American Express cardholders have only a few weeks left to utilize the Reward Multiplier program, a popular method for earning accelerated Membership Rewards points. The six-year-old initiative is set to be discontinued effective September 30, 2026, meaning bonus points for purchases routed through the Amex platform will no longer be available.
The program allowed Platinum, Gold, and Membership Rewards (MR) cardholders to earn significantly more than standard reward rates, sometimes up to 5X points on Platinum cards and 10X points on the Centurion card. This was achieved by logging into the Amex platform, clicking on a participating brand like Apple, Nykaa, Myntra, or MakeMyTrip, and then completing a purchase. Merchants paid Amex an affiliate fee, a portion of which was passed back to customers as bonus points.
Crucial Deadline for Bonus Points
For cardholders planning to make large purchases, such as electronics, jewelry, or travel bookings, the deadline is critical. American Express has specified that all transactions must be fully completed by 11:59 PM on September 29, 2026, to qualify under the existing program terms. Simply initiating a transaction before this cutoff will not be sufficient to earn the bonus points.
What Happens Next for Amex Cardholders?
While the Reward Multiplier program is ending, the core American Express Membership Rewards program itself will continue unchanged. Standard earn rates for purchases and all existing point balances held by cardholders are completely unaffected by this discontinuation.
According to an email sent to cardmembers, American Express Banking noted that while accelerated points on select brands via Reward Multiplier will cease, cardholders can still earn 5X Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases through ShopWise. ShopWise is an independent platform that offers e-Vouchers from over 200 brands across various categories including shopping, dining, and travel, serving as an alternative avenue for accelerated rewards.