How Long Does It Take for Amex Points to Post?

American Express Membership Rewards points are a flexible currency earned by cardholders. Understanding when these points appear in your account is important, as it impacts when rewards can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, or statement credits. The process for points to post can vary depending on the transaction or promotion.

Everyday Purchase Point Timelines

Points from daily purchases typically post to your American Express Membership Rewards account after the transaction clears and is processed. This often occurs within a few days to a week after the purchase date. Initially, these points may appear as “pending” in your account.

For points to become fully available, the monthly statement period must close, and the statement balance must be paid. Once your payment is processed, pending points usually become available within 24 to 72 hours. Factors like merchant processing times and billing cycle closing dates influence when points are finalized and ready for redemption.

Bonus Point Timelines

Points from promotional activities, such as welcome offers, generally follow a longer timeline than everyday spending. For welcome bonuses, points typically post several weeks after the spending requirement is met and the statement period closes. While official terms may state 8 to 12 weeks, some cardholders report points posting within a few days to two weeks after meeting the spending threshold. Always review the specific terms for each offer to understand the requirements and expected posting timeframe.

Referral bonuses, earned when a friend applies for and is approved for a card using your personalized link, also have a distinct posting schedule. American Express officially states these points may take 8 to 12 weeks to post to your account after the referred individual’s approval. However, similar to welcome offers, anecdotal reports indicate referral points can appear sooner, sometimes within a few days to a week. Points from other targeted promotions or spending multipliers often post around the end of the promotional period or with the next billing cycle.

Checking and Resolving Missing Points

Monitoring your Membership Rewards balance is straightforward through American Express’s digital platforms. You can view your current points balance by logging into your online account or using the Amex mobile app, typically under the ‘Rewards’ tab or ‘Points Summary’ section. This allows you to track points as they accumulate and become available.

If points are missing or have not posted within the expected timeframe, first review your recent statements and transaction details. Confirm that purchases were eligible for points and that any spending requirements for bonuses have been met. If points still do not appear, contact American Express customer service; their chat support feature can provide assistance. If a minimum payment is not made on time, points earned during that billing period may be withheld. They can often be reinstated for a fee, usually around $35 per billing period, within 12 months of paying the amount due.