Travel guide · Decision Guides
Amex vs. Chase: Which Should Be Your Primary Points Currency?
By The Beyond Points Team · Published 2026-07-29 · Last verified 2026-07-29
The short answer: Neither wins outright — they're complementary. Pick Chase as your primary if you value hotels and US flights: it's the only one of the two that reaches World of Hyatt, plus United and Southwest, and its airline transfers are a clean 1:1 (Hyatt is 1:1 from Sapphire Reserve, 4:3 from Sapphire Preferred). Pick Amex if you value the broadest international bench and the most frequent transfer bonuses (ANA, Flying Blue, Avios, Virgin). Many serious travelers eventually hold both; if you're choosing one to start, decide by what you fly and where you sleep. Typical — confirm current partners and ratios before transferring.
The head-to-head
The two most popular flexible currencies, side by side. Partners and ratios change, so treat this as the strategic map and confirm current terms.
| Dimension | American Express | Chase |
|---|---|---|
| Airline bench | Broadest — ANA, Flying Blue, Aeroplan, Avios, Virgin, LifeMiles | Strong — United, Aeroplan, Flying Blue, Avios, Virgin, Southwest |
| Hotels | Marriott, Hilton | World of Hyatt, Marriott, IHG |
| US domestic flights | Weak (no United/Southwest) | Strong (United + Southwest) |
| Transfer bonuses | Frequent (the most of any issuer) | Rare |
| Signature edge | ANA + deepest international bench | Only route to Hyatt (1:1 Sapphire Reserve, 4:3 Sapphire Preferred); clean 1:1 airline transfers |
| Best for | International premium cabins | Hotels + US flights + simplicity |
The full standalone detail lives in Amex transfer partners and Chase Ultimate Rewards. For how both compare to Capital One, Citi, and Bilt, see which transferable points are best.
Best for — the quick verdict
- Choose Chase if hotels matter (Hyatt is Chase-only among the two), if you fly US domestic (United/Southwest), or if you want the simplest ecosystem with clean 1:1 airline transfers (Hyatt's ratio depends on the card) and a solid portal floor.
- Choose Amex if you chase international business/first (ANA is Amex-exclusive), if you want the broadest partner list, or if you'll actively use its frequent transfer bonuses.
- Choose both — eventually — because their gaps are complementary: Chase covers Amex's Hyatt/United hole, Amex covers Chase's international depth.
When each one wins
Chase wins for the traveler who books hotels on points (World of Hyatt returns the most value of any program, and only Chase reaches it — see Hyatt sweet spots), flies domestically, or simply wants fewer moving parts. Amex wins for the traveler focused on premium cabins abroad, who values partner breadth and will time transfers to a bonus.
When each one falls short
- Amex falls short on US domestic (no United or Southwest) and hotels beyond Marriott/Hilton — notably no Hyatt.
- Chase falls short on transfer bonuses (it almost never runs them) and on international bench depth (no ANA, no LifeMiles).
- Either falls short alone for a traveler whose trips span both domestic hotels and international premium cabins — which is why holding both is common.
Common mistakes
- Picking by welcome bonus alone. The everyday value is in the partners you'll actually use, not a one-time offer.
- Assuming they share partners. Chase has United/Southwest/Hyatt; Amex has ANA/Delta/LifeMiles/Hilton — know which holds the partner you need.
- Waiting for a Chase transfer bonus. They're rare — with Chase, let award space drive timing, not patience (see transfer bonuses explained).
- Underusing Hyatt. If you hold Chase and book hotels, spending points anywhere but Hyatt often leaves value on the table.
The real tradeoff
The honest picture: Amex trades no-United/Hyatt for the broadest bench and the best bonuses; Chase trades rare bonuses for Hyatt, United, and Southwest and the simplest experience. If you must choose one to start, let your travel decide — hotels and US flights point to Chase, international premium points to Amex. The strongest long-term setup is holding both and using each for what it does best.
How Beyond Points helps
The right currency changes with every trip: the same seat might be cheapest through Chase's Aeroplan or Amex's Flying Blue, and a hotel might only be reachable through Chase at all. Beyond Points weighs the programs both currencies feed against live cash prices, and names which of your points actually books your trip for the least before you transfer.
Conclusion
Amex vs Chase isn't a contest with a single winner — it's a match to how you travel. Chase for hotels, US flights, and simplicity; Amex for international premium cabins, partner breadth, and bonuses. Start with the one that fits your trips, add the other when your travel outgrows it, and let award availability — not brand loyalty — decide each booking. Typical — confirm current partners and ratios before transferring.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amex or Chase better for points?
Neither universally — they're complementary. Chase is stronger for hotels (it's the only one that reaches World of Hyatt) and US flights (United, Southwest); Amex is stronger for international premium cabins (ANA is Amex-only) and runs far more transfer bonuses. Choose by the trips you actually take.
Which should be my first points card, Amex or Chase?
If you book hotels on points or fly US domestic, start with Chase for Hyatt, United, and Southwest and its simplicity. If your goal is international business or first class, start with Amex for its deeper bench and ANA access. Many travelers add the second later.
Do Amex and Chase share the same transfer partners?
Only some. They share Aeroplan, Flying Blue, Avios, Virgin Atlantic, and Marriott. Chase alone has United, Southwest, and Hyatt; Amex alone has ANA, Delta, Avianca LifeMiles, and Hilton. Knowing which program holds the partner you need is the core of the decision.
Should I hold both Amex and Chase?
Many serious travelers do, because the gaps line up: Chase covers Hyatt and US flights, Amex covers the deeper international bench and frequent bonuses. If you're choosing just one to start, let your travel patterns decide, then add the other when you outgrow it.
Which is better for hotels?
Chase, decisively — it's the only one of the two that transfers to World of Hyatt, the highest-value hotel program. Both reach Marriott, and Amex adds Hilton, but for peak hotel value the Chase-to-Hyatt path is the differentiator.