from the Reward Multiplier platform, they get bonus MR points.
The Amex Reward Multiplier is similar to platforms like HDFC Bank’s SmartBuy, ICICI Bank’s iShop, etc. All these platforms from respective banks provide cardholders an opportunity to earn accelerated reward points by shopping through the platform and/or purchasing gift vouchers.
How does Reward Multiplier work?
There are various online merchants listed on the Reward Multiplier platform. Some of these include the following.
| Category | Merchants |
|---|---|
| Marketplace | Flipkart, Myntra, Ajio, Nykaa, Nykaa Fashion |
| Travel | MakeMyTrip flights, MakeMyTrip hotels, Etihad Airways, Mokobara |
| Electronics | Apple, Dyson, Samsung, Croma, Acer, Lenovo, OnePlus, Boat |
| Fashion | Tanishq, Uniqlo, Hidesign, Puma, Koskii, Aurelia, Finona Diamonds |
| Beauty | Forest Essentials, Giva, Wellbeing Nutrition, IGP, Assembly, Titan |
| Global shopping | Farfetch |
Please note that, from time to time, new merchants may be added and existing ones may be removed from the Reward Multiplier platform.
Once the cardholder clicks on any merchant listed on the Reward Multiplier platform, they will be redirected to that merchant’s website. The cardholder can shop on the merchant website and make the payment as they usually do. The payment must be made with the American Express credit card to earn accelerated reward points. So, the Reward Multiplier is just a pass-through platform for recording the transaction.
The Reward Multiplier also offers gift vouchers of various online and offline brands through the e-Voucher platform. American Express credit cardholders can enjoy up to 40% instant discount and accelerated reward points on purchasing gift vouchers. The platform offers gift vouchers of 150+ brands spread across various categories like fashion, dining, home needs, wellness, electronics, entertainment, travel, gifting, etc.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use the Amex Reward Multiplier Portal
Maximising your rewards is simple. Follow these steps before every online purchase to ensure you earn your bonus MR points:
- Log In to the Amex Portal: Clear your browser cookies and cache first. Log in to your American Express online account or visit the dedicated Reward Multiplier website.
- Navigate to the Portal: Find the “Membership Rewards” or “Offers & Benefits” section and click on the “Reward Multiplier” link.
- Select Your Eligible Card: You will be prompted to select the American Express Credit Card you wish to use for the transaction to link the bonus points to that card account.
- Find Your Merchant: Browse or search for the partner merchant (e.g., Flipkart, MakeMyTrip, Tanishq) you wish to shop at.
- Click and Redirect: Click the merchant’s banner or link labeled “Shop Now”. This will automatically redirect you to the merchant’s official website.
- Shop with an Empty Cart: Crucially, ensure your cart on the merchant’s website is empty before you start shopping. Add your desired items to the cart after being redirected from the Amex portal.
- Complete the Purchase: Proceed to checkout and make the full payment using the same American Express Credit Card you selected in step 3.
- Confirmation: You will not see the bonus points immediately, but the transaction will be recorded for bonus point fulfilment. The bonus MR points are typically credited within 120 business days.
Partner Merchants & Reward Potential
The reward multiplier rate often depends on the specific Amex card you hold and is typically listed on the portal. Below is a sample of the categories and merchants available:
| Category | Sample Merchants | Potential Reward Multiplier (Card Dependent) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketplace | Flipkart, Myntra, Ajio, Nykaa, Nykaa Fashion | Up to 5X MR Points | Great for general shopping. |
| Travel | MakeMyTrip (flights/hotels), Etihad Airways, Mokobara | Up to 5X MR Points | Ideal for booking your next vacation. |
| Electronics | Apple, Dyson, Samsung, Croma, Acer, Lenovo, OnePlus, Boat | Up to 5X MR Points | Excellent for high-value gadget purchases. |
| Fashion & Jewellery | Tanishq, Uniqlo, Hidesign, Puma, Koskii, Aurelia, Finona Diamonds | Up to 5X MR Points | Covers both luxury and everyday fashion. |
| Beauty & Wellness | Forest Essentials, Giva, Wellbeing Nutrition, IGP, Assembly, Titan | Up to 5X MR Points | For self-care and gifting. |
| Global Shopping | Farfetch | Up to 5X MR Points | For international luxury brands. |
| E-Vouchers | Amazon Pay, Flipkart, Taj Hotels, etc. (via e-Voucher platform) | Up to 5X MR Points + Instant Discount | Purchase gift cards for a wide range of brands. |
Now that we understand how to use Amex Reward Multiplier platform, let us understand the rewards structure.
Eligible Amex cards and reward rates
An American Express credit cardholder will earn bonus MR points under Reward Multiplier as below.
| Credit Card | Base MR points | Bonus MR points | Total MR points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centurion Card | 6 MR points/₹200 spent (1x) | 54 MR points/₹200 spent (9x) | 60 MR points/₹200 spent (10x) |
| Platinum Card, Platinum Corporate Card | 1 MR point/₹40 spent (1x) | 4 MR points/₹40 spent (4x) | 5 MR points/₹40 spent (5x) |
| Gold Card | 1 MR point/₹50 spent (1x) | 4 MR points/₹50 spent (4x) | 5 MR points/₹50 spent (5x) |
| Platinum Reserve Credit Card, Platinum Travel Credit Card, Gold Corporate Card | 1 MR point/₹50 spent (1x) | 2 MR points/₹50 spent (2x) | 3 MR points/₹50 spent (3x) |
| Membership Rewards Credit Card, SmartEarn Credit Card, Green Corporate Card, and all other cards (excluding co-brand cards) | 1 MR point/₹50 spent (1x) | 1 MR point/₹50 spent (1x) | 2 MR points/₹50 spent (2x) |
The bonus MR points shall be credited within 120 business days of the transaction date.
Limited-time promotional offers
From time to time, American Express runs limited-time promotional offers for purchases made through the Reward Multiplier platform. Some examples of Amex Reward Multiplier offers include:
Republic Day Offer – January 2025
As part of Republic Day celebrations, in January 2025, Amex offered 25 MR points for ₹100 spent on merchants listed on the Reward Multiplier platform. The offer was valid from 24th to 28th January 2025. During the campaign, the regular offer of up to 5X MR points is not applicable. The offer is not applicable to gift vouchers bought through the e-Voucher platform on Reward Multiplier.
Diwali Offer – October 2024
In October 2024, during the Diwali festival, Amex offered additional gift vouchers for purchases through the Reward Multiplier platform. Cardholders who spent ₹1 lakh or more between 3rd October to 3rd November 2024 on merchants listed on Reward Multiplier got a bonus of ₹5,000 gift vouchers. The bonus gift vouchers are over and above the up to 5x bonus MR points earned for purchases with merchants listed on the Reward Multiplier platform. The offer is not applicable to gift vouchers bought through the e-Voucher platform on Reward Multiplier.
Limitations, Exclusions, and Terms
The maximum bonus MR points a cardholder can earn from the Reward Multiplier platform in a month are capped at 25,000. The cardholder should clear browser cookies/cache before logging in. They must start shopping with an empty cart.
The Reward Multiplier is not applicable to certain products or categories on specified merchants. For example, all mobiles, gift cards, utility bill payments, gold, etc., are excluded on Flipkart and Tata Cliq. Similarly, gold and silver coins are excluded on Ajio, Nykaa, Myntra, etc.
Check the entire list of merchant-specific products/categories excluded on the Reward Multiplier terms and conditions page:
https://www.americanexpress.com/in/benefits/rewards-program/terms-conditions.html
Bonus MR Points are not awarded on any taxes, delivery charges, or any other fees paid during the procurement of goods/services from the merchants.
Limitations for the e-Voucher platform on Reward Multiplier
There is a capping for Amazon Pay Gift Card, Amazon Shopping Voucher, and Flipkart Gift Voucher. The maximum voucher purchase allowed is worth ₹10,000 individually for all 3 brands in a calendar month per card account (all the cards held by the cardmember + supplementary cards, if any). The convenience fee for purchasing Amazon Pay and Amazon Shopping Gift Vouchers on the Reward Multiplier e-Voucher platform is 1.5% + GST.
Pro Tips to Maximise Value
- Most American Express credit cards don’t give Membership Reward (MR) points on utility bill payments and insurance premium payments. To overcome this, the cardholder can use the Reward Multiplier platform and earn accelerated reward points for these payments.
- The cardholder can buy Amazon Gift Vouchers from the Reward Multiplier platform and earn 2x to 5x MR points. The cardholder can load the Amazon Gift Vouchers to their Amazon Pay Wallet, and then use the wallet balance to pay utility bill payments and insurance premium payments.
- American Express credit cards like Platinum Travel, Membership Rewards Credit Card (MRCC), Gold Charge Card, etc., have various monthly/yearly milestones. The cardholder gets bonus MR points on achieving milestone spends on these cards.
- The cardholder can use the Reward Multiplier platform for maximising benefits through triple-dipping. For example, the MRCC gives 1,000 bonus MR points on doing 4 transactions of ₹1,500 or more in a calendar month. The cardholder can do 4 transactions of ₹1,500 or more for purchasing gift vouchers through the Reward Multiplier platform.
When the MRCC cardholder does 4 transactions (purchase of Amazon Gift Vouchers of ₹1,500 in each transaction) on the Reward Multiplier platform, they will get the following 3 benefits:
- Base MR points (2 MR for every ₹100 spent)
- Bonus MR points for using the Reward Multiplier platform (bonus 2 MR for every ₹100 spent)
- Bonus 1,000 MR points for achieving the monthly milestone (4 transactions of ₹1,500 or more)
On the Reward Multiplier platform, many merchants offer an instant discount on the purchase of gift vouchers. When a cardholder buys gift cards of these brands, they get an additional benefit in the form of an instant discount. Based on the offers going on, you can use the above Amex Reward Multiplier tips to frame your Amex points strategy to maximise benefits.
Reward Rate Impact: With vs. Without Reward Multiplier
When a cardholder uses their Amex credit card directly at a merchant for an online or offline payment, they get the base reward rate. However, when they visit the online merchant through Reward Multiplier or purchase gift cards of the offline merchant through Reward Multiplier, and they pay, they earn bonus reward points along with base reward points.
Let us understand the Amex points calculation with and without the Reward Multiplier with the help of an example.
Membership Rewards Credit Card (MRCC) – Annual Spend Example
An MRCC credit cardholder gets maximum reward points when they spend ₹72,000 in a year (₹1,500 per transaction × 4 transactions/month × 12 months). Let us see how many reward points the cardholder will earn with or without the Reward Multiplier platform.
| Month | Monthly spend | Base MR | Monthly milestone MR bonus | Reward Multiplier MR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ₹1,500 × 4 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 120 |
| 2 | ₹1,500 × 4 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 120 |
| 3 | ₹1,500 × 4 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 120 |
| 4 | ₹1,500 × 4 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 120 |
| 5 | ₹1,500 × 4 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 120 |
| 6 | ₹1,500 × 4 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 120 |
| 7 | ₹1,500 × 4 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 120 |
| 8 | ₹1,500 × 4 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 120 |
| 9 | ₹1,500 × 4 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 120 |
| 10 | ₹1,500 × 4 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 120 |
| 11 | ₹1,500 × 4 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 120 |
| 12 | ₹1,500 × 4 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 120 |
| Total | ₹72,000 | 1,440 | 12,000 | 1,440 |
As per the above table, if the MRCC cardholder spends ₹72,000 in a year, without the Reward Multiplier platform, they will earn 1,440 + 12,000 = 13,440 MR in a year. However, if they use the Reward Multiplier platform, they will earn 1,440 + 12,000 + 1,440 = 14,880 MR points in a year.
So, an MRCC cardholder will earn 1,440 MR points more in a year if they use the Reward Multiplier platform for all their spends.
Gold Charge Card – Annual Spend Example
A Gold Charge cardholder gets maximum reward points when they spend ₹72,000 in a year (₹1,000 per transaction × 6 transactions/month × 12 months). Let us see how many reward points the cardholder will earn with or without the Reward Multiplier platform.
| Month | Monthly spend | Base MR | Monthly milestone MR bonus | Reward Multiplier MR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ₹1,000 × 6 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 480 |
| 2 | ₹1,000 × 6 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 480 |
| 3 | ₹1,000 × 6 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 480 |
| 4 | ₹1,000 × 6 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 480 |
| 5 | ₹1,000 × 6 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 480 |
| 6 | ₹1,000 × 6 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 480 |
| 7 | ₹1,000 × 6 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 480 |
| 8 | ₹1,000 × 6 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 480 |
| 9 | ₹1,000 × 6 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 480 |
| 10 | ₹1,000 × 6 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 480 |
| 11 | ₹1,000 × 6 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 480 |
| 12 | ₹1,000 × 6 transactions | 120 | 1,000 | 480 |
| Total | ₹72,000 | 1,440 | 12,000 | 5,760 |
As per the Amex reward rate comparison in the above table, if the Gold Charge cardholder spends ₹72,000 in a year, without the Reward Multiplier platform, they will earn 1,440 + 12,000 = 13,440 MR in a year. However, if they use the Reward Multiplier platform, they will earn 1,440 + 12,000 + 5,760 = 19,200 MR points in a year.
So, a Gold Charge cardholder will earn 5,760 MR points more in a year if they use the Reward Multiplier platform for all their spends.
Platinum Travel Credit Card – Annual Spend Example
A Platinum Travel Credit Cardholder earns 3x reward points on using the Reward Multiplier platform. The cardholder earns maximum reward points on spending ₹4,00,000 in a year.
When the cardholder spends the entire ₹4 lakhs in a year without the Reward Multiplier platform, they will earn 8,000 base MR points + milestone benefits.
However, when the cardholder uses the Reward Multiplier platform for all the spends, they will earn 8,000 base MR points + 16,000 bonus MR points + milestone benefits. Thus, the cardholder will earn an additional 16,000 MR points for using the Amex Reward Multiplier platform.
We have seen how the cardholder can multiply their MR points (2x to 5x) by using the Reward Multiplier platform, depending on the card they hold. However, it may not be possible to use the American Express Reward Multiplier platform for each and every spend. So, a cardholder may use the Reward Multiplier platform wherever possible and maximise their benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which American Express cards are eligible for the Reward Multiplier program?
The following American Express cards are eligible for the Reward Multiplier program:
- Centurion Card
- Platinum Card
- Platinum Corporate Card
- Gold Card
- Platinum Reserve Credit Card
- Platinum Travel Credit Card
- Gold Corporate Card
- Membership Rewards Credit Card
- SmartEarn Credit Card
- Green Corporate Card
- All other cards issued by American Express, excluding all co-brand cards
How soon are bonus Membership Reward points credited after a transaction?
As per the terms and conditions, the bonus MR points will be credited within a period of 120 business days from the transaction date. In case a transaction is taken on a hotel or airline merchant, the offer fulfilment will be done within 120 days of availing the service (taking the flight or completing the hotel stay) at the partner merchant.
Are e-voucher purchases eligible for bonus points and discounts?
Yes, the e-vouchers purchased through the e-voucher platform on the Reward Multiplier platform are eligible for bonus points. Some merchants offer discounts on e-vouchers.
Can I combine Reward Multiplier with other Amex or merchant offers?
Yes, Reward Multiplier can be combined with other Amex or merchant offers. For example, suppose Amex is offering a direct discount on Croma. When the cardholder visits the Croma website through Reward Multiplier, they will get bonus MR points as well as an instant discount.
Similarly, if a merchant is providing some offer, it can be clubbed with the Reward Multiplier bonus MR points.
High-Ticket Purchase Use Case: Buying a New Apple Laptop
Let’s assume you hold an American Express Gold Card (earns 1 MR point per ₹50 spent, plus 4x bonus = 5X total points) and plan to buy a new Apple MacBook Pro worth ₹1,50,000.
| Purchase Scenario | Spend (₹) | Reward Rate | Points Earned (Base) | Points Earned (Bonus via Multiplier) | Total MR Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directly on Apple Store (Without Multiplier) | 1,50,000 | 1 MR / ₹50 | 3,000 MR | 0 MR | 3,000 MR |
| Via Reward Multiplier | 1,50,000 | 5 MR / ₹50 | 3,000 MR | 12,000 MR (4x bonus) | 15,000 MR |
By taking the simple extra step of routing your purchase through the Amex Reward Multiplier portal, you instantly boost your earnings from 3,000 MR points to a massive 15,000 MR points. This is an additional 12,000 MR points earned on a single transaction, significantly fast-tracking your next big redemption!
Conclusion & Final Thoughts
The Reward Multiplier platform is an excellent way to multiply your reward points (2x to 5x) depending on the Amex card that you hold. You can purchase gift vouchers of online and offline brands from the Reward Multiplier platform and earn bonus reward points. You can then use the gift vouchers for purchases at online and offline brands.
With any upcoming big-ticket purchases, you can always plan the purchase to maximise the benefits. You can club base MR points, bonus MR points, milestone benefits, instant discounts (if any), etc. Keep an eye on the Reward Multiplier offers that Amex communicates from time to time. Amex usually sends offers in January (Republic Day), Diwali, etc. These are the best times to maximise your benefits.
Did you get a great deal by maximising the use of the Amex Reward Multiplier platform? Share your experience in the comments. Have a query on the Reward Multiplier? Ask in the comments.